5 comments about Her Life In Music: 1940-1966 (3CD).

1. I love this 3 CD set. My set arrived in beautiful condition. (I am sorry another reviewer's did not). I like the photo on the cover but most of all I like the memories it brings back.
   Doris Day singing, in the movies was great. I think Doris Day deserved more recognition for her talents.
   Put on one of these CDs and you can hear the happiness and the heartbreak. With a song in my heart was Doris Day!



2. I love this collection of songs! Three CDs full of Doris Day music, and it sounds great!
   
   The condition of the cases was disappointing, however. No damage was apparent on the boxed set, but when I opened the individual cases, two out of three had the centers broken to pieces (the part that holds the discs in place...so the discs rattle around and the cases are essentially useless). Disappointing, but not worth the trouble to send back and wait for a new one... :-( I assume this was a manufacturer defect, since the case box was perfectly intact.



3. I thought it was great, I wish they had a box set with all of her songs!



4. As part of my work I needed to get a Cd to cover the best of Doris Day's musical career. After much searching I came across this 3 CD Set covering her Movie hits, Her Golden Greats and her Classic Collaboration. 60 great tracks,many will be old friends, but quite often you will come across a new song that show's off the versatility of Doris. With the notes that accompany each Cd you are reminded of just how popular she is and has been for so long. She is almost 84 years young and about to be given A Grammy special award for her lifetime achievements in music-Long overdue , and well deserved.Buy the Cd and Wallow in pure nostalia of the voice that belongs to the girl from next door -Doris Day,
   Harry King



5. Although described as her life in music (1940 - 1966), I would have liked more of the older material - from the '40s when she was a big band singer. But the collection is a great beginning.Her Life in Music Doris Day (1940-1966)

5 comments about Sinatra: Vegas (Box Set, 4CD/1DVD).

1. I purchased this cd/dvd set as a Christmas present and hit the jackpot. Thanks to this collection, you can watch Frank at the top of his popularity and get some real insight to Frank the performer. The viewer gets a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of Mr. Sinatra as the camera follows him around prior to going onstage for a Vegas show.
   
   He was at his best in Vegas and he "owned" that town for the better part of 30 years. Ol' Blue Eyes was one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century. Enjoy these incredible recordings!



2. This is a superb sampler of many of Sinatra's greatest hits, spanning decades of Vegas appearances ... the real gems in this collection are the extras, such as the DVD and mini-posters, with the 60-page full color 6x12" booklet that captures many behind-the-scenes stories and background stories.
   
   Superb Sinatra collection; well worth getting. Thanks for putting it together - highly recommended!
   
   -Ken Calhoun, Pres.
   DaytradingUniversity



3. This set is fantastic. I uploaded the entire collection to my iPod and I listen to it in the car all the time. It's great to hear him over the decades and sometimes it's hard to discern which is his older work and which is his newer! Definatly a must have for any true fan of Frankie. Oh, and the DVD was a really special treat to see him in person and remember what a GREAT entertainer he is.



4. I f you like good ole Franky, you will definitely enjoy the CD set, the DVD is a nice addition too, I' been playing it almost daily.



5. What great delivery and product. It is a wonderful Box Set and will be enjoyed for years to come.

5 comments about The Complete Capitol Singles Collection.

1. When Frank Sinatra decided not to sing-a-long with Mitch (Miller) at Columbia Records and signed a recording deal with Capitol Records, it ushered in an incredible output of albums and singles with the new label from 1953-1961.
   
   The collaborations were with the finest musical arrangers of the era - including Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, Billy May and Mavis Rivers - and Sinatra delivered a depth of emotion, along with an emerging hipper persona, with arguably the best material in his iconic career.
   
   The four-discs include 96 tracks and is a welcome addition to the Sinatra collection of any fan or for those wishing to delve into the history of pop music from that time period.



2. Frank Sinatra parted ways with longtime label Columbia after creative differences (to put it mildly) with Mitch Miller, signing a seven-year contract with Capitol in March 1953. Part of the agreement was that he retained his longtime arranger Axel Stordahl for several sessions to see if the orchestrations resulted in hit records. They didn't, and Capitol switched Frank over to Nelson Riddle in the style of Billy May.
   
   Sinatra's earliest singles from this period are strongly transitional; indeed, I'm Walking Behind You from April 1953 sounds as if it could have been plucked from mid-40s takes, with Frank's soft, restrained vocals failing to "rock the boat." However, I've Got the World On A String from April 1953 under Riddle shows a brassy, assertive Frank, although not quite in command of his hard-swinging persona as he would be in later years. On later tracks such as River, Stay `Way From My Door (1960), Frank is aggressive, poised, and in full command of the nuances of the song, pushing his voice to its edges until the song culminates in a fireworks-filled climax. Frank's recording of Sentimental Journey from 1960, conducted by Billy May, features the fascinating combination of the more assertive, swinging 1950s Sinatra with a mellow, nostalgic arrangement. He takes Day's song and makes it his own. Frank also recorded several nods to other popular experiments such as Bobby Darin's Clementine in his rollicking update of Ol' MacDonald (complete with "eh-huh" imitation of Darin's "hup-hups").
   
