Search - Frank Sinatra :: Classic Sinatra II

More Emotional Depth Than Vol. I

Coleen | Down in the alley | 06/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It'd be easy to be cynical about this compilation, and to assume that it's second string stuff, but that is not the case here. Sinatra recorded 16 concept albums for the Capitol label, and 10 of them are represented here, plus four singles and a previously unreleased bonus track. (By the way, the bonus track, although short in length, is excellent, and if there is more of this caliber Sinatra material in Capitol's "

Personal, mature, unique and even timeless--THANK YOU, FRANK

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 06/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Classic Sinatra II features nothing but incredible songs and ballads all performed immaculately by the great Frank Sinatra. Sinatra could interpret a lyric better than just about any of them ever could (and I do mean ever); and he always made it look so easy. Frank Sinatra's gift was so great that even to this day new CDs are being released for his fans who now span more than two generations. The quality of the sound on this CD is excellent and the artwork reflects good taste.



We get 21 songs here; and truthfully they are all wonderful. This is terrific for Frank's fans; and it also makes an excellent introductory album for newcomers just discovering his magnificent and exceptional artistry. The first track, for example, "Something's Gotta Give," features Frank swinging brightly to make this jazzy arrangement work to perfection--and beyond! Nobody could interpret lyrics better than Frank Sinatra could; and songs like "Something's Gotta Give" and others on this album prove it. Listen also for "Too Marvelous For Words;" Frank delivers this with panache and he never lets go of a superfluous note, either! I love it.



"From This Moment On" gets a fine treatment from Sinatra who sings this faultlessly--and how's about that brass? "I Get Along Without You Very Well" has Frank singing while the strings play so sweetly; and there's yet another gem when Frank performs "All Of Me." "All Of Me" charms me with its natural beauty and Frank aces this as effortlessly as if it were mere breathing! "Moonlight In Vermont" is most romantic; and "High Hopes" always brings a smile to my face. "High Hopes" has a terrific children's' chorus and they actually balance out Frank's vocals very well. "Pennies From Heaven" is another charmer and a true classic; this big band style arrangement works well as Frank delivers this flawlessly. I'm very impressed.



"I've Got A Crush On You" is very sweet and easy on the ear. "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" is very poignant; the music fits in well with Frank's vocals and this moving ballad gets the royal treatment from "The Chairman of the Board." "Memories Of You" stuns me with its beauty; and I really like "Our Love Is Here To Stay." "Our Love Is Here To Stay" is certainly a major highlight of this CD and you're bound to enjoy Frank's rendition of this ballad. "Just One Of Those Things" continues to showcase the fabulous talent of Sinatra and the CD ends very well with Frank performing "This Can't Be Love." It'll leave you wanting more!



And, fortunately, more is precisely what we all can enjoy with all those other Frank Sinatra CDs out there. We are so much better off for Frank having shared his gift with us. He sang with all his heart and soul; and he channeled his experiences with love and heartbreak into his songs which invariably made them so naturally appealing and even mesmerizing. We could all hear a bit of our own experiences whenever Frank sang; nobody could ever match Sinatra. Frank Sinatra was--and always will be--one of a kind.

"

More of the Best, I Guess . . .

B. Stockwell | San Francisco, California United States | 12/16/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

""More of the same" is fine when you're a Sinatra fan, but this isn't a great follow up to Classic Sinatra. The songs are all great and, c'mon, it's Sinatra! But this is second-tier stuff, the hits that didn't fit on Classic Sinatra plus some filler. You know how sequels are usually a letdown? Welcome to Classic Sinatra II. Sinatra spent so much time avoiding exactly this sort of collection. It's not a concept album with a unifying mood. It's not a complete finger snappin' collection or a downbeat introspective weeper. It's just sort of, well, there. I'm also sort of stunned at how both collections are 90 percent Nelson Riddle, five percent Billy May and almost no Gordon Jenkins. Sinatra and Co. practically invented the concept album, the end-to-end albums that set a mood and kept you in it. It's sad that no-one at Capitol can figure out to do that with hundreds of pre-sung material just waiting to be collected into unified releases. "Romance: Songs From the Heart," a supposedly thought-out compilation, is all over the map, emotionally speaking. These 21 song compilation CDs that Capitol is putting out are so small-minded and unimaginative. Why not a boxed set of say, "Frank's Ultimate Swingin' Collection" or "Sinatra Sings for the Cruelly Unhappy"? Put out a Gordon Jenkins box set - that would be a great way to start. Look, if you're out to make money money with some of the greatest music ever recorded, why not do it first-class and coherently? These Classic Sinatra albums are musical roller coasters that can't settle onto a mood. It's like putting a stack of great albums on and hitting the "random shuffle" button. I like this album - a lot - but it really just makes me want to put on one of the concept albums."