Love me some Michello Sinatra
595737
Ms. Monroe you have me loving yet another one of your alpha men. Love Roz too. She just what Mick needs and vice versa. From reading this I can see there will be more about Mick and Roz. Loved the whole twisted plot. The action in your books are always exciting. Love your style of writing and especially your romantic scenes. No one writes them like you. Can't wait for another installment. Hopefully Roz will have a baby to give Mick a second chance with his kids. Bravo and thanks for the latest chapter in Michello Sinatra's life.
2159025
An amazing singer and piano player. This guy is Sinatra and Michael Buble rolled into one package. One of the best singers I have ever heard!
2039233
Well now, let's say it up front and clear: Michael Buble is the master of "feel good music". Hands down he is the king of happy,and what is wrong with that? I love this CD, and I applaud as Michael deftly balances standards and new music. Some have said he emulates Sinatra to the point of "why bother" but I vehemently disagree.

He does tend to recycle Sinatra/Riddle charts but is that a bad thing? I think not! Unlike many Sinatra wannabes, Michael truly loves and appreciates the music and it is evident in his performance.

Do you like feeling good? Are you tired of all the drama the media foists upon you? Do you seek a refuge from the chaos? Then Buble is the place for you. No, he's not breaking new ground,and yes he is walking upon familiar paths but the man has style and uses first class musicians.

"Something Stupid" is a delight and to those who bemoan Witherspoon's monotone singing, may I direct your attention to the original? Nancy, God bless her did not have the best pipes in the biz either so drop your prejudices and go with that song and indeed the entire CD as an escape from stress and a reason to smile.

I love this disc!
4541729
Man, what a read!  If you like the "seedy" undercurrent in these stories, check out the Trash Can Sinatras.  Welsh has used their songs in his  stage production of _Mariobou Stork Nightmare_!  Same seediness at times, but veiled in catchy pop vocal stylings and warm guitar sounds.  If you like Welsh, you'll LOVE the Sinatras (and you can buy all their albums on Amazon!).
2587997
Very high quality cd.  A great addition to my collection of easy listening music.  Sinatra is my favorite singer and I love Nelson Riddles arrangements on this cd.
1483256
I am not a Manilow fan, but I love this album. Maybe because I grew up in the fifties, I have a soft spot for these songs. Let me say just listening to this CD this summer while driving in my convertible has been a joy. The only songs I don't like are Venus and Are You Lonesome Tonight. The rest are great choices and well done.  He plays a slow version of Beyond the Sea, and it really grows on you.  I have given this CD to all my friends, (we are all in our fifties), we all love it!! It is a kick to go down memory lane with this one.  At least it is not another Frank Sinatra cover album!
2536740
Who doesnt love some Frank Sinatra? This album makes me believe I was once upon a time hanging out with the Rat Pack back in the day, as I listen to Thats Life with a glass of whiskey neat in my hand. His music is timeless and so is this album. I believe this album will be something I cherish even decades later in life. It is perfect to listen to during all moods you're groovin through.
1090821
Sinatra's entire Reprise studio work in one affordable package - a fan's dream come true, especially when I think of the time and money I spent previous to this release trying to obtain even 85% of what's contained  herein.  As a rabid Sinatra fan and music collector, I submit that you  cannot become a true Sinatra music expert, nor obtain the highest level of  appreciation therefor, without this set.  So many gems that never saw the  light of day or had limited release on singles or unpopular albums  characterized much of the Reprise period, especially from 1968 to his final  recordings in the 80's.  I am somewhat unique in that the 70's is among my  favorite Sinatra recording periods; the vulnerability of his aged voice,  but still of relatively solid quality compared to the mid-80's and on,  combined with the experience and uncanny reads he gives to super-creative  Costa arrangements.  Try "A Baby Just Like You,"  a 70's  Christmas song written by John Denver for Frank's first grandchild, A.J.,  which transformed my spiritual life (this is a chart so obscure you almost  definitely have never heard it;  I don't even think Sid Mark knows it  exists based on the zero airplay he gives it during the holidays).  Or  "Bonita," a previously unreleased Jobim track which has become my  favorite of that genre.  Throw in Manilow's "I Sing (not write) the  Songs" with a powerful arrangement and read.  Another awesome cut you  won't find easily anywhere else is the oft-disparaged disco version of  Night and Day.  Notwithstanding the negative critiques so generously  offered up on this one, its a super-clever Sinatra-esque crack at the Disco  craze (along with previously unreleased All or Nothing) which Sinatra used  to open his shows in the late 70's (I guess it wasn't so hated back then)  which nicely completes the ump-teen versions of that Sinatra good luck  talisman.  Then there's other hard-to-find beauties like the Sammy duet,  "Me and My Shadow," and the "Life Is Such A Trippy  Thing" duet with Nancy (far superior to Something Stupid), and new  versions of previously released cuts like the "long" version of  "Granada."  Not to mention some of the amazing songs from less  popular albums of the period (e.g., the Duke Ellington album, Sinatra &  Company, and my all-time favorite, Watertown).  The Reprise years represent  the most varied, and in my view best, of Sinatra's musical work, starting  in the Rat Pack days and finishing late in the 80's, including  experimentation with folk rock, pop and disco along the way, presenting  ever-increasing challenges met in superior fashion by Riddle, Costa and the  like.  The weakness of having the different albums and singles and  unreleased material blend together on 20 discs in chronological order is  actually the collection's greatest strength as you get a feel of how things  evolved and emerged throghout this ever-changing period in Sinatra's career  and popular music.  If you have $269.99 available to budget for Sinatra  music, this is the set (especially when you consider that he remade most of  his great Capitol hits on Reprise often in an improved cut.  Enjoy!
366596
This CD is living in my player right now. Smooth Brazilian jazz sounds and Frank's panoramic harmonica playing make my day.
1339406
Love Gino, I recommend this  CD to all Gino fans if you had the old album and lost it along the way... go for it! Gino Vanelli is without a doubt a musical genius!
3124001
Fantastic! These live performances capture the essence of Sinatra. The two from the 80s are a bit sad, as you can tell he was getting older, but they are a good time marker, and the ones from the 60s at the Sands are GOLD! Also, the DVD from the 70s at Cesar's is in color. I have some B/W ones, nice to have color.
3782251
For those who've enjoyed listening to Frank's two duet cds in '93 and '94, I must say, for sheer all-time star power and for the sense of fun invoked, SINATRA: THE CLASSIC DUETS is an even better compilation. At just a little over an hour in feature length, this dvd offering has almost no fat on it and I actually zipped thru it twice on the same night. All the duets are gleaned from Frank Sinatra's television shows between 1957 and 1960 and either paired Frank with bonafide big names in the biz or are landmark moments (or both). In 17 musical duets on this dvd, Frank's love of music and his respect, deference (of Ella Fitzgerald, in particular) and admiration for his friends and colleagues shine clear through. Every time he's onscreen with his guests, he seems to be revelling in the moment and having a grand time.

