Out of print in the U.S.! Originally released in 1971, the first side of Sinatra & Company consists of unreleased recordings he made with Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1969. Side Two of the album is closer to standard Sinatr... more »a fare, containing seven great tracks slickly produced by Don Costa. While the Rock and Pop artists of the day dominated the charts, Francis Albert Sinatra was able to create unique albums that were above and beyond the standard fare released by his easy listening contemporaries. Sinatra stepped out and did what he wanted, never content to just stand in front of a microphone and knock out a set of uninspired drivel. Universal. 2009.« less
Out of print in the U.S.! Originally released in 1971, the first side of Sinatra & Company consists of unreleased recordings he made with Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1969. Side Two of the album is closer to standard Sinatra fare, containing seven great tracks slickly produced by Don Costa. While the Rock and Pop artists of the day dominated the charts, Francis Albert Sinatra was able to create unique albums that were above and beyond the standard fare released by his easy listening contemporaries. Sinatra stepped out and did what he wanted, never content to just stand in front of a microphone and knock out a set of uninspired drivel. Universal. 2009.
Anthony Nasti | Staten Island, New York United States | 01/25/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This 1971 album was released shortly before Frank Sinatra's infamous retirement in June of that year. Comprised of never before heard studio outtakes between 1969 and 1970, it is a very second rate effort by Sinatra standards. There's some truly great songs on here, and some truly insipid recordings that do not serve Frank's genius justice.
The first half of the album is the better half. In this section, Frank reunites with Antonio Carlos Jobim, whom he had previously collaborated with in 1967 on what is one of his best albums. This second get-together doesn't hold quite the warmth or chemistry the first album had, but is very solid overall. Frank's in fine voice, and Jobim is in top form as well. The songs are beautifully performed quite well, especially "Wave," which features on Frank's most intoxicating vocal performances with an equally atmospheric arrangement. "One Note Samba" is also worth noting.
The latter half of the album is undoubtedly much weaker. This half begins with the grandiose "I Will Drink The Wine." It's a listenable song, but it's the most pompous, self indulgent piece of music Frank ever recorded, a gross anthem of imperialism that makes Frank comes as somewhat of a jerk. It doesn't help that in contrast to the bombastic, horn drenched, Vegas style intensity of the arrangement, Frank sounds like he downed a bottle of Niquil. By the end of the second verse, he sounds so out of it that if this was the first Sinatra song a person had ever heard, they'd instantly question why he is considered Music's Finest Singer. He literally slurs the lyrics.
In fact, on most of these tracks, Frank sounds very worn and tired. He never really punches out the notes the way he normally does, and it's very disappointing to hear considering just a year he blazed through "My Way" as if he had lungs of steel. Still, there are some performances here that are worth mentioning. "Bein' Green," generally seen as Kermit The Frog's personal anthem, is given a beautiful rendition, with a sweeping Don Costa arrangement, and the wariness in Frank's voice actually fits the track quite well. Frank serves up a touching version of The Carpenters' "Close To You," and the closing Bille Holiday tribute, "Lady Day," is a singularly haunting performance that only Frank can provide. The two John Denver covers however, "My Sweet Lady" and "Leavin' On A Jet Plane," are sadly toothless and ineffectual.
Overall, a decent effort, but hardly worthwhile."
Funky Frank
D. Bieler | UK, France, US, Barbados, Germany | 12/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Frank at his funkiest and hippest. Aqua de Beber is a dancefloor killer. Very trendy, very late 60s/2006 chill-out."
Stars are for the Jobim songs only
A C SHIELDS | melbourne , australia | 03/29/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"People would be sick of reading that this is half a good album , but it's true .
It's for the first half that you should buy it - why miss out on the lovely interpretations Frank gives , especially if you love his earlier album with Jobim . It is true his pitching is more unsure on this album when he sings the Jobim songs , but the arrangements are superb and help you to forget that aspect of it . The lyrics are also exceptional as one would expect , which always brings the best out of Frank .
Make a compliation with the first Jobim album and you've got a nice little collection !"
Music From The Heart To The Heart
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 12/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Firstly, this review is my very own tribute to the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra, on this special day - December 12, 2007 - his 92nd birth anniversary.
"To listen to Sinatra here, today, is to be reminded all over again that, among all the things which are true about him, one is that he holds title to more of our musical memories than anybody else. The emotions he conveys may or may not be, in the nature of things, complex, but they're powerful and persistent and widely-shared." ~ Charles Champlin ~ L.A. Times ~
Yes, I totally agree with the above quote on Liner Notes from Mr. Champlin, a Harvard graduate and a respected reporter with Time and Life magazines, an entertainment editor of Los Angeles Times, a TV and Radio host, and a film professor at USC, UC Irvine, Loyola-Marymount University and the American Film Institute. He has been a Board Member of American Cinematheque where I was once a volunteer.
The legendary and creative songwriter and composer Cole Porter once said in the past that "Frank Sinatra is the only person singing today with passion." And yes, Sinatra can do wonders to any ordinary song and turn it into a masterpiece. He enhanced and gave new meanings to countless songs. He added timeless beauty, unique elegance and fabulous style to all the songs he interpreted. And this CD "Sinatra & Company" is a testament. Sinatra left the truest message of his life through his passionate music. I have figured out all the magic that makes him a special artist, not just a mere singer, by constantly listening to his beautiful music, which made some wonderful and cherished memories to me like the songs in this charming CD.
Sinatra's voice is just a perfect compliment to the sublime arrangements of Eumir Deodato and Don Costa, and not to mention the special participation of a great Bossa Nova icon, Antonio Carlos Jobim. The instrumentations are top-notch and unmatched. He sings all the Bossa Nova songs in his most romantic form and his passions show in every note of my all-time favorites "Wave," "One Note Samba," "Agua De Beber" and "Triste." Likewise, he gave a heartfelt reading of the lyric of "Close To You," a beautiful and meaningful song made popular by the Carpenters.
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." ~ Marcel Proust ~
And yes, Frank Sinatra is one of those people. He made a lot of music lovers happy with his unparalleled musical brilliance. He was the very essence of classy style of singing. He was a consummate artist.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra!
P.S. Thanks so kindly to an Amazon friend/reviewer for this enjoyable CD! It's much appreciated!
P.P.S. If you love Bossa Nova, please check out Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. This CD is simply splendid!
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
