It Might As Well Be Swing

" He can sure sing for a white fella." This is a quote from Sammy Davis who was backstage when Frank was singing with the Basie band in concert- I saw this on You Tube. For me this quote captures the essence of this date. I have several Sinatra recordings, including his early work and his work with Capitol with Nelson Riddle. While that music is great, sometimes it didn't swing. This does. And also it helped me to understand why many believe Sinatra was the greatest popular singer of the 20th century. He does not have the range of Streisand , Sarah Vaughn or Whitney Houston. His sound may not be as mellow as Como or Johnny Mathis. He may not be as soulful as Marvin Gaye. But you can understand every word he says. He delivers the lyrics with perfect timing and in perfect coordination with the ( other ) band instruments and he can build his solo to a climax that is uncanny. And in front of this Jazz orchestra, he meets the challenge of swinging hard as well as any ( black) jazz singer could. This is great music and a must have for any jazz aficionado. His tribute to Louis Armstrong on " Hello Dolly" is something special.

This outing with the Basie Band is a mixed bag: some absolutely outstanding numbers and some perplexingly dumb choices. In brief:1.Fly me to the Moon: Classic Sinatra. A must have.2. I Wish You Love: Nicely done. No problem.3. I Believe in You: Another Classic well done.4. More: Ehhh, so-so. Adequately done but no great shakes as it is a better instrumental than vocal song.5. I Can't Stop Loving You: Frank, this wasn't your song! And Quincy Jones what is with the hokey C&W flavored arrangement. Terrible.6. Hello, Dolly!: Well I could have hated this too, but in the 2nd refrain the Basie Band and Sinatra turn it into a tribute to Louis Armstrong, and for that, it's a keeper.7. I Wanna Be Around: Good track.8. The Best is Yet to Come: Worth buying the CD just for this. One of the best songs ever written, done to a fair-thee-well by Quincy Jones, the good Count and Ol'Blue Eyes!9. The Good Life: Okay.10. Wives & Lovers: Good cover of an okay tune.So buy it for tracks 1,3,7 & most especially 8. The first outing with Basie was the best, but these 4 classic songs save this CD from the never-mind pile.

This record changed my life. When it arrived, I was excited, but I would never have been able to predict the grave and tremendous consequences of my foolish actions. As soon as the needle touched the vinyl, my curse began with the noise of angels singing in graceful harmony. The smooth piano of Count Basie, the gentle voice of Frank Sinatra. Frank and Splank sent me to paradise...but only for the first track. Once the next song began, I started to hear dark deep noises. Scratches, crying, grunts, the sound a sticky liquid makes when it runs over a smooth surface...I could hear myself laughing, but I wasn't laughing. Two songs full of hell in, I fell. I sort of tripped but I fell into a room that wasn't there before. It was dark and cold...there were dark marks and streaks on the walls and ceiling...but none on the floor. I was there for one song and it seemed to be the longest song ever recorded, the noises getting even louder over the smooth big band. Then I was back with the record player. Surrounding me were the entrails of my parents. I had apparently killed them and spread them like floor cleaner. Those guys sucked anyway. I like this record. 10/10 would kill again.

Very nice cd, I enjoy it very much. Frank Sinatra and the band, what a fantastic combination. It's like attending a master class in the art of swinging and phrasing. I am a musician and when I listen to the music very attentively, I learn something new every time and it improved my playing significantly in my interpretation. When I listen to the cd in a more casual way like as background music, it is pure pleasure and you don't necessarily have to be a fan of Frank Sinatra or Count Basie to enjoy it, it is beautiful music well played period. Highly recommend this cd to anyone who enjoys listening to music with all the nuances and details.

Received initial damaged product. Seller immediately sent out a replacement no questions asked. Replacement item received quickly and in great shape. Buy with confidence from Decluttr Store! Great collection of Sinatra songs! Thanks!

Perfect condition, great packaging. Sounds awesome!

Please don't listen to the narrow-minded idiots who knock I Can't Stop Loving You. It is the song I bought this CD for! Who do these "reviewers" think they are in knocking Sinatra for his song choices? Just becuz they don't like country music they think no one else will either. Well, they're wrong! I have been collecting Sinatra since the 50's and he really, really, in any genre, can very rarely be topped.

I purchased a set of 2 of these chairs to add to an existing dinette set. From the description and picture I expected them to be a bit more substantial than they actually are. They seem sturdy, but just a tad too small and nothing really special about them. Also, one of the seat pieces wouldn't fit - it was not cut correctly and wouldn't fit. So I had to use a saw to cut off a bit of the part tha tucks between the back frame. You can't see it or tell, as it's hidden, but it was a pain to have to do. I think I'll stick to purchasing furniture in person from now on.

It might as well be swing was Sinatra's 2nd album with Count Basie. The first album from the previous year was somewhat lacking in decent material with also many re-do's of earlier Sinata material. That album seemed to lack focus but for the follow up Frank employed the services of one Mr Quincy Jones for the arrangements and production,this was a stroke of genius as Jones gives the album an extra level of class which really shows. The album kicks off with a rousing " Fly me to the moon" this is probably (studio wise) the definitive version of the song. Elsewhere "More" is another superb track and Franks cover of "Hello Dolly" isn't nearly as bad as you might think. Basie's band sounds superb in this song with a rousing middle and end section - Superb ! Jack Jones "Wives and Lovers" also gets a very strong reworking by Frank and this ends the album on a high!If you were disappointed by The first Basie/Sinatra album this is much much stronger. I agree with everyone else though the cover is awful !A lot of people criticise Sinatra's reprise years but i disagree,he made many good albums in this period like "Strangers in the night" "Ring a ding ding" "Francis albert sinatra and Antonio carlos jobim" although overall the Capitol yrs probably edge it slightly.

delighted with everything

Brilliant album.

What a combination

La musica di Frank Sinatra ha fatto parte della sua infanzia, e pertanto questo album contenente tra le varie canzoni un pezzo da 90 come "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)", è sicuramente un acquisto obbligato per ogni buon fan di Frank Sinatra...