SINATRA PLATINUM (2023)
Commentary and analysis of the CD edition.
By Mahnuel Muñoz
Produced by Charles Pignone.
Mixing and sound restoration Larry Walsh.
2023 marked the seventieth anniversary of Frank Sinatra signing with Capitol Records. In 1953 the singer was an old glory from whom no one expected much, but who decided not to give up. And time proved him right, making him the protagonist of the most spectacular “return” of contemporary popular music, reinforced by a shocking re-entry into cinema, winning an Oscar for his role in “From Here to Eternity.”
With Capitol Records, Frank Sinatra recorded over nine years what are almost unanimously considered his best albums, supported by his leading arrangers (Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Gordon Jenkins) and contributed decisively to the perpetuation of the Great American Songbook, which has managed to pass the test of time in much better health than the rock and roll of the 50s, the psychedelia of the 60s and the avant-garde of the 70s and 80s.
On the occasion of such an anniversary, Capitol Records and Signature Sinatra have launched a beautiful collection of tremendous appeal for those who have not delved deeply into the repertoire of the most emblematic Sinatra, and also highly recommended for veteran fans and completists, because in addition to a rich arsenal of timeless classics and gems that are rarely heard outside of the albums in which they were released, delights us with eight rarities that make it worth breaking the bank and taking “Platinum” home.
Until not too long ago the general public has not had access to the sound of Frank’s recording sessions, but fortunately a good number of releases in recent years have included fragments in which you can hear Sinatra working on the songs with the musicians, chat and joke with them. In “Platinum” we enjoy fragments of the sessions for “Here Goes“, “Lush Life“, “I’ve Got A Crush On You” and “Memories Of You“, a fascinating quartet that shows us everything behind Sinatra’s wonderful music. The takes of “Memories Of You” are especially interesting, as Frank gives a performance so technically and emotionally sublime that it makes your hair stand on end.
Each new release has surprised us with some unreleased gem that fans have received with enthusiasm. In “Platinum” the big surprises are the alternative versions of “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry” and “Just In Time“, which present significantly different arrangements than those published. In the case of “Guess…“, the tone chosen is less melancholic and perhaps that is why it was discarded, but it is still a beautiful interpretation.
The design of the elegant, simple and beautiful cover is the work of Simon Halfon, an artist with four decades of career under his belt, during which he has worked, among others, for George Michael, Oasis and Paul Weller. The treatment applied to the cover photograph alludes to the pictorial style of Frank’s Capitol and Reprise albums.
The 23-page booklet made of heavyweight glossy paper does not contain much information about the content of the double CD, limiting itself to reflecting the titles of the songs and the recording date. The text that complements the collection of recognizable photographs is a series of quotes from Sinatra himself and the arrangers Riddle, May and Jenkins. I think that a text about such an important period should have been included to educate the neophyte public and give well-deserved coverage to the magnificent musical selection that is displayed.
Conclusion: Is this work recommended for novices in the field? Unquestionably yes. These forty-four songs will be like Cupid’s arrows for those who have only listened to the well-known hits that everyone has heard countless times.
And for collectors? Also! We must support each new release so that the record company does not let Frank’s legacy fall into oblivion, and also the unreleased material it presents is substantial enough not to be missed.
CD1
- Lean Baby
- I’ve Got The World On A String
- I Get A Kick Out Of You
- Young At Heart
- Just One Of Those Things
- I Get Along Without You Very Well
- In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
- Learnin’ The Blues
- Love And Marriage
- (Love Is) The Tender Trap
- You Make Me Feel So Young
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin
- I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night
- The Lady Is A Tramp
- Night And Day
- Oh! Look At Me Now
- Where Are You?
- Witchcraft
- All The Way
- Moonlight In Vermont
- Come Fly With Me
- Only The Lonely
- Something’s Gotta Give
- All My Tomorrows
CD2
- Here’s That Rainy Day
- A Cottage For Sale
- High Hopes
- You Go To My Head
- The Nearness Of You
- Nice ‘N’ Easy
- River, Stay Away From My Door
- September In The Rain
- Blue Moon
- Day By Day
- When The World Was Young
- I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
- Here Goes (session takes)
- Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (alternate take)
- Lush Life (session takes)
- One For My Baby (test track)
- Just In Time (alternate take)
- A Hole In The Head (radio spots)
- I’ve Got A Crush On You (session takes)
- Memories Of You (session takes)
Access the Complete Discography of Frank Sinatra in the following link of Sinatra Radio 24h https://sinatraradio24h.com/category/discography/
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