[Bob in Boston]

Contrary to what has been stated elsewhere (and repeated by me above), it appears that the new CD WILL in fact be remixed from the 35mm mag films.

From a just-published interview with Frank Jr.:

Frank Sinatra, Jr. Reveals His Father's Grounded Side, Pays Tribute to His Legacy With 'Best of the Best' - Spinner

When you were doing this compilation ['Best of the Best'], did you have any trouble with the masters?

Oh, no. Other than the one that just remixed, which will be out in 2012, the masters were very carefully and protectively preserved. On this [upcoming] album, we didn't have that luxury. The original source material had degraded considerably. In 1963, he made an album with a symphony orchestra, the only one he ever did that was completely made with a symphony. It was a wonderful album, 'Concert Sinatra.'

The album at the time was not recorded in a record studio on a tape recorder, it was recorded on a motion-picture scoring stage at a movie studio on magnetic film, the way they scored movies in those days. Unfortunately, when the master recording was finished, the master recording on what they called magna stripe, on the film, was not stored correctly and we had the devil's own good time recently trying to get some sound out of it to make it work again, which we finally have done. That was long and arduous to the point that certain members of the audio professional community are actually talking about making a documentary about the restoration of this record album. It was quite a job.

Bob in Boston

[Markus]

Great news.

[Nancy]

Contrary to what has been stated elsewhere (and repeated by me above), it appears that the new CD WILL in fact be remixed from the 35mm mag films.

So you didn't trust my word on this, eh?
I've tried to keep you posted, mentioned the state of the art equipment, gave you updates from Frankie along the way...

[Bob in Boston]

What makes you think I don't trust you? I've been fishing for info since September, and your first confirmation was three days ago. I'm thrilled to know the facts now.

Originally Posted by Bob in Boston

One does not need to wear a deerstalker hat and cape. I'm sure we'll hear the details first from Nancy.

Bob in Boston

[Nancy]

What makes you think I don't trust you?

Gee, I dunno. Maybe because you decided to make an "announcement" about the album being from the original film? It's okay, Bob, I guess you don't believe me when I tell you things like that.

Originally Posted by Bob in Boston View Post
As I understand it, a problem with those 35mm magnetic film reels is that they have shrunk unevenly. Each of the three separate 3-track reels runs off-speed from the others. Putting all 9 tracks together properly is a major technical undertaking.

Originally Posted by Nancy View Post
Yes, it was an expensive, time-consuming task, and some of it wasn't perfect because portions of the film were beyond complete restoration, but the equipment used was the latest, state-of-the-art technology, so what made it through, according to my brother, is wonderful.

[Bob in Boston]

I thought I was "announcing" something that was of interest to fans and worthy of discussion. Sorry, Nancy.

Bob in Boston

[Nancy]

So did I, and apologies are never necessary.

[Jeffrey Simmons]

Well whatever - all I can say is a huge thanks to Nancy first and foremost , because it was she who originally announced some years ago the existence of the mag film and the fact that work was being done with it. Further thanks to Bob for keeping us all fully up to date with updated information as it came to hand and, most particularly, thanks to Frank Jr for his involvement and for announcing what we can expect from the forthcoming re-release of this great and wonderful album.

I think that, when formal announcements are ready to be issued, it would be very interesting indeed to read in some greater detail the full extent of the facts concerning the very considerable work which was obviously involved in remastering this amazing album. I would imagine that the work involved must be at the forefront of restoration technology, much in the same way as if they were restoring a classic movie from all the original available elements.

If ever there was an album from those early Reprise years which deserved to be heard in all its symphonic glory, as it was obviously meant to be heard in the first instance, it must surely be The Concert Sinatra. I am convinced that Frank himself, if he were here, would give this project his own personal stamp of approval.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Nancy

Yes, it was an expensive, time-consuming task, and some of it wasn't perfect because portions of the film were beyond complete restoration, but the equipment used was the latest, state-of-the-art technology, so what made it through, according to my brother, is wonderful.

Really great to hear that the 35mm multis were able to be transferred and used for the new release, Nancy.

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding what you wrote, but does this mean that sections of the album could not be newly mixed from the 35mm mag, and alternate sources - possibly the 3 track tape reductions made from the mag in 1963 - had to be used for those portions? Or were the new mixes made entirely from the 35mm transfers?

[Nancy]

Or were the new mixes made entirely from the 35mm transfers?

Not entirely, Martin, from what I understand per my brother.

[MMM]

I see. I guess more details will eventually come. It's still great that the 35mm multis were able to be used to whatever extent for the new release and were all preserved. Sad to hear some of these were beyond rescuing though...

Thank you Nancy.

[jabbo5150]

Looking forward to this as I don't own this at all actually!

[SBRMD]

This all begs a question: since the originals from "The Concert Sinatra" had degraded, what was used to reproduce them in the comprehensive Reprise 20-disc set? I have the latter, and never noticed a problem with cuts from "TCS"; of course, I wasn't really listening with this issue in mind.

Apologies in case my question was answered earlier in this thread, I didn't read the whole thing.

[jabbo5150]

Originally Posted by Nancy

All I can say is get the kleenex and hold onto your hat.

Now if that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is! Can't wait.

[Nancy]

Please read the news page!

[David A]

Originally Posted by Nancy

Please read the news page!

Just stumbled onto it. I am so excited.

[Tim]

I haven't been buying the Concord versions for albums I purchased from UMG, since I have the UMG version plus the tracks in the Complete Reprise box. I did buy Concert Sinatra from UMG either last spring or in 2010, and I'm debating whether to buy this version. It sounds like it may just be worth it, based on what I'm reading on the home page.

[Nick_Bradley78]

In essence Tim it will be virtually a new album, totally new sound, extra orchestrations, the 2 bonus tracks but still from the same period, will be well worth it I think.

[mlutthans]

Originally Posted by SBRMD

This all begs a question: since the originals from "The Concert Sinatra" had degraded, what was used to reproduce them in the comprehensive Reprise 20-disc set? I have the latter, and never noticed a problem with cuts from "TCS"; of course, I wasn't really listening with this issue in mind.

Apologies in case my question was answered earlier in this thread, I didn't read the whole thing.

As I understand it, in 1963, the original 7-track recordings, spread out over 3 separate reels of 35mm mag film, were synchronized and mixed down to a 3-track, half-inch tape: Two orchestra tracks, and Frank in the middle track. This 3-track tape was more manageable and "studio friendly," as virtually everything at Capitol and Reprise for the previous several years had been recorded on 3-track, 1/2-inch tape. This 3-track tape was then used to create the stereo and mono masters for production purposes, and presumably the stereo master (or a copy thereof) was used for the suitcase.

Matt

[MMM]

Originally Posted by SBRMD

This all begs a question: since the originals from "The Concert Sinatra" had degraded, what was used to reproduce them in the comprehensive Reprise 20-disc set? I have the latter, and never noticed a problem with cuts from "TCS"; of course, I wasn't really listening with this issue in mind.

Apologies in case my question was answered earlier in this thread, I didn't read the whole thing.

That has the original stereo mix of this album, in session order.