The first thing I thought of while listening to this beautifully arranged and orchestrated album was "Man, this man had SWAGGA!" Frank Sinatra is one excellent vocalist and this outstanding selection of material definitely deserves to be one of the best albums of all time. This was Sinatra's fourth collaboration with a man that seems to be his musical soulmate, Nelson Riddle. Just like "In The Wee Small Hours", this album was perfect in both musical arrangement and vocal styling. I love the "big band" sound and that vibe swings on throughout the disc. Unlike the album recorded prior to this one, "Swingin' Lovers" contains a much lighter mood with happier songs that'll make you wanna sway the day away.
He again tackles some legendary hits such as "Makin' Whoopee", Cole Porter's timeless classics "Anything Goes" and "I've Got You Under My Skin," and one of my favorites, Gershwin's "Love is Here to Stay". It was interesting how I kept thinking about Billie Holiday's version of that same song; or at least Diana Ross' version of it (when she so brilliantly portrayed Billie in "Lady Sings the Blue"). Frank's version, of course, was uniquely his own vocal interpretation, but the smoothness and clarity of his delivery was reminiscent of Lady Day.
The running time is only 44 minutes, but it is packed full of spirted jazzy ditties that make you feel romantic and being the closet entertainer that I am, it made me wish 1) that I had a microphone stand and 2) that my tuxedo was clean so that I could emulate this pimp's style! The bravado and suavity, or swagga if you will, that he possessed while making this album was so evident, I could just picture him on stage, looking debonair while his vocals soared and women fainted dead away.
The liner notes quote this collection as "bright, insouciant, urbane, witty, colored with smoky pastel hues and easy, buoyant rhythms of jazz". I was certainly buoyed away while listening. Frank was in perfect voice on this album. His inflections are brilliant; he's like a maestro at putting character and texture into his singing. I suppose when you're a perfectionist like Frank was, that type of talent is bound to shine through. His collaborator, Riddle, called him an "intense perfectionist"and said he was the opposite of another famous crooner, Nat King Cole. Where Nat was cool and calm when recording, it appears that Sinatra was never at ease, always intensely focused on getting the best sound from himself and the music. (singing)"But don't forget, folks, that's what you get, folks" when loving Frankie!
Another great album gets crossed off the list and another awesome experience gets recorded in my head. If even half of the albums I listen to are as enjoyable as this one, this will have totally been worth the trip! If you love spectacular big band music, clever and beautiful arrangements, AND perfect vocals, you should definitely give this one a listen. To quote one of the song titles from the album, Frank's voice is just "Too Marvelous for Words"!
Monday, October 19, 2009
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