Customer Reviews

The Sinatra Treasures: Intimate Photos, Mementos, and Music from the Sinatra Family Collection

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There have been all kinds of Sinatra compilations of gorgeous songs interpreted by this legendary singer, but this dignified and loving tribute to Frank Sinatra is the most wonderful retrospective I've ever seen. The book contains quotes and photos, many never released until now, and reprints of some amazing memorabilia all neatly sleeved and achived in the most organized and dignified fashion. This was put together with great care, attention-to-detail, time and sincerity.

The cd included is not a recompilation you've already heard before but there is actually an excerpt from an early radio show and some touching songs that really exemplify the extraordinary talent of Frank Sinatra.

If you have any sentiment for Sinatra's effect on our culture you have to peruse through this book. Incredible.

Top pick for Holiday gifts of '04.

"I've sung and recorded so many wonderful songs over the years it would be impossible to name one in particular as my favorite. Many of them are special to me for one reason or another . . . The ones that stick in my mind are "Only the Lonely," "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Come Fly With Me" because I think the orchestrator's work and my work came together so well." ~ Francis Albert Sinatra (1915-1998)

I was at my favorite bookstore, Borders (teamed up with Amazon.com lately) over the weekend and bought one of the most-coveted Sinatra keepsakes any fan like me would love to have, "The Sinatra Treasures." Charles Pignone, a Sinatra friend and archivist, and also the President of Sinatra Society of America, did an excellent job in putting this book of intimate photos and never before published treasured mementos from the Sinatra Family Collection. This one-of-a-kind hardcover consists of 192 pages of valuable black & white and color photos of Sinatra with film and music celebrities such as Dean Martin, Quincy Jones, Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne, Nancy, Frank, Jr. & Tina Jr., his wife Tina, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey & Pied Pipers, Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, his parents Marty & Dolly Sinatra, "Anything Goes" co-stars Bert Lahr & Ethel Merman, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Gene Kelly, Robert Farnon and Orchestra on the rehearsal of "Great Songs Of Great Britain," his co-stars on "From Here To Eternity" Montgomery Cliff & Burt Lancaster, his co-star on "High Society" Princess Grace, and his famous favorite arranger, Nelson Riddle, not to mention political icons such as the late Presidents Reagan and Kennedy, the former President George Bush, and former First Ladies Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan.

This excellent book also offers a compilation CD of songs as well as rare interviews and radio programs; anecdotes; quotes from the star himself and from his daughters Nancy and Tina, and son Frank Jr.; letters written by Sinatra as well as letters written to him by famous musical and movie legends, and famous political figures. There are also rare photographs of Sinatra with the charismatic late President Ronald Reagan whom "he loved, respected and campaigned for." And according to him, "probably none was closer to his heart than his old friend from the movie lots, the late President Reagan."

The Forewords were written by Frank Sinatra, Jr. and one of the greatest arrangers/conductors, Quincy Jones who wrote one of the most unforgettable anecdotes on Sinatra, and according to him was the first time he'd been called "Q" and the last he'd heard from him until 1962.

"Q, wouldn't it be kooky if we added Johnny Mandel's new song, "The Shadow Of Your Smile," to the show? "No Problem. Can you learn the lyrics by tomorrow?" He gave me a look and began writing the words on a pad, over and over again. Eighteen pages. I dozed off. When I woke up he was still writing, force-feeding the subconscious." ~ Excerpt from the Foreword written by Quincy Jones on September 2003.

Some of the many goodies of this wonderful book are the 'inserts' consisting of reproductions of cherished mementos such as scripts from his Radio Programs; a very nice Victorian style eight-pages photo album; "It Might As Well Be Swing" label copy; a piano sheet of his famous "My Way"; 1942 Official Score Card of New York Giants; a telegram from my favorite Princess and his co-star from "High Society," the very elegant late Grace Kelly, congratulating him on his Oscar victory; 1981 Presidential Inaugural Gala Program produced by Sinatra and a lot more.