   The four discs are chronologically arranged, and many of Frank's most memorable songs came from his golden Hollywood era: Three Coins in the Fountain, Wait For Me, Well Did You Evah?, To Love and Be Loved, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, rerecorded versions of I Believe, Time After Time, It's the Same Old Dream and Everybody Loves Somebody. It's fascinating to compare Frank's rerecorded Columbia catalogue, particularly when compared to his even later Reprise rerecordings to hear how his style (and the tastes of the time) changed. Disc three includes some of Sinatra's Christmas favorites such as The Christmas Waltz and Mistletoe and Holly. The five bonus tracks featured on disc four are interesting; Look to Your Heart from 1955 sounds much more like mid-40s Columbia, while You Better Stop from 1953 is bold and sassy.
   
   Of particular merit are the excellent liner notes by Will Friedwald, filled with fascinating trivia, musical analysis, recollections of those who worked closely with Frank, vintage photos and reproductions of sheet music and album art. There are also cartoonish line drawings printed in gold on heavy cardstock that add to the period feel. The back lists the tracks, catalog numbers, conductors, recording dates, and musicians.
   
   For the casual Frank fan, this highlight of the massive Capitol box set (21 CDs total) should be enough to amply display Frank's maturation since his earliest days in 1939 with Harry James, Tommy Dorsey, and his works with Axel on Columbia from 1943-1952; his embracing of a bold, jazzy, aggressive swinging persona and more vocal experimentation with phrasing and timing, his parroting of popular trends, and the wide range of film and stage material that he recorded. The liner notes only sweeten the deal.



3. For those who own the magnificent "The Capitol Years" boxed set, "The Complete Capitol Singles Collection" is the perfect companion piece to that set. Whereas "The Capitol Years" contained the many classic album cuts that Frank cut during his 9 year tenure at the label as well as some previous unreleased material, "The Complete Capitol Singles Collections," as its title implies, contains the many great singles he cut for the label. While certain songs are indeed duplicated ("I've Got The World On A String," "Witchcraft," "All The Way,"), the majority of the songs are new and have been hard to find for quite some time.
   
   There's nothing as powerful as "Angel Eyes" or as technically impressive as "I've Got You Under My Skin," but what you do get is 96 perfectly crafted pop singles that while not all hits provide further proof that Frank Sinatra was and is the greatest singer of all time. Each song features Frank at his absolute peak vocally, his unique phrasing and astonshing syncopation, timing and breath control all on full display. No matter the song being a swinger or ballad, all of these songs are imbued with a great sense of artistic integrity as Frank put the same amount of passion and sincerity into every recording he ever made, whether it was something as beautiful as "All The Way" or as inane as his risque take on "Ol' Mac Donald."
   
   The cd is very nicely packaged and comes with a great booklet and essay by various Sinatraphiles. A worthwile purchase for sure.



4. the lp tracks stand up so much better than sinatra's singles! too much sappy backing vocals.good price though $39.99



5. I do own Frank Sinatras Columbia years 4 cd set 1943-1952. I like how young and vibrant his voice sounds in those war torn years of America. I will say Frankies voice reached an unreachable peak during his Capital Years 1953-1962. This cd box set really showcases Franks incredible voice. I never realized how great Franks voice was until listening to this box set straight through. At first it was overkill but as each song played, I wanted to hear more. Frank saw through the whole process of his recordings, he also used top notch recording equipment in the recording studios. Thank the good lord Frankie did, because the remastered quality sound on this set is incredible for recordings this age. I was'nt around for Sinatras young years, but I appreciate this mans voice and skills in the studio. Frank Sinatra came from a poor upbringing. He fought his way to the top of the movie and record business, either unscrupuless or agreeable it doesn't matter, as the song goes Frank did it his way. Frank was very concious of his looks in public and on the screen. What Frank may have lacked in looks, God Blessed him with a beautiful voice that far surpassed any great looking Hollywood star of the time. The Frank Sinatra Complete Capitol Singles Collection is a must have for any music fan, the 96 page booklet is very informative and interesting. Frank Sinatra, even though deceased is Americana at its finest.

5 comments about The Best of James Bond 30th Anniversary.

