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.
