News

Capitol/UMe kicks off the Frank Sinatra centennial (b. 12/12/1915) with Ultimate Sinatra a multi-format April 21st release that will include a 24 track double 180g vinyl edition, a 25 track CD, a 26 track digital download and a deluxe 101 track 4 CD set.

For the first time, a compilation will include tracks from Sinatra's Columbia, Capitol and Reprise catalogs. All are available for pre-order on amazon, iTunes and Google Play, except for the vinyl, which will be only available through Amazon. The CD and download editions will launch April 21st. The vinyl won't be available until June 9th.

According to a UMe spokesperson, the Sony/Columbia material is from existing digital sources while the Capitol/Reprise material is from a combination of 48k/24 bit sources and new transfers at that resolution from tape. The lacquer cutting, plating and pressing is being done by Record Industry in The Netherlands (which is very good news!).

All editions begin with "All or Nothing At All" recorded on August 31st, 1939 during Sinatra's first studio session with Harry James and His Orchestra.

The deluxe box set also features an 80-page booklet with a new essay by Sinatra historian and author Charles Pignone, as well as rare photos and quotes from Frank Sinatra and his children, Nancy, Tina and Frank Jr., as well as Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Quincy Jones, and others.

When asked about a favorite song or album Sinatra said “I’ve sung and recorded so many wonderful songs over the years, it would be impossible to name one in particular as my favorite. Many of them are special to me for one reason or another. It’s difficult to pick a favorite album. The ones that stick in my mind are Only The Lonely,, Wee Small Hours, and Come Fly With Me because I think the orchestrator’s work and my work came together so well.”

Frank during his Capitol years (®-Capitol photos)

Analogplanet does not have "high hopes" for the sonics on the 180 double LP set—not compared to original Capitol and Reprise pressings or Mobile Fidelity's recent reissues—but we will listen and review.

Sinatra is rightly credited for innovating the "concept album" and for that reason, his work is best appreciated on the original, full-length albums but a compilation like this is great for casual listeners and for helping new fans to figure out where to begin collecting AAA vinyl.

BTW: "Sinatra: All Or Nothing At All", HBO's recent two part Sinatra documentary, is well-worth watching (more than once).