Sings Great Songs From Great Britain – FRANK SINATRA****

The Very Thought Of You/We’ll Gather Lilacs In The Spring/If I Had You/Now Is The Hour/The Gypsy/A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square/A Garden In The Rain/London By Night/We’ll Meet Again/I’ll Follow My Secret Heart

Sings Great Songs From Great Britain was a Sinatra curiosity, an album of songs by British composers, performed with British musicians, recorded in Britain and released only in Britain. (UK:12)

“Since Sinatra was very tired after touring Europe he was not in top voice on these recordings. It matters not, because the mood and theme of this album is unique. If you are not familiar with this album, get to know it. The mood is relaxing, the songs are good, and arrangements are outstanding.”

"Recorded in the summer of 1962, and available only in the UK for a number of years. Arranger/conductor Robert Farnon had written a set of arrangements that were ambitious, lush, ornate and sweeping. Although sometimes provocative, occasionally they are more interesting than the actual songs. Sinatra was simply not in good shape for the sessions, which is clear from his thin, strained singing. As such, Great Songs From Great Britain isn't much more than a curiosity.”

“I had low expectations. Several commentators had noted that Sinatra's voice was spent by the time he joined Robert Farnon in London to record this set, and how the spare string arrangements had left the singer 'nowhere to hide'. But for these contemplative, romantic ballads, a thinner Sinatra voice works perfectly.”

"These ballads, combined with Robert Farnon's string arrangements and Sinatra's golden voice made a record you can play again. Some have said Frank's voice wasn't up to par on this recording, that he was tired after his arduous European tour. I don't buy it. He sounds every bit as good here as on anything he ever recorded. He was man who put out his best effort, whenever he sang, and he does so here.”

“These songs and arrangements by Frank and company are like beautiful presents from another era. Maybe they were once considered old-fashioned, compared to his hipster swinging stuff. Now though, they seem to be at once timeless, peerless, nostalgic, bittersweet, yet somehow soothingly optimistic, and always exquisitely beautiful. Highly recommended.”