[Jeffrey Simmons]

Here is a quick question (to those who should know for sure).

I was listening to "The Capitol Years" 3 CD set which I have been playing over and over recently in my car and was again delighted by the beautiful alternate version of 'One For My Baby' recorded with only Bill Miller's piano.

I understood this recording was apparently done as a 'rehearsal', the night before the famous released recording with the orchestra. I wondered if there were any other such recordings done and do they exisit in the vaults somewhere potentially awaiting release one day in the future?

I once heard or read that similar very high quality 'rehearsal' recordings exist, inter alia, for the "In The Wee Small Hours" recordings, although I have not seen any formal direct confirmation of this.

Would it be possible to ask the Sinatra Family to please shed some light on this interesting subject for me and for others who may be interested on this site.

Warm Regards

[steffen]

probably there exist more alternate recordings or as in this case, rehearsals done with just piano accompaniment. but i think they won't be full length renditions in each case. the possibility of a "wee small hours" alternate album with just piano is very stirring, i must say!

I suspect that a "Wee Small Hours" piano only recording excisting to be wishful thinking. There are about half a dozen or so "rehearsal" recordings where Frank went through an arrangement on tape for the first time at the end of a particular session because there was extra time. Those could include an orchestra (I have heard three such run- throughs), Eventually, he recorded the song on another date - sometimes the next day, other times a few days or weeks later. Those run-throughs are not worthy of release, unless one thinks that everything Frank recorded should be. You know, the bottom of the barrell syndrome that some collector's have.

According to Nelson Riddle, the piano-version of One For My Baby was no rehearsal for Sinatra, but a recording done by Sinatra upon Nelson's request who had still to finish his arrangement that Frank was set to record the next day.

This seems to fit, since Sinatra had been doing "One For My Baby" for more than 10 years at the time, on record (Columbia), film and many live concerts, so he probably wouldn't have needed a special rehearsal for him.

There are more Capitol alternates (not rehearsals, but alts from the actual sessions that produced the masters) surviving. I think it would be very interesting to see some of them officially released, the way Columbia keeps doing that.

Bernhard.

[Jeffrey Simmons]

Thanks for that guys.

What you say Bernhardt make a lot of sense to me and it may be right, but it is not the way I first heard it.

As to the other matter of ...."...Wee Small Hours" I may be wrong here but I had heard that these items were at one time, just a few years ago, scheduled to be released as part of a box set or something, but that the release did'nt happen in the end. That's all I can remember for now without looking it up - and I don't have the time for that just right now.

regds

****I had heard that these items were at one time, just a few years ago, scheduled to be released as part of a box set or something****

While I haven't seen any *official* confirmation on this from Capitol, there were reports a few years ago that Capitol considered a complete "alternate album" (i.e. the same tracks but all represented by alternate takes) of the 1956 "A Swinging Affair" with Riddle. Such a CD would make a very fine addition e.g. as a bonus to some multi-CD box indeed.

Bernhard.

[Jeffrey Simmons]

Yes, Bernhardt, that is my view, always presuming that the recordings pass the quality control.

You see, my understanding is that there may have been a recorded 'run through' of these ITWSH tracks done on one evening session, possibly with some guests about, and the final recordings with full orchestra then done on the next sessions following. That may be total nonsence of course. I was then given to understand that these particular 'recordings' were not to be released in a set because they were rehearsals and not meant to be heard.

However, if they were recorded and they sound OK, then there may be an argument that these should be released in some form or other. After all, when they found the filmed singing recordings recently in the vaults, they reworked those for use on a live show. Equally any rehearsal/alternate takes which are in fact quality recordings could also be re-worked for release.

With alternate takes which were not chosen as the final released version, though, the situation should be clearer. When FS kept full master takes, it usually meant they were probably of acceptable quality, albeit perhaps not quite the version he (or the suits) preferred for release at the time. It may not have meant they would never ever be released.

I agree with those above who suggest this would a great way to be introduced to Sinatra's music.

The three discs represent some of his very best work, and if you don't "get it" after repeated listenings of this excellent collection, you're just not gonna "get it."

An excellent place to start.

[pattisam]

Sean said: And the mastering is as good as you'll find as far as Frank Sinatra CDs are concerned.

and

Derek said: This was the first set of Sinatra albums that I purchased. After listening to this, I was hooked.

I say: I always wondered how this 'rated' with the Sinatra afficianados, since this was also my first purchase of Frank, as an adult. Up until that point, I had not spent so much money on one item of music, but it has proven to be one of my best investments. Already a Frank fan, this buy sent me on the path I happily stroll today, and it truly fine-tuned my appreciation and love for that unmistakable 'Sinatra Sound'.

[shicorp]

Have there been different editions of this set? amazon lists a conventional jewel case version, while I came across a long box on ebay.

<< Have there been different editions of this set? >>

Yes.

