Frank Sinatra/Tommy Dorsey: Platinum & Gold Collection (August 19, 2003)  RCA [CD]

REVIEW:  RCA has been one of the biggest culprits of flooding the market with literally scores of Sinatra product from his Dorsey years.  I'm not sure what the rationale for their decision is, on my part, it appears as if the sheer variety of product would overwhelm the buyer - how do you know which one to buy?  If you want it all, the choice is easy - the five-CD box of The Song Is You - but if you're just investigating, it can be a maddening choice.  My general rule is: for the Dorsey years, stick with RCA - they own the master tapes and generally you're going to get good sound (especially on the more recent collections) and at least a modicum of documentation.  Unfortunately, there are lots of hucksters out there who've put out their own "budget" collection of these recordings, so buyer beware.  If you're not fond of the Dorsey years in Sinatra's repetoire, yet feel like you need a little, this mid-priced collection is for you. It contains all the biggest hits that Dorsey and Sinatra had together, including the singles "Night And Day," "The Song Is You," "I'll Never Smile Again," and more, all in clear remastered sound.  It's just a taste of their massive output, but for many it will be plenty.  Sinatra was never smoother, and Dorsey's orchestra is like butter.

Bluebird's Best: Voice Of The Century (May 21, 2002)  RCA 63928 [CD]

REVIEW:  Released just a year before the disc above, and nearly identical in both track selection and sound, RCA has no good reason to keep shovelling discs out like this except for the sole purpose of filling America's landfills.  Not that it's a bad disc, but as you can see by comparing the two - what's the point?  A couple of more tracks ("The One I Love...," "Say It") but otherwise identical (with the exception of the uglier cover illustration - it looks like it was painted by a high-school student.)  I really can't recommend one above the other - although this one is on the Bluebird label - it's just a subsidiary of RCA, so apparently one of the smaller companies is wanting a piece of the action.  Still, that being said, it's another fine single-disc collection of the Sinatra/Dorsey years, boiled down into a nice, bite-size portion for the masses.  Mid-priced, and certainly a worthwhile purchase for those who want a little bit of the Dorsey years in their Sinatra collection.

Falling In Love With Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey (January 11, 2000)  RCA 63621 [CD]

REVIEW:  I like this collection, because unlike the others which just throw together tracks and call it the "best," this one has a theme that's perfect for setting a mood.  And although many of Siantra & Dorsey's biggest hit singles are here, ("Stardust," "Night And Day," "I'll Never Smile Again," "Violets For Your Furs," and "Polka Dots And Moonbeams") there is also a generous selection of less well-known tracks, all selected to enhance the theme of romance and love.  So you'll find tracks from the lushly sentimental ("This Love Of Mine," It's Always You," "Say It") to the somewhat overwrought ("Fable Of The Rose") to the slightly goofy ("Polka Dots And Moonbeams") but none of which will jolt lovers out of a reverie of gazing deeply into each other's eyes.  Sure it's a gimmick - I mean most of Sinatra's songs during this period were romantically themed - it's what he was hired to do: push the love songs and make the girls swoon, but the CD sets up a fine, smooth atmosphere and doesn't let up for a second, making this an idea gift for sweethearts or a mood-setter on Valentine's Day.

The Popular Frank Sinatra Volumes 1-3 (January 27, 1998 - June 15, 1999)  RCA 63285 [Box], 68711 [Vol.1], 68712 [Vol.2], 63286 [Vol.3] [CD]

REVIEW:  A curious, but worthwhile set for those who are wanting to dig a little deeper into the Sinatra-Dorsey years, but not yet ready to spring for the whole box set.  Released shortly after the The Song Is You box, and available both seperately and as individual discs, The Popular Frank Sinatra series boils down the overwhelming amount of material of the box set into the very best.  With a generous helping of tracks on each CD, and sound that equals that of the box set, it's a great collection for fans who want more than the skimmings, but less than the full meal (you know who you are).  Arranged chronologically, the discs hit one highlight after another, with Sinatra growing steadily from "the boy-singer" to "the main event" with his short solos growing longer and more prominent, and Dorsey's presence diminishing until at the end it's clear that Sinatra has to jump to bigger pastures.  All of Dorsey & Sinatra's best cuts are here, and there's plenty: from the sweetly sentimental "Polka Dots..." to the larger-than-life "Night And Day," from the moodiness of "Everything Happens To Me" to the rare piousness of "Light A Candle In The Chapel."   This is probably all of the Dorsey years a listener will need, and will suffice most fans.  The only thing missing from this set are good notes for each disc, and that's a problem.  Unfortunately, this set is being slowly phased out, and only volume one is still readily available.  Volumes two and three can still be found as used items. 

All-Time Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (October 25, 1990) RCA 8324 [CD]

There's no good reason for this 20-track disc to still be in print (along with the following two) since the sound is poor compared to the recent remasters, and there's nothing unique for collectors.
 

All-Time Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (October 25, 1990) RCA 8554 [CD]

A generous 20-tracks, but again the sound is poor compared with more recent remasters - this album should really be put out to pasture.
 

All-Time Greatest Hits Vol. 3 (October 25, 1990) RCA 9679 [CD]

More of the same, with another 20-track collection which should have been deleted from the catalog once the new remastered editions were released.
 

Greatest Hits (April 16, 1996) RCA 68487 [CD]

A good overall single disc collection, with better sound, most of the hit songs you know, but only 15 tracks - there are better compilations for this era.
 

The Fabulous Frank Sinatra & Tommy Dorsey (October 12, 1999) RCA 63556 [CD]

Good sound, classy packaging and an unusual track selection make it a little different that the run-of-the-mill sets that RCA puts out. Not just the hits in the 15 tracks.
 

The Legendary Tracks (November 5, 2002) Collectables 9634 [CD]

Budget label Collectables dips their foot in with this (literally) cheap, ten-selection dime-store CD.
 

Love Songs (January 28, 1997) RCA 68701 [CD]

Slightly different track listing than the Falling In Love... CD above (which begs the question - why have two CD's of love songs by Sinatra & Dorsey with only slightly different track listings on the same label?)  Just as valid and enjoyable.
 

Stardust (February 11, 1992) RCA 61073 [CD]

Poor sound mars this substandard, skimpy collection of 11-tracks with an unimaginative song selection.  RCA ought to be ashamed to still have this on the market.
 

I'll Be Seeing You (August 30, 1994) RCA 66427 [CD]

This official sampler from the 5-disc box set is OK, but for a sampler, it doesn't have much to offer in it's short running time (only twelve tracks included), but the song selection is interesting - the most unique for a single disc out there.
 

There Are Such Things (March 19, 1996) ASV Living Era

A 23-track collection with very good sound and a varied song selection which should fit the bill for most fans wanting a single disc collection.  Available only as an import from the UK.
 

Night And Day (February 24, 2004) Import (Sweden)

A 3-CD, 42 track box set which covers most of the bases, but nothing in the way of notes or rarities.  Good collection for the price, though.
 

Together (February 22, 1996) EPM Musique 157142 [CD]

A mish-mash of songs both featuring Sinatra, with some tracks just Dorsey solo. Good sound, and a long running time with 21 tracks. Not essential unless you have to have everything.