Search - Frank Sinatra :: Close to You & More

"Wherever You Go, My Heart Will Go, Too. . .What Can I Do? I

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 10/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Close to you, I will always stay

Close to you, though you're far away

You'll always be near

As though you were here by my side

No matter where - in my dreams I'll find you there

Close to me, sharing your caress

Can't you see you're my happiness?

Wherever you go, my heart will go, too

What can I do?

It only wants to be close to you."

~ Close To You ~ Al Hoffman/Carl Lampl/Jerry Livingston



"Close To You And More," recorded in 1956, is one of the finest and my absolute favorite Sinatra recordings of all-time. The choice of material is very impressive and his interpretations are flawless, heartfelt, sincere and so true to the lyrics of each song. This is another one of great collaborations with a fine arranger and conductor, Nelson Riddle. To me, Nelson Riddle was truly the best of all Sinatra arrangers/conductors for he had proved that he could master his craft on any recordings he handled, be it with a full orchestra or a small ensemble like the classically-influenced Hollywood String Quartet (husband and wife Felix and Eleonor Slatkin, Paul C. Shure and Alvin Dinkin). Mr. Sinatra, a classical music lover himself, heard the beauty and elegance on how the quartet played and fell in love with the quartet and in the process developed a close friendship with the Slatkins.



With fifteen nostalgic songs to listen to, this magnificent CD is bound to mesmerize and move you starting off with my top choice here, an achingly beautiful song, "Close To You" followed by one of Johnny Mercer and Gordon Jenkin's gems, a longingly sentimental "P.S. I Love You," down to heart-rending tracks, Jimmy McHugh and Harold Adamson's "I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night" and Edward Redding's "The End of a Love Affair."



Mr. Sinatra's gentle and affectionate treatments of Edward Heyman and Oscar Levant's "Blame It On My Youth," Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke's "It Could Happen To You" and a gem from Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, "It's Easy To Remember" are so sublime and perfectly covered.



"Your sweet expression

The smile you gave me

The way you looked when we met

It's easy to remember

But so hard to forget

I hear you whisper, "I'll always love you"

I know it's over and yet

It's easy to remember

But so hard to forget."



Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin's musical treasure, "With Every Breath I Take" is also one of my favorite songs of all-time.



"I think of you with every breath I take

With every breeze that wanders by

And your name is a song

I'll remember the long years through."



And yes. . . Frank Sinatra is like a song, a song we'll always remember the long years through.



With my heartfelt recommendation. A must-have to any Sinatra buff.

"

Superlatives are not adequate....

Max-Factor | Los Angeles, CA USA | 10/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Frank Sinatra has to be the finest performer and recording artist of the 20th Century. A music critic mentioned 'something very special had to be going on inside the man to produce music like he has'. I always thought this statement captured a very accurate profile of Sinatra.



The quality of this cd like many of the others from the artist are very intimate - as if they are performed for the listener at home. Highly recommended. Personally I prefer "For Only The Lonely" but this cd is also a must have for your collection.



If you like something more up-beat than "Songs For Swinging Lovers" is IMHO - probably the best recording from Sinatra - it happens to be in mono but don't let that influence your purchase."

A Severely Underrated Gem In The Sinatra Catalogue.

Anthony Nasti | Staten Island, New York United States | 12/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Often forgotten in the pantheon of great Sinatra albums, "Close To You And More" is in fact one of Frank Sinatra's most universally satisfying efforts. His voice is in great shape, the songs are excellent, and of course he's working with Nelson Riddle, who never recorded a bad album with The Master.



The environment for the record is very smooth and relaxed. In contrast to the larger array of musicians Frank was accustomed to recording with, the backing musicians for "Close To You" are the Hollywood String Quarter, a minimalist rhythm section, and a few guest musicians (including the famous Harry "Sweets Edison"). Frank's singing on the album is some of his best. His voice doesn't rise to the operatic peaks of later masterworks such as "Sinatra & Strings" and "The Concert Sinatra," but is very laid back and quiet. This style of singing that Frank adapts gives the song a more personal, almost conversational feel that makes the album all the more intimate.



As for the songs themselves? Excellent. "Close To You," Johnny Mercer's witty "P.S. I Love You," "It's Easy To Remember," and "I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night" are the standout tracks, while the rest of the album is comparatively solid. One song that deserves a special mention, as other reviewers have pointed out, is "There's A Flaw In My Flue," a witty ballad with outright silly lyrical touches that Frank somehow imbues with enough sincerity that it works.



Do not let "Close To You's" lack of attention among Sinatra fans dissuade you from purchasing it. It is in fact one of his most solid albums and on par with his many other classic releases between 1953 and 1967. Purchase it immediately."