Rating:
Genre: Vocal Music
Release Date: 03/18/2008

In early 2000, just in time for Valentine's Day shopping, Columbia/Legacy put out a string of compilations by such catalog staples as Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and Louis Armstrong, rekindling some interest in their longtime heavyweights. To follow up those sales and also provide the perfect gift and background music for those romantic Valentine's festivities Columbia/Legacy released another batch in 2001 from the likes of Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, the Isley Brothers, Patti LaBelle, and here from Ol' Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra. This compilation finds the Chairman swooning and crooning better than anybody ever did -- as Sinatra was always ahead of the pack. He was forever the hopeless romantic, and all of his recordings drip with candlelight, a bottle of red wine, a fireplace, and a bearskin rug. The warm timbre of his voice and his boisterous exclamations will have anyone's heart in a pitter-patter, and for decades his music has been the soundtrack to many, many romance-filled evenings. That's why Columbia/Legacy was smart to release this compilation and add it to their growing Love Songs series. Some great tunes are included here: "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "We Kiss in a Shadow," "Fools Rush In," and "Embracable You" will make that special night perfect. Six unreleased alternate takes round out this collection. But, where are "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Too Marvelous for Words," "Strangers in the Night," and "Summer Wind"? Unfortunately for this compilation, those were recorded for other labels (namely Capitol and Reprise) and are not included. However, Columbia/Legacy reissues are easily the best out there, and they did the best with what they had (which is still pretty darn good). This compilation is recommended for those looking for the gift that says Love Songs on it, but a more heartfelt present would be Songs for Swingin' Lovers, a classic album from arguably Sinatra's strongest era. The result will be same if not better.

~Jack LV Isles, All Music Guide

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Frank Sinatra - Main Performer
Steven Berkowitz - A&R
Didier C. Deutsch - Producer
Axel Stordahl - Arranger
Axel Stordahl - Conductor
James Gavin - Liner Notes
Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
Darcy Proper - Producer
Charles Granata - Producer
Charles Granata - Project Director
Eric Kohler - Design
Matt Cavaluzzo - Transfers
Patti Matheny - A&R
Andreas Meyer - Transfers
Mark Feldman - Project Director
Darren Salmieri - A&R

Starring Al Hibbler/Here's Hibbler!
    Al Hibbler / CD / 1956
A New Standard
    Steve Tyrell / CD / 1999
The Best of the Definitive American Songbook, Vol. 2: I-Z
    Various Artists / CD / 2003
Young Blue Eyes: Birth of a Crooner
    Frank Sinatra With the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra / CD / 2004
Music for Lovers
    Dianne Reeves / CD / 2007

Release Date: 03/18/2008
Genre: vocal