In this disc, you can check out the momentous meeting between past and present singing heartthrobs as Frank sings with Elvis Presley ("Love Me Tender" & "Witchcraft"), as well as a delightful sequence with Frank and a mob of kids as they have fun with "High Hopes," a number wherein you can see just how fond Ol' Blue Eyes is of the rugrats. Speaking of kids, he's here on stage with his daughter Nancy, who, at that time, was engaged to Tommy Sands. Ergo, Frank's rewording of the song "You Make Me Feel So Young" to "You Make Me Feel So Old."

Frank Sinatra is universally celebrated for his phrasing, for the singular way he interprets and personalizes a song. Here, he partners with several artists who are also well known for their phrasing. Frank rhapsodizes with jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald ("Moonlight in Vermont" & the fun "Can't We Be Friends"), Louis Armstrong ("The Birth of theBlues"), and Lena Horne (medley). He gets with Bing Crosby for two songs ("Together Wherever We Go," along with Dino, & "September Song"). My favorite number, though, is Frank and Dinah Shore's breezy rendering of a medley of standards. I get a kick out of how, as they both bob and sway to the tunes, Frank kept cracking Dinah up with wiseacre comments while she was in mid-song ("It's a switchblade!"). There's a fun, vibrant chemistry between these two singers and you can sense the great friendship there. Also highly entertaining is Frank and Dino at the bar as they mess around with another medley while sharing a cigarette stub.

Now the gripes: to be honest, I've never liked Ethel Merman so, not too surprisingly, the "You're the Top" number left me cold. It also sucks that the number with Louis Prima & Keely Smith is so truncated. I love Prima and Keely Smith and the spontaneous and vigorous way they went after a song. Their Vegas stints were legendary for their off the cuff pizzazz, raucousness, and for the cool jet-set audience who made their shows the hot spot to be. So, it's a shame that they didn't get more camera time here. Plus, it would've been great to see more of Frank's hip playfulness unleashed in this wild team-up. Oh, well...

