#1/100 - In The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra (1955)

As I kick off my journey into music, who would be more perfect to start off with but the "chairman of the board" himself, Frank Sinatra. He seems to have quite a few monikers, another of them being "The Voice", and after listening to this CD, I have to say that this f*cker can seriously croon! Not that I didn't appreciate him already, but I got the full power of Sinatra with this album. Listening to it, I can see why many people consider him to be the voice of early American pop music. This entire collection of "mood music" made me feel very much like I was "Deep in a Dream", the title of one of these lush and perfectly orchestrated numbers.

"In the Wee Small Hours", recorded in just a few days, was the first long play (LP) album from the chairman, and he makes the most of it! Although the LP form of recording music was introduced in 1948, it didn't really begin to get it's real credit until around 1953 and Frank, born Francis Albert Sinatra, was one of the pioneers to start it. Pete Welding, who wrote the liner notes for the CD, quotes the album as being "wistful melancholy that is almost elegaic in character, sad without being merely cloying or suggesting desperation." I couldn't agree more. The album is 50 minutes of pure lushness. Arranged and orchestrated by Nelson Riddle, who would go on to collaborate with Frank on several albums, the music matches Frank's emotive voice perfectly. He sounds mellow, strong, and sends his voice to soaring heights. My favorites in the collection of these jazzy, easy listening tunes include Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love", with an awesome flute solo, and the classic "Mood Indigo" by Duke Ellington". The melancholy whimsy of "I See Your Face Before Me" was another standout.

Much of the music in this classic collection, regarded as "one of the finest, most perfectly realized and deeply satisfying recordings of his long career", was inspired by Frank's taboo affair and subsequent breakup with the notorious Ava Gardner. I couldn't help but think he was talking about her as he sang "Can't We Be Friends?" He didn't write any of the songs in this collection, but the breakup proved to be excellent fodder from which to draw. His interpretation of the music contained a sentimental uniqueness that was all Frank. His voice was so clear and strong, it made me want to sing. But, I suppose that's not saying much because I sing along with everything! But it made we want to have the timber of voice as rich as Frank's.

Sinatra was known for being a badass; "he loved, he brawled, he had style, he had guts, he could even act. And, of yeah, he defined American Pop." I had never heard this album before, although I did know a couple of the tunes here. What a way to start my journey of discovery. I loved listening to this album and would certainly recommend it to any lover of smooth music from a singer who croons like no other! This member of the notorious Rat Pack personified style.

The Beginning of a Musical Voyage!

"I love music....any kind of music. I love music....just as long as it's groovin'!" Man, can I remember singing along to those words when I was a kid. The O'Jays must have been reading my mind back in the day, because I am in love with music. Not a day goes by that I'm not immersed in the music for some period of time. And today, I am excited to be embarking on a journey through all types of music in my quest to listen to and blog about the 100 greatest albums of all time! There were several lists that I examined in my effort to decide which ones to choose, from Rolling Stone to Billboard, but it seemed to me that the most interesting and panoramic list belonged to Time magazine. So, that's the list I'm going with!

For the next 6 months to a year, I will be introducing myself to some of the greatest artists of all time; some of them I'm familiar with and some of them, not so much. It will indeed be a journey of discovery that I hope some of you will take with me. The list includes the likes of Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Hank Williams Jr. and Public Enemy. I'll start from the earliest decade, the 50's, and work my way to the 00's. It's exciting to think about all the new music I'll be awakened to, and all the great tunes that will feel like running into an old friend.

Although, some of my personal favorites like Rachelle Ferrell and the Isley Brothers didn't make the cut, I still think this list has some of the best music of my time. Keep in mind that I won't be counting down from 100 to number 1. Opinions vary too much for that. I'm just taking it from the oldest to the newest and you can pick your favorites as we groove along. So stick with me for the ride and let's jam to the music!