An oddball project - but much more than a curiosity

My grandmother loved Sinatra. As a kid, I would watch various TV shows where he'd be performing "New York, New York" or "My Way" (Just those two songs. Never any others. Never.) and grandma would be watching with sparkling eyes as Frankie Boy added yet another vibrato on "way".



Since then, I thought that I'd always see him as Mr. Light Entertainment. But that was before I'd heard "Watertown". Oh my God.



It should be made clear that "Watertown" differs greatly from pretty much anything else in Sinatra's catalogue, save for "Cycles" which was released the year before. Sinatra would never again move into pop territories quite the way he did here. It helps to know that all of the songs were composed and arranged by Bob Gaudio (previously a member of The Four Seasons), which explains the nature of the album. Scott Walker used to cut records just like this one - string-heavy baroque pop with deep, crooning vocals.



Chances are that neither mom or grandma, both pretty content with watching Ol' Blue Eyes burst into another shmaltzy version of "My Way", will find any interest in this heavily orchestrated concept album about a man who sees his wife and kids abandon him for the vanity of the big city. On the other hand, your average art school student who's read his Kerouac is not very likely to be checking out "Songs For Swingin' Lovers" any day soon.



But he'd love "Watertown", and so do I. Where should I start? There is not one throwaway track on the album. The exquisite "I Would Be In Love (Anyway)", the open lament to his wife, "Elizabeth" and the absolutely heartbreaking "The Train", where he thinks his wife and kids are coming home again to sort things out but finds himself waiting on the platform in vain - they are all miniature masterpieces and Sinatra delivers them as convincingly as could.



The man himself famously despised pop music, and his remarks of "Something" as being the best Lennon/McCartney song showed his disinterest in the genre. Alas, he was never very fond of "Watertown" once it was released. But who cares? Time has proved him wrong. Grandma, I surrender - My God, he sure could sing.

Heartbreaking and Gorgeous

The premise and songs on Watertown will affect anyone who has been through a divorce. Sinatra's imperfect voice makes his performance all the more moving. He conveys pain, regret, longing and sadness with an understated but, stark, haunting beauty.



I cannot believe anyone could listen to this album all the way through and not recognize the brilliance of this great artist. Ironically, many people associate Sinatra of the late 60's-early 70's with his finger snapping, awkward Beatle covers.



His performance and the Gaudio/Holmes songs are an unappreciated masterpiece of late 60's pop.

Unhearalded Masterwork

Although "Watertown" is rarely mentioned in the lists of great Sinatra albums, and none of it's songs are part of any of the compilations released throughout the years, make no mistake - this album is a masterpiece, and begs to be listened to en toto. Sinatra shines in humility as a modest hard-working husband living in a small rural town, who's wife up and leaves her life as dutiful wife and mother. The songs tell the story in brilliant fashion and Sinatra shows his genious in interpreting them.



There are also great liner notes by the writers of the album, and the story behind first approaching Sinatra with the project. This is a great album.