[SinatraFan]

I understand too, Mark! I always enjoy listening to this album in the wee small hours.

[dglanterman]

I love this song! I think it's one of the best Sinatra performances. I really got a kick when I saw FS perform this on Judy Garland's 1962 TV special that he and Dean guested on. The whole album is amazing, wonderful for a late night listen.

-Dust

Anniversary bump: February 1955

[Mark]

I'm in an awful mood today. I'm doing my best to shake it, but the day started off going downhill quickly, and still continues spiraling downward. I've put this CD on to stop the slide... Frank is like an old friend rushing to the rescue... all of the songs on here are nothing less than perfect for this mood. Even as I write, I feel the cloud lifting a little... thank you, Mr. Sinatra.

He is like an old friend, although sometimes you have to be careful to what album you choose, could get you sobbing your heart out in seconds, not sure I'd choose this album though..... too many sad ones.

[Greggie]

I listened to this wonderful album again last night. It always affects me the same way every time I hear it.

[Jeffrey Simmons]

On the 29th and 30th May 1975 FS perfomed this song again live at London's Royal Albert Hall, (The Francis Albert Hall as he came to call it) . This perfomance took me right back to the Wee Small Hours album in that auditorium. It was an amazing time for me and I shall never ever forget it.

I so love the unforced beautifully natural performances and especially the rich smooth tone of the voice in the deeper notes.

Other favourite tracks from this album include:

I Get Along Without You Very Well
Deep In A Dream
Can't We Be Friends
Dancing On The Ceiling
Last Night When We Were Young
When Your Lover Has Gone
It Never Entered My Mind
This Love Of Mine

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Tina

He is like an old friend, although sometimes you have to be careful to what album you choose, could get you sobbing your heart out in seconds, not sure I'd choose this album though..... too many sad ones.

You got that right... a little tear or two... but it was fine.

Originally Posted by Edwin

The omitting of the bonus tracks reminds me of when Capitol first released "Wee Small Hours" on CD. The first CD version omitted "Last Night When We Were Young" which for me is the centerpiece of the album. His passionate singing at the ending is shattering. They caught the error and labeled the package as "special abridged edition of Wee Small Hours" or words to that effect. The version with all 16 songs followed later.

Originally Posted by Bob

It was not an error. It's been discussed elsewhere, but at the time the first four Capitol CDs were issued (circa 1987), Capitol had a corporate policy limit of 15 tracks.

Originally Posted by Edwin

I was told otherwise. My information from a woman who worked at Capitol was that they gathered all 15 songs recorded at the "Wee Small Hours" sessions, but the clerks doing it knew little about Sinatra and were unaware of "Last Night When We Were Young" which was recorded a year earlier but was part of the original album. Also, about the same time, don't know if it was shortly before or after the CD release of "Wee Small Hours," Capitol released the CD of "Songs for Young Lovers/Swing Easy," with all 16 songs without making it a "special abridged edition."

They could not go by the vinyl versions of the album, either, because by then, the LP was also "abridged" and was down to ten songs.

See above for earlier discussion, including: posts #50, #111, #121 (with cover image), #123, #134, #139, and *especially* #152.

The latter post would tend to indicate that the woman who worked at Capitol gave you wrong information, Edwin. See also Paul Mock's post #141. I wonder if that was the same woman with whom he corresponded?

Note that In The Wee Small Hours was the very FIRST Sinatra CD issued by Capitol (lowest catalog number). Songs For Young Lovers/Swing Easy! was not issued until almost a year later (c.f. post #153). It was not in the first group of four which had the 15-track limitation.

[Nick_Bradley78]

Interesting post Bob, I learn something new everyday.
Odd they had a 15 song "corporate policy" doing that to a Sinatra album (or any true concept album) is kind of like serving Christmas Turkey but without trimmings. I dont suppose these things matter these days when people jumble up all kinds on their ipods. Ive seen the "special abridged version" on ebay a few times, never bothered with it as its telling you you are getting less for the same money!

[hodgo]

Despite having bought all the Capitol era releases and 8 of the early Reprise studio CD's covering the years 1961 - 1964 and as much as I love what I've got, I still only class myself as a passing Sinatra fan compared to some of you guys on here.

Yet I've found that "In The Wee Small Hours" has rapidly become one of my favourite albums of all time, although completely different it's starting to grip me the way that The Beatles "Abbey Road" or Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" does and I've loved those albums for 30 years.

