I’ve heard a few Sinatra songs, My Way, Love & Marriage, Come Fly With Me. I have his Christmas Album.
He recorded for over 40 years. Whats a good album that really defines why he was a Superstar? I’ve read the stuff he did for Capital Records in the 50’s was very good.
I’ve looked at Amazon. Theres so many Sinatra’s greatest hits there. Some look like cheap cut out bin specials. I’m not sure what has been remastered and represents him the best.
Songs for Swingin’ Lovers
Songs for Only the Lonely
Come Fly With Me
someone else needs to recommend an early-era, teeny-bopper hearthrob stuff.
What a voice.
I started with this one several years ago and it served as an excellent introduction.
No idea why it’s $45 on Amazon; you can find it for $10 or less on ebay.
mmm
Heck, right now you can find used copies for as low as $0.99+shipping on that very page you linked to.
I’d go with the (1950’s Capitol) complementary pair of “In the Wee Small Hours” and “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!”.
I reckon the September of My Years album is the highlight of his Reprise Records period. Also very good is the first one he did with Antonio Carlos Jobim in '67.
If you want to totally immerse yourself in his voice, get the “100 Hits Legend” collection (5 discs).
I like this one - you can listen to samples and see if you do, too.
thank you for the recommendations. Going to Ebay now to see what I can find.
I have this box set The Capitol Years. Awesome.
I was like you once. I had only heard songs he recorded when he was over 40, and I didn’t think he was that great — the music was good, the voice was meh.
Then one day I heard this song just by chance, recorded when he was 30, and I understood why he was such a big deal. His vocal chords were damaged around 1950, and after that he was good, not great. But in the 30’s and 40’s, he was The Voice.
You’re right, his younger voice is a lot different. Much smoother and higher pitched.
Really? Where did you get that? Here he is live at the age of 65.
For me Sinatra at the Sandsis just a perfect album.
There’s no need not to let YouTube help.
Start with Frank Sinatra- I’ve got you under my skin
For other important clues, check all his work with Nelson Riddle.
The vocal chord damage is just a fact; it’s in any decent biography of him.
The good vs great is my opinion, although I think the difference would be obvious to Marlee Matlin. But very, very few singers sound as good at 60 as at 30, even without vocal chord damage.
Too late to edit, but to follow up a bit: There are great singers, and there are great songs. Sinatra sang some great songs later in his career, but IMO he wasn’t that great a singer. He had hits though a combination of great songs, the big band covering up his flat notes, and just his reputation carrying him. But in the 30’s and 40’s, he could have sung a grocery list a capella and it would have been captivating.
I see Paul McCartney or Brian Wilson on shows singing live, and for me it’s excruciating to listen to, but people will still line up around the block for it, because of who they are, and what they did when they were younger. Sinatra was a lot better at 60 than they are, but nowhere near the way he used to sound.
Wow. Take a shot at Tony Bennett or Roy Orbison, why don’t you?
Thanks for the advice. This album looks good.
Sinatra: the nelson riddle years the essential collection