~Sinatra "farewell" masterpiece~Bravo blue-eyes!
586396
Whenever listening to original limited edition Duets & Duets II, feeling good as the combo of both are a great musical trip with The Master and that incredible cast of truly magnificent duet partners. Sorry, but don't care these wondrous duets were created in various studio locations around the country because it is all done so well and the listener can feel affectionate connection with all great duet partners plus arrangements and production values are the best with vocal performances richly varied & brilliant! Only regret was that Duets III didn't happen as this type of greatness will never happen again and would have loved a Barry Manilow duet as I know they were great fans of each other...Sinatra started his own personal Manilow collection from the beginning.  Standouts abound naming a few "I've Got You Under My Skin" with Bono is incredible, "Come Fly With Me" with Luis Miguel a stunning take on the classic, "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" with Patti LaBelle moving and spectacular, "Moonlight In Vermont" with Linda Ronstadt dreamy and romantic, "What Now My Love" with Aretha a vocal tour-de-force, big-band jazzy treatment "Fly Me To The Moon" with Jobim completely classic, "Where Or When" Steve and Eydie a winning and classic trio, "Embraceable You" with Lena Horne moving and sentimental, "Luck Be A Lady" with Chrissie Hynde intoxicating, "For Once In My Life" a soulful and inspired paring with Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder,  "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?/My Funny Valentine" with Lorrie Morgan torchy and soulful, "I've Got A Crush On You" with Barbra Streisand a glorious vocal blend, "I've Got The World On A String" with Liza Minnelli showcase two music legends in peak form and "All The Way/One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) with Kenny G a haunting and masterful performance that stays with one long after it's over.  Magnificent collection is a must have for anyone featuring superb sound and classy packaging...Mr. Frank Sinatra we love and miss you and thank you for leaving behind this tremendous musical treasure for all of us life-long fans to savor and enjoy over and over again!!!
2196682
Love! "Honey your soul could never grow old, it's evergreen". Such a good song, keep em coming Ed! : )
4149726
Francis Wayne Emmanuel "Frank" Sinatra  (January 10, 1944  March 16, 2016)

