‘My Way’ 50th Anniversary and ‘Sinatra Sings Alan & Marilyn Bergman’coming October 2019

But back to intersting things:
What do you guys think of the sound of the Bergman Cd?
To me the recordings sound quite different than to what they used to sound like. Don't know yet if I like it or not. But throughout I had the feeling as to listen to an all new album instead of a compilation.

 

So going back to legacy thinking I think we should create a new concept album, great artwork too. If we took some songs that made a story. Meet someone, fall in love, have great times, break up find someone new.

There are so many stories you could tell with careful selection, make a concept, make a music video and sell that.
Give me time and I will offer my v1

 

Too bad they deleted the fade out on "Leave it all to me" and added an ending to it. Very bad and unmusical decision. They spoiled the mood. The composition is more an ongoing "riff" rather than a song. And that riff cries for a fade-out. The fade-out is the logical thing and keeps you in the mood. The newly added ending comes too abruptly. Very sad.
So in my opinion the unreleased version is still the better of the two.
Also the sound of the voice on the Bergman Cd version is very strange. Sometimes it sounds as he was singing through a phone.
Sounds brickwalled to me. But I am no expert on that. maybe someone can check that?

 

One story I’ve heard is that the recording by Sinatra was intended for an Atlantic City casino commercial. It may have never been meant to be released as a complete song.

 

But it was released on Anka's Headlines album

 

Ten years earlier (1979?). And Anka’s recording included a ballad intro which FS didn’t sing. It seems quite possible that this obscure song was brought to Sinatra years later due to Anka’s involvement in “My Way.” (I knew there was a way to connect the two recent CD issues! ) I can certainly hear it being used in a radio or TV jingle.

 

Enjoying the new "My Way" remix/reissue. Not an album I played much, so some of my enjoyment is getting reacquainted with it. Nevertheless... Sinatra was in fantastic voice. The arrangements are spot on. The material and its sequencing are quite stunning.

This is a really good album -- God, I love Sinatra. There's really nothing not to like. Even the dated, reaching "youth" tracks like Yesterday and Mr. Robinson work for me. A great arrangement and a great singer in fine form will make anything work.

As for the remix... love it. The original sound of many of these Reprise recordings has always been soft, spongy, thin and distant to me. Attempting to create a big, lush bed for a spacious sounding Sinatra -- but I feel mask something. This new mix sounds stronger and more honest. I hope they continue refreshing these titles. Not sure why it wasn't given a hi-res release.

 

Somebody from Reprise once told Ed O'Brien that Paul Anka had mentioned Sinatra's recording of "Leave It .." at a Tonight Show and that Anka had predicted that this song would become a huge success for Sinatra, bigger or at least as big as "My Way".

 

There are A TON of unreleased, rare and live obscurities in the archives that would make for far more interesting releases than the 15th re-release of X. Not to mention the rich collection of session outtakes from Reprise and Capitol eras (that so many of us have heard unofficially). I can appreciate that the family doesn't want Frank's 'process' out there, but I think it would be such a fascinating, invaluable way to present a true master at work, that would be thrilling to the listener. Especially in this era where every celebrity is offering a 'Masterclass' online. It would be an exciting, unique way to market his artistry.

I agree that they would be wise to take a page from the Elvis estate. I'm constantly amazed by what the Matt Monro Estate manages to produce and get out there from the EMI archives. Alternate takes, unreleased tracks, nightclub and radio performances. And much as I love Monro, he doesn't have nearly the following or recognition Frank has -- yet they still restore it and get it out there (The Bobby Darin estate could desperately take a page from this book too...that's a real sad state of affairs!)

Seeing and hearing Frank LIVE really drives home to fans and strangers alike just how and why he became the legend he is. Look at the YouTube comments from young kids on his '65 'Under My Skin' TV performance. He's the King of Cool -- and people can't get enough. You don't even need the Rat Pack, ring-a-ding ding filagree to pay if off. Just deliver Frank in his element -- and in a manner we've not seen or heard before -- and the rest takes care of itself. As much as I respect all the parties involved with this -- I was confused that they chose these even over the 55th anniversary of 'It Might As Well Be Swing', which pays off Quincy Jones (who's front and center right now) and the eternal 'Fly Me to the Moon'. Commercially, it seemed like the better bet?