Following are the most remarkable quotes from the famous musical icon in the 20th Century.

"When I was nine or ten years old, I would sing with the piano at my father's bar. One day I got a nickel for singing, and that's where it all began. I thought, 'This is the racket to be in'."

"My mother influenced me a great deal. She was a self-taught woman, very bright, had a good common sense and was a hard worker... My earliest childhood memories of my father, Marty, are in the kitchen. He did much of the cooking."

"I like recording late at night. The later the better. My voice was not meant for daytime use."

"I seldom listen to my own recordings. I was once on Catalina Island years ago at a place called Christian's Hut, and Duke Wayne was at the bar. Suddenly, on the jukebox comes my recording of 'One For My Baby', and John Wayne turned to me and said, 'What the hell do you listen to when you're alone at three o-clock in the morning?"

"My toast is simply that I wish everyone thousands of times more than I have gotten in my life. I've been a man overly rewarded in my lifetime, and that's a fact. I appreciate what's happened to me, and I wish everyone in the world a lot of sweet things, pleasant dreams, hugging, kissing, and peace in our time. And may the last voice you hear be mine!"

This is a kind of book worthy to any Sinatra fan. It's a must-have and I highly recommend it, otherwise, you'll miss out on a lot of things to be learned about the greatest musical legend ever lived, the world's most famous entertainer, the Voice of the Century and the Chairman of the Board, none other than the late Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra.

It is as if I have suddenly and unexpectedly come into possession of a Sinatra family album...this book is like an intimate scrapbook of memorabilia that will thrill any fan. Lovingly put together by Charles Pignone and the Sinatra estate, the book offers many pleasing images...many that have never before been seen by the public. The book also contains many "facsimile" items--beautifully reproduced programs, lyric sheets, and other fun memorabilia. Pignone's composition of pictures, quotes, and commentary is stellar. It all flows together like a great concept album. The CD included in this package is a revelation, offering music and interviews...one last chance to hear "The Voice." For the Sinatra fan, this book is a must-have keepsake.

This is a remarkable book. The CD tracks with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, a live 1955 track with Tommy Dorsey, another with the Jack Kennedy campaign song, and never before heard live performances and Frank's narrative alone are worth the price of entry. The pockets full of perfectly reproduced memorabilia are another brilliant inspiration. The graphics are superbly reproduced. But what makes this book such a superb read is the fact that Charles Pignone cares about his subject and is also a sensitive, thoroughly accurate historian. The Sinatra Treasures is an education, not only on the career and friends of Frank Sinatra, but an important recounting of a remarkable era in American life.

One can't read this book one time and put it aside. There is so much richness here, so much integrity, and insight. If you are going to buy one book on Sinatra, this is the ONE!

Although many of the photos and the quotes may seem familiar, they still manage to draw in the reader. Many quotes are by Frank Sinatra directly, celebrating his family, his music, his acting career, and even his short-lived dancing career. In a discussion about dancing with Gene Kelly, for example, Sinatra says, "Shanty, as I called him, was a disciplinarian and a perfectionist. I should know, he made me practice and practice for hours. I had never danced-I didn't know how to dance. I couldn't believe it when I saw myself dancing with Gene on the big screen. Gene danced down to make me look better."

The Sinatra Treasures is an aptly named book, and every page offers up a new treasure, be it a photograph or a quote, that draws the reader behind the scenes into the life of a man that Time Magazine has designated "One of the Most Important People of the Century."

Ginger Rogers was perhaps the `better half' of the most famous duo ever to dance across the silver screen during Hollywood's `golden age' of film musicals. For as Ginger herself famously observed, "I did everything HE did - and in heels!"

Still, for the most amazing sequence in the filmed history of `Terpsichore,' Fred Astaire decided to change partners and dance . . . with Eleanor Powell.

In their opening act for "That's Entertainment" (Volume one, 1974) Eleanor & Fred provide the ultimate `challenge dance' by artistic soul mates, performing `as one' in perfect sync.