Very sad to hear of his passing on March 16, 2016.  Frank Jr was actually a great musician in his own right.  He was a very talented band leader and conductor and one of the best in the world within his genre.  He also had one hell of a voice when he really worked at it.  His giftedness was often overlooked, and, in fact, he was sometimes even the subject of humour.  But this was not fair at all, and when you listen to Frank Jr's recordings you will see why/  That Face is an excellent swinging album.  Even better is al album of his father's classics called As I Remember It.  Ironically, it is worth seeking out if you are a Sinatra fan, which I am.  It starts out as an interesting document but then you begin to realize the talent that the son of the greatest singer of all time possessed.  It is simply unimaginable to know what it would be like to be the son of someone who was on the level of Francis Albert Sinatra and trying to make your way in that business.  It would be like Muhammad Ali having a son who took to boxing, or Shakespeare's son trying to write plays.  You are destined to live in that shadow forever.  But walk into that shadow and see the swingin', brilliant sound world that exists.  You'll be glad you did.
3249760
These are the hits, the best of Sinatra. All remastered to the best quality. Love it! I was looking for something like this for a long time and am very happy with this purchase.
1959838
GREAT CD! Classics by Sarah Brightman is SPECTACULAR!!!  Every single song's interpretation generates so much emotion that fans of Sarah's music should be thanking her for bringing such depth, intelligence, uniqueness and energy to music.  Every song on this CD is a true gem.  "Time to Say Goodbye" is fantastic and beautifully done!  "Figlio Perduto" is way cool the way she sings it.  "Winterlight" and "Anytime, Anywhere" are very nice. I love the entire CD. I also love the art work on her CD covers and yes she looks as awesome as she sounds.  *****
1921515
one of the most wonderous moments on this album is when the final clang and clamor of "Out of This World" end and the gorgeous ballad "Soul Eyes" begins. words fail. COLTRANE is a masterpiece. every track a standout cut. a brilliant and touching recording that overflows with confidence and joy and displays (again) the seemingly bottomless well of talent from this legendary jazz group. classic!
2840532
This is one of the last of Frank Sinatra's albums for Capiol.  Once again he was working with Nelson Riddle and the results are great!  As usual there are selections from the great American songbook which are masterfully handled.  The one anomoly is "ole MacDonald".  I don't know if this is true--my mother told me this in 1961-- but allegedly he recorded the song to "answer" Bobby Darin who had dared to tread on Sinatra turf with "Beyond The Sea", "Mack The Knife" and other early '60's hits.  Anyway, it's fun-Sinatra's in good voice and this is a great collection.
267699
Stacey Kent has managed to produce the goods once again with this offering which is the best so far. Her vocal qualities are more refined than on her previous albums and her phrasing is on a par with Sinatra himself! What's  more, the CD radiates with that 'warm feeling' and gives you  more than a  glimpse of what she is like live.
3449610
Well, lessee here:  My library holds (on cd) "Hey...Let Yourself Go,""C'mon...Get Happy!""The Joy of Living,""Love Is A Game of Poker,""The Best of Nelson Riddle" (Capitol),"The Best of Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra" (Curb), and on LP: "The Riddle Touch,""Route 66 Theme and other TV Themes," (mono),"The Best of Nelson Riddle" (a promotional copy for radio stations never issued for sale), and "Witchcraft."
That Frank Sinatra could not decide on who "his" orchestra - that of Nelson Riddle or Don Costa, was to be is testament alone to the greatness of Nelson Riddle even without hearing a single arrangement.  Not many arrangers come with the trombone as their root instrument (Riddle, Miller) or guitar (Costa).  That too ought to tell you of the greatness of Nelson Riddle, ie., he could arrange so many "voices" of an orchestra from the soul of a trombone!  Costa did it from the even the more limited range of a guitar!
This is a great album!
Buy it!
Then get the others!
Add to your collection Don Costa, Hugo Montenegro, Andre Kostelanetz, Hugo Winterhalter, Percy Faith, late Lawrence Welk, Bert Kaempfert, and Ray Conniff (especially "Conniff Meets Butterfield"), Jackie Gleason, and any of Stu Phillips' "Hollywood Strings" albums and you'll have a mighty library of contemporary instrumental artists who will fill your home with modern arrangements from the classics to the Beatles.  As I said in the title - Nelson Riddle Forever! Enjoy!
Like the commercial says, "Are these guys good, or what?"
1186074
I have been a barry Manilow fan forever.......i just got this "gem", besides the outstanding selection of songs, arrangements and presentation of the album....Barry,s voice is in top shape, cest magnifique!!!......his rendition of "cant take my eyes out of you" goes silky smooth...great arrangement !!!........my favorite one is "Cherish/windy" with the association.......WOW what a combination!!!.........there is no doubt in my mind that this wiill become a classic for all Barry fans......how he does that magic ? i really don't know ..but i surely enjoy it..Barry looks great and the album is a most ......i cannot wait for songs of the 70,s ..it will be a manilow album as he has performed or composed all the greatest songs of that era!!!........Barry, all my blessings and keep on recording great music as only you can do it!!!
2926055
(4.5/5 stars) I like this CD quite a bit. Sure, Sinatra's voice on the recording is aging along with the rest of him, but he is at his most intimate and sincere, and the band is truly excellent. He is not attempting to be humorous, as he was in "Live at the Sands," and he is no longer the brash Rat Packer, acting more maturely than at other times. I'm generally not a fan of someone covering another artist's work, especially when the other artist wrote the song. However, Sinatra always had a knack for taking a song made famous from another artist and branding it as his own. Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" and "For Once in My Life" are almost unrecognizable as the same songs as they sound 100% pure Sinatra. Bread's "If" maintains its pacing, but sounds hauntingly beautiful here. Being dedicated to his wife, Barbara, this CD doesn't really have any "fun" songs here; rather, they are gorgeous and Frank gives them a new sense of poignancy. A real treat is "My Heart Stood Still," which sounds especially sweet as an elderly man recounts the first time he laid eyes on his great love. Cabaret's "Maybe This Time" has all the hopeful romance and none of the glib theatrics of a Broadway song. There are also some familiar Sinatra standards as well, such as "Angel Eyes," "What's New," "Where or When," etc. Each one sounds refreshing as he breathes new life into it. He comes across as a class act all the way, being genuinely appreciative of the audience throughout the set (or sets, as the case may be) and giving credit to the composers (at least when he can recall their names). The sound on the recording is excellent as well, especially on a powerful stereo system. He does flub a couple lines and he forgets some of the lyrics (even with a teleprompter), but it isn't detectable unless one knows all the lyrics. Also, the recording dates and locations are not listed, which is apparently done on purpose because he wasn't actually eighty at the time of recording. Fine by me because it doesn't matter much. I don't believe the editor's review that states some of these recordings date back to 1974 because his voice sounded much different then and the quality of the recording(s) would not compare to these. If his range changed considerably from cut to cut, I certainly didn't notice. Makes me wonder if we listened to the same CD. Anyway, other reviewers have pegged the recording dates to 1988, which sounds entirely more plausible to me.
2257659
Frank Sinatra chose Axel Stordahl to arrange and conduct this collection of sixteen remarkable ballads that he was so well-known for. These songs were recorded in 1961 except for the last four tracks which were recorded in 1953 and were not included in the original vinyl release.

