Songs for Young Lovers & Swings Easy

I recently bought 4 Frank Sinatra CDs, and this is the best. The sound quality is excellent. It hasn't been butchered by sound engineers with compression, equalization, etc. It's just great Frank Sinatra.2-8-2015 Thee are several different versions of "Songs for Young Lovers/Swing Easy". I noticed that Amazon seems to be putting the reviews of all of the versions together. My review was for the 1987 EMI version. I haven't heard the 1998 version, but from what I have read, the mastering on the 1998 version may be much worse than the EMI version. If you are considering buying this CD, you may want to consider the older EMI version.

After a rough period that saw him lose both his contract with Columbia Records and, briefly his voice, Frank Sinatra, thought to be a relic of the 1940s', came roaring back to life in the 1953 when he signed with Capitol Records, the start of a beautiful nine year relationship. After a few successful singles (including "I've Got The World On A String" and "Don't Worry 'Bout Me, two A-list Sinatra classics), Frank released his first full length album for the label, "Songs For Young Lovers."Though not as recognized as his later efforts such as "In The Wee Small Hours" or "Songs For Swingin' Lovers," "Songs For Young Lovers" bridges the gap between the 1940s' teen idol and the sophisticated pop crooner of the 1950s'. The aura of the youthful, boyish upstart of the Columbia era is still present on many tracks, but at the same time there's a certain level of maturity as well as experience on these tracks not heard on those early recordings: The Voice is much deeper, his singing and phrasing techniques more risky, his notes more forceful and precise, and his arrangements fuller and complex.This album also marked his first collaboration with arranger Nelson Riddle (though George Seravo lent a hand on many tracks), starting off arguably the greatest partner in popular music.The Sinatra Formula (his extended phrasing, his ability to jump from verse to verse without taking a breath) is already present on this album, and the result are some of his most fabulous performances.His rendition of Cole Porter's "I Get A Kick Out Of You" is definitive, from its classic opening verse to Riddle's smoothly swingin' arrangement to Frank's cocksure vocal performance. Similarly, you'd be hard pressed to find a better performance of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" than this light as the air performance courtesey of Frank as Nels.The album's best tracks, however, are not limited to these two numbers. "My Funny Valentine" and "Violets For Your Furs" are two of Frank's finest love songs, while the classic "A Foggy Day" shows Frank could swing (though this version doesn't have the hard hitting energy of Frank's 1960 remake with Johnny Mandell). The cynical "Little Girl Blue" is more than passable, and "The Girl Next Door" is the only disappointment (Frank did a much, much better version in 1962 at Reprise for the hard to find "All Alone album).The album's highlight, however, if I had to pick one, would be "Like Someone In Love." This is by far one of Frank's finest love songs. Frank has rarely, if ever, sounded more romantic or sincere on this track. The lyrics perfectly encapsulates what it's like when you truly feel love for someone, beautifully interpreted by Frank with an equally lovely Riddle chart. A true highlight in the Frank catalogue.By the time 1954's "Swing Easy," the personal and professional troubles of two years ago seemed to be a thing of the past, and Frank released the masterful "Swing Easy." His voice had fully returned and was more powerful than ever, sounding confident, assured and punchy. This was Frank's first album completely made up of swingers, and it's a true classic filled with some absolute classics."All Of Me," a Great American Songbook staple if there ever was one, has never sounded better, with Frank giving a knockout performance as he lets loose against a scorching Riddle arrangement. Never has this song swung harder nor sounded more sincere. When Frank asks us to take all of him, you instantly want to grab him from head to toe.The joyous "Taking A Chance On Love" swings along merrily, and Frank's phrasing is excellent on this number, and his timing is fabulous. "Sunday" is another winner, as are "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams," "Jeepers Creeper," and the gospel themed "Get Happy." My only qualms are that "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter" is bland and ineffective (Frank's 1962 version with Basie is excellent, though), and "Just One Of Those Things" doesn't really work as a swinger.These two albums are now available as one with excellent sound quality, great packaging, informative liner notes by Pete Welding, and at a great price. This is a truly excellent album by The Master Of The American Popular Music.

This "Music For Pleasure" edition of these first 2 Capitol albums by Mr. S is THE "go to" copy for those looking for audiophile sound. Extensive research by several Sinatra audio buffs has this one winning hands-down over any other available source. Yes, even better than the Mobile Fidelity Silver Box record!!!Buy it...you will NOT be sorry!

If you are a fan of Frank Sinatra,one might suggest that he hit his prime in the Capitol years. The young Sinatra who was the idol of "bobbysoxers" and launched a lifetime career singing with the Tommy Dorsey and Harry James Band were the learning years.He was a crooner of soft melodies and love songs then, and he mastered the art of ballad singing. However,in his comeback years, a more mature Sinatra, confident and comfortable with a different style of phrasing and delivery emerged. Now he could deliver the upbeat, the romantic and the thoughtful songs with a smoothe but huskier tone, and more important, he had the best arrangers and musicians to back him up! This is First Class pop music for all time (Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Gordon Jenkins) Less than a dozen recordings were made in this period before leaving for the "Reprise Period" I have the entire collection and it doesn't get any better than this!This is pure Sinatra and you will cherish every selection on this disc. Amazon is my first choice in music!

I bought this after viewing the HBO special on Sinatra, and was not disappointed ! Lovely, smooth Sinatra songs, as only he could perform.

Can’t go wrong with ol blue eyes!

Two excellent Sinatra 10 inchers on one disc. Good sound. Great liner notes by Peter Welding. A worthy addition to any Sinatra collection.

This double CD is among his finest. They were his first recordings for the Capitol label, and Nelson Riddle does Sinatra proud. The mix flows beautifully, and the CD is one of my favorites.