Hi all forum people, We have regular threads on Frank Sinatra's Capitol years. Great records all! It's time for a reappraisal of his Reprise work. My favorites are "I Remember Tommy", "Sinatra With Strings", Sinatra Swings", "My Way" and the Jobim album. What are your favorites? What pressings are your favorites? Any information on the tapes, Steve? How about some Reprise Classic Sinatra on AF Gold? Thanks in advance for your perspectives!
I could read it... Only recently been giving this phase of Sinatra a serious listen... too early to digest much yet. Be interested in the comments of those who are familiar with it.
The Ellington album for starters. I've got a UK mono and its just wonderful. The Jobim session is almost flawless. If they could put the rest of the session together with the existing album and get Steve to master it would be one of the most sublime recordings ever. I've been trying to find a mono 'September..' as I've heard that mix is something special. He did get terribly melancholic around that point though. Losing Mia I guess....
I have about 8 or 9 of the Reprise albums all mono. The Concert Sinatra mono, while not my favorite of his Reprise albums, is the best sounding Sinatra record I own.
"Ring-a-Ding-Ding" is my definite favorite on Reprise, and quite possibly my favorite of all of them. The open reel tape version (7 1/2 ips) with the alternate cover art is awesome sounding.
While I've not got all of his Reprise output, my record collection would be poorer without the Basie, Ellington and Jobim collaborations. It's a pity about Jobim's vocal mike on the latter, though - sounds like he alone was miked up with a cassette machine's built-in mike (on my pressing. Not sure whether the remixes improve the situation any.)
Does the mono mix improve that? I have to say it does'nt bother me that much..I kind of like the effect of Jobim almost being at Sinatras shoulder. Remember as well that Tom was also playing guitar on that session ( which annoyed him no end. He was always being asked to play guitar over the piano which really was his first instrument) and its possible that the quality of his vocal mix compared to Franks was due to this (I'm presuming it would have been Frank singing live with the orchestra..the sleeve notes seem to bear that out
I was under the impression that most of his sessions were recorded simultaneously for mono and stereo....
There is no problem with Jobim's voice on the multitracks - the "sound" you hear is how it has been mixed in all the mixes that have been released. I don't know why they did that, maybe to mimic the sound of Jobim on Getz/Gilberto? I don't really mind it, and I think it has a certain period charm, but it does sound better without all the futzing that's been done on him on the mixes released.
Everyone should just get the 20 CD Sinatra Reprise set and be done w/ it. You haven't lived until you have heard the disco version of Night & Day!! Oh and Sinatra At the Sands is a must have!
I think Franks rendition of "On A Clear Day" from Strangers In The Night is absolutely unequaled, just timeless, soul stirring. The two Sinatra/Basie albums are great also, I can dig the Ellington/Sinatra too. Several others that escape me at the moment.
I've got it and love most of it. But the later remasters of the Reprise albums (the ones with the clear spine and "Entertainer of the Century" blurb) are superior to the original CDs, both individually and on the box.
Yeah, the band really cooks on that one in the break (and in Summer Wind). The CD doesn't sound as good as the LP, though.
Speaking of Jobim, I have always been a big fan of the 1969 release, Sinatra & Company (the almost follow-up to their earlier collaboration.) The album definitely has a split personality, but something about side 1 really resonates with me.
'Cycles' on vinyl was recorded with that weird system HCG? or something like that..was anything else?
My uncle gave me his Sinatra LP collection recently. (I was honored.) About 40 original Capitol and Reprise LP's. I've seen other threads on the desirable Capitol LP's. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in the Reprise area? Thanks! Dave
Split personality because the two sides had nothing to do with each other. Side 1 was 7 of the 10 songs from the unreleased 1969 Sinatra/Jobim album, though everything was finally released on the 20CD set. Side 2 was odds and ends basically. IIRC, Sinatra & Co. came out in 1971.
Haeco-CSG. The actual recording (multitracks) are OK - this process is done afterwards. IIRC, the Greatest Hits album might have had the Haeco-ing done, but I can't say for sure. I'm too lazy right now to get up and look...
