Classic Sinatra II

Product Details

Classic Sinatra II showcases a selection of Ol' Blue Eyes' most loved recordings from his Capitol concept albums, including "Moonlight In Vermont," "Pennies From Heaven," "Something's Gotta Give," and "All Of Me." In addition, the set features four 1950s singles: "Love And Marriage," "(Love Is) The Tender Trap," "Learnin' The Blues," and "High Hopes." Plus a 1956 recording of "Memories Of You" and a previously unreleased recording, "This Can't Be Love."

Product Reviews

(4 stars) - Apples & Oranges...collection has little in common with the first "Classic Sinatra" set
Obviously, the "powers that be" are marketing this collection directly to the people who purchased the first "Classic Sinatra" CD. Which...for a number of reasons...is a mistake.

In the strictest, "dictionary definition" sense, this CD most certainly contains "Classic Sinatra" performances.

But what made the first CD so powerful was its confidence-bordering-on arrogance, its swagger, its charm, its pure, unadulterated "Chairman of the Board"-ness.

That is not the overall vibe of this CD at all, so while the songs are all acknowledged heavy-hitters from the Sinatra catalog, there is no way that this CD should be so closely associated with the first "Classic Sinatra" CD. THAT CD's perfect companion piece, was, and still is, the sadly out-of-print (but still available) Greatest Love Songs.

Case in point: "Love and Marriage" and "High Hopes." YES, even the most casual Sinatra fan acknowledges the number of records sold. But they are almost "novelty songs" or "Sinatra Sings For Kids"...stack them up against the cool, cool swagger of "Oh! Look At Me Now" from the first "Classic Sinatra" CD and draw your own conclusions. When I'm in the mood to hear a song about a tough guy knocked down by love, I don't want to hear that same guy singing about ants and rubber tree plants.

There's also some of the moody "concept album" stuff..."Angel Eyes" and "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" from Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely...an album that is an unquestionable masterpiece, no matter how bleak, and completely out of step with the tone of the first "Classic" CD.

But that's just me.

There's no such thing as "A" Sinatra Sound. Some fans think the era of greatness...in the studio, if not on the concert stage...drew to a close when he left Capitol for Reprise. Others snap their fingers and tap their toes to "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and other later-period cover songs that the "swing" fans consider to be groaners and mis-steps.

So the purpose of my review is not to "reach agreement" on the man's career...that will never happen...but to say, in all honesty, that if you purchase "Classic Sinatra II" as someone who loved the first CD, expecting more of the same...

...it's not more of the same. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it. It simply means that the record label should have chosen a better name for the collection, without attempting to piggy-back on the success of the first CD.

(4 stars) - Terrific, but..
Terrific, but I would of replaced the slow and tedious "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" with the missing track "Chicago'" (1957);

"When The World Was Young" with the swingin' "River, Stay 'Way From My Door" (1960);

and the non-hit "Angel Eyes" (chances are you wouldn't want to listen to it more than once) with Sinatra's definitive version of "I've Heard That Song Before" (1961).

(5 stars) - The Voice
I purchased, "Sinatra Classic" and, "Sinatra Classic II" and, "Nothing but the Best", and if your a Sinatra fan you will really love these three CD's. They are Sinatra at his best. He is animated, enthusiastic, warm and powerful and, in the pocket all the way. Sinatra delivers at another level. The band is fantastic and the quality of these CD's is the best I've heard in a long time. It's been a long time since I have had so much fun listening to Sinatra. I guess it's because the songs that are compiled are a collection of his best rendition of standards. Speaking of standards. Sinatra is to the standards as Mohammed Ali is to boxing. Sinatra gave a new face lift to the standards. He is also the best that has ever sung Pop Jazz music. He was and still is the belle epoque of pop singing. No one else compares.........Howard Gray

(4 stars) - Classically good
Another fine collection of Sinatra songs that will grow on you every time you hear it.

(5 stars) - loved it
The CD was brand new, still in the wrapping! And it arrived so fast! Excellent service and product.

Popular Searches in Music