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In the Wee Small Hours [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra & FriendsAudio CD
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)

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Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
listen  1. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:00$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  2. Mood Indigo (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:30$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  3. Glad To Be Unhappy (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:35$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  4. I Get Along Without You Very Well (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:42$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  5. Deep In A Dream (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:48$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  6. I See Your Face Before Me (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:23$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  7. Can't We Be Friends? (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:48$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  8. When Your Lover Has Gone (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:09$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen  9. What Is This Thing Called Love (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:34$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen10. Last Night When We Were Young (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:17$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen11. I'll Be Around (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:59$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen12. Ill Wind (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:46$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen13. It Never Entered My Mind (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:41$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen14. Dancing On The Ceiling (1998 Digital Remaster) 2:57$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen15. I'll Never Be The Same (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:05$1.29  Buy MP3 
listen16. This Love Of Mine (1998 Digital Remaster) 3:33$1.29  Buy MP3 


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Frequently Bought Together

In the Wee Small Hours + Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely + September of My Years
Price for all three: $30.10

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (May 26, 1998)
  • Original Release Date: 1988
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
  • Label: Capitol
  • ASIN: B000006OHD
  • Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (106 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,474 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The first of many artistic milestones in the long and illustrious collaboration of Frank Sinatra and arranger Nelson Riddle that began at Capitol Records, In the Wee Small Hours is a first in other notable ways, as well: it was the pair's first 12-inch LP; their first album devoted entirely to ballads; the first "concept album," a program of songs designed to be heard in a particular sequence that sustains a mood and suggests a story; the introduction of Sinatra's definitive "saloon singer" persona; and the first flowering of Sinatra's mature artistic sensibility. Oh, and it's a masterpiece, too. The cover portrait suggests the mood of late-night desolation almost as effectively as the music, with Sinatra in the corner, smoking a solitary cigarette on deserted street illuminated only by the a foggy, blue-green glow of lamplight. Loneliness, thy name is Frank! They say that memories of Ava Gardner caused him to break down after finishing this aching version of "When Your Lover Has Gone." Riddle's clarinet theme for "What Is this Thing Called Love?" is as haunting as Cole Porter's melody itself. And if there's a more devastating evocation of solitude than "It Never Entered My Mind"... well it must be on Only the Lonely. With songs like "I'll Be Around" and "Dancing on the Ceiling" to suggest at least the hope of hope, Wee Small Hours may flirt with despair, but never succumbs to it. It's the kind of comforting company that misery likes best. --Jim Emerson

Product Description

The 1955 classic that spent 18 weeks at #2 on the charts!

Customer Reviews

You feel his pain, his pathos, his despair and his loneliness on this album. Candace Scott  |  14 reviewers made a similar statement
This album is certainly one of the best in his career! Arthur Bonfá  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 78 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Pathos and Despair July 29, 2000
Format:Audio CD
This is Frank in his "I lost Ava Gardner" period. Never before was he su vulnerable, lonesome or as brilliant. No one has ever phrased a lyric like his man. No one. You feel his pain, his pathos, his despair and his loneliness on this album. It is a completely joyous experience to listen to this man sing particularly on this moving collection of wistful ballads.

The title track is an old standard, sung hundreds of times by other singers. But no one can sing it like Sinatra, it's as if you are listening and understanding the lyrics for the first time.

Others had greater range or greater voices. None had the inimitable gift that Frank Sinatra possessed and that was allowing you to understand a lyric and feel it deep down in your soul. There is only one Sinatra and this ablum epitomizes his vocal range and showcases his beautiful genius with a ballad.

Listen to "Mood Indigo" and "Deep in a Dream..." they will send goosebumps through you. For anyone who appreciates Sinatra or just great music, this is a must have.

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55 of 58 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Landmark, ballad Sinatra... June 14, 2000
Format:Audio CD
In the Wee Small Hours is a perfectly arranged collection of ballads from the early peak of Sinatra's Capitol era. It is far less devastating than the 'cry in your sleeve' anguish of Only the Lonely and less string-heavy than the classic Where Are You collaboration with Gordon Jenkins. The cover art sets the mood for a quiet, late night listening.

