Hello, Fun-Seekers…
Since way back in January, we here at TCOTS have been celebrating Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday and, man, it’s been a swingin’ affair so far. We started by ticking off the 100 Best Performances of The Chairman Of The Board on CD and vinyl and now we’re ready for another supersonic flight where the air is so rarified: counting down the Top Ten Best Albums of Mr. Sinatra, because, above everything else, ol’ Francis Albert was about da albums for a good part of his career [we’ll be featuring one album per week and this will take us right-up to the big day, 12 December].
While he may not have invented the Concept Album [and that is a matter of some dispute], Frank certainly defined and brought the genre to near-Perfection, turning out a series of them that still move the Heart and thrill the Soul.
While time will not permit me to post audio for all the tracks, I’ll try to provide a nice sampler of the tunes I enjoy the most.
So…put your seat belts on and get ready for a real mothery time [and indulge in a little ‘Hey-Hey’, if you feel the urge].
Captain Frank will be your pilot and Bobby Bell your navigator.
Let’s get this bird soaring…
10 — Swing Along With Me [aka: Sinatra Swings]
Recorded: 18, 19, 23 May 1961
Arranger: Billy May
Label: Reprise
Best Mastering* on CD/Digital Download: UMG [Universal Musical Group] digital download [Bob: This, in my opinion, is the best of a sub-par bunch]
Mastering Engineer: Appears to be Lee Hershberg
Track Listing
[favorite Performances in black]:
- “Falling in Love with Love” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 1:49
- “The Curse of an Aching Heart” (Henry Fink, Al Piantadosi) – 2:06
- “Don’t Cry, Joe (Let Her Go, Let Her Go, Let Her Go)” (Joe Marsala) – 3:05
- “Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone” (Sidney Clare, Sam H. Stept) – 2:56
- “Love Walked In” (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:19
![Sinatra-Swings-001cX]()
“Granada” (Dorothy Dodd, Agustín Lara) – 3:38- “I Never Knew” (Ted Fio Rito, Gus Kahn) – 2:14
- “Don’t Be That Way” (Benny Goodman, Mitchell Parish, Edgar Sampson) – 2:41
- “Moonlight on the Ganges” (Sherman Myers, Chester Wallace) – 3:18
- “It’s a Wonderful World” (Harold Adamson, Jan Savitt, Johnny Watson) – 2:17
- “Have You Met Miss Jones?” (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 2:30
- “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You” (James Cavanaugh, Russ Morgan, Larry Stock) – 4:09
[NOTE: Figures…I’m going to start-off with a controversial choice.] A good number of Sinatra Fans — especially the Sinatra Audiophiles — would not place this record in their Top Ten. Some find it not up to his usual standard, some can’t get past the sub-par masterings it has been subject to since Day One.
I think it’s a gas, one of the best ‘up’ albums Frank ever recorded [Billy May is reported to have said it was his favorite collaboration with Sinatra]. As my Friend In The Ether Paul Mock has remarked:
One thing that CANNOT be said about Mr. S’s singing on “Swing Along…” is that he does not sound happy and (if you will) joyous. I think one of the biggest draws for me to this LP is the very fact that he is singing with gusto and zeal. He sounds happy.
Bingo! Swing Along With Me is a guaranteed good time.
-A great example of the Billy May Style…
-Lotsa luck to you, pal…
-Me and Miss Jones…
-The best cut on this here wax platter…Swing it Frank…
Yeah…
See you next Weekend as we head-off again to Bobsville…and tell us your favorite albums in the Comments, Clyde.
Don’t forget to also keep checking out
Pundette’s Sinatra 100 countdown,
Ms Evi’s Sinatra Celebration,
& Mark Steyn’s Sinatra Songs Of The Century.
It’s a ring-a-ding world.
If you’re having trouble tracking down any of the masterings on this List, contact me at Robert[dot]Belvedere[at]gmail[dot]com and I might be able to help you.
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*The links I’m providing for the best CD/Digital
masterings are not meant to be an endorsement of
the site linked to. I receive no enumeration or any
kind of considerations from them. They are linked
for informational purposes only.
