Search - Frank Sinatra :: Songs for Young Lovers & Swings Easy

Sinatra's (almost) forgotten arranger, George Siravo

David A. Reitzes | Wilmington, DE United States | 01/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Given the phenomenal artistic and commercial success of Sinatra's work with Nelson Riddle, it's easy to overlook George Siravo, who wrote some outstanding arrangements for Sinatra both during the Columbia years and in the earliest days of the Capitol period.It doesn't help, of course, that Riddle has been erroneously credited as the arranger of Sinatra's first (ten-inch) Capitol album (an EP by today's standards), the effortlessly buoyant SONGS FOR YOUNG LOVERS. But with the exception of "Like Someone in Love," it was Siravo, not Riddle, who arranged this wonderful album (now available as half of the SONGS FOR YOUNG LOVERS/SWING EASY compact disc). (Riddle conducted the recording sessions, which has led many to assume that he also wrote the arrangements. Years later, Riddle was still apologetic that Siravo hadn't received credit, though the mix-up was not Riddle's fault.)Now, having said all this, I must dissent from the revisionist attempts to portray the late-period Columbia Sinatra-Siravo collaborations (collected recently on the Sony CD, SWING AND DANCE WITH FRANK SINATRA) as lost classics. To be perfectly frank (to coin a phrase), FS swings like a rusty gate on these tracks. To the singer's credit, however, he knew precisely what he wanted, and when he left Columbia, it was a sheaf of Siravo charts that he decided to take on the road with him. By the time he inked his contract with Capitol, he was (as he would later sing in a remake of one of his Tommy Dorsey hits, "Oh! Look at Me Now") a new man -- as the recordings prove beyond a shadow of a doubt. Simply put, SONGS FOR YOUNG LOVERS contains some of the warmest, most effortlessly buoyant singing of Sinatra's career. "My Funny Valentine" in particular is a minor miracle, with the singer swinging so gently he threatens to float away.So next time you listen to SONGS FOR YOUNG LOVERS or the always-rousing Capitol version of "All of Me" (the one chart on SWING EASY believed to be primarily the work of Siravo, possibly with some expanded orchestration by Riddle), raise a glass to not only a superb arranger, but one of the all-but-unheralded men behind the scenes who gave Frank Sinatra a creative boost throughout "all those in-between years" -- George Siravo."

SINATRA'S BEGINNING AT CAPITOL

David A. Reitzes | 12/04/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First, a little bit of history on this album. This CD is actually 2 seperate entities with 2 seperate moods. In fact, "Songs for Young Lovers" and "Swing Easy" were really 2 seperate LP's when LP's were 10", not the familiar 12" that was the norm before the advent of the CD.Both LP's had 8 songs and Capitol in a marketing move when the 12 inch LP became popular smashed the 2 LPs into one and 2 classic albums became 1. Then, in the early 60's when Sinatra formed Reprise; Capitol re-issued the albums as seperate entities again but adding songs that were not on the original albums; the songs were fine but they ruined the concept of the original LPs and believe me,in Sintradom,concept is key.OK,with that little history lesson, to the music. What can you say....All of these tracks, were pre- "In the Wee Small Hours" done between 1953-1955. Orchestra or better yet,lack therof, was conducted by Nelson Riddle but the arrangements were maybe a cross between Riddle and George Siravo, especially in the " Swing Easy" sessions."Songs for Young Lovers" was Sinatra's very first album for Capitol and he open's with a tender 'The Girl Next Door' that immediatly tells you that this 40's crooner has metamorphisized into something special. All and I do mean ALL of the songs in this set are sung to perfection by Frank. With arrangements for the ballads that were beautiful by there simplicity. Nelson Riddle really was the perfect conductor for Frank. It just shows and shows throughout the CD. The"Swing Easy" part of the CD has Sinatra backed up by what it seems to be a jazz ensemble that came from his radio show at the time. Sinatra would not record a full studio album again with this small combo type of sound. Songs on this set,i.e., 'All of Me' and 'Just One of Those Things' are prime examples of that carefree sound that will explode a year later with the monumental "Songs for Swingin' Lovers" landmark.If you are a beginning Sinatra fan, this set is a great introduction to the world of Sinatra. Just remember, you have all those Classic Capitols to go through and this was the begining."

Give this man a spotlight !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/20/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Songs for Young Lovers/Swing Easy is a great Sinatra CD that has all of the songs from Sinatra's first two record albums for Capitol Records. The sound quality is really very good thanks to a remixing job; and the artwork is excellent.



"My Funny Valentine" starts the CD off with Frank sounding better than ever! The horn solo is striking and Frank handles this tune like a pro! Frank handles subtle tempo and key changes like a champ and this makes a fine starting number for this album. "The Girl Next Door" is from the MGM movie Meet Me In St. Louis, only in that film it was Judy Garland singing "The Boy Next Dorr." Frank massages these lyrics with his voice, which is truly a finely tuned instrument just right for these ballads. "The Girl Next Door" tugs at my heartstrings and Frank delivers this flawlessly. Great! "A Foggy Day" has an elegant piano arrangement and when Frank Sinatra sings this it truly does sound like THE definitive rendition of this classic pop song! Frank swings brightly to enhance the natural beauty of "A Foggy Day" and it works very well. "A Foggy Day" is easily a major highlight of this album.



"I Get A Kick Out Of You" features Frank Sinatra front and center--and that's OK by me! "I Get A Kick Out Of You" has a fine musical arrangement and Frank sings this with all his heart and soul--and just one listen proves it! "I Get A Kick Out Of You" is a brilliant love song that could never become boring or routine--it's all THAT good. "They Can't Take That Away From Me" is another stunning tune; Frank sings with panache and it's again very impressive. "They Can't That Away From Me" never sounded better than when The Chairman Of The Board sang it. It's terrific! In addition, listen for "Just One Of Those Things;" Frank takes this to new heights and he makes it sound fresh even today! Moreover, Frank does a great job on "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter);" this gets a big band arrangement that I'm not used to but it makes a very strong number--excellent!



"Taking A Chance On Love" has Frank singing his very best--watch out, competitors! Frank does this perfectly and I'm thrilled with this tune. "Get Happy" is a number from the MGM movie entitled Summer Stock; and Frank Sinatra sings this with all his might. The album also ends very strong with Frank Sinatra performing "All Of Me;" "All Of Me" sounds terrific and I will be listening to this number many times over!



Songs for Young Lovers/Swing Easy is nothing short of one of Frank's greatest CDs ever. I highly recommend this for his fans; and people who like classic pop vocals with big band arrangements will love this album for years to come.

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