As always in the 1950s, Sinatra and Nelson Riddle create the definitive recordings of great standards. Apart from the title song, itself a classic, there is plenty of substance here from Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and other composers from the era when songs really had lyrics. Duke Ellington's 'Mood Indigo' gets heartfelt lyrics here, and others like 'I Get Along Without You Very Well' show how completely Sinatra made these songs his own -- he's acting the role as much as singing the song.

This is certainly a 'mellow' album, not the finger-snapping sophistication of 'Songs for Swingin' Lovers' or 'A Swingin' Affair' (both stunning albums in their own right), but thoughtful orchestrations and meaningful lyrics. Sinatra had by this time mastered the art of breath control and could perform the long phrasing on these tracks without chopping up the verses. To see how hard this is, try reciting the lyrics out loud as Sinatra sings and try not to breathe in a way that calls attention to your breathing.

The five-star rating seems moot. 'Wee Small Hours' is a piece of history.

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62 of 68 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Classic album, horrible remastering job March 31, 2000
By Ken W.
Format:Audio CD
Did anyone at the label listen to this before it was issued? The previous 1991 CD sounds vastly superior to this- the high frequencies are all but obliterated, and there's a strange echo that is'nt heard on either the original LP or the 1st CD. The other remastered editions of Sinatra's 16 Capitol/Reprise are excellent (with the exception of Songs for Swingin' Lovers). Do yourself a favor and pick up the still readily available 1991 CD instead. Capitol, this classic of American popular music deserves better!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars One of Sinatra's best
I've listened to this CD dozens of times and never get tired of it. It's his best album of torch songs.
Published 9 days ago by Ell-Ess
5.0 out of 5 stars Old Blue Eyes
What's not to love......When you listen to Mr. S--you are listening to the best there is/was....You can sing along with most of his songs...Barbara Cooper
Published 2 months ago by Barbara A. Cooper
4.0 out of 5 stars Got a light, bub?
Slow. Painful. Gorgeous. Long cold rain on a gray old day. The midnight hours, the drawn voice, the linked, smooth jazz undertones give this album a legendary sound. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Boothtech
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful ...simply wonderful
I have really been enjoying vinyl again... my records from the 60 & 70's and many albums of older times bought in junk stores ... well they do not call themselves junk stores. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jerry L. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Album with Great Songs
I enjoyed the entire album of this product and the album cover itself is nothing less than awesome. For all Sinatra fans!
Published 4 months ago by Tony Pool
5.0 out of 5 stars Sinatra sings for the solitary
This must surely be the archetypal CD for the love-lorn to listen to in solitude and preferably in the still of the night. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Dr. H. A. Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Sinatra at his best!
This compilation of music shows Sinatra at his best! Listen in a comfortable place with a drink in hand. Simply a joy........
Published 10 months ago by Herbert Benkel
5.0 out of 5 stars Great new LP cover
This brand new LP is just what I needed for framing. I've always liked the artwork, and it goes really well with mid-century modern decor.
Published 12 months ago by Nicholas Alesso
5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless!
This was an album created when Frank Sinatra finally had all the energy built up, to talk about his broken heart in entirety. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Sci Fi Fan
5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Classic
Sinatra and Riddle - Two masters of their respective crafts. Under Nelson's guidance they produced one of the first, and without a doubt greatest "Concept Albums". Read more
Published 21 months ago by Cidspimms
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Topic From this Discussion
A question about the 1998 re-master
My says the same thing - not entertainer of the century.
Aug 9, 2011 by Maxwell Smart |  See all 2 posts
Frank Sinatra and small bands, trio, quartet etc
Check out Frank Sinatra: Live In Australia 1959 concert, and Sinatra and Sextet in Japan 1962. Two of his best concerts.

Close To You is a great intimate album and is one of Sinatra's most under-appreciated albums.
Apr 9, 2010 by Stunatra |  See all 3 posts
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