Classic Sinatra: His Greatest Performances 1953-1960

Performer: Frank Sinatra
Artist: Nelson Riddle
Producer: Dave Cavanaugh; Voyle Gilmore
Distributor: EMI Music Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: Frank Sinatra (vocals); Nelson Riddle, Billy May (arranger, conductor). Recorded between 1953 and 1960. Includes liner notes by Bruce Springsteen and Pete Hamill. Digitally remastered using 24-bit technology by Bob Norberg (Capitol Mastering). Audio Remasterer: Bob Norberg. Recording information: 1953-196?. Photographer: Sid Avery. Arranger: Nelson Riddle. A good single-disc compilation of his Capitol years, covering 1953 to the beginning of the 1960s. His Capitol output was so extensive that it's impossible for a 20-song anthology to give a comprehensive overview even of the highlights. Also, as this focuses on the albums he made with Capitol, some of his biggest hits of the time are omitted, such as "Learnin' the Blues," "Hey! Jealous Lover," and "High Hopes." Still, a lot of the performances much of the public identifies with the singer are here, including "I Get a Kick out of You," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "Witchcraft," "All the Way," "Come Fly With Me," "One for My Baby," "Young at Heart," and "I've Got You Under My Skin." ~ Richie Unterberger Sinatra's years on the Capitol label (1953-60) were great years. His voice had matured into a powerful and poignant instrument; his sense of swing was infallible; and he was blessed with an innovative and sophisticated arranger, Nelson Riddle, whose charts fit Sinatra like a beautiful suit. This one-disc compilation of 20 songs includes many classics: "I've Got You Under My Skin," "You Make Me Feel So Young," "The Lady Is a Tramp," In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning," and "One For My Baby (And One More For the Road)." The packaging is attractive (with some great photos of Sinatra) and the digital re-mastering was done right. Also included are updated versions of songs Sinatra sang in his earlier years ("Oh! Look At Me Now," and "Night and Day"). While this CD is not all-inclusive--some of the more melancholy songs of these years are omitted--it's a collection that can be listened to again and again.

Q (9/00, p.128) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The casual fan and the newcomer to the Sinatra canon will be well served here....bringing to mind not just music or a man but an era of classic American songwriting."

An icon of American music, Frank Sinatra defined sophisticated pop singing of the post-war era and spent more than 50 years in the limelight. After formative stints with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, and others, Sinatra shot to worldwide fame through hit records and Hollywood movies. His hip, laid-back delivery defined cool, yet he also had a down-to-earth manner that connected easily with audiences. Ups and downs would follow him throughout his career--the details of his private life were not always fit for public consumption--but right up till the end, every comeback strengthened the intense loyalty of his fans.

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