6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Always overlooked, unfairly, May 20, 1998
This review is from: Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! And More (Audio CD)
When Frank Sinatra decided to leave Capitol and start his own label (Reprise), he was disappointed to find out that, after all he had done for Capitol, they were not simply going to let him walk away. He was under contract for a few more albums, and he would have to do them. This is one of those albums, and the conventional wisdom is that, since Sinatra was so angry, his effort was a half-hearted one at best. And such may actually be true; but I differ greatly from the serious Sinatra-philes on this album, in that I think it is great fun to listen to. It doesn't try for the profound, but perhaps that is a tribute to Sinatra (and Riddle's) greatness--a "workman-like" performance is still better than most others best. And I STILL contend this is damn good fun! I have always enjoyed WHEN YOU'RE SMILIN', IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU, PAPER MOON and BLUE HEAVEN...where exactly do these songs fall short? I remember reading once that someone said, "Look at how short the songs are on this album...he wasn't even trying." Some of Frank's best work has been songs barely 2:30 in length. Since when did that become a yardstick? (One of my favorite versions of "TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS" isn't even 2 minutes long!) If you are interested in a song that is clever and entertaining, albeit perhaps slightly politically incorrect, "OL' MacDONALD" would be that tune. (Yes, it's THAT "Ol' MacDonald"...with the farm, but this one has a classic, amusing Sinatra twist, and the tune really swings!) All in all, like the cheese, ultimately I stand alone on this, evidently, because conventional wisdom says this is not Sinatra at his most committed. Perhaps, but I say, if you like his uptempo stuff (especially with Riddle) this not only won't disappoint you, you'll be pleased indeed. This is a fun album! (Take that, you Sinatra snobs...I'm going to listen to it right now!!!)
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