NOTHING BUT THE BEST 2008

steffen · #**461** 05-19-2008, 11:03 AM

i didn't buy samplers in recent years - but this is a special.

i think this CD presents a nice mix for newcomers as well as oldtimers. i personally was convinced by the posts i read by my fellow members, praising the remastered sound and the little extras. the sound is fine as far as i listened.

i also like the packaging - i am not a fan of plastic jewel cases, sorry

the image selection is nice, focusing on the session with sinatra wearing his fedora hat - looking rather timeless than a 45 year old picture.

steffen · #**462** 05-19-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

...
I haven't personally seen the international versions (yet), but my understanding is that the standard international CD comes in a jewel case (no sleeve and no stamp), and the CD+DVD deluxe edition comes in a digipak (no stamp, except from Amazon Germany)...
I'm out of breath.

yes, bob, the single disc version somes in a jewel case, the cd/dvd version in digipak.

i ordered via amazon because they advertise it with the stamp as an amazon special - in my newly sealed digipak was no stamp :/
i contacted amazon support.

p.s.
re: sleeve: bob you are too quick!! i edited my question within 2 minutes, because i read the answer in a previous post ... thanks anyway for the scan!

steffen · #**463** 05-19-2008, 11:19 AM

...did anyone hear franks finger snapping on 4:09 after "and it's not nice" ... never heard that before, i like to think that is thanks to the good remastering

steffen · #**464** 05-19-2008, 11:25 AM

pretty!

"sHE'S a fool..." i wouldn't say there is no S, but it's definitely starting too late into the song. the casual listener won't pay attention. but it shouldn't be that way.

the harp is pretty!
the bridge from verse into chorus sounds like silk and velvet!

Set Avatar · #**465** 05-19-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steffen

p.s. wat do you mean with "sleeve"?

In the US versions, the jewel case comes inside an outer cardboard "slipcase" sleeve, with a different cover image than the booklet. See post #1 in this thread. (This is similar to the packaging of the old Artanis "gold" CDs or The Christmas Collection, for those outside the US who may have or remember those issues.)

This scan should make it clear:

steffen · #**466** 05-19-2008, 11:36 AM

1:12 .. when she W-alks to the sea... there's the same little sound hop on "walks" (not a hard blop, rather like speaking into a cup of water, if you can figure what i mean).

i always thought that's a technical thing rather than a singing thing?

Ronald Sarbo · #**467** 05-19-2008, 01:48 PM

Canadian CD/DVD has the stamp. DVD is Region 1 and can be heard in 5.1 Surround Sound. Digipak cover has booklet picture.

My FOURTH version.....so far.

Taylor · #**468** 05-19-2008, 02:42 PM

That's our Ronald. Man of many versions.....

jtsjc1 · #**469** 05-19-2008, 03:46 PM

This was delivered while i was away but besides the music I really liked some of the pictures of Frank I'd never seen before. The cd itself is great and though I'm not an audiophile it sounds fantastic. Joe

SinatraFan · #**470** 05-19-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor

That's our Ronald. Man of many versions.....

I just bought the Starbucks CD today... that's my second version.

Richard_E · #**471** 05-20-2008, 03:26 AM

I can't get enough of this CD. The sound is so clear, and free of 'surface noise'. There are many little things I've heard for the first time on these recordings. (The organ work on Summer Wind caught my attention especially.) It's like discovering them all over again.

Usually, I'm not of fan of bonus tracks on 'best of' sets, but Body and Soul deserves to be here. It just pulls you in with all the emotion.

And, what a cool postmark on the commemerative stamp.

It's easy to tell that a lot of thought and effort went into putting this package together, and it paid off. It's great to see a true tribute be released.

Richard_E

Set Avatar · #**472** 05-20-2008, 07:28 AM

I now have my FIFTH version.....so far (but who's counting, Ron?

).

I can confirm that the Canadian CD contents are digitally identical to those of the US issues (with the same 6-sample digital offset as the Starbucks CD). The DVD has revised menus from the older Warner Reprise Video release, and it now includes a 5.1 surround sound audio mix, as Ron indicated.

I believe the packaging is identical to the UK and European CD+DVD edition. (The bar code is the same, at least.) The digipak case is a little different than the Starbucks edition: Instead of a plastic CD mount in the center (with the booklet in a side pocket), the booklet fits in a slot in the center, and the discs slip inside the cardboard pockets of the folded sides (unprotected). The CD label is the white "sheet music" photo, and the digipak cover is the one on the booklet. Also, both the digipak case and the booklet lack the high-gloss "shiny" metallic finish of the US versions; the blue background has a matte finish, and the booklet cover stock is much less thick.

The stamp cachet was included in the version I (like Ron) received from Amazon Canada, but it's outside the shrink-wrapped case in a second shrink-wrap layer. I don't know if that's exclusive to Amazon or available from all Canadian suppliers. This might be a good buy for Canadians who want the stamp, or US residents who want the Region 1 NTSC-format DVD.

morrowjs · #**473** 05-20-2008, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steffen

...did anyone hear franks finger snapping on 4:09 after "and it's not nice" ... never heard that before, i like to think that is thanks to the good remastering

And a few more times during that song. I like to hear the occasional finger snap in his recordings. It makes you realize how he liked to get into a groove for those uptempo numbers.

Set Avatar · #**474** 05-20-2008, 07:50 AM

Ron and Bob - You're a pair of buggers...

Let the battle begin...

morrowjs · #**475** 05-20-2008, 08:00 AM

Since this is the new CD in my collection, I keep putting it in the CD player to listen to while I paint and I always have to stop it and eject it because I always stop what I am doing and listen. When I play CDs by other artists or listen to the jazz and classical stations on the radio, I don't have this productivity "problem". But with most of the Sinatra recordings I become involved to the point of distraction. I guess this speaks to the power of the man's voice and his gift.