1. The CD is excellent for James Bond music fans. The music is not the original title tracks, however the orchastration is very good and the music unmiskabably BOND.



2. I ordered this and was looking forward to listening to it. What I got was elevator music , none of the artist voices were on there just gay singing along music. There are much better CD's for the money like the CD with a blue cover"Bond's Greatest Hits". Please don't get stung like I did.



3. These songs are so fine. From Shirley Bassey to Ah-Ha they conjure up vivid images of that super cool spy that every man dreams of being for a moment. John Barry's arrangements are a style all his own. I love it.



4. This is exactly what I was looking for. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good mix of Bond classics.



5. With so many James Bond theme imitations out there, it was refreshing to finally find the originals on Amazon. Even iTunes does not have this. There is only 1 Shirley Bassey, Carly Simon, Anthony Newley, etc. This is it, forget anything else. Even the newer themes don't match up to the first 007 themes.

5 comments about The Complete Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong.

1. This 3-CD set is in my collection because I didn't have any Louis Armstrong or any Ella Fitzgerald at the time I bought it, so I envisioned my purchase of this compilation as a "two birds with one stone" sort of acquisition. I didn't know what to expect because, while I knew enough about the artists, I couldn't help but think any Louis Armstrong recording was going to bring on images of a hand-cranked Victrola and scratchy, one dimensional sound. This is anything but. The recordings are, for the most part, crisp and clear. No one will ever mistake them for modern recordings, but no music fan could turn his or her nose up at the more than adequate renderings achieved here. In addition to a lot of great Louis, great Ella, and some classic versions of a number of jazz and swing era standards, the third CD in the set includes all of Porgy and Bess. I consider this a great plus, not only because it gives you Ella, Louis and Gershwin, but also because I think it is better to have this classic version than have to weed through all the Broadway and "original cast" soundtracks to get all of Porgy and Bess on one recording. One thing I don't like about the set is the miniature "expand-a-folder" type cardboard case (like this Expo Expandable Organizer- Clear), which, while highly original, isn't all that useful and doesn't look good smack dab in the middle of my collection of CD cases. This is, however, a minor quibble. To be honest, since my music collection has grown so much over the past few months, I don't get this one down from the shelf nearly as often as I used to. Nonetheless, if you think you might love some classic jazz songs by classy jazz performers and your collection is lacking some Fitzgerald/Armstrong material, this might be a compilation that catches your fancy without breaking the bank. This also makes a perfect companion set to go with The Complete Ella Fitzgerald Song Books and The Hot Fives & Sevens, giving you all the Ella and Satchmo you'll ever need. I recommend all jazz fans grab this up without hesitation.



2. This collection is a chronicle of two amazing careers at their peak. The orchestral scores are arranged by the best to showcase Ella and Louis at their vocal best in 1956. Ella's smart and creative vocalizations are captivating and proof of why she is still a favorite in the 21st century. Louis who created the art of scat with his raspy voice shows how is it done to perfection along with his inimitable virtuosic jazz trumpet playing. This three CD collection never gets old to the ears and is a must for every Ella and Louis fan.
   -Dr. Philip J. Rogers, Professor of Music; Atlanta, GA.



3. The sound is amazing ! The performances are stellar ! The thought of crystal -clear , pitch-perfect Ella trading verses with gravel road Louis is just something that shouldn't have worked on so many different levels....but it did , and it did with Heavenly results. Add the special trumpet powers of Armstrong , and you will not find a better 219 minutes of music in any genre. Two H-U-G-E talents of jazz , having fun together----and the enjoyment is all for we listeners.



4. This album is so musically beautiful it makes me cry. It's pure, unadulterated, unpretentious, mature, and always totally fresh. Two of the greatest musical artists of the 20th century, Ella and Pops, are here together supported by what represents the very best instrumetalists on the planet at the time like Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Buddy Rich to name a few. You can't do better than that. It was just such a rare outing. You can hear how relaxed everyone is and you can feel the joy of the performances. Louis is especially in the best form for this time period aka 1956. Everything is here, the best tunes, the finest swing performances, thoughtful arrangements, and a sensitive clean production. As soon as you hear the first few bars of the first tune "Why Can't We Be Friends" with Ella's pure and beautifully sweet crooning, you'll know you're in for something special. A privilege to have such a record of true greatness.



5. What a pleasure to sit down and listen to such great artists, they certainly do not come like that today. Great sound to, it's like one is there, job well done by the sound people. I saw Louis Armstrong in Holland in 1959 and it will always be for me the best jazz concert I have ever been to. I recommend this CD to anyone.
   Aalf J Molenberg.

5 comments about Fifty Years: The Artistry Of Tony Bennett (5CD).

