Classic Sinatra
In the Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely
Romance: Songs From the Heart
Songs for Swingin? Lovers
Come Dance with Me!
"As you can see from other reviews, this is generally considered a "lesser" Capitol release from SInatra. I, however, am quite fond of it. It IS a bit kitschy in it's "stereo seperation" mixes, but that's a product of the times. I, personally, find the songs - though some are not as "celebrated" as others he's recorded - to range from "pretty good" to "great" (i.e., I like "American Beauty Rose," so this already puts me in the minority). The disc is full of punch, has interesting arrangements (tubas and harps, anyone?), and Frank is in fine voice (indeed, vocally he was still at his peak - the decline would begin in a few years on some Reprise releases). The most important thing to remember when considering whether you will buy this disc is that even weaker Sinatra/Capitol titles are ABSOLUTE CLASSICS. "Come Swing With Me" really DOES swing, even if Frank's heart wasn't 100% in recording further Capitol titles at the time. The man simply did NOT record a bum album for Capitol, regardless of whether the arranger was Jenkins, May, or Riddle. If you like Ol' Blue Eyes, you must have this!"
One of my new favorites!
R. Serpico | St. Paul, MN United States | 08/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really dig this cd and it has become one of my new Sinatra favorites! I think the sound quality is perfect! Booming bass and super stereo effects make this a fun cd to groove to! Some people complain about the "stereo" sound being too much. (Do you realize how square you sound?!!!) Buy this one!"
Doesn't Get Much Better Than This...
Tanya M. Mcgill | Atlanta, GA United States | 10/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a great CD! If you like Sinatra and you appreciate peppy lounge music, then you'll love this CD. Perfect for rolling down the windows and taking a long drive. Some of his "catchy-est" tunes are on this CD. You'll be humming this for days. What a classic..."
The Worst Capitol Album.
Anthony Nasti | Staten Island, New York United States | 12/27/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a weak., weak effort by Frank as far as I'm conccerned. With the exception of a few songs - "Almost Like Being In Love," "American Beauty Rose," On The Sunny Side Of The Street," "I've Heard That Song Before" - Frank really puts no effort into these songs. He sounds like he's waiting for a bus on most of these songs, and Billy May's comparitively dull arrangements (some spots of this album sound like Gordon Jenkins tried to write swingers) don't help things. The burst of exuberance and flair that propelled "Come Fly With Me" and "Come Dance With Me" do not pop up here except for a few sparks.
The main reason for this album is the bonus track "River, Stay ' Way From My Door," a raucous swinger from 1959 with Nelson Riddle at the helm, with one of Frank's most powerful and sly vocals. He really brings it home on this. Also of note is his excellent swan song for Capitol, "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues," which shows that he certainly did not leave with a whimper. The three other bonus tracks are fine additions to an otherwise bland effort from America's most treasured performer.