Frank Sinatra: The Columbia Years (1943-1952), The Complete Recordings - Vol.01 CD Track Listing

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Frank Sinatra The Columbia Years (1943-1952), The Complete Recordings - Vol.01 (1993)
The Columbia Years (1943-1952): The Complete Recordings - Disc 01 of 12\n1993 Columbia/Legacy\n\nOriginally Released October 5, 1993 \n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: For serious students of popular singing, this 12-disc box set is indispensable. During his early years at Columbia, Sinatra defined what popular singing was, and these 285 songs show why he was so revolutionary. For many, 12 discs is too much music, but for collectors, the set is essential. -- Stephen Thomas Erlewine\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA Classic, March 27, 2005\nReviewer: John H. Amber (Los Angeles, CA)\nThis is a marvelous compilation of Sinatra's early work. It gives the listener a chance to see how Sinatra's style of singing began and evolved during a very influential time in his career and in popular music. Unlike many boxed recording sets that are merely collections of already existing material, this set gives new generations of listeners a chance to hear a great deal of his work that has not been available for decades; many selections have not been heard since the 78rpm era. Listening to this music digitally remastered is a treat to the listener and allows you to spend hours enjoying music that has stood the test of time.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nFuhgett Abott It!, March 12, 2005\nReviewer: Benjamin Bitter "Bennie-fried" (Republic, MO United States)\nI can't say enough about how wonderful of a singer Frank Sinatra was. Alot of scholars will say that he "Became" a great singer, but I am one of the purests that believe if Dolly Sinatra could invite people into her womb, it would have been sold out in 10 seconds. Sinatra didn't become great. He WAS great, from the very beginning. And this 12 disk set is proof. His work with Columbia is some of the finest vocal pop that ever existed. Lost to the world (but not on us fans) are gems like. "It's a Long Way (From Your House To Mine)" and "Walking In The Sunshine". Sinatra's antics with the press often eclipsed his talent, but there was no finer singer, nor will there be, as pop music becomes more about looks and carnality than music. One can't help but mourn for the loss of decency in pop, especially when these wonderful tunes are playing in a dimly lit living room. This is a must have, not only for Sinatra fans, but for music fans in general. You CANNOT AFFORD to miss this music, and no one can afford to dismiss it. School is in session, and "The Voice" is the teacher. Save your dollars, nickels, or pennies, if you must, and get this set. Or if you must,start with the 4 disk "Best Of" set...which is good in its own way. Either way, Sinatra commands attention. He couldn't stand to be ignored then, and he simply cannot be ignored today.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAstounding in every way, January 4, 2005\nReviewer: Wes (Northwest Territories, Canada)\nWhen you look at the price of this set realize that you WILL get what you're paying for. It is packaged in an exquisite blue, wood box. You also get a nice, hardbound tome very well written featuring essays and photos of several collector record sleeves. The music itself is to die for. Mr.Sinatra's voice is truly, eternally beautiful here. What a way to monitor his growth starting here. Just terrific. This set's value will skyrocket in time. There's just no question about it. If you're even THINKING about buying this - don't hesitate. Do it now. It is worth every penny and more.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nPortrait of the Artist as a Young Man, June 27, 2003\nReviewer: Thomas H. Schmidt "strangebird" (Mansfield TX USA)\nFrank Sinatra's solo career can easily be divided into four major periods, each covered by one or two definitive box sets: the Columbia Years, the Capitol years, and the Reprise years. Of the three, the Columbia recordings, his earliest solo recordings, always struck me as the least interesting period. As a result, this was the last of his "complete" box sets that I picked up. Until now, I had settled for the four-CD abreviated set, The Best of the Columbia Years. Being the shameless completist I am, however, I finally closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and forked over the 200 bucks for this box set. Was it worth it? Absolutely!\n\nThe packaging of this set is wonderful, easily the surpassing that of the Concepts and Complete Reprise Studio Recordings sets. Since this box was released in the early '90s, we have the music packaged in 12 jewel cases (say what you will about today's extravagant packaging, the immortal jewel case is still the most practical packaging method) and is accompanied by a hardcover book which gives wonderfully detailed session information. This alone would make this box set a treasure chest for the Sinatra collector. It also boasts wonderfully remastered sound, not noticeably improved by subsequent late-90s remasterings of some of this material. The sound here is about as good as it gets. Now to the music itself....