For eight astounding minutes, Fred & Eleanor, feet-a-blur, take off before our eyes, like birds in flawless visual harmony, gliding over a polished black-mirrored dance floor. Their music of choice? The longest popular song ever written -- Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine" (all 108 measures of it).

Normally, you can't take your eyes off Fred Astaire: He is, after all, the best-of-the-best, right? Well . . . not on this occasion! You may find yourself transfixed by the gorgeous Eleanor -- who refuses to allow Fred to steal the limelight - even for an instant. Yes, Ms Powell, you did as Ginger said, everything Fred did! frontward AND backward! - and in high heels!

And it's Frank Sinatra's perfect words of introduction to that amazing dance sequence in "That's Entertainment" that are quoted in the book's introduction by Sinatra producer Charles Pignone:

"You know . . . you can wait around and hope . . . but I'll tell you: You'll never see the likes of this again!"

Thoughts which this author contends are equally applicable to Frank Sinatra.

Pignone's book, "The Sinatra Treasures" (2004) is simply unsurpassed in providing (as its subtitle says) "Intimate photos, mementos and music" --- all "previously unreleased" by Sinatra's three children.

This is the ONE book I would recommend, above all others, to a new generation of music lovers -- that small but growing number of young people whose musical literacy is soaring lately thanks to more recent recording stars, who are, in the popular metaphors-of-fire, `passing the torch' and `keeping the flame alive.'

The return of the Great American Songbook really dates to the early 80s when Linda Ronstadt teamed with Nelson Riddle (for the great arranger's final recordings). Today the list of champions-of-great-song includes established stars -- all of whom pay open tribute to Frank Sinatra.

Most recent additions: Carly Simon's third album of standards, "Moonlight Serenade" as well as the collections released just this month (November 2005) by Rod Stewart --"Great American Songbook - Volume Four"-- and the tribute album from Rod's singing, co-producer Steve Tyrell -- "Songs of Sinatra".

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This delightful package -- "The Sinatra Treasures" -- would be my choice as this year's perfect Christmas gift for musically-intelligent young people whose improving tastes may lead sooner or later to questions like, Why do all these other singers praise Sinatra? (and) Where's the best place to start a Sinatra collection?

Among the "treasures" here are 13 special inserts in beautiful see-through paper folders - lovingly crafted packages, each containing flawless, full-color reprints/replicas of personal mementos, each one indistinguishable from the original documents! You find yourself breaking open the seals on these inserts with a sense of ceremony; as if the respectful packaging tenderly cradles irreplaceable artifacts -- on loan to you from a museum!

And safely `vaulted' within the inside front cover is a musical CD with a full hour of "previously unreleased" gems. The most precious treasure (for me) is an outtake of a 90-year-old English song, "Roses of Picardy" (From long-ago 1916, with a lyric by the same fellow who wrote the words to "Danny Boy" - Fred Weatherly). This precious recording is from the only complete studio session (for his own "Reprise" label) that Sinatra ever produced outside LA/ Hollywood.

Recorded in London England in June of '62, (at the end of a 30-stop world tour which raised over a million dollars for children's charities) Sinatra was determined, despite his ailing voice, to fulfill a personal commitment to record with composer/arranger Robert Farnon. `Bob's Personal Band' -- a sizeable number of London Symphony musicians -- provided the exquisite backdrop for Sinatra's "Great Songs from Great Britain" album.

Here, the listener is treated to Sinatra speaking with Farnon (who died in April 2005) and Frank gives expert instruction to the "King of Strings" (as Quincy Jones dubbed Farnon in his recent autobiography). Obviously unaware his words would ever be preserved for posterity on a CD, Sinatra tells Farnon:

"No, no no! That's why I wanna (change this) . . . But, -- if you START at the end of the instrumental . . . so let's pick up - find the tempo in the instrumental on the tape! ". . . (Farnon replies, "You're going a little fast Frank . . . and if you start at (bar) 32 . . . then `I'll meet you there!' "

Sinatra (with a smile you can actually hear) says, "Koo Koo! Man, we gotta sleep indoors!" (That prompts laughter from the English musicians -- who obviously were thrilled to be finally working with Frank Sinatra). Responding in kind, the singer quips: "If I could find my key I'd use it!" (More laughter before the recording engineer obtains silence, saying: "(Tape) Running . . . `Roses' -- take one."

