Sinatra / Capitol Sound Quality: "Come Swing with Me" (1961)

I'm not sure if this is the one you mean, Matt, but the CD album version of "I've Heard That Song Before" has an intercut which is missing from the (presumably uncut) remix Larry did for Ron Furmanek in the THE CAPITOL YEARS 3-CD set.

Here's what I once posted at the SFF:

The beginning and end of the song are the same in all versions of the track. The intercut begins during the first instrumental bridge, which starts at 1:08, and continues into the verse which leads into the second instrumental bridge at 1:40. An effect of the intercut is to change the line at 1:28:

from: "It's funny how a theme recalls a favorite dream."
to: "It's A-funny how a theme recalls a favorite dream."​

Note that Sinatra's first use of this line (at 0:24) includes the "It's A-funny" phrase.

The unedited version ("It's funny…") appears in the following CD issues:

1990… THE CAPITOL YEARS (US)
1996… THE COMPLETE CAPITOL SINGLES COLLECTION
1996… FRANK SINATRA SINGS THE SELECT SAMMY CAHN

The edited version ("It's A-funny…") appears in all the CD issues of CSWM, including the 1991 Walsh, the 2002 Norberg EOTC (also in the CONCEPTS box and mini box), and the 1998 London box. Note that the Norberg and London versions are identical, but the intercut starts at a different spot in the Walsh version (which is why I know these are in fact the altered versions).

The question is: Which was used on the original LP? I have a source which indicates it was the unedited version, although I wouldn't trust that without a listen.* (I don't have the LP.) If true, then why was the intercut used on the CD reissues?

Note that this song was also issued as a single, which may have some bearing on the existence of different source tapes.

(*Ron Sarbo informed: "The LPs have the same [intercut] version as the CD of CSWM.")

 

Interesting. Maybe no dedicated mono mixes were ever released because the album was intended to feature a dramatic stereo effect (i.e., the separation of the band into different channels, with call/response musical passages emphasizing the separation).

Curious to hear more....

Thanks Matt.

 

So, the other mono clips you have are not fold-downs, Matt? or do you mean that the fold-down sounds very good as well?

Safe travels.

 

While were into this LP, let me direct all listeners to the LP that inspired this album. It's "Billy May's Big Fat Brass" which (allegedly) Mr. S listened to and liked so much that he asked Billy to do an album for him with that same type of "ping-pong" effect. It's a great recording in it's own right.

 

Agreed! A Great album in it's own right!

 

"Yes Indeed!" is the other song. It's really tough to even make out the piano on most of these tracks, and it's curious because the bass and drums are in the right channel on all the tracks.

I've only listened to the Walsh version so far, so I haven't yet identified the "overdub."

 

I really love this album. So many people compare it unfavorably to the SWING ALONG WITH ME on Reprise, but I remember when they both came out (nearly simultaneously) and this was my favorite by far. I think because it showed off my first stereo system so well.

 

He's not only smart, he's funny, too!!!!

 

"Yes, Indeed!"

Sorry to preempt your observation on "crack/back" on the other thread, Paul......

 

Great minds think alike! No big deal.

 

Looking forward to your evaluations Matt!

 

As always!

 

On a first listen, Matt, I'd say that the Japanese red vinyl is too bass heavy, and the D6 sports too much echo on the vocal. Your UK fold-down is driest of the three, no?

Are either of the other two dedicated mono mixes?

P.S. I love the timeline you provide; fascinating to think that this was recorded alongside of I Remember Tommy.

 

I just acquired a Dell/UK edition of the LP on Sunday and MY OH MY! It is a really, really great sounding disc. Incredibly silent platter and I'd have to say it's the best sounding copy of this album I own.

 

Matt, the best I've heard this album sound is on a D2 cut side two. My copy with that cut is paired with a N5 side one, like you have sampled. The N5 is not bad sounding, but it's a little dull to my ears. However, with what I hear to be a rise somewhere in the top end of Steve's cartridge on the samples, the dullness doesn't come through so much on there.

I also have a copy with a D3 cut on both sides. I don't remember all the details off hand, but I don't care for it. I seem to remember it was somewhat hard sounding, with its tone not being so pleasant. Not awful, but nothing great.

I'd need to get a copy with a D2 side one, to see how it compares with the D2 side two.

As far as the samples go, the Mobile Fidelity sticks out as very bright. It sort of gives me the impression it was Eq'd like that to push the cymbals up in the mix.

 

An anniversary bump for this LP. It was recorded fifty years ago this weekend! And tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the historic date where Mr. S recorded seperate sessions for both Reprise and Capitol and we had to wait 29 years for a release from the Reprise session! That song, of course, is the gorgeous "In the Blue of Evening" from the first sessions of "I Remember Tommy"