\n\nI must stand by my prevoius opinion of Sinatra's Columbia recordings. They are definitely the most dated and least interesting of his career. That doesn't mean they're bad, though. The Voice is there. Like another teen idol who would rise to superstardom in the 1950s, Frank can take even the worst dreck (ie. "Mam'selle", "The Tennessee Newsboy") soar with his incredible singing. And this is where the main problem lies. Under the mismanagement of Columbia uberproducer Mitch Miller, Sinatra was subjected to some of the worse material written in the 1940s and early 1950s. And it's all hear in its bleeding eardrum glory. Of course, there are also many, many great songs with great performances. Two versions of the immortal "Nancy (with the Smiling Face)", the stunning patriotic recitation "The House I Live In", and the early swinger "Saturday Night (is the Loneliest Night of the Week)" just to name a few.\n\nOther notable performances are a strong early recording of "Soliloquy" (re-recorded by Sinatra in 1963) and a surprisingly strong "The Birth of the Blues" from one of his last Columbia sessions.\n\nDo not expect to hear the classic swinging Sinatra of the '50s and '60s in this collection. The vast majority of these recordings are standard 1940's-era big band balladry which serve to date this box set much more than other Sinatra collections. It's not until discs 11 and 12 where we start to hear what Sinatra will give the world during the Capitol years of the 1950s. \n\nThis is definitely NOT a set for someone just getting into Sinatra. Newcomers to his Columbia music will be better served by either the 4-CD Best of the Columbia Years or the new "remastered" (but doncha believe it) single-disc Essential Frank Sinatra (The Columbia Years).\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nNice Compilation,but,..Columbia Years not Frank's Best!!, December 7, 2001\nReviewer: S. Henkels (Devon, Pa United States)\nFirst,this is a wonderfully compiled package,top drawer linear notes,and sound quality that has held up really well for 50-plus years. Compared to similar collections for the time,Frank's may be the best (though Sarah Vaughn,Billy Eckstein and some others can't be neglected). Just about all are given a fine chart,and surprisingly,some of the more unusual ones I find most appealing,including (hard to believe maybe) "Chattanogee Shoe-Shine Boy" (a really corny boogie woogie),and "That Lucky Old Sun",an oft-recorded tune then,but seemingly unknown today. I actually prefer it to "Old Man River",a similar sad lament,but better known. Yes, there are some Frank classics from the period: "Nevertheless","Body and Soul","Laura",but also ditties like "Home on the Range",better left with Roy and Dale. Songs that he owned like "Nancy","Put Your Dreams Away","The House I Live In","Time After Time", and "I'm a Fool to Want You" are all nicely done too, but much better versions came later .Also, his voice had a smoother,silkier tone then,not as dramatic and forceful as later.An exception is the famous recording of "Birth of the Blues",where the band really let's loose. And some swingers like "All of Me", and "It All Depends on You" are a real jazzy surprise. But they are in short supply. This collection may appeal to women for that very reason.Generally guys don't care too much for this polished,velvety sound,and maybe I'm one. Honestly, much of this material does sound dated.Therefore, I always recommend the 1953-1970 period (pre-retirement) years first,and even here,there is a falling off in the late 60's.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nessential Sinatra, June 7, 2001\nReviewer: Richard Kaplan (Bloomsburg, Pa United States)\nSince Sinatra's death I have really grown to appreciate his music and started collecting everything I could..first the Capitol Concept albums(what a struggle trying to find "Close To You!"),then the Reprise 20 CD set,then the James,Dorsey sets,the V Discs,the Capitol Singles collection and the 4 disc "Best of the Columbia Years"I wasn't terribly familiar with a lot of the Columbia stuff and the more I listened to the set,the more I appeciated the music,,the Stordohl arrangements, the purity of the voice and the overall sound. I knew would have to bite the bullet and spring for the 12 cd Complete recordings. It's the best move I made.The packaging is superb and that book that accompanies the set is oustanding. The information about the recording sessions is invaluable. I have the 20 CD Reprise set and that book is totally inferior to the Columbia product. It sure would have been nice to have information on allthe recordings he made for Reprise.If you are a lover of popular music and Sinatra, I can't recommend this set too highly.Sure there are a few clunkers in there,notably the Mitch Miller stuff, but that voice overpowers the material.I m very happy I sprung for this handsome collection. If you are a fan, you'll have to have this. Sinatras singing and phrasing was never sweeter.