For ANYONE singing the standards?! I have no problem with that either if that "anyone" has the talent. But there are only very very few these days!
That is so untrue. There are many talented singers all over the world recording standards these days. Actually, many more than were allowed to record in the 1950's, mostly because of the ease of recording independently today. Back in the 1940's and 1950's only a few record companies controlled everything. Now, I will admit that the great influential masters like Sinatra cannot be matched. These active singers are not big on the market, and you may not be aware of them, but they are singing and recording standards in nearly every city on this planet. My collection has literally thousands of them.
That is so true. Little known Broadway performers, Cabaret singers. The DJ, Jonathan Schwartz has introduced me to many wonderful singers, littleknown, wonderful singers, that you would never hear anywhere else.
Many of the singers of standards today are not in the US. Europe and Asia are far more open to listening to singers do the standards than American audiences. Of course many Americans do their recording in Europe and Asia. That is also where the reissues of older American recordings are being released. Canada too. Diana Panton just sent me her newest recording.
Returning to the thread subject… It appears that official releases from Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Universal Music have slowed to a trickle since the original licensing announcement four years ago. So far in calendar 2017, we have seen just: • 3 LPs (FAS & ACJ 50th Anniversary, A Swingin' Affair! 60th Anniversary, Ultimate Christmas) • 2 CDs (FAS & ACJ 50th Anniversary, Ultimate Christmas) • 1 unique digital album (Baby Blue Eyes) • 0 HD downloads • 5 DVDs (The Timex Shows and 3 final titles in The Frank Sinatra Collection from Eagle Rock) Maybe the releases will pick up in 2018, to mark the 20th anniversary of Frank Sinatra's passing?
Today I opened another original sealed vinyl. This time the original 1964 mono "Softly as I leave you". Many differences on that one. Of course the usual mono/stereo differences but some recordings stand out: Love isn't just for the young - dry sound on voice, sounds extremely different and nice! Also "Softly" sounds dryer and more intimate and so does "Available". Then suddenly love - tighter orchestra sound that really kicks The look of love - dryer, tighter. Much better sound on the flutes (you hear much more of them). Overall blows you away. But the real difference is "Talk to me baby". That mono version sounds almost like a complete different recording!!! Never heard the piano so good and in front. The verse alone with just piano and voice is outstanding. Though some tracks sound better to me in stereo (Dear heart has better rhythm guitar in stereo and "Pass me by" has better drums) the mono is worthwhile having. My conclusion: You need both versions! Even if it's just for "Talk to me Baby" and "Love isn't just for the young" alone. Oh please note that I only have a stereo vinyl re-release (which has real good sound) and the trunk for comparison!
Things are certainly looking up for next year....an album of Christmas duets. Next up......a Duet version of "Watertown"
Will the Sinatra duet album be out this year? The way Seal talks about it it’s like it’s coming out this Christmas. Ron, will the “Watertown” duet be with a performing...Seal?
Not too many spoilers please in ref Weismans’ Book the hard copy is not available here until after Christmas although I notice the audio book is now available on UK iTunes.
Are these still the same releases for SFSL and ITWSH? Frank Sinatra-Songs For Swingin Lovers-180 Gram Vinyl Record|Acoustic Sounds Frank Sinatra-In The Wee Small Hours-Vinyl Record|Acoustic Sounds
YES! And worth every penny. As well as A Swingin' Affair!. They used the correct "dry" tapes and they all sound WONDERFUL!
Be aware that the CFWM is in mono and while it is very, very good it does offer a very "different" sound than you are used to if you only have the stereo version. It has quite a bit if reverb on Mr. S. But overall musically you will hear things in the mono cut that you don't on the stereo.
Is my stereo 180gm reissue of Sinatra/Jobim R1 73798 considered to be a good stereo version. Not sure but The voice sounds a little strange at times. I think I have an original mono somewhere I’ll have to dig out and compare.
To my ears (and most others) that Kevin Gray redeux is quite good. But I (and several others here) prefer the OP mono recording of that album.
