92. Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim
1967

Tracks
1. Girl From Ipanema
2. Dindi
3. Change Partners
4. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
5. Meditations
6. If You Never Come To Me 
7. How Insensitive 
8. Concentrate On You 
9. Baubles Bangles And Beads 
10. Once I Loved


Amanda: Frankie boy!  It has been awhile.  I listened to "You Can't Take That Away From Me" this morning and it brightened my entire day.  This album is Frank Sinatra as you know him.  Yes, there is a bit of a Brazilian twist, but basically, you got the same slow crooner.  I really liked this album despite how ordinary it was.  We hadn't listened to Sinatra in a long time.  We also have just been listening to crazy rock albums so this was a nice change from the crazy music kids listen to these days.  I have an appointment so I have to go.  C'est bon revision, non?


RATING: 4/5

Brie: Some people consider Frank Sinatra's voice 'flat', particularly on this album. I have to disagree. I have always loved Sinatra's voice, and it was especially tender on this album. Even though 'The Girl From Ipanema' is such a cliche, I melted when Frank sang it. I also loved 'I Concentrate On You', which was straight out of the Cole Porter song book. Throughout the album, we hear Jobim's soft, steady guitar and it just adds to Sinatra's smooth voice. A must listen to for any Sinatra fan, or any jazz fan for that matter.

RATING: 4/5

18. At Mister's Kelly's

At Mister's Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
1958

Amanda: Finally!!  A brilliant album that
a) isn't horribly depressing
b) has interesting, relatable songs
c) is sung by the best female vocalist I have ever heard in my life

I loved this album!  Sarah Vaughan has the most amazing voice.  It makes me feel so...full.  I am sorry if that sounds cliche or lame but that is the best way to describe it. I like her so much better than Ella Fitzgerald. She also cannot really remember lyrics to songs so a couple on this album are pretty much her just singing nonense ("Just a Gigolo" and "How High is the Moon").  My favorite track was "Thou Swell" but there is not a single song that I disliked.  I even want to get the ones that she messed up on for my iPod.  Would that be weird?

RATING:

Brie: J'adore live albums. Sarah's nickname was "Sassy"! Love that! From the beginning of the first track "September In The Rain" I fell in love. I know exactly what Amanda means about feeling full. Tears came to my eyes while listening to this. Sarah Vaughan is just that good. Sarah also took part in the formation of bebop music. She has a voice close to perfect and this album cannot get onto my ipod fast enough! Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald are pretty much the trifecta of perfect female vocalists. Why can't I find this album online? I like albums, not compilations! As I listen to this album, I can feel the atmosphere at Mister Kelly's and imagine that I am there! Do yourself a favor and listen to this.

RATING:

19. Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook

Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
1959

Amanda: Whew!  That was quite an album; it clocked in on three hours and fifteen minutes.  It was pretty exhausting to listen to Ella Fitzgerald for that long but I got all my laundry done so that was a plus.  It also happens to be a pretty amazing album.

With this album, I heard so many familar songs that I felt like I had heard it before.  This is actually a good quality most of the time because a lot of the songs I loved but other times I craved to hear something original.  But Ella (we are on a first name basis) has such a beautiful voice that she could make the dullest song interesting.  My personal favorites were "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" (it reminded me of one of my favorite movies When Harry Met Sally) and "I Got Rhythm" (another favorite: American in Paris).  Still, it was extremely long.  I would just listen to your favorites.

RATING:

P.S.  I think this is a sign that I love movies infinitely more than music.

Brie: I cannot put into words how wonderful Ella Fitzgerald is. Literally, I can't. This album is everything I could have hoped for. If you only have a few minutes, listen to "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off", "'S Wonderful", and "I Got Rhythm". This is one of the most amazing collections of songs I have ever heard. Period. I am just having a wonderful time here at the end of the fifties. Billie Holiday, Jack Elliott, Sarah Vaughan, and now Ella Fitzgerald! Could it get any better?

Response to Amanda's "PS": that's okay. You can insert your knowledge of movies and I will go on and on about how Bob Dylan somehow connects to every songwriter ever. It's all good. :)

RATING:

7. Songs for Swingin' Lovers

Songs for Swingin' Lovers
1956

Amanda: Ah!  Here is the Sinatra as I knew him.  The kind of music you would hear at casinos and get up and swing to (please don't make this into something dirty; let's be mature about this people)!  I actually had this entire album already on my iPod so this album was nothing new to me.  Even if you haven't heard Sinatra sing these songs, you have probably listened to other people sing these classic songs which include "Pennies from Heaven" or "You Make Me Feel So Young" (I prefer when Rosemary Clooney sings this one; I also liked it better when Stewie sang it:)).  The songs are golden and even if there are a bit overdone, you forget it the second you hear this famous crooner sing them!

RATING:

Brie: I cannot believe that Frank Sinatra was 40 years old when he recorded this album! Brings a new meaning to the song "You Make Me Feel So Young", doesn't it? I felt slightly jaded after listening to the last Sinatra album, In The Wee Small Hours, but I am glad to say that good old Frankie redeemed himself with this one! Aah, so many classics on this album. From the previously mentioned "You Make Me Feel So Young" to "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Makin' Whoopee", these songs have been covered many times and by extension, became classics. I can't wait to add this album to my collection!!!

RATING:

1. In the Wee Small Hours

In the Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra


Amanda: I just have to say, I was thrilled whenever the first album on the list was a Sinatra.  I am a big Sinatra fan (The Way You Look Tonight is one of my favorite songs) but this album was just the pits!

Do not get me wrong, the talent was there.  Sinatra has one of the best male voices I have ever heard, and my opinion on that has not changed.  The songs, however, are dull and repetitive.  If you listen to one, you have listened to all of them.  Mind you, these are not casino songs.  These are break up songs that Sinatra sang because of his break up with Ava Gardner.  I mean, he should be sad (she was a dish!) but I don't want to get dragged down with him!

I do not mind depressing songs if they are well-written and make you think.  These songs do nothing of the kind.  They are completely unorginal and boring.  It is sad to say, but I think Sinatra should stick to singing other people's songs (still love you Frankie!).



RATING:

Brie: I was as excited as Amanda when I saw that the first post would be about Frank Sinatra. As I sat down and started listening to the album I was all revved up and gung-ho! But then I realized that I really didn't like it. C'est tres ennuyeux!

Maybe this album is in the book because after the 1940s, Frank's career hit a slump and in the early fifties, he began a comeback which was sparked by an Academy Award win for best supporting actor in the movie "From Here to Eternity". This album was his first successful album post-comeback.

I think there are more Sinatra albums in the book, so Frank has a chance to redeem himself!

           RATING:

Some of Sinatra's Nicknames: Ol' Blue Eyes, The Chairman of the Board, The Voice, Francis
Frank Sinatra Quote: "Alcohol may be a man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."