While the commentaries which take place in between the duets by Sinatra's kids do tend to be repetitive, there are still enough funny and interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes told about their dad. Check out the bonus features which expand on several of these commentaries. The bonus features also have further comments by the Sinatra offsprings. But the best part of the extras showcases several sequences of Frank engaging in playful conversations with his co-stars. Particularly humorous are his introductory moments with Bing, Dino, and the Hi-lo's.

SINATRA: THE CLASSIC DUETS is very much deserving of gracing a music lover's shelf collection. And for fans of Frank Sinatra, this unveils a glimpse of not only a more relaxed Sinatra and the hip swagger and swinging personality he developed in the mid-fifties, but also presents a cast of wondrous co-stars who will always be deemed giants in the universe of music. And, of course, the singing doesn't exactly suck. So this one's a four and a half starrer; I definitely recommend it for anyone's viewing pleasure, with or without a martini in hand.
1947439
I third the recommendation that "Uptown Dance" be released on cd!  It is my favorite Stephane Grappelli album and one of my favorite albums of any genre.  I recently purchased a Crosley cd recorder at great expense and this album was one of my primary reasons for making that purchase.  I'd still be happy to purchase a cd if Columbia released one. I had the pleasure of seeing/hearing Grappelli play live twice and he was fabulous and youthful until the end of his life.
 While they're at it, they should release the Hubert Laws  "Land of Passion"  with the wonderful vocals by Eloise Laws on "The Key."
In another genre entirely, I'd love to own a cd of "Pete Seeger Now," also unreleased on cd by Columbia.
Doesn't anyone evaluate the company archives?
3983243
His rich velvety voice melts me. I love this singer and I love this song, wish it was longer. I can't wait to hear more from this band.
451557
The photos in this wonderful book capture Sinatra perfectly as he appeared at the famous Latin Casino on May 26, 1978.  This amazing compilation  was given as a present and the feed back was extremely positive: "I appreciate you thinking of me as a devoted Sinatra fan and I LOVE seeing this historical memorabilia."  I would recommend this highly as a great addition to a Sinatra collection or as a perfect present for anyone who appreciates the music of Frank Sinatra.  The playlist of songs sung on that long ago evening is included.  I think it would be amazing to listen to each song while admiring the photos--an evening with Frank!
2089125
I suspect that I should preface this review with a dedication of sorts. I am rarely able to listen to Michael Franks "Sleeping Gypsy" without thinking of an ex-coworker and one time friend Harry. Being an avid fan of Mr. Franks, it was he who introduced me to this wonderful artist and his completely original lyrics and melodic style of jazz. And so it is to Harry that I give thanks.
That being said, "Sleeping Gypsy" is a delicious slice of  jazz, Brazilian tempos, R & B, all tied together with a wonderful 'pop' sensibility. Starting off with perhaps the discs strongest track, "The Lady Wants To Know" a song that is simply indescribable but with a melody so compelling that it's a stand out song that Michael performs at each of his concerts. Also included is Michael's ode to Antonio Jobim, an artist he has always admired and he pays his respect with "Antonio's Song" and "Down In Brazil" two numbers with a Bossa Nova feel tha work incredibly well. The other highlight, at least for me, is "B'wana He No Home" a song that I certainly can't describe but nonetheless is extremely humorous. Now if I could only figure out what it means! Plus, let's not forget that Michael has the good sense of using some of today's truly great jazz musicians such as Wilton Felder, David Sanborn, Joe Sample and Larry Carlton. Altogether a wonderful package and since the majority of these discs have been reduced to budget prices I can't imagine not starting your collection with "Sleeping Gypsy" and moving through Mr. Franks entire back catalogue.
In ending, Michael Frank has consistently put out a wonderful product year after year and while his recent discs don't quite live up to his earlier recordings I can still wholeheartledly suggest having at least this cd in your collection. Any artist who can throw in "...I hear from my ex on the back of my checks", is one that I can truly appreciate! And as for Harry, a man who taught me a little about wine, a little of France and a lot about living the "Good Life"....thank-you. I still owe you!
616374
I love this song and everytime it come on the radio I want to play it over and over again. Now I can.