Any song that the legendary singer recorded became his own and he had left his mark of elegance on each song. To me, that is known as the Sinatra Charisma. Any Sinatra recording is a delight to listen to like this CD, "Point of No Return." It's a representation of how excellent he was in interpreting these ballads with superb arrangements by Axel Stordahl, whose works were mainly inspired by the Romantic Era. His arrangements were classically-infused and gentler than the works of other Frank Sinatra arrangers.

Listen closely with your undivided attention to the Chairman's poignantly beautiful and moving rendition of one of the best tracks "I'll Remember April" from a trio of songwriters Gene DePaul, Patricia Johnson and Don Raye as he sings this verse...

"The fire will dwindle into glowing ashes
For flames and love live such a little while
I won't forget but I won't be lonely
I'll remember April and I'll smile"

One of my personal favorites from this collection includes "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You."

"A telephone that rings
But who's to answer
Oh how the ghost of you clings
These foolish things remind me of you"

I also loved his splendid renditions of "I'll Be Seeing You, "As Time Goes By," the quintessential love song and theme from the film "Casablanca" and "Memories of You," a gem of a song by Eubie Blake & Andy Razaf.

"Here and there, everywhere
Scenes that we once knew
And they all just recall
Memories of you
How I wish I could forget
Those happy yesteryears
That have left a rosary of tears"

And last but not least, my number one favorite from the pens of Mack Gordon and Harry Warren - "There Will Never Be Another You."

"Yes, I may dream a million dreams
But how can they come true
If there will never ever be... another you"

This is one of the finest Frank Sinatra recordings of all-time. A great addition to your collection of fine music.
1485073
Five FABULOUS Stars! From one Hall of Fame singer to another, Tony Bennett affectionately salutes "the Chairman of the Board", Frank Sinatra, who himself once called Bennett, "the best in the business". On "Perfectly Frank", Bennett sings standards from the Great American Songbook, associated with Sinatra. He is fittingly and ably supported by his studio and road band, the Ralph Sharon trio, which provides the arrangement frameworks, the rhythmic backing, musical colorations, and solos along the way. The trio has Sharon on piano (and an unlisted celeste), Paul Langosch on double bass, and Joe LaBarbera on drums.  Some songs that are normally ballads become swingers and vice versa, as he mixes the tempos on "The Torch and Saloon Songs of Sinatra".

