Frank Sinatra - Lush Life (Lyric Video / Mono / Session Takes / May 29, 1958) - YouTube Lush Life (Mono/Session Takes/May 29, 1958) by Frank Sinatra on Spotify Lush Life (Mono/Session Takes/May 29, 1958) by Frank Sinatra on Amazon Music Lush Life (Mono/Session Takes/May 29, 1958) by Frank Sinatra on Apple Music "Lush Life (Mono/Session Takes/May 29, 1958)" from Sings For Only The Lonely (1958 Mono Mix / Expanded Edition) by Frank Sinatra on iTunes
I think that, had the recording continued, Frank would have certainly simplified (that may not be exactly the word -- maybe streamlined or made to "cut to the chase") the loping/stumbling/tripping moments of that intro. It certainly comes across as awkward or "struggling to fit" in its early form, to my ears. Had the arrangement been shaped and polished and made to sound unforced -- something which I think was a possibility, had they put the time into it -- I suspect it would have fit pretty well, kind of a Washed-up Loser's Lament sort of thing. (What are the words at the end? "There I'll be, while I rot with the rest of those whose lives are lonely, too." Something like that. Seems to be a good thematic fit.)
Of course not but it’s easy to tell what stores will sell it by checking their websites, Best Buy, etc.
I’ve reported Target’s price to Amazon. Amazon sometimes drops its price to match at the last minute before release (or shortly after). It’s also worth checking Target’s Sunday adverts for extra in-store release week discounts.
Also, don't forget that the Stereo original mixdown tapes have some dropouts and tape damage on a few tracks, and there's a major spliced insert from a safety copy on "One For My Baby" past some time in the 1970's. And if your system is reasonably good, and you have a trained ear, you can hear it. Go to the linked MLutthans pages on "Only The Lonely" for further explanations. My Alan Dell UK LP has those dropouts too.
Also, along the way there was tape damage, many dropouts, and a spliced in insert on "One For My Baby" from a safety copy. This was done sometime in the 1970's.
My apologies for this little side-step, but since you brought up this great old Bix B. song, I thought that you'd like to hear this song recording more modernly, by a young guy who runs a small record label and is all about that great old music. I actually own a newly pressed 78 rpm of this guy (Bryan Wright) and his official studio recording of "In A Mist" ... IN A MIST by Bix Beiderbecke - Bryan Wright, piano Bryan's 78 rpm record ... Bix Beiderbecke's Modern Piano Suite [78 rpm]
I prefer 1957 on this one. Being a fool to want someone, also means the bad and the battle scarred and when it's over or nearly so, or never happened. I heard Billie Holiday's version first on "Lady In Satin". And she had battle scars, nearly at the end of her life. Emotional as they get, hits you like 10 tons of TNT.
Probably likely the MFSL people chose the mono tape for technical reasons. As in less tape hiss. My 1983 UK Alan Dell LP has the insert of OfMB and the very audible hiss change. I suspect the remix is being done due to this.
Yeah, for a diverse group of mourners whose emotions might be in different places, probably better to have something a little less downbeat, as you note...
I wonder what % of listeners, even on this forum, would notice these dropouts and/or inserts if it was never pointed out. 50%, 75%? I say 99.9%.
Yes it's very noticeable and I'm surprised they couldn't make a better job of the edit, there are ways now of fixing a lot of things seamlessly.
Their concurrently-released LP version likely sourced One for My Baby entirely from the safety, no? There's no audible change in sound quality at that same point, as I recall.
With two days left until release, Target.com raised its vinyl pre-order price overnight (from $23.99 to $27.79).
Of related interest: From singer AJ Lambert's forthcoming tribute EP to grandfather Frank Sinatra's seminal 1958 concept album "Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely." The EP will be released 10/26/18, with 4 songs recorded in collaboration with pianist John Boswell and guitarist Greg Ahee of Protomartyr. Directed by AJ Lambert. "Lush Life" did not appear on the original Sinatra album, but a rare outtake of the session is included on the reissue, to be released Friday 10/19 through UME.
Wow, that piano intro has to be one of the most idiosyncratic pieces of music that Bill Miller ever played for Mr. Sinatra. I find Frank's voice to be simply majestic and it sent chills down my spine in a good way, but you could tell Frank was not comfortable with the song yet, to say the least. I agree with the sentiment expressed in the article that Frank just needed some more time with Nelson Riddle in the studio with him to work out the kinks. I still find it absolutely stunning! I cannot wait to get the whole deluxe package on Friday.