I'm finding I just cant put this particular FS album down it's just so beautiful, I may not be the biggest FS fan in the world but I know great music when I hear it and this is truly great.

Originally Posted by hodgo

Despite having bought all the Capitol era releases and 8 of the early Reprise studio CD's covering the years 1961 - 1964 and as much as I love what I've got, I still only class myself as a passing Sinatra fan compared to some of you guys on here.

I learn something new everyday from the chaps here, maybe if I'd grown up with Franks' music I'd know more ...BUT the fun is in the learning, and the knowledge some of the fellas have here, is second to none. Mind boggling at times ..LOL!

Without them the forum wouldn't be the same....you know who you are.Thanks chappies.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Tina

I learn something new everyday from the chaps here, maybe if I'd grown up with Franks' music I'd know more ...BUT the fun is in the learning, and the knowledge some of the fellas have here, is second to none. Mind boggling at times ..LOL!

Without them the forum wouldn't be the same....you know who you are.Thanks chappies.

I second that!

[Harley]

Bob, it's interesting that you pointed out "Deep In A Dream" as a weak(er) link in the album. It was always a favorite of mine, as much as one can have a favorite on a perfect album. I was kind of relieved when others spoke favorably of it, because you are clearly a man with fantastic taste in music.

I'm reminded of something that Chet Baker said in the film "Let's Get Lost." For those who haven't seen it, this is a 1986-ish cinema verite documentary about Baker. In this particular scene he is sitting on the floor, I think, probably in some sort of drug stupor, and he is challenged by the interviewer who asks if these Great American Song Book compositions aren't kind of *lightweight*. Chet responds by reciting "Deep In A Dream" as if it is a poem, and when he's finished he simply says "I think that's a nice lyric."

Anyways, to me, In The Wee Small Hours is the greatest LP of popular music ever recorded. Aside from everything that's already been praised about this album, I especially enjoy the subtlety of Riddle's arrangements, and the way that they never swell so dramatically that they overwhelm The Voice, or otherwise prove jarring or obtrusive. The meditative (ruminative?) mood is sustained oh so methodically.

Originally Posted by Harley

Bob, it's interesting that you pointed out "Deep In A Dream" as a weak(er) link in the album.

'Twasn't me, Harley. I assume you're referring to post #6:

Originally Posted by Rich K

(As far as "Deep in a Dream" , I'm not trashing the song..it's just outclassed by its neighbors.)

I don't share those sentiments. "Deep In A Dream" is one of my favorites on the album.

P.S. When referencing very old posts in a thread, it would be helpful to use the Quote button such as I've done here. That way the original post and author is easily identified without the necessity for searching back.

[Adam]

I think the discussion above highights why these albums are still appealing to this very day, each listener will have a different opinion and no doubt because of its breadth of range and quality, will somewhere along the line (and perhaps this comment could be expanded to Sinatra works generally) find something that they like, whatever their taste.

[Harley]

Originally Posted by Bob

'Twasn't me, Harley. I assume you're referring to post #6:

Apologies, Bob. Fact of the matter is that I read the thread a few days ago whilst in membership purgatory, and I did not go back and review at the time of my posting. There is a reason for this - my internet is down, and I am leaching off my neighbor, on a very weak signal, so every surfing action I take is an adventure. A slow, slow adventure. I thank you for the correction, and I still think you are a man with excellent taste in music.

In effort to make this post relevant, I will now declare "What Is This Thing Called Love" my current favorite. So much subtlety and control in FS's voice. It stuns me that many people can't detect such details, and rate cheap FS rip-offs so highly.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Harley

I will now declare "What Is This Thing Called Love" my current favorite. So much subtlety and control in FS's voice. It stuns me that many people can't detect such details, and rate cheap FS rip-offs so highly.

Anyone who would "rate cheap FS rip-offs so highly" likely has never heard much by Frank, especially something like this album.

[Nancy]

It makes me sad to think so many people have never heard this album. I wish I knew better ways to get the word out.

[SinatraFan]

This is my favorite LP by anyone! To have an album with 16 perfect tracks is something only Frank and Nelson Riddle could have accomplished. They created a masterpiece that no one can ever match!

Originally Posted by Nancy

It makes me sad to think so many people have never heard this album. I wish I knew better ways to get the word out.

I don't know how many new people would be introduce to the album, but how about playing it on a future Nancy For Frank show? It hasn't been played since the very first show.