Album
Frank Sinatra
Nothing But The Best
[Rhino]
Artist: Frank Sinatra
Released: 12 May 2008
Catalogue number: 8122799345
Review
by Chris Jones
07 May 2008
Released to mark the 10th anniversary of the demise of Francis Albert Sinatra, this is the first of what will undoubtedly be a plethora of reissues, rarities and assorted merchandising ventures. However, as with Elvis, it's hard to bemoan such blatant catalogue squeezing when the man at the centre of it is such an immense presence in modern history.
Of course, Mr Ring-A-Ding's status has been boosted over the last few years by the rediscovery of the so-called 'Rat Pack' by a younger generation. While the oleaginous croonings of Dean Martin (or the acting skills of Peter Lawford) may not withstand such endless repackaging, Sinatra always will be a safe bet. For anyone yet to taste the exquisite joys of the coolest swinger in town, Nothing But The Best does its introductory job very well. But when it comes to the title itself, we're perhaps on shaky ground.
The reason? Well by 1960 Frank, finally elevated to the star bracket that he always knew he was born to inhabit, had fallen out of love with the corporate machinery of Capitol Records; the label that made him more than the bobbysoxxers' idol. In a bold move presaging the behaviour of many 70s rock acts, he decided that he'd simply form his own label. Thus Reprise Records was born. This compilation comes from that period. And while it's all good stuff it lacks the edge of his earlier work.
However, to say the label was vanity project would be woefully inaccurate. Frank was always a consummate professional. He was also a man who loved to make records. Indeed he almost single-handedly redefined the role of the singer in the age of electricity by his peerless delivery in front of a studio microphone. Not only that but he knew his arrangers as well. Thus the compiliation is chock-full of legendary names who always gave nothing but their best. Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones, Gordon Jenkins and Billy Strange: these are people who were hired for their innate understanding of the level of performance that Frank wanted to achieve. So, while none of these sides approach the mastery of Frank's defining Capitol years, they still include some amazing moments. My Way, Strangers In The Night, Somethin' Stupid (with daughter, Nancy), It Was A Very Good Year, That's Life - all stand tall in the Sinatra canon. And for the completist there's even a serviceable unreleased version of Body And Soul (video above), not to mention a DVD of his 1971 Royal Festival Hall appearance.
As stated, this makes for a warm and generous introduction to the man known as the Chairman of the Board in his later years. But anyone who already knows what makes Frank tick needs to take themselves back a decade or so, and immerse themselves in some of the 20th century's finest music.
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JW, Barnsley South Yorks.
The Best of the Best
Mari Nicholson, Isle of Wight
I'd like to ask Jon London if it's possible to get a copy DVD of the RFH concert in 1962 which he saw at the BFI. I was there in '62 and I'd love to relive the evening.
James, London
Oh yes, another good bit of frankie, i may be 15 years old, but i know what Sinatra's all about.Classic, gona by the album
Ruth
Wonderful!
Ruby
Ooooh yes.. Frankie's back
paul Glasgow
Just welcomed an old friend into the room,great to see him again and listen to his purity of tone. Still way out front Frank, you will never be bettered.
Luca, Danzica, Polonia
Sipmicity and beuaty... Seeing the difference between then and now... :D True masterpice !
Ramone, Kingston, Jamaica
Sinatra's Body And Soul is simply beautiful. I would loved to be in the record studio while he was there. Nevertheless, his voice carried me there in which I felt every emotion he did. This was when music was song!
Michael, Charlotte, NC USA
“You gotta love livin', baby, 'cause dyin' is a pain in the ass.” Frank Sinatra
Jon London
I also watched the film at BFI of Sinatra's performance at Royal Festival Hall in 1962 last night & it was the nearest you could get to being at real concert , without sounding big headed I always though Frank saved his best performances for London.
MICHAEL PONTING WSM
FRANK GOT BETTER WITH AGE-HIS VOICE WAS EFFORTLESS & SUBLIME
Nick Mulpagano, Liverpool, NY
GREAT VIDEO! Although I must say all the recent attention to Frankie is wayyyyy overdue! Let's hope we don't have to wait in 10 year increments to have Sinatra's music and movies celebrated :)
Jeff Dunning Concord, California
God I loved this incredible man and voice. I live my life and die with Frank on my mind.
Jane
How I agree with all the above, but how I wish Radio 2 would play more of his records like they do Elvis
George Lyons Boston Ma
Often imitated, never duplicated, thinking of you today, Mr. S
richard rubino...harwich ma ...usa
love the video .....I have been a life-long Sinatra fan ...........RR
Michael Donnelly
One of my musical heroes. his music will live on and on. they will still be playing his songs as long as people listen to music. i have in amongst my collection ,the capitol collection, the reprise collection, and the colombia years, and not forgetting, the hollywood years. along with elvis, and freddie mercury, one of the great musical artitist, of all time.
