Francis Albert – Part 2

With soothing charm, masterful singing, and a touch of class (except when he wasn’t singing and spoke in that clipped, harsh New Jersey accent), the music of Frank Sinatra reminds listeners of a bygone era when talent and charisma carried the day. But let us not forget the great songwriters, conductors, and musicians who helped craft the entire dream package Sinatra delivered year after year, decade after decade: names like Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Nelson Riddle, and Quincy Jones- just to name a few. Sinatra was from an era when- even though he did not write the songs- they became his.

Sinatra and Nelson Riddle

For me, Sinatra’s music falls into three neat categories: the Columbia, Capitol, and Reprise years. The Columbia years- the early period that some say was the golden era of Sinatra’s greatest singing voice- sounds too dated for even me. The Capitol years marks Sinatra’s ‘50s comeback and includes some of his most memorable songs and concept albums before he left Capitol to start his own record label in 1960. The Reprise years marks the beginning of Sinatra’s reign as Chairman of the Board and leader of the Las Vegas Rat Pack when his middle-aged singing voice became rougher and hoarser but he could still hold his own against the Beatles and their followers.

Sinatra and Quincy Jones

Whether effortlessly belting out swing or cooing softly in your ear, Sinatra makes you feel- whether you’re a man or a woman- like you’re getting your money’s worth. I remember hanging out with a bunch of my male Peace Corps buddies in Bulgaria one weekend in the Rhodope Mountains just smoking, drinking, playing chess, and listening to Capitol era Sinatra swing when suddenly we all broke out laughing to “All of Me”. It was great fun and one could do worse than have Sinatra introduce you to the music of Cole Porter- and adulthood. Here are some more of my favorite Frank Sinatra songs. Enjoy!

01. Frank Sinatra – “My Heart Stood Still” (1963)
02. Frank Sinatra – “A Foggy Day” (1961)
03. Frank Sinatra – “Lost in the Stars” (1963)
04. Frank Sinatra – “All the Way” (1963)
05. Frank Sinatra – “My One and Only Love” (1953)
06. Frank Sinatra – “My Way (Live)” (1987)
07. Frank Sinatra – “It Was a Very Good Year” (1965)
08. Frank Sinatra – “This Was My Love” (1959)
09. Frank Sinatra – “Someone to Watch Over Me” (1954)
10. Frank Sinatra – “All of Me” (1954)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

... or check out the playlist on YouTube

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Recommended Links:

Quincy – Official Trailer