An Uneven Sinatra Set...But With a Couple of Gems...

I had this collection on LP, and as I did then, smiled over some of the song selections. This was 1967, afterall, the musical year of emergence for psychadelic rock, Hendrix, Joplin, etc...Sinatra was, in his way, trying to connect with this zeitgeist by mixing some contemporary compositions into his conventional catalog of material. The results are interesting, and certainly tuneful, even if not distinguished in the accustomed Sinatra way. "Something Stupid" proved to be a #1 hit, which must have tickled Ol' Blue Eyes for no other reason than this duet provided additional momentum to daughter Nancy's singing career. "This Town," a simple diddy written by Lee Hazlewood, is delivered with exuberant punch---strangely enjoyable for this alone. The only stinker of the bunch is "Don't Sleep in the Subway," which simply should have been discarded from the project. But this album has several winning entries in it. The title track is given a gently rolling, lilting treatment, and Gordon Jenkins' signature layered strings mark a fine rendition of "This is My Love," a revisitation of this song (with the same arranger) from a decade earlier. "Some Enchanted Evening" is a song which, sung as a straight ballad, reveals the sappy quality that crept into many of Rogers & Hammerstein's later compositions---but Sinatra revives it here at finger-snapping pace---my favorite recorded version by far. However, easily the best track here is "Drinking Again," which stands on par with Sinatra's best saloon-inspired odes to broken hearts and dreams. In sum, the unevenness of song quality and a multiplicity of arrangers (Billy Strange, Jenkins, and Ernie Freeman all write charts here) makes for a collection that sounds like the montage it is...still, Sinatra produces enough winners here to make the purchase of this CD worthwhile.

like dad kickin' with the kids

Listening to this record is like seeing your Dad hanging out and trying to sound 'cool' with the kids. Your first reaction will be one of embarassment, and then fascination (at least, that's how I approach Frank's Reprise stuff).

I'll admit it: I bought this one for two songs prominently featured in a couple of movies ('This Town' in Matchstick Men, and 'Something Stupid' in Ratcatcher)...and that was oddly prophetic, as this is easily the most soundtrack-y of Frank's records.

That all said, I now love this album. I came into Frank's world via the Capitol years, and used to feel that the later stuff wasn't worth my while. But there's a good maturity here, even in the dorky 'rock n' roll' of something like 'Don't Sleep in the Subway'. Those backup singers get me every time! Who knows what he was thinking, but he shows here that he could take any tired tune and make it his own (were he alive today, I'm sure he could do a thing or two with the Britney songbook).

The other highlights? Drinking Again, definitely...probably the closest this gets to sounding like 'Wee Small Hours', and the title track. Dig that dark, intense guitar line in the intro! And maybe he was trying to emulate Lee Hazelwood (as he does cover Lee's great 'This Town' later).

Some Enchanted Evening is left in shreds by the time Frank is done with it. Is it actually good? Well, kind of like my introduction to this review, it depends on your point of view. Are you fascinated by train wrecks? Or do you cringe in horror at the sight? Suffice to say this is a good introduction to late-period Frank and its many ups and downs. I look forward to the ride.

Something really stupid in the kingdon of olÂ' blue eyes

Recorded in 1967, this is a Typical Mid 60's Sinatra. Many arrangements were written by Ernnie Freeman, which means a lot of Easy Listening pop with strings, drums and electric bass that may have worked fine in NancyÂ's "Something Stupid". Luckly, there are some tracks arranged by Gordon Jerkins, in his typical lush strings style. For those who admire "September of My Years" (1965), it may be a interesting complement.
Alghough there are some good songs, it is hard to bare the whole sound approach. The classic "Some Enchanting Evening" can be found in a much superior version on "Reprisse Musical Repertory Theater", recorded in 1963.
I only recomend this one to anyone who has ALL THE CLASSIC sinatra albuns from the 50's and 60's. Which means that should be your 40th Sinatra Cd. If it is not your case, youÂ'd better try somewhere else...
No wonder why they didnÂ't issue this cd in America.