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\n"Must-have" for the True Sinatra Fan!, April 22, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nNo matter what others might say, this is when Frank's voice was at it's romantic BEST... and when Frank still had some of that boyish charm and innocence that first made the girls faint. This box set also has great photos, liner notes, & beautiful packaging... a true collector's item. Was pleasantly surprised to discover that one of my favorite new singers "RIA" was also the associate executive producer on the project back in '93. Way to go... & in the tradition of the "Chairman" himself, here's to all of us wearing many hats.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nThe Finest Popular Music of the past 100 years!, March 8, 1999\nReviewer: "crooner2002" (San Diego, California, USA)\nThis is it! The very best music made this century. Sinatra at his peak. He sings superbly in this collection. His voice was at his absolute best! Listen to 1945's "I Fall in Love Too Easily", there has NEVER been a more hearfelt and touching ballad. All the well known standards are there of course, but you will fine many obscure gems too! Listen to "Every Man Should Marry", "Somewhere in the Night", "You'll Know When It Happens", "The Girl That I Marry", "Laura", for instance. These are every bit as good as the better known ballads and most of them only available here in this collection. So save up your pennies and get this 12 CD box set, it is the finest musical investment you'll ever make.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOne of the few indulgences in life with no regrets later., January 30, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nOne of the few indulgences in life with no regrets later is buying this lush box set. Twelve CDs with all the studio recordings FS made with Columbia. Included are dozens of tracks not available since their original issue in the Forties. Each jewel case duplicates the original cover art and each disc is well over the 60 minute mark. With glorious remastered sound, this is the most honest and accurate way to discover what the bobbysaxers knew that no one else could figure out.\nFrank's voice is strong, but tender, even high pitched. His deeper, more mature delivery was jst around the corner. On these recordings we find a young man with a lovely regard for love and a smooth, caressing voice that keeps singer and listener enchanted. Axel Stordahl's lush string orchestrations are the perfect complement to Frank's voice. Most of the songs are strong, but there are a few recordings on the last discs that reveal why Frank wisely left the label once Mitch Miller took over A&R. \n\nGo ahead, spend the money, enjoy life. Frank did.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nsome great sinatra, November 30, 1998\nReviewer: Mr. Gary L. Shapiro (Aptos, ca USA)\nthis is the second phase of frank sinatra's career. after his intial success as a vocalist with tommy dorsey,(the entire output of that collaboration is available in another box set from rca), sinatra began his solo career with columbia records. this box set contains his complete recordings for that label, and maybe a lot more than you need. sinatra's greatest era, his capitol years, were still ahead of him,and he also did many recordings for reprise(also available in a box set) which are superior to the columbia material. there is some great stuff in this set and many of his signature songs are here, but there are several less complete collections available. but if you have to have it all then you will have to have this and you don't need to be reading my review!\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nTHE COLUMBIA YEARS: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS: 1943-1952 contains 285 songs including 25 previously unreleased tracks. The set comes in a handmade maple wood box with a 144-page cloth-bound book.\n\nWhen it comes to Sinatra, you don't get much more comprehensive or essential than this twelve-disc box, which contains the singer's entire recorded output for Columbia. Elaborately packaged, with a plate-glass etching of a young Sinatra and a booklet containing exhaustively researched annotations of the sessions, this set is a real treat for the serious Sinatraphile. Much of the material here falls on the romantic ballad side of the fence, and Sinatra's voice, still in its early crooning mode much of the time, is supported by billowing string orchestrations that underscore the longing in his voice.\nOne of the treats of this box set is the way it enables the listener to witness Sinatra's growth during his Columbia tenure. From one disc to the next, we can hear his voice growing deeper and richer, ever more emotive. Towards the end of his Columbia career, Sinatra clashed frequently with producer Mitch Miller, often over song selection, and the singer's ventures into blues and even country-tinged material (Speedy West appears on one cut!) represent the straw that broke Sinatra's back, but make for fascinating listening nonetheless. This is a priceless collection, chronicling the career of a man once referred to as a "realistic romantic."\n\nIndustry Reviews\n4.5 Stars - Excellent Plus - ...THE COLUMBIA YEARS is where to turn for Sinatra's greatest singing. There was a grace to his phrasing and a lightness to his tone that made even the lamest melodies sparkle...\nRolling Stone (12/23/1993)
This jazz cd contains 22 tracks and runs 71min 26sec.
Freedb: 3510bc16

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