Another album discovered using Spotify. And again some research was needed to find the actual album as every album on Spotify seems to be either impossible to look up or nonexistant.
Anyway. Immideately as I started listening to it I knew this was some great swinging big band music. As this was just in the beginning of Frank Sinatra’s career, some may argue his singing technique wasn’t fully developed and thus brings down the quality somewhat. Personally I really enjoy his singing on this one. It’s uplifting and playful and perfectly accompanies the excellent arrangements made by Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra. If you’re looking for some good ‘ol authentic, soothing big band music, look no further.
One of the highlights are the highly catchy and swinging track “East of the Sun”. It includes a “choir” part where a group of people duets with Sinatra which is really delightful. Also the track “You And I” fits the same description, being very catchy and having a nice swing to it. The world’s a little bit better with swing, don’t you agree?
A slightly more edgy song is “Blue Skies”, being a nice variation to the more calmer tunes which is in the majority on this album. An enjoyable song.
Another track I fancy is the funny and energic “I’ll Take Tallulah”. The singing part is a real thrill, but there’s also a super energic, “controlled chaotic” instrumental part at the end. At least us New Orleans jazz fans loves it.
Conclusion
The best selling point of this album is that it’s very solid; it contains few (if any) filler songs, every single one is different and enjoyable in their own way. Allthough, it might feel a bit repetitive after a while. Still, a lovely listen if you’re in that certain mood.
Also helping is that the quality is surprisingly good to be a recording from the mid-30s. Of course, it still has that vintage sound so don’t worry about that.
Basically, if you like Frank Sinatra you cannot go wrong with this album. Well, it’s sort of a mix between the swingy and bluesy side of him, so people from both sides should enjoy this album. Perhaps if you’re exclusively looking for fast swing music, you won’t find it here.
Lastly Tommy Dorsey’s trombone and his orchestra deserves another mention. As I haven’t heard much of Tommy’s trombone in the past I was pleasently surprised to hear it. One can easily see why they describe his style as smooth-toned, and also why people love it. It’s marvellous. The lovely trombone sound shines particularly on “The One I Love (Belonges To Somebody Else)” in my opinion.
Disc 1:
1. I’ll Be Seeing You
2. Say It
3. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
4. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread)
5. Imagination
6. You’re Lonely And I’m Lonely
7. East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon)
8. It’s A Lovely Day Tomorrow
9. I’ll Never Smile Again
10. All This and Heaven Too
11. Trade Winds
12. The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)
13. The Call of the Canyon (From “Rhythm on the Range”)
14. Love Lies
15. I Could Make You Care
16. Our Love Affair
17. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me)
18. Stardust
19. Oh! Look At Me Now
20. You Might Have Belonged to Another
21. It’s Always You
22. I Tried
23. Dolores
Disc 2:
1. Do I Worry?
2. Everything Happens to Me
3. This Love of Mine
4. I Guess I’ll Have To Dream The Rest
5. You and I
6. Blue Skies
7. I Think Of You
8. Violets For Your Furs
9. How About You? (From “Babes on Broadway”)
10. The Night We Called It A Day
11. The Song Is You
12. I’ll Take Tallulah (from the MGM film, Ship Ahoy)
13. The Last Call For Love (from the MGM film, Ship Ahoy)
14. Just As Though You Were Here (Remastered 2004)
15. Street Of Dreams
16. Take Me
17. Be Careful, It’s My Heart (from the Paramount film “Holiday Inn”)
18. In The Blue of Evening
19. There Are Such Things
20. Daybreak (based on “Mardi Gras” from Mississippi Suite)
21. Light A Candle In The Chapel
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