In the ensuing silence at the end of the take, amid coughs to ease his wounded throat, Sinatra says: "One more (take) please! Right away! (cough) One more please! Go! (engineer): "Roses of Picardy, take two."

It is only a few seconds of patter not heard for over 40 years, yet the moment is delightful . . . conveying a feeling that you are there, in an English studio, at a significant moment in musical history. (Which it was, come to think of it!)

[Incidentally, this CD transcription of "Roses of Picardy" is even better sounding (if that is possible) than the original, -- as available today at Amazon.com only as `import' (read high-cost) European-made, CD version of the "Great Songs from Great Britain" album.]

Of wider interest perhaps is the next track (number eight, of 12). It's a fascinating, previously unreleased monologue from the fourth and final week of Sinatra's legendary live performances "at the Sands" (Vegas, '66). My personal favorite is an off-the-cuff anecdote (the best kind) as Sinatra tells his audience a story about Joe E. Lewis -- an almost forgotten comic actor (befriended by Sinatra, without public fanfare, when the comedian most needed a friend):

"Joe E. Lewis once said to me at Toots Shor's (bar) in New York - this is true -- he said, `Let's go over 'cross town and go to Tony Conserre's (bar) and have a drink with Tony. I said, `He's been dead for four years!' (polite laughter). And HE said, `I know. But the bartender is still there!' (entire audience convulses with laughter).

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A final note about the supremely high quality of this package which says "Made in China." Which may be why the list price is only 45 dollars - a bargain considering the hundreds of elements included here. This is a substantial gift -- weighing as much as my laptop. But worth its 4 pound weight in solid Gold, I say!

[My thanks to fellow Amazon.com reviewer and `musical soul mate' "R.B.P". -- for providing my copy of this gift-that-keeps-on-giving! This is a treasury that provides countless gems from the life of Frank Sinatra. Each time I open these pages, (like today) I find myself still immersed in joy, hours later!]


Mark Blackburn
Winnipeg

This book is marvelous! For those of us who are too young to have ever experienced the Chairman Of The Board live, this is a wonderful treat! Packed with gorgeous pictures and fabulous reproductions of tickets, sheet music, photos and much, much more. This book is a must for any Sinatra fan!

This book has everything that a Sinatra fan would love! The replica mementos look so real. The photographs that cover almost every page are fantastic. I would highly recommend picking this one up!

My brother Jake Freedman was a Frank Sinatra fan from the time of his early childhood. He played Sinatra records over and over again all through his life. For the pleasure Sinatra gave my brother I want to say a good word about this book. Seeing just a few of its photos brings back times and worlds I so miss of loved ones who are not here any more , and of the world Sinatra was so much a part of .
I think many people will want to buy this book just to have a sense of that presence of what is gone , in some way with them.

This is a hell of a deal! I can't believe that more people aren't aware of this treasure trove of photo's, mementos, and music from the Sinatra family collection. This is not some tawdry, half-hearted, gimmicky attempt to make a quick buck. You can tell that it was created with a whole lot of care and heart. First class all the way! Sinatra was a perfectionist, and it is nice to see all the meticulousness that was put forth in this magnificent work.

If you are a fan, then please make this purchase. I can guaranty you will not be disappointed in the slightest. There are so many wonderful little surprises awaiting you, and seemingly every page is a new, delightful discovery. There are more than 200 photos (both in color and black & white), 30 removable facsimile reproductions, never before published quotes from the greats who worked with him (i.e. Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Ronald Reagan, et al...), a compilation CD of rare interviews and songs, etc... etc...

If you love the Chairman of the Board like I do, then trust me when I tell you, this is a must. A definite A+!!!