Capitol #94777 was a limited-edition deluxe tall-form box with a cloth jacket and built-in 36-page booklet. Long OOP.

Capitol #94317 is the standard fold-out jewel box version with a smaller removable 68-page booklet. The booklet text is the same, but with an extra photo. I believe it is still in print.

Both were issued in December 1990, for Sinatra's 75th birthday.

(There was also issued a very limited-edition 5-LP box set. Only 5,000 of these sets were made.)

[Added:] There may have also been a white leather-bound version of the tall-form box and book, with a small square gold plaque with the initials "FS", which Frank Sinatra supposedly distributed as Christmas gifts to friends and associates. I've seen those once or twice on eBay, but I always had my doubts as to the authenticity. For the astronomical prices those sold for, I never bothered to investigate further.

<< I came across a long box on ebay. >>

Be careful with that eBay item. It may actually be the jewel case version in "long box" packaging. To be sure, I would always request the UPC or catalog number from the seller. (And don't trust the eBay item description or "stock" photo, which usually originates from an error-prone database.)

Back in 1990, most CD jewel cases were sold in cardboard long boxes, because those fit in the existing record store racks for LPs (two CD boxes side by side). Eventually, most store owners updated their display cases, and the long boxes were eliminated. The demise of those wasteful cardboard boxes was also hastened by the vocal protests of the ecologically-concerned.

[Marty]

Link repairs required in Ricks initial post.

http://www.sinatrafamily.com/forum/s...threadid=17978

is correct for "THE COMPLETE CAPITOL SINGLES COLLECTION"

http://www.sinatrafamily.com/forum/s...threadid=15202

is correct for "The Capitol 21 CD UK Box Set"

Please fix the broken links.

It's not been mentioned that several of the tracks in this collection are unique, in that they contain unedited studio "chatter" by Sinatra and others. You will not find these "extended" versions on other albums or sets...

"Close To You"
"I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'"
"Only The Lonely"
"Come Dance With Me"

(Another CD which included such session chatter on a few tracks was The Capitol Collector's Series.)

Also significant are the following tracks, which saw their first stereo issue in this set:

"Everybody Loves Somebody"
"It's The Same Old Dream"
"To Love And Be Loved" (short singles arrangement)

[MMM]

Originally posted by Bob in Boston
Also significant are the following tracks, which saw their first stereo issue in this set:

"Everybody Loves Somebody"
"It's The Same Old Dream"
"To Love And Be Loved"

1st stereo issue of the short version of "To Love and Be Loved". The long version was available in stereo for many years before.

<< The long version was available in stereo for many years before. >>

Agreed: The long version first appeared (in stereo) on the 1961 LP, All The Way. I've clarified my previous post.

However, on Compact Disc in the US, it's been released only on the 1988 All The Way and 1996 Sinatra Sings The Select Sammy Cahn, both of which are out of print. Today, it remains an elusive track which can be found only in the UK The Capitol Years 21-CD box set (not to be confused with this US 3-CD set, which contains the short version), or on the UK CD, Screen Sinatra.

[Added:] See also: "To Love And Be Loved" below.

[Dean]

<<The demise of those wasteful cardboard boxes was also hastened by the vocal protests of the ecologically-concerned.>>

The cardboard long boxes did a much better job marketing the product. Long boxes are still made for "special accounts" like Sam's Club or Toys R Us, some generic, some with artwork. Of course, nothing beats an lp cover. Store owners would have never refixtured if the record company's didn't force the issue. Although the eco protests made noise, it was the "unnecessary" manufacturing costs of reproducing artwork that did in the long box.

Peace, Dean

This great song written by Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen was originally written for Fred Astaire but Frank made it his own.

Frank Sinatra recorded this song 5 times in 1947 for Columbia,1954 for "Young at heart", 1958 for "Only The Lonely", 1966 for "Sinatra At The Sands With Count Basie" and in 1993 for his Duets album. Which version is your favourite if you can pick one and why?

I think my favourite has got to be "Only the lonely". It is so full of the most poignant emotion. He interprets the song the most perfectly here. You can truly feel his pain. Every word here is utterly believable. This version brings tears to your eyes.

I think the version on "Young at heart" is excellent as well especially because his character is so depressed and downtrodden.

You can't get much better either than Frank live with Basie.

However I really appreciate the version of the younger Sinatra on Columbia. It's different a little more upbeat and I find it beautiful.

Melissa

[steffen]

i think i prefer the 1966 "Live @ Sands" Version, since here the saloon song actually is played in a saloon. i think it has the 'smokey' muted trumpet thing included, which i also like.

but then, one also must not omit the other live versions, like Seattle '57, Australia '59, and the Videos like London '70 (rare Gordon Jenkins arrangement i think), Japan '85 (rare 'easy' approach, without Bill Miller, i think Joe Parnello played the piano), or Ultimate Event '88 and so on