Monday 6 February 2017

Moonlight Sinatra – FRANK SINATRA*****

Moonlight Becomes You/Moon Song/Moonlight Serenade/Reaching For The Moon/I Wished On The Moon/Oh You Crazy Moon/The Moon Got My Eyes/Moonlight Mood/Moon Love/The Moon Was Yellow

Frank Sinatra attracted still more critical acclaim with Moonlight Sinatra, an unusual romantic Moon themed album. It comprises a mixture of uptempo songs and ballads. (US:34 UK:18)

"This stunning album, is one of the true highlights of Sinatra's Reprise catalogue. Early in his Capitol days he pioneered the development of the concept album. Until this release the concept had been confined to tempo and theme with, usually, up-tempo swing albums being alternated with collections of ballads and torch songs. Here the theme concept is extended into song title and lyrical content with the Moon as the linking motif." "Given the choice of the Moon as the subject matter and the reflective tone of the album it would have been easy to pad the tracks with the more familiar soft tempo songs of the genre. Instead, and pleasingly, the package for the most part consists of lesser known treasures."

"The songs and the theme demanded string based arrangements and the choice of Nelson Riddle was an inspired one. Here the mood is reflective and Riddle's softer touch is perfect throughout. Sinatra's vocalising, obviously, is just wonderful. With sumptuously beautiful arrangements, its tragic nobility stands as a heart-wrenching farewell to another world. The very best 'Moon in June' you'll ever hear."

"I can't think of another album that has more earnest feeling than this coming from a tough guy like Sinatra. It's full of romance, broken dreams and sad lamentations that anyone can relate to. Sinatra sings in such a way that it's not only OK to feel like this, but almost enjoyable. It's hard to describe enjoying being blue, but when I put this on I'm truly moved. There's no forced sentimentality; just a guy who has had his dreams and heart broken by various girls and too much moonlight. Anyone who has experienced heartbreak over love will relate to this, and somehow still feel swell."

"This is my favourite Sinatra album and that of many others as well. Nelson Riddle never so lushly arranged as for this classically inspired album. The woodwinds are moody, the strings both hushed and soaring and a glimmering melodic moon hangs over Sinatra's rich vocals. This is a deep, deep album, not a gaily romantic fling."

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