Customer Reviews

Sinatraland

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In addition to the great selection of songs, this album is a fabulous recording of perhaps the finest 'Big Band' I have ever heard. In the tradition of the Les & Larry Elgart bands of the fifties/sixties, and Rob McConnell more recently, this is the tightest, most disciplined ensemble in memory. The arrangements are inventive and beguiling. The band, whether at triple piano or fortissimo, plays absolutely as one. Completely absent is the cacophany of 10 or 12 guys all blowing their brains out in a screaming mess. Instead, you have this tight, controlled ensemble, punctuated from time to time with a brilliant solo in perfect counterpoint with the band. The best individual musicians available, playing as one voice together, regardless of the tempo. It's a stunning recording. If you like a well-disciplined big band sound, you gotta hear it. You'll love it.

Patrick Williams is one of the best arrangers/composers on this planet...and this tribute to Sinatra is a prime example. He has surrounded himself with some of the best musicians in Hollywood to create this fantastic masterpiece.

All twelve tracks are superb (I have to say that "I've Got You Under My Skin" is my personal favorite, thanks to Tom Scott's scorching solo), and Patrick's own liner note tribute to the Chairman is touching.

Patrick, keep on making great big band masterpieces like this one!!!

This album is an unknown gem! I can't say enough about the musicianship that is heard here when you listen to this recording. At the risk of insulting Frank fans, it has to be known that these are some of the best songs composed during the big band era of the late 30's. This music NEEDS to be heard by itself, without Frank or anyone else singing. ITS THAT GOOD! These are some of the greatest songs in the American songbook played by some of the very best talent ever to pick up an instrument. This album is worth it just to hear some tremendous drumming by Peter Erskine; he especially shines on "The Song is You" and "Just One of Those Things". Patrick Williams excels here as an arranger and conductor. This group plays as tight as a miser's fist, and the credit for that has to go to Patrick Williams; for his selection of musicians and his attention to every detail. I can just imagine how Frank would have sounded if he could have this incredible group behind him and the recording technology that he never could take advantage of in his prime. Sadly this CD seems to be out of print, and my copy is VERY VERY WORN!!! Good thing it never comes out of the CD player anymore- it should stay playable until they re-issue this amazing recording!! With every listen, it gets better....and better.....and better!!!!

This recording is one, I can truly say, in my collection, that I completely adore. I recommend this to people every chance I get!

I was introduced to this album by my college jazz band director the year after this came out - we were able to secure the charts and performed them at spring concert, it was an absolute blast, these were some of the most fun and well-written arrangements I have ever played.

The fantastic arranger/composer Patrick Williams wrote these arrangements originally for another Sinatra "Duets" album...but sadly Frank died before they could be recorded, so they were turned into this set of instrumental big band charts, featuring outstanding solos by an all-star lineup of great musicians such Eddie Daniels, Phil Woods, David Sanborn, Bill Watrous...and the list goes on.

Just as important as the solos, and soloists, is the dream big band assembled here, who play this music like they were born to - very tight and 'in-the-pocket'. The personnel include such names as: Dan Higgins, Gary Foster (saxophone); Warren Leuning, Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Charlie Loper, George Bohanon (trombone) and Peter Erskine(!) on drums - literally, these are performances that are "as good as it gets".

Patrick Williams, with these fine arrangements, truly captured the spirit of 'Ole Blue Eyes, also putting some hot new twists on these timeless classics, and this CD is one of the finest examples of solid big band arranging, great ensemble, stunning soloists, and wonderful music converging together to create that "perfect" CD. One of the most cherished of my collection...and I think now it's OOP, so if you see it, snap it up ASAP. ;)

I've been a big band fan going back to Glenn Miller and this album beats them all. The solos, the sections playing together and the entire band are just over the top. I listen to this often and hear something different each time. Don't miss it if you're a big band enthusiast.

Looked as if I just got it from a retailer (which I couldn't find); great delivery.

This is, without doubt, one of the finest big band recordings ever made. The combination of Pat Williams' great writing, some of the greatest jazz soloists around, and these classic standards associated with Sinatra, is an astounding acheivement. If you like a swinging big band, compelling jazz solos and virtuoso ensemble playing, don't pass this one up. The lead trumpet playing alone is worth the price of the CD!

Picking up the Nelson Riddle tradition, Williams leads his powerful band in his own arrangements of twelve Sinatra classics. Each track offers a blend of the straight melody intertwined with fresh, energetic interpretations that appeal to listeners of any generation. Williams provided the arrangements for the two Duets CDs, and here he gives his band center stage, showing off their discipline as an ensemble, while giving ample time to soloists. A great recording packed with swing!

Look, I will personally vex and condroit anyone who says that Sinatra was not the greatest singer in our lifetime. Even if you did not like him he was the greatest, because he gave all the anti-establishment a target to aim for. But, those of us who ARE still his greatest admirers will tell you old and new, Nelson Riddle was to Sinatra like Mona was to Leonardo. Yes, there were other "men" in his life, but when you heard a Sinatra song, it was the Riddle intro, the Riddle bridge and the Riddle arrangement that told you it was Sinatra about to move every fibre in you. So much so that even Quincy Jones had to use Riddle's "signatures" to do almost every tune Basie did with the Chairman at the Sands. So when Pat Williams, who I worship in every project he's done, even MTM themes, simply plays songs Sinatra sang, I do not get it, and neither will you. You Make Me Feel So Young" is about as close as this CD gets, and that pushing it. Sadly, I think this one was trying to "fly" off the movement that followed Sinatra's death. It is not good interpretation to hear little to do with the man named on the Title. Be honest, this is just a "sacred Cow" that demands respect cause it has the Chairman's name on it, that about all it has. Get a good two-fer from Capitol of Riddle's Joy of Living Lp and you'll "hear" Sinatra like he was there!