I REMEMBER TOMMY (Reprise) 1961

chris · #21 02-21-2007, 04:11 PM

Yep, I'm enjoying this album.

Is that Sammy singing on 'The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else'?

George Lyons · #22 02-21-2007, 04:30 PM

That's Sy Oliver singing with Frank.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sy_Oliver

David B. · #23 02-21-2007, 05:03 PM

Frank must have had a high regard for this album, too. Didn't he put 3 or 4 cuts from it on his Album of the Year Grammy winner, A Man And His Music?

Stunatra · #24 06-12-2007, 01:44 PM

This is another one of Frank's underrated albums. Frank delivers fresh performances of some old songs and I believe these are the definitive versions. "The One I Love Belongs..." "It's Always You" and the swinging "I'll Be Seeing You" are irresistible. The slower numbers are equally effective "I'm Getting Sentimental" is just that, sentimental and very moving, along with "In the Blue of Evening." "Take Me" is a stand out for me. It sounds as if it belongs on The Concert Sinatra album.

Since Frank recorded this album twice, it shows that he really cared about his work (perfectionist, I'd say) and this 2nd album is the one to hear.

All in all this is a great album with terrific performances and is indeed, underrated.

Set Avatar · #25 06-12-2007, 06:25 PM

I agree it's a irresistible album!!

Mark · #26 08-07-2007, 05:05 AM

This was today's choice to start the day. Nice mix of tunes, both up-tempo and ballads, all featuring gorgeous instrumentation... and the incredible voice.

SinatraFan · #27 08-07-2007, 03:18 PM

Thanks to your bump, Mark I decided to listen to the album too.

It really is a great album that is a wonderful tribute to his old boss Tommy Dorsey. It's too bad that Frank and Tommy never did album together at Capitol or Reprise because these songs sound very good with Sy Oliver but image how great they would be with Tommy, again.

The original songs with Tommy from the early 40's are wonderful and should be listen to along with this album, it makes for a very interesting comparison. I like these updates as well, they show Frank remembering his beginning at his new recording company. And Sy Oliver's arrangements recapture that big band sound very well. Usually remakes don't live up to the originals but this is not the case here.

All the song are great! I'm Getting Sentimental Over You, is a nice start. How can you not get sentimental over these songs? Imagination is one of my favorite Sinatra songs, a real swinger and I really like the version found on disc 1 of the Sinatra Vegas box set. East Of The Sun is another one of my favorites from this album, one of the best updates. With Out A Song is one of Sy Oliver's best arrangements and songs. This is a cheerful song with a great message. The definitive versions of I'll Be Seeing You and The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else were recorded at Capitol but these swingin' version are great too. They really show how you can completely alter a song but still have it be great. Frank sounds the best on Take Me, it rises above the rest and provides a preview of The Concert Sinatra. On the songs It's Always You and It Started All Over Again Frank really glides through the songs and these song really bring back the big band sound. Polka Dots And Moonbeams is one of my favorite Sinatra-Dorsey songs, so it's nice to have this version too, it's probably the closest to the original. In The Blue Of Evening is a nice bonus track that gives the cd another great ballad to complement the swing songs. The ballad songs on the album are some of Frank's best from Reprise. There are so many excellent albums by Frank from the early 60's that this album is often overlooked but it's well worth a listen! And don't forget about the originals too!

Set Avatar · #28 08-07-2007, 03:35 PM

This was my first FAS album - and when I say "album", I mean the vinyl kind. When I was in my 20's, I told my father (a long-time Sinatra fan) that I was showing an interest in Sinatra and the Great Am. Songbook. He promptly gifted me with this album and said, "start with this".

It remains one of my favorites today and is in my stack of "go to" music when I need a pick me up.

Mark · #29 08-07-2007, 04:33 PM

Your dad sounds like a great (and knowledgeable) guy... This one definitely takes me back to another time and place...

Set Avatar · #30 08-07-2007, 05:22 PM

I like this record a lot. My favorite of the early Reprise years up '63.
The Sy Oliver arrangements have a lot of economy, which is nice.
And Frank sounds like he was having a good day, the interpretations
are fresh and not overly labored. This is not a world beating album, but it's one of the best "all purpose" albums. You could listen to it at any time and enjoy it.

SinatraFan · #31 02-28-2008, 11:36 AM

Giving this thread a bump.

Also, see thread... Frank Sinatra: Album Of The Month Club #7 "I Remember Tommy" .

Set Avatar · #32 02-28-2008, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICK IN SYDNEY

Here's a link for discussion / information / reviews from older threads for:

I REMEMBER TOMMY

Post #5 in this thread contains a broken link. Here is the corrected link:

I REMEMBER TOMMY (the 1961 Reprise album)

P.S. The older thread contains some interesting information, but please don't post to that one. Let's keep newer comments here in Frank's Recordings or in Allen's Album of the Month Club thread.

Set Avatar · #33 02-28-2008, 12:48 PM

It's not been mentioned before that there have been THREE separate US issues of this album on compact disc:

Reprise 9 27019-2: 13 tracks (November 5, 1991)
Reprise 9 45267-2: 14 tracks (April 13, 1993)
Reprise 9 46969-2: 13 tracks (September 8, 1998)

The first CD issue was true to the original LP. The bonus track, "In The Blue Of Evening," was added to the second CD issue. The latest and current CD reissue (part of the Entertainer of the Century series with 20-bit digital remastering) reverted back to the original 13-track lineup.

Night Stranger · #34 02-28-2008, 03:10 PM

I was listening to this album today, and it is such a wonderful record. Vocally, it's one of Frank's strongest albums. Tommy's influence on his singing techniques is really on great display throughout this album. The phrasing is fantastic. Sy Oliver's arrangements are incredible. I can't pick a favorite, because every track is excellent.

Set Avatar · #35 02-28-2008, 03:49 PM

I agree with you night stranger!

Night Stranger · #36 02-28-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swoonergirl

I agree with you night stranger!

Thank you, Mel. "Take Me" has one of Frank's best vocals ever.

Stunatra · #37 02-28-2008, 06:52 PM

Take Me is one of Frank's most operatic recordings.

Night Stranger · #38 02-28-2008, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stunatra

Take Me is one of Frank's most operatic recordings.

So true.

I love "There Are Such Things." My dad quotes the bridge when he's motivating people at business seminars.

"So have a little faith in what tomorrow brings, you'll reach star and you'll realize there are such things."

Stunatra · #39 02-28-2008, 07:59 PM

This whole album is excellent. I'm listening to it right now and there isn't a dud in the bunch.

SinatraFan · #40 02-28-2008, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

It's not been mentioned before that there have been THREE separate US issues of this album on compact disc:

Reprise 9 27019-2: 13 tracks (November 5, 1991)
Reprise 9 45267-2: 14 tracks (April 13, 1993)
Reprise 9 46969-2: 13 tracks (September 8, 1998)

The first CD issue was true to the original LP. The bonus track, "In The Blue Of Evening," was added to the second CD issue. The latest and current CD reissue (part of the Entertainer of the Century series with 20-bit digital remastering) reverted back to the original 13-track lineup.

That interesting, Bob. I didn't know about the 1991 CD release, just the 1993 and 98 CDs. I have the 1993 CD with the bonus track... In The Blue Of Evening.

And Imagination is one of my top favorite songs by FS. Its an incredible recording.