A Man Alone

Well, actually, it's NEVER too late for complete satisfaction. But I feel almost apologetic about waiting so long to "find" something as perfect as "A Man Alone." It was recorded in March of 1969 .... and in June of that year Judy Garland was found dead in London. Now I was an adult then, and I had several of Sinatra's albums .... I knew he was a great singer. But Garland had actually touched my life by that time, and I religiously considered her "The Greatest Entertainer in the World." So maybe I was just so caught up in our loss ... perhaps worried that they wouldn't release "Judy at Carnegie Hall" on one of the new boxy, bulky 8-track tapes I had started adopting! Who knows? But this majestic tribute to the folksy, touching poetry of Rod McKuen just ... somehow ... passed me by. And it took a few more years, and a little maturity, to realize that the "Greatest" title would have to be shared, for eternity, by the female version and the male version .... by Garland AND Sinatra.I think this newly discovered CD is quite possibly Frank Sinatra's most poignant, most heart-felt, soulful bequeath to all his many old admirers (like me) but also the new kids just getting into music, just discovering musical genius, the REAL Kings and Queens of the genre. I certainly don't consider it "a gloomy compilation" as another reviewer did, but more accurately the retrospective memories of a middle-aged, mature man who is feeling melancholy and sentimental. And very seriously, with my COMPLETE collection now, I would feel free to recommend that EVERYONE should hear him singing the bittersweet "The Summer Wind" .... and Peter Allen's sadly underrated "You and Me (We wanted it All") from the 'Trilogy' collection .... and his final, heartbreaking version of "Make it One for My Baby, One More for the Road" on his first 'Duets' CD .... and the two greatest and most genuine Sinatra CLASSICS, "It Was a Very Good Year" and "My Way".... AND the entire "A Man Alone" CD. Oh, there are hundreds of more recordings, arguably every one of them a masterpiece unto itself, but I still believe that with the five songs I mentioned, and with the eleven self-revelations from this CD, anyone who heard just them would be able to say "I really KNOW Frank Sinatra!"And it was an HONOR, sir.

I love Sinatra. I love McKuen. Beautiful, sometimes moody recording.

As one-half of a folk based/pop oriented duo back in the 60's and 70's, I did a lot of Rod McKuen's poetry and music to counterbalance the funniermaterial of which our act was apprised. I'd like to say that my versions of McKuen's songs were superior to Sinatra's, but that would be like comparing the creation of the world to the Save The Planet folks rather than God. There has never been a singer with better phrasing in his chosen material than Frank Sinatra...and the voice will live on in the minds of those who heard it as one of the best ever. So when you combine the voice and phrasing of Sinatra with the beautiful imagery of McKuen's words and music, you've got a "can't miss" album on your hands. Thanx to both Frank and Rod for giving the world such a treat.

CD plays well. Case is cracked but could have happened in mail. Bubble package was thin.

It is an unusual combination, different genres, different concepts. But with Sinatra, expect the unexpected.Don't expect "traditional" Sinatra. No great backing band, none of his standards. This is a Sinatra from another angle.The irony is that this is entitled "A Man Alone". Sinatra always had a posse with him, always surrounded by people, never a man alone. But who knows, maybe there was a deep loneliness inside of him that he despised and ran away from.Sinatra was an incredible actor through his songs and his movies/TV work. He has decent arrangements that do not distract from him, great lyrics and simply a massive subdued presence here.To be listened to when you need to hear the quiet.

I never new this recording (LP) existed. Very nice and tranquil to listen to.It's worth the 5 Stars.Thanks,Carl.

The release of an album with Frank Sinatra singing the songs of Rod McKuen seems somewhat offbeat. But who knew that Mr. Sinatra loved Mr. McKuen's music?In his inimitable style, Mr. Sinatra does an understated job with Mr. McKuen'ssongs. In fact, he gives the songs a whole new slant like never before. Being a fan of both men, I gained a brand-new appreciation of how Rod McKuen songs couldbe presented with the smooth sophistication of Frank Sinatra's delivery. For those who enjoy the simple, direct and unadorned songs of Rod McKuen being offered in the simple and direct manner as Frank Sinatra does here, then I highly recommend this album. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Since a teenager in high school I have long been a lover of Rod Mckeun both his written Word and the works that have been put to music through the San Sebastian strings what a great blend of all beautiful timeless voice in Frank Sinatra doing Rod McKeun. This is a masterpiece. I was saddened to hear of rods passing that made me want to search out to see if he had anything new and I came across the CD was so so blessed to have this because I had never heard it before. God bless you Rod and Frank both in heaven they gained two angels.

Nicht nur für einsame Herzen. Sehr persönlich und emotional

un buen disco de Frank Sinatra, con algunas canciones de éxito. hay varias canciones que Fran no canta, sino habla. Aun asi, quedan bien, por su voz y los arreglos orquestales

Loved it ...all my favourite recordings by Frank Sinatra

Capolavoro assoluto della storia della musica. Due giganti (Sinatra e McKuen) si incontrano in un'opera irripetibile. Musiche, testi, arrangiamenti cuciti su misura per la voce di Sinatra mai così calda e avvolgente. Un Sinatra intimo, che a volte parla solo (straordinari gli spoken). Una vera perla.

Every night I soak in my bath and listen to this for an hour, nothing quite like it, Frank Sinatra singing to the words of the late wonderful Rod McKuen. What can you say about Sinatra that has not already been said, even when he talks through Rod McKuen's words he is just great. When it comes to Rod McKuen so prolific throughout his life, the music and in particular the words are the best yet, you are really listening to everything come from Rod McKuen's heart. Sinatra asked Rod to write this album for him and I do not recall Sinatra asking any other individual to write an entire album for him. Lay back in the bath, candles on and dream, as I do, just perfect.