Frank Sinatra - Sinatra-Basie

The first of three albums that Frank Sinatra recorded with swing legend Count Basie, Sinatra-Basie is also the best. Sinatra's voice doesn't sound in great shape, but he pushes himself throughout to keep up with the jazzy twists and turns of Basie's band; the resulting tension makes for a thrilling listening experience, especially for those who think of Sinatra as more of a saloon balladeer than a jazz singer. "Learnin' the Blues," "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "(Love Is) the Tender Trap" are the highlights of the set, but all ten of the tracks are winners. --Dan Epstein Amazon.com

Sinatra-Basie album

I am so disappointed in the songs on this album. If I had known what songs were on this CD, I'd never have bought it. A great singer, superb band, and great arrangements couldn't do much with songs like "Looking at the World Thru Rose Colored Glasses," "Love is a Tender Trap," etc. I wish "My Kind of Girl" had been "My Kind of Town" October 28, 2008

"You Play The Same Love Song . . . It's The Tenth Time You've Heard It"

Last Sunday's Grammy Awards Night gave me an emotional trigger to listen to this CD and appreciate its eternal charms! I was so delighted with the opening number -- Frank Sinatra and Alicia Keys' "digital duet" of "Learnin' The Blues." It was amazing and I love everything about it! The orchestral arrangement is simply grand. My heart just melted the moment Ol' Blue Eyes started singing and as always, he looked so slick and debonair. And surprisingly, I was impressed with Keys' outstanding performance, which is a showcase of her flawless phrasing, expansive vocal range and piano playing skills. I think singing the standards from Great American Songbook will truly enhanced the beauty of her vocal art. I hope someday she will record this music genre and include this great "digital duet." She will definitely do more than justice to the Great American Songbook.

It's a general knowledge amongst Sinatra fans that he waited for twenty years to realize his dream of recording with Count Basie. And this dream-come-true CD, "Sinatra-Basie" is that dream's reality. Sinatra with Count Basie and His Orchestra show their most energetic forms as they swing to Neil Hefti's over-generous chart arrangements. They surely had the most fun recording this lively album of ten tracks starting off with "Pennies From Heaven" to the finale, "I Won't Dance."

My favorites from this set include "I Only Have Eyes For You," "Love Is The Tender Trap," "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and of course "Learnin' The Blues," a song composed and written by Dolores Vicki Silvers.

"You play the same love song
It's the tenth time you've heard it
That's the beginning, just one of those clues
You've had your first lesson in learnin' the blues

When you're at home alone
The blues will taunt you constantly
When you're out in a crowd
The blues will haunt your memory

The nights when you don't sleep
The whole night you're crying
But you can't forget him
Soon you'll even stop trying

You'll walk the floor
And you wear out your shoes
When you feel that heart break
You're learnin' the blues."

If you're like me who loves the big band sound, you'll absolutely adore this CD. It's one of the finest Sinatra recordings of all-time. You might also enjoy It Might as Well Be Swing and Sinatra at the Sands for more great listens!

Wholeheartedly recommended for your listening delight forever! February 12, 2008

A Winning Combination That Fires On All Cylinders.

"In The Wee Small Hours" and "Only The Lonely" can soak up all the praise they want (not that they don't deserve it), but in this reviewer's honest opinion, Frank has rarely if ever been better than on this album, his first collaboration with the legendary Count Basie and his orchestra. Whoever came up with the idea of combining the unsurpassable vocal talents of Frank with the top class musicianship of Count Basie and his band deserves a medal of some sort, as the end result was and is nothing short of a masterpiece.

"Pennies From Heaven" kicks off the album, and is one of the finest recordings in music. Beginnging with a few quiet splanks from The Count on the keys, the band slowly builds up to a thunderous finale, aided by Frank's magnificent vocal. "Pennies From Heaven" is perfect proof of Frank's way with lyrical interpretation. Listen to the stark cotnrast in the way he sings the first and second choruses. Simply magnificent.

"Please Be Kind" follows, and keepts thing going at breakneck speed. Swirling horns and excellent finger licks by Mr. Basie back Frank as he pleads his lover to treat him right. Frank reachers into the very heart of the song and pierces it. The way he clings to the final "Pleeeeeease..." at the end is seering. It's a swinger that builds up with the dramtic energy and majesty of one of Frank's lushest ballads.

Following this, Frank revisits "(Love Is) The Tender Trap", this time taken at a slower, more sensual place, with Frank's vocal more seductive than sweet. This version renders the 1955 original nearly obsolete. The band is on fire for this one, focused and alert. The call and response between the horn section is marvelous, and the build-up at the end as Frank heads for the final chorus is breathtaking.