Among the 'pices de rsistance' are the swinging "Night and Day", "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square" intentionally becoming "Barkley Square", the lovely Cahn/Styne "Time After Time" where Bennett goes reflective here and on a tender "I Fall In Love Too Easily", "East of the Sun (West of the Moon) with part of the verse, the Phil Silvers-Jimmy Van Heusen "Nancy" for Frank's first wife, a jaunty "I Thought About You", the 2 AM ambiance of "I've Got The World on a String", the lovely Bennett/Sharon readings of the rare "I Wished On The Moon" and "Last Night When We Were Young", a scintillating "You Go To My Head" with Sharon going rhapsodic, LaBarbera beating the brushes on a hard-swinging "The Lady Is A Tramp", another rarity in "I See Your Face Before Me" which is led off with the full verse, a blazing "Day In, Day Out" with LaBarbera soloing on sticks, the special Bennett 'frame scatting' on "Here's That Rainy Day", bassist Langosch stoutly soloing and walking here and throughout on "A Foggy Day" and "Angel Eyes", Bennett goes bluesy on "One For My Baby" and fittingly ends with a flourish on "I'll Be Seeing You". Produced by Andre Fischer and Danny Bennett. These are great, timeless performances by Bennett and Sharon's trio. My Highest Recommendation. Five SALUTARY Stars. (Columbia records. 24 tracks. Time-73:49.)
3999427
After the Top 10 duet with Bryan Adams "I Finally Found Someone" (from "The Mirror Has Two Faces") Barbra led off her next album with another duet, this time with Celine Dion on the track "Tell  Him". A truly beautiful and classic song, I was only disappointed that  Barbra did not sing more lyrics than she did. Later I learned that Barbra  had recorded the song and sent it on to Celine, who added her vocals to it  and from there it was on to a final mix. Things goes a long way in  understanding Celine's "over emoting" on the song.
"Higher Ground" was Barbra's most successful studio album of  the 90's, although her follow-up album "A Love Like Ours" finds  her in better vocal shape than here.
"I Believe/You'll Never Walk  Alone" is a brilliant combination and Barbra is exquisite up unitl the  end where she sounds like she is yelling out the final note. Fortunately,  she ends on a haunting and memorable way. "Higher Ground" took  some to grow on me, but after hearing it loud on a jukebox one day, I  finally gave in and have come to consider it one of the better tracks.  "At the Same Time" is very nice, but having seen Barbra perform  it New Years Eve, I can tell you her live version is far better. "On  Holy Ground" with its gospel-flavored sound ends on a power note and  is very satisfying. "If I Could" is probably the best all around  cut from the album. It is dedicated to her son Jason and provides insight  into that relationship. "Circle" is a very fun and Walt  Disney-esque song that holds up great over time. "The Water Is  Wide/Deep River" also works splendidly and Barbra mesmerizes with her  lower range, adding a certain soulfulness you would expect more of in a  collection of religious inspired songs. "Leading With My Heart"  is yet another tired Marilyn/Alan Bergman song... they all just sound the  SAME after awhile and I've come to cringe at hearing their names asociated  with new Streisand material. The needle is definetly getting stuck in the  groove! "Lessons To Be Learned" is my personal favorite cut. It  is reflective and inspirational, without being overly preachy.  "Everything Must Change" and thank God this song did! I obtained  a copy of Streisand's original rehearsal of this song and it left a lot to  be desired! It's is a far better song here, almost haunting! "Avinu  Malkanieu" is the only truly religious song on the album and is sung  so incredibly by Streisand here that any flaws in the album up until then  just seem to vanish!
Some of Barbra's vocals sound a bit forced or  overwrought, and at times you feel as if Barbra had lost some of her upper  range. Fortunately the follow up album "A Love Like Ours" and her  "Timeless" Millennium concert proved that while at nearly 58,  Barbra may take a little bit longer to warm up, her voice is still as  thrilling and magical as ever.
"Higher Ground" is more  "Deepak Chopra Spiritual" than a Judeo/Christian sprituality, but  it proves that beautiful , soulful songs can transend any faith and inpire  us all to "higher ground".
4172527
Legendary Liza Minnelli has a tremendous musical frame of reference to draw from going deep in to her trunk of classics during a recent recovery the result being an intimate & extraordinary collection of timeless songs from her illustrious past. Every one of these fine gems are given a renewed shine & lovingly done in sublime fashion by the iconic legend along with the incredibly talented Billy Stritch on piano...anyone luckily attending Minnelli concerts in recent years being incredible events to experience, know chemisty between these two gifted talents is magical & sheer musical genius, all of that magic transferred beautifully to these superb sessions!
Opening with a throaty sensual vocal, "Confessions" slow-burn vocal set a jazz inspired soulful tone to a surprising set featuring tight rhythmic timing sounding like a wondrous collection of classic songs recorded in a sophisicated Jazz Club on a quiet rainy night. Liza playful with "You Fascinate Me So" gives an enchanting light-hearted performance & those nights on the road with Sinatra must have inspired a richly sung "All The Way" and Frank would be proud...full voice & sultry "I Hadn't Anyone Til You" is soulful & hypnotic while great rhythmic timing make "This Heart Of Mine" a winner...new solid Liza classic "I Must Have That Man" turns up the heat and is so riveting and engrossing showing this gifted singer truly among an elite few. Sophisicated enchantment weaves through the sublime "On Such A Night As This" with references to "a Gershwin song" & "Judy Garland swore to adore the boy next door" fascinating considering who is at the helm turning out yet another delicious classic...
"I Got Lost In His Arms" given new life by Liza as are all these grand chestnuts from the past with the torchy "At Last" being soulfully sublime. Today more than ever music needs a boost like this from the legendary iconic singer and nobody finer around today to savor and enjoy plus raise the bar than the amazing Liza Minnelli!
Five Star plus in better musical times than this bleak musically bankrupt period would equal "Grammy Awards" for Liza and her mesmerizing "Confessions" with Billy Stritch "The Piano Man" being totally extraordinary. Bravo to this remarkable duo!!!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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!
1590874
I have already reviewed the album, "AS LONG AS SHE NEEDS ME", about 2 years ago.  But when I purchased the Cd, "A Second Chance" did not transfer into my Cloud Player, So I purchased the song, separately - but no matter -  the song is as fabulous as the rest of this album.  Released in 1962-1963, SAMMY DAVIS, JR. was truly a phenomenon!!! I would say, a SUPERSTAR on the level of Sinatra, who He always loved as a friend and fellow performer.  If you ever see, "TWO FOR THE SEESAW" with Mitchum and McClaine, the song was recorded as an instrumental, but Sam turned it into pure gold.  His deep sexy baritone takes you way up and down as an a emotional roller coaster of intense love and desire!!!!  This song blew me away to the point of wishing I had seen Davis in concert back in Las Vegas during the 'swingin' 1960's!!! Either way, enjoy this "ride" of SAM, the WHAM, who worked with Nelson Riddle, as well,on this album!