Sinatra / Capitol Sound Quality and General Discussion: Songs for Swingin' Lovers - Released 1956*

Cool! (my wallet is not saying 'cool', it's saying "no, no, no...")

 

Have they also done a new release of Only The Lonely?

 

Not yet.
A new UMe release is expected: Frank Sinatra's Capitol and Reprise recordings now under one roof »
And it may be stereo: Frank Sinatra's Capitol and Reprise recordings now under one roof »

 

One big question on the MFSL SACD. IF I don't have an SACD player, are we all recommending getting the Songs for Swingin' Lovers still? Not sure if the recommendation is contingent on having an SACD player. I have a very good CD player that also does high rez, but it would only read the PCM portion of the disc I'm assuming.

Second, I love the dynamics of the 2016 LP but Frank's voice sounds hollow and an obvious digital transfer. Wish they could combine the depth and warm of the original gray label pressing with some extension in the bass and treble of the orchestra. Still waiting for that perfect remastering I guess.

 

IMHO, the CD layer sounds great. I don't have SACD player either, so CD layer is the only way that I can listen. It is best sounding release out there.

 

I agree with drbeachboy, the MFSL is a hybrid disc and the redbook layer sounds phenomenal. The SACD layer is the same mastering, just at a higher resolution. Get it while you still can.

 

This is a rather easy question to answer: there is only ONE decent mastering of this album on CD - and it is the MFSL release. The previous four (!) official masterings are unlistenable once you've heard the MFSL one or the "clean" transfers of selected tracks in the "Capitol Years" 3 CD box set.

 

Should anyone misunderstand, the Mobile Fidelity release he's referencing is the current hybrid disc, NOT the gold CD from the 1990's, which comes from the wrong tapes.

 

2014 hybrid SACD (left); 1990 gold CD (right):

 

I'd just like to add my voice of approval to the group of happy customers with the MFSL hybrid disc (2014). I only ever play the Redbook layer in my main Hi-Fi system as I can only access the High Resolution layer via my AV Blu-ray player (which is not exactly an audiophile's dream) and it isn't connected to my main gear and or even of the same calibre anyway. The Redbook sounds incredible but do I still need the UMe vinyl LP?

 

How about getting an original grey label Capitol? They're pretty easy to find and most sound great.

 

I plan on getting both, the MFSL hybrid disc and an early pressing on vinyl (grey label or 9:00 pressing). There a maybe five Sinatra albums that for me, seem to rise above the rest and are pure magic from start to finish (not saying the others aren't good in their own right). A couple variations of such iconic albums are always nice to have.

 

I'm sure finding one in the States is "pretty easy" but over here, finding anything of that vintage in clean condition is like looking for a needle in a haystack. There aren't many good bricks and mortar record shops any more and buying on-line is a total crap shoot, not to mention most copies are in the States and there's exorbitant shipping to add on top. I like the thought more than the reality.

 

Yes understood. I didn't realize you live in England.

 

To find one that has not been beat to death or suffers from groove damage from the album being played on inferior turntables from days gone by? Not so easy in my experience. In fact, very difficult.

 

I guess it depends on where you live. I've found a few nice copies in the Bay Area for cheap no problem. Gave a couple to friends. Haven't looked in a couple of years though.

 

I know we kind of gripe about how Mr Sinatra's catalogue hasnt been well served. But it is being served in the last 5 years as well as it ever has been as far as improvements in sound quality.

The Sinatra 100 series (the good ones from it), the handful of really good mfsl and then a bit of digging to get some clean copies of what Matt's scorecard will point one to are by far an improvement of the old days of scouring ebay for grey labels and 9 o'clock's. In the past you'd end up spending 100's of dollars and hours of time trying to find a clean copy of classic Capitol Frank Sinatra albums on ebay.

Could things be better as far as reissues? Certainly. But it is much easier than ten years back when I had to read and read the archives here to try and figure this stuff out. And then try and hunt down the stuff. We got it much better now Id say.

 

Lucky you my friend. Not been my experience at all.

 

I was lucky. I think my copy was $4 in great shape. I found one recently that was earlier with the Frank looking away cover,which I hoped would sound even better, but it was a bit dull so I returned it.

 

I spent a good bit of money trying to find a clean "In The Wee Small Hours". Same with "SFSL's". NM? Heh, more like N-possible.

Anyway, I did have fun searching. At least initially lol. It could get obsessive

 

I just purchased a NM grey label of "In The Wee Small Hours". Looks never played without a mark, but the real test is when it goes for a spin this weekend. This was after returning a bunch of copies for the same reasons noted above. Hopefully my journey ends for this album.

 

I would never have NM expectations on this stuff. I'm usually happy with VG+.