 

Amazon Germany has reduced the price for the CD "My Way" from 17.99 Euros to 10.60 Euros now.

 

I purchased the 50th Anniversary My Way LP and listened to it for the first time this evening. I did not notice any dramatic difference in the sonics with the exception of the leveling out of the recording level of the title track. My recollection is that the original mastering had a very low recording level at the outset of the song with a significant increase as the song progressed almost as if the sound engineer was adjusting the recording level dial as the song was being sung, so much so that you had to turn the stereo volume up and then down as you were listening to the song. They have definitely improved that aspect in the new release. I did not notice any other significant differences.

I second the suggestion that future release efforts should focus on unreleased material even if the audio quality may not be 21st century quality. I know for example that Reprise recorded six Rat Pack concerts in 1963, only one of which was released much later on and also recorded Sinatra and Basie in 1964 at the Sands. I have heard the stereo reel tapes of these which are of excellent quality, and it is baffling to me why more of this material has not been released.

 

Back cover details:

Track A produced by Don Costa & Sonny Burke
Track B produced by Charles Pignone
Mixing & Audio Restoration by Larry Walsh
Vinyl Mastering: Kevin Bartley at Capitol Studios
Art Direction: Vartan
Package Design: Howard Kim
Project Manager for UMe: Harry Weinger
Production Manager: Ute Friesleben

 

??? I'm confused. What is the market for this? What's the point? Anyone care to guess?

 

Take your pick: (1) Something to offer for Record Store Day; (2) Tie-in to the current “My Way 50th” campaign; (3) Attempt by the label to attract Sinatra fans with a new-to-vinyl live track. (They are under the misconception that the song is important to those who love Sinatra’s music. )

 

Just W-A-I-T!!!!! Very soon will be the 40th anniversary of the release of "NYNY". God only knows what they'll do with that one.

 

Or maybe it is because My Way was and is still one of Sinatra'a most popular songs; that is what makes Frank's catalog so great - there is something for everyone.
Not sure why you have to belittle the song just because it is not your cup of tea. Fact is, millions disagree with you based on the song's popularity over the years.

 

Lighten up. It’s not the song I was “belittling.” Undoubtedly, the label shares your view, as this album/single is the only one chosen for a reissue this entire calendar year. There is much better material crying out for release.

By the way, Frank Sinatra hated the song himself.

 

Do you really think Frank Sinatra in 1968 would record anything he didn't want to after
all his years in the music business? He knew he had to appeal to the masses and he was
correct.

You should lighten up - after reading most of your post in various threads - I don't think
I'm the one who needs to lighten up.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion but not their own facts...you state things as if you are SINATRA!

 

Always been a good friendly informative thread and then along comes........................

 

@MrBeauJazz: Strange that I’ve never noticed YOUR posts in any Sinatra thread here. Instead of insults, maybe you can say something about the thread topic.

Frank Sinatra’s opinion of ‘My Way” comes directly from his daughter, at the SFF:

 

Thanks Bob. It just seems to be "selling a limited release for the sake of selling a limited release", with no bigger purpose that I can detect.

 

If you had read “ most of “ Bob’s posts you wouldn’t come on here with such a negative attitude.
Of all the threads on these forums the Sinatra threads are the most friendly, polite and informative. That’s due , in no small part, to the Tremendous contribution of Bob ( and others) always helpful ,always informative and always polite and respectful.

peace and love✌Dave

 

Thanks, Dave.

 

Apologies, I meant no insult, however, I’ve heard concerts where Frank Sinatra calls
MY WAY the national anthem and one where he says something like I wish I
got a song like this every year.

As I said, everyone’s entitled to their opinion & Bob expresses his quite
frequently but it seems if others don’t agree with him he's insulted.

I think Bob's below comment was more of an insult to those of us who enjoy Frank's version of MY WAY.

(They are under the misconception that the song is important to those who love Sinatra’s music. )

 

Folks: Please don’t feed the troll. I don’t want to report these posts, as there are some worthwhile facts presented. (And this, after all, is my thread.) Just let it rest.