Recorded in 1955, this superbly arranged and sung set of slow ballads can lay claim to being the world's first "concept album." Of course, in classical music, song cycles had been around since Schubert, but a whole set of pop tunes arranged around a central theme or mood was something new in popular music. With the advent of the LP in 1953, commercial pop music was beginning to take itself seriously. As to be expected, Frank Sinatra did it first and best.
Sinatra is in utter command of this material--vocally relaxed yet focused on conveying what these hand-picked "torch" songs still have to say to the modern listener. Throughout he projects his signature manly vulnerability without seeming maudlin or even sentimental. The singer is helped immeasurably in this task by Nelson Riddle's deftly scored chamber arrangements which include brilliant use of celeste and guitar on several tracks (cf. Alec Wilder's "I'll Be Around", Kay Swift's "Can't We Be Friends".) A must for any listener even remotely interested in the Great American Songbook.
Personnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Nelson Riddle (arranger).
Includes liner notes by Pete Welding.
Digitally remastered by Larry Walsh (Capitol Recording Studios).
- Format: Vinyl
- Genre: Pop, Jazz
- Remastered, Mono
- Remember, for our lowest prices, always order directly from Joco Records!
TRACKS
A1 In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
A2 Mood Indigo
A3 Glad To Be Unhappy
A4 I Get Along Without You Very Well
A5 Deep In A Dream
A6 I See Your Face Before Me
A7 Can't We Be Friends
A8 When Your Lover Has Gone
B1 What Is This Thing Called Love
B2 Last Night When We Were Young
B3 I'll Be Around
B4 Ill Wind
B5 It Never Entered My Mind
B6 Dancing On The Ceiling
B7 I'll Never Be The Same
B8 This Love Of Mine
