NOTE: This page is to try and document the astounding
amount of compilations put out by various labels using material which
has passed into the public domain. The quality of these
compilations are usually pretty poor, put out by z-grade labels which
are trying to make a fast buck on Sinatra's name; import labels which
may or may not be readily available, and the odd discovery which have
good sound, selection, and perhaps a few surprises. All of
these releases are in the fringe of Sinatra's ouvre, and should be
chosen carefully.
Beginnings (October 26,
1999) BCI
Music 460 [CD] A brief, 11-track collection of
Frank's Columbia recordings, with good sound, but so short as to be
moot. Songs include: "Embraceable You," "I Only Have Eyes for
You" and a hidden bonus track of "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)"
Beginnings and Show Stoppers
(March 11, 2003) BCI
Music 40310 [CD] The same CD as above, paired with a
second CD which includes songs from stage and screen including "If I
Loved You," "Ol' Man River," "O, What A Beautiful Morning," "You'll
Never Walk Alone" and more. All taken from Columbia
Records. 22 tracks total.
The Best of Frank Sinatra (May 22, 2001) UMMM
Records 3430 [CD] A shoddy 3-CD set which takes live cuts,
radio transcriptions and film tracks, all in poor sound, and tries to
make the consumer think that its late-period Sinatra. Last
disc is the Villa Venice appearance of the Rat Pack.
Christmas Through The Years (October
17, 1995) Laserlight 12533 [CD] Laserlight repackages the Bing Crosby/Frank
Sinatra Christmas TV special, although the packaging makes you believe
its just Frank. OK sound, but there are better packages to
hear this material.
The First Definitive Performances (November 19,
1996) Avid Ideas 566 [CD] A decent, well-filled out two-CD compilation
of early Columbia sides, all recorded between 1939-1945, with liner
notes by Benny Green. Though claiming to be Digitally
Remastered, the sound is somewhat compressed, but that's to be expected
from recordings from this era.
The Frank
Sinatra Story (March 8, 2005) United
States of Distribution, Ltd. 494 [CD] A curious 4-CD set with the first 2 CDs
containing a spoken biography with a British reader lending wayyyy too
much gravitas to the overblown narrative. The last two discs
are music from the Columbia years (again.) 48 tracks on the
last two CDs in OK sound.
God's Country (February 22, 2005) Collectables
8084 [CD] Interesting Sony Music Special Products
collection - but short - only 10 songs, including "Just an Old Stone
House," "Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land," "Ever Homeward" and
more. Unusual track selection, all from the Columbia Years.
Music of Your Life: The Voice of Frank Sinatra
(September 7, 2004) BCI
Music 40882 [CD] Awful-sounding compilation from the Columbia
years, a slim 10 tracks, with poor source material to draw
from. BCI Music (Brentwood) just seems to shovel Sinatra
product onto the market without much care for the material, or consumer.
Night and Day (November 16, 2004) Synergy
Entertainment 1020 [CD] Another deceptive package, with an older
Sinatra on the cover, but the songs strictly from Frank's earliest
years. Strange song selection, including "Call of
the Canyon," "How Do You Do Without Me?" and "The Song is
You." A real mish-mash without cohesion.
Show
Stoppers (October 26, 1999) BCI Music 461 [CD] The second disc
of the top BCI collection this CD has 11 tracks of songs from stage and
screen. Decent collection and sound. Songs include:
"If I Loved You," "Ol' Man River," "O, What A Beautiful Morning,"
"You'll Never Walk Alone" and more. All taken from Columbia
Records.
Songs
From The Movies (October 6, 2003) Collectables 70081 [CD] Sony Music again licenses out it's Columbia
product in this 10-track compilation, with songs including: "If I Steal
A Kiss," "A Fella With An Umbrella," "The Music Stopped," "Hush-a-Bye
Island" and more interesting, but ultimately forgettable tracks.
Some Enchanted Evening (June 19, 2005) Pazzazz
20039 [CD] More Columbia years material, with the
picture of Frank taken from the Capitol years - sigh... OK collection
with OK sound, but nothing you should pick up, except maybe as a
stocking stuffer.
A Touch of Class (December 16,
1997) Musicrama 707262
[CD] Nice
18-track collection of pretty classy recordings from the Columbia and
Dorsey eras. Good sound and excellent song selection make
this a better-than-average package for those seeking romantic mood
music.
