Search - Frank Sinatra :: Nice N Easy

Great standards, great arrangements, great singing: buy it!

Jon Warshawsky | San Diego, CA USA | 10/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sinatra is the last word in taste when it comes to popular music, so when FS and Nelson Riddle (arranger) teamed up for Nice 'N' Easy it was bound to be a success and in fact became one of the top-selling albums of Sinatra's career.This is the first of several albums in which Sinatra landed a hit (in this case the title track) and the record company built an album around it. Unlike some of the later Reprise efforts ('That's Life' being an example), Sinatra and Riddle backed the title track -- which is perfectly fine on its own -- with a generous selection of classics from Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin and other legendary composers. The result is a wonderful update on some of the great ballads of the Columbia years (1943-52).'I've Got a Crush on You' is forever associated with Sinatra, are are Mercer's 'Dream' and Berlin's remarkable 'How Deep is the Ocean?' While the Columbia recordings are treasurable, Sinatra may have been an even better vocalist by 1960, and the emotion in 'How Deep', in particular, has always seemed more effective than the creamy vocals of the 1940s performance. 'Fools Rush In', another great standard, is arguably more convincing, because by this time Sinatra was a bit more worldly when it came to falling in love and getting hurt.Listeners looking for the hip swing of 1950s Sinatra will probably enjoy several of the Capitol concept albums (Songs for Swingin' Lovers and Come Dance with Me) more, but if you enjoy stunning performances of some of the ballad standards, Nice 'N' Easy is an easy selection to add to your collection.Within several years after Nice 'N' Easy, FS would move on to a period of one-off's, some of which succeeded beyond measure, others which have good and bad moments. The present album is securely among the masterworks of Sinatra's astounding run at Capitol Records.The regular issue CD seems to be unavailable (!), but it is certainly worth it to buy the import to own this classic recording."

A BEAUTIFUL ALBUM...

Stephan Mayer | sacramento, ca United States | 06/27/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album ranks as my favorite ballad album from the CAPITOL era. Although recorded in 1960, it still very much ties in with the series of concept albums recorded by Sinatra at CAPITOL records.The songs are beautiful and tender (the title song really was just a commercial and fun success and stands on his own)and Nelson Riddle's arrangements are as supportive as ever and very very intimate.This not an album to go to sleep over but one that underneath a surface of being nice'n easy has a lot of emotions and depth."

Let's take it nice and easy.

Johnny Heering | Bethel, CT United States | 05/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album by Frank Sinatra was recorded in the Spring of 1960. With the exception of the title song, all the songs are remakes of songs Sinatra had previously recorded from the 1940s to the early '50s. It's breezy title song notwithstanding, Nice 'N' Easy actually is an album of romantic ballads of a decidedly ardent, even reflective feel. In short, the sort of material that Sinatra performed better than any other singer. The songs were arranged by Nelson Riddle. Sinatra fans should dig it."