David Alldridge, Twickenham
I agree about the Capitol years, but don't ignore the real artist of the 'torch' concept albums on both Reprise and Capitol. Listen to his rendering of 'Something', albums: 'Only the Lonely', 'Wee Small Hours', 'Where Are You' etc., ballads of loneliness, love and longing. Rarely has a male popular singer bared his body and soul so openly.
Laura Jolly, Coventry
I am a 19 years old as most 19 year olds i love modern music. But as I always think you have to understand the past (music) to undersatand and appreciate modern music now! Since i was 7 i have loved Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack.So whatever you might say about "the youth of today", some of us are not just head bangers or noise listeners!!
Will, Leicester
A fantastic album from the best singer the world has ever seen!A MUST BUY!
Steve Jones, Solihull ENGLAND
A true legend with a great voice !
John Porcella
I had a couple of chances years ago of seeing Frank Sinatra in London, but I could not afford the ticket prices as I was a student then. Ah, the regret now!However, I have seen the modern-day 'Sinatra' in Stephen Triffitt in the 'The Rat Pack: Live From Las Vegas' in London and on tour over a dozen times. He is a brilliant mimic and if I close my eyes, I can imagine I am at the Sands Hotel with Frankie, Dean and Sammy enjoying the show! If only Dr Who could take me back in his Tardis for a wonderful night out on The Strip in Vegas in the early 1960s!John
Luxy, Misouri, USA
Breath-taking! What an honor just to see what actually occurred in a recording session, plus it being Mr. S. to boot! I am passing this to all the many Sinatra addicts and friends. Thank you so very much for allowing Frank's admirers to view this eventful session with father and son.
paul king male vocalist
sinatra was one the greatest.i find that even he was overlooked at times.i paul king was given the gift of a good voice and i will continue my efforts to get heard on radio and tv starting with the best the bbc. i do covers off sinatra,andy williams.matt monroe,niel diamond,jack jones ect. if you want to have me send a video of my work i will.im allso free for auditions.god bless.
Daniel, Venezuela.
I´m 27-year-old person who never know Frank Sinatra's music, but it´s known he was the best of his time. Those blue eyes encharmed more than one little girl and that is something you respect, and why not, enjoy.
Steve Burrows
Frank was from an era long before me but what a voice, pure class! His memeory lives on in his music.
Duncan McCoshan London UK
Great to see The Chairman behind the microphone!However, I would query the siting of Strangers in the Night and My Way as key tracks.Sinatra didn't have much time for Strangers (hence the ironic "Doo-be-doo" coda) and the laid back swing of Summer Wind would be a much better choice from that album.Instead of My Way, how about Angel Eyes from his greatest album: Only the Lonely.If that doesn't raise the hackles then nothing will...Salut, Frank!
James, Hampshire
Well said Chris. Frank died on the eve of my 21st birthday. I listened to his seminal Only the Lonely album when I was 13 and was hooked. Needless to say, I got a lot of stick from my teenage friends for five or six years but everyone gets there in the end! Most weirdly of all, I had had a premonition of his death and on the morning of the 15th I went cold when they cut to a news flash, knowing what they were about to say before they even said it. As the ultimate Frankophile, his voice had been the soundtrack to my teenage years and become as familiar to me as my own. It was at once the best and worst 21st present I could have received. They played his music everywhere all day. As for the music, Chris is spot on. The uninitiated must wonder why Sinatra is so revered when hearing nothing but the popular hits like "My Way" and "Strangers in the Night". This isn't the man. You have to sit down and listen, really listen - armchair, headphones and a whisky kind of listening - to something like "What's New?", "Angel Eyes", "Cottage For Sale" or "I'm a Fool to Want You" to really understand what separated him from the contemporary crooners. Bing Crosby, Nat Cole, Mel Torme, Vic Damone - they called all sing, but no one sang like Sinatra. A word of warning though, the heart-broken tourchsongs are painful listening - if you want something lighter, try "Embraceable You" or "You go to My Head", or even way back to the sentimentally sweet Songs for Young Lovers album. This is where you have to go to understand what all the fuss is about.
Mike Osborne Holbrook Derby UK
Frank's Legacy is just tremendous. The pleasure this great artist has given to literally millions of people is wonderful,there will never be another like him. Thankfully we do have all his marvellous music.
alastair quinn
wondeful
jenny
pure sinatra i'm speechless
Trevor Phillips Putney
Watched the film at BFI of Sinatra's performance at Royal Festival Hall in 1962. Brilliant.
Alex Young Edinburgh
As a devoted Sinatra fan I think that Chris Jone's remarks are spot on. Frank was at his best in his Capitol years. I also enjoyed his opinions on Martin and Lawford, although I must admit that I had to look up the meaning of "oleaginous".
Ronnie (Gtr London)
That voice and that music -It don't come any better!
arrymak -radio merseyside
if you are amung the very young at heart
Anna
Love abit of Frankie! Great track! Nothing beats the oldies. Oh and hello to everyone x