"Looking At The World Thru Rose Colored Glasses" is a lightweight tune turned into a classic thanks to a great arrangement and vocal. It's the weakest tune on the album, but it's still a solid recording.

Track five is truly music magic. "My Kind Of Girl" has all the charm and appeal of "Witchcraft", with Frank describing every man's dream woman the way that only he can. (Hey, not only does she walk, talk like an angel, she can cook like on too! What a gal!). Basie and company provide a soft, lilting arrangement that makes this little known gem one to be cherished by Sinatra's most ardent fans.

"I Only Have Eyes For You" is next. This one of those songs that just about every singer of the pre-rock era recorded at least once, but this version is arguably the definitive version. Taken a brisk mid-tempo pace, with a clear, crisp vocal by The Chairman, Frank and The Count deliver a winner.

"Nice Work If You Can Get It" is fantastic. On this one, Frank is overshadowed by Sonny Cohn's fantastic trumpet skills. That being said, Frank has a lot of fun on this one, as him and Basie swing out at break neck speed.

A new version of "Learnin' The Blues" comes next. This version is nowhere near as good as the 1955 version, which has one of Frank's all time great performances and a much better arrangement. Still, this new version takes the song in a new direction, and it works out in the end, thanks in part to a well performd instruemtnal break. Frank's voiceisn't quite up to par on this one, but he still gets into the song.

"I'm Gonna St Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" begins with a slow rumble before building up to a fine conclusion. One of the most trite and uninspired entries in The Great American Songbook becomes a work of art in the right hands.

The album closes with "I Won't Dance". I'm not sure if there are words in the English language that can describe how great this recording of the wonderful Jerome Kern classic is. It starts off quietly, with a smooth, jazzy shuffle amidst Frank's quiet pensive vocal. It's when we reach the crescendo that the song ascends to a higher plane of musical excellence. Basie and the band build the bridge to a magnificent climax. Frank's final note ends this album in style.

"Sinatra-Basie" is an absolute classic with two of music's most blessed inviduals at the top of their game. All music fans should not be without a copy of this album. September 23, 2007

First Sinatra-Basie effort a gem

What startled me about this collection of 10 songs released in 1962 was the absolute respect and tolerance the musicians had for each other. Sinatra allows Basie's musicians to wander off and solo, then picks absolutely the right moment to engage or re-engage. Then too, Basie never overpowers. Sinatra is always given the volume he needs to covey his emotive content. The result is ten snappy songs, bright and brassy with lyrics of endearing intelligence as in the didactic Please Be Kind "if you leave me dear, my heart will lose its mind". My favorite is probably the last and probative I Won't Dance, a musical short story if ever one was written. From the title you imply a stubborness to the storyteller, and probably arrogance, until you learn he is really helpless - even the faintest embrace would plunge him headlong into passion so that he simply can't dance, even if he wanted to. The betting is you will hum that tune, long after the music stops. May 31, 2007

Sinatra and Basie: potent, propulsive and perfect !!!

This album features ten fantastic numbers sung by the inimitable Frank Sinatra with the Count Basie band. The vocal and musical arrangements reflect much forethought; and Sinatra is in excellent form. The Count Basie band delivers flawless orchestrations. Indeed, Sinatra and Basie together produce a very potent CD with numerous pleasant surprises that will make you want to listen to this album over and over again.

The first number on this CD is "Pennies From Heaven." This song displays Basie's big band flavor while Sinatra sings impeccably. Sinatra and Basie then produce a superlative rendition of "Please Be Kind." Sinatra emotes so well on this track as the Basie band delivers another big band sound with a huge side dish of swing. Moreover, the musical arrangement for "My Kind Of Girl" exudes the blessings of romantic attraction as Sinatra sings of a beautiful woman he wants to know well. Excellent!

Other great songs on this CD include swinging renditions of "I Only Have Eyes For You" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It." "Learnin' The Blues" is an excellent ballad about a love gone awry; and there's an electrically-charged, swinging rendition of "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" as well.

The CD ends with the wonderful Jerome Kern song entitled "I Won't Dance." The musical arrangement offers that smooth jazz flavor mixed with a big band flavor that works perfectly; the flute adds to the beauty of the melody, too. Sinatra, of course, performs this song with that unsurpassable Sinatra strength, sensitivity and confidence all rolled into one. Sublime!

The liner notes offer great black and white photos of both Sinatra and Count Basie as well as a thorough discussion of how the album came to be. The song credits are there, too.

Overall, this is an excellent CD of ten exciting songs by Sinatra accompanied by the infamous Count Basie band. The combination of their talents stuns you and beckons you to listen again to the CD. I highly recommend this CD for Sinatra and Count Basie fans. People who enjoy swing, that big band sound and classic pop vocals done right the first time will delight in this album.

May you get this CD and enjoy it as much as I did!
January 23, 2007

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