Frank Sinatra - September of My Years

From the evocative cover painting to the impeccably chosen songs within, this 1965 album harkens back to Sinatra's great Capitol-era concept albums like In the Wee Small Hours and Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely. The theme revolves around a man approaching his 50s, looking back with a mixture of nostalgia, regret, and uncertainty; given Sinatra's age at the time (he was 49 when this was recorded) and the way he invests himself in the material, it's impossible to interpret the record as anything but autobiographical. Wistful numbers such as "Don't Wait Too Long," "It Was a Very Good Year," "September Song," and the title track all hit the emotional bull's-eye, but everything here is excellent. Unquestionably his finest Reprise-era achievement. --Dan Epstein Amazon.com essential recording

A Timeless Treasure

I first bought this album when I was 17; I had just graduated from high school. What did I know about getting older? But it was autumn then, and as I headed off to college and the crimson and gold leaves fell around me, this music established an enduring soundtrack for that wonderful season in my life. I loved it immediately. I wore out the monaural LP and bought a stereo version. Much later I bought the CD. I have listened to this wonderful album for 42 years, and now the lyrics catch at my soul as never before. I'm 59 now, and I know what those words mean. Sinatra's singing here was never equaled; the Gordon Jenkins strings and lush arrangements haunt me still. Every autumn I "dust off" this treasure and I am transported back to that time "when the wind was green". It was a very good year, indeed. September 17, 2008

Sinatra Superb

I consider this album to be his best in the retrospective mood. The album does not have a song I do not like. June 13, 2008

"Once Upon A Time The World Was Sweeter Than We Knew"

"September can be an attitude or an age or a wistful reality. For this man, it is a time of love. A time to sing. A thousand days hath September." ~ Stan Cornyn ~

What's so special about this album?

Frank Sinatra. Gordon "Gordie" Jenkins. Thirteen remarkable songs. Lush strings. Sublime arrangements. Flawless orchestration. Superb singing from the Voice of the Century. September's Reflections. Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Grammy Awards for Best Male Vocal Performance and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist for the song "It Was A Very Good Year." All of these make this album so special and a must-have to any serious Sinatra collector.

Known as the "King of Liner Notes," Grammy Award Winner Stan Cornyn has been one of my favorite writers of Liner Notes for Sinatra recordings. I'm very impressed with all his Liner Notes which are, to me, examples of exemplary writing. He starts his notes here with ... "Tonight will not swing. Tonight is for serious." He pretty much said in a few words what is expected on this album, "September of My Years," one of the finest Sinatra recordings of all-time. The Chairman of the Board is not pictured here swinging his heart out, but he is the serious and reflective Sinatra flawlessly singing thirteen notable songs in the most beautiful arrangements. My special favorites include Gordon Jenkins' "This Is All I Ask" and a song co-written by Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, "Once Upon A Time."

"Once upon a time the world was sweeter than we knew
Everything was ours, how happy we were then
But somehow once upon a time never comes again."

With my heartfelt recommendation.
May 17, 2008

fine album by the immortal Frank Sinatra

September Of My Years is clearly one of Frank Sinatra's best albums ever--and I agree with Amazon when they suggest that it's probably his best album from his years at his own Reprise Records label. The sound quality is excellent and the cover artwork is in very good taste.

"The September Of My Years" starts off the album with Frank sounding better than he did on several of his earlier albums on Capitol Records! His voice is rich, full of warmth and the amount of emotion is just right--not too syrupy sweet and not to cold either. Great! The arrangement also makes great use of the strings. "How Old Am I?" features Frank again at his finest; the melody is stunning and Frank is very good on this tune. He emotes every subtle nuance of the lyrics and his excellent diction bolsters his performance even further!

"Don't Wait Too Long" has Frank giving advice to younger people that life is short and it's important to live your life and enjoy it as best as you can. This is an excellent highlight of this album; and Frank's delivery lacks nothing--it's all THAT good. "This Is All I ask" again puts Frank front and center--right where he always belonged! Frank sings with all his heart and soul; and I love it! The strings again are used to great advantage.

"Last Night When We Were Young" is a number that was cut from the MGM motion picture entitled In The Good Old Summertime; and Frank delivers this so well that Judy Garland must have been very proud of her dear buddy Frank! "It Was A Very Good Year" is probably one of Frank's best tunes from his Reprise years; this incredible ballad is hauntingly beautiful and it tugs at my heartstrings every time I hear it. Frank does this on up right!

"Hello, Young Lovers" comes from The King And I; this tune originally performed by Deborah Kerr sounds fresh and new when Frank delivers it so flawlessly. The tempo is slowed down somewhat so that Frank can put his own stamp on this beautiful love song; and it all holds its own very well.

"Once Upon A Time" is a nostalgic number that has Frank reminiscing about a love lost long ago; and the album ends strong with Frank Sinatra performing "September Song." "September Song" has Frank changing tempos effortlessly and it amazes me how well he could do this.

Frank Sinatra was clearly just about the best male singer of the entire twentieth century; and Sinatra fans will consider this a must-have for their collections.
April 16, 2008

"September of My Years" a truly outstanding recording

A beautiful selection of songs hand picked during middle age as he was approaching his 50th birthday when recorded. Words in any review can't describe how wonderful these songs are interpreted by Frank Sinatra. His voice is deep in color and emotion. He does all songs with a commitment to the lyrics only he is capable of doing as an artist. Gordon Jenkins, as his conductor and arranger, is up to the task for this recording which is his finest work with Sinatra. Just listen. April 2, 2008

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