1. Aside from Frank Sinata, no greater singer has carved a niche in the collective soul of American popular music than Tony Bennett. For over 50 years, the man who entered this world as Anthony Benedetto has given us some of the best and most beloved recordings of timeless songs that to this day help define our deepest emotions and most important moments in our lives.
   
   This 5 disc collection is a magnificent introduction into the world of Tony Bennett, containing some of the most beautifully interpretted renditions of our most cherished standards by great writers such as The Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and other legends of the craft.
   
   Discs 1 and 2 chronicle Bennett's rise to stardom in the early 1950s' to mid 1960s'. Tony proved to be a force of nature right from his first single release, "The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams," which still sounds as fresh and soulful as it did 54 years ago. Throughout the rest of the 1950s', Tony scored a string of hit singles that went on to become defining numbers in the Great American Songbook, including "Because Of You," (a wedding perennial), "Cold, Cold Heart" (a country hit for Hank Williams that Tony helped introduce to the pop world), "Blue Velvey," the timeless "Rags To Riches," "Sing You Sinners" and many other classic hits that he still does to this day.
   
   Also from this classic era are lesser known but eqqually excellent albums such as "While The Music Plays On," the splendid "Ca, C'est Amour," the gorgeous "Lazy Sunday," "I Get A Kick Out Of You," (perhaps the only version that rivals Sinatra's defintive 1953 rendition), a magnificent "September Song" and a swingin' "Lullabye Of Broadway" with Count Basie.
   
   The 1960s' continued to bare more fruit for Tony, including classics such as "The Best Is Yet To Come," "Tender The Night," "Once Upon A Time," the stinging "I Wanna Be Around," and the lush "The Good Life." It was during this period of productivty he cut what to me, are his two best songs.
   
   The first is "I Left My Heart San Francisco," his 1962 hit and (deservedly) his most popular song, a melancholy slice of vintage Americana sung so passionately by Tony against a gloriously understated and utterly breathtaking Grammy winning arrangement by Marty Manning.
   
   The other would be "When Joanna Loved Me," which ranks alongside Sinatra's "I've Got You Under My Skin" and Darin's "Mack The Knife" as one of the most perfect recordiings in American history, a song that represents pure human emotion at its most raw and honest. Tony's singing on this song is sincere and heartbreaking, and remain so to this day.
   
   Discs 3 and 4 mark a period of transition and eventually resurrection for Tony. By the mid 1960s', Tony's appeal began to dwindle, as hit singles had begun to dry up. He still cut quite a few certified classics (among them "Smile," "The Very Thought Of You," "For Once In My Life," and his personal favorite recrding, "I Do Not Know A Day I Did Not Love You"), but by the early 1970s', the music world wasn't as kind to Tony commercially. Artistically, however, Tony was still capable of churning out some excellent music. His collaboration with Bill Evans yielded such gems as "My Foolish Heart" and "But Beautiful," and he turned in a magnificent performance of the "Cabaret" classic "Maybe This Time."
   
   By 1986, Tony had mounted a very successful comeback with "The Art Of Excellence," which yielded his beautiful performance of "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" and the playful and seductive "What Are You Afraid Of." His newfound sreak of good luck continuted with his Irving Berlin tribute, which yielded the beautiful "I Got Lost In Her Arms" and a haunting a capella take on "When I Lost You." Tony also scored a latter day classic with the beautiful "When Do The Bells Ring For Me."
   
   Disc 5 chronicles Tony's 1990s' revival, when he helped introduce the wonderfuls tandrards of the past to a new generation and connected with young listeners and contemporary entertainers. Tony added yet another classic to his reusme with the Fred Astaire tribute "Steppin' Out With My Baby," and teamed with contemporary artists such as Diana Krall ("Alright, O.K., You Win"), B.B. King ("Let The Good Times Roll"), Ray Charles (the amazin' "Evenin'"), and two wonderful duets with k.d. lang ("La Vie En Rose" and "What A Wonderful World"). This disc is an excellent overview of his later years up to today, and Tony is still very much alive, well and performing.
   
   This boxed set contains a superb booklet filled with great essays and rare photographs. The boxed set is affordable and the sound quality is superb. Do yourself a favor and purchase this magnificent collection as soon as possible.



2. Fifty Years: The Artistry of Tony Bennett
   My mother in law LOVED this gift. Had it shipped to her location for Christmas with no problem, and in perfect condition!



3. This boxset is a great start for someone just discovering or long-time fan who wants a great overview of Tony's career on CD, what I love about this set is that features songs that showcase Tony as the Jazz singer, it does feature alot of pop standards but Tony swings on those too! and the ballads are just beautiful!
   and the sound quality of this boxset is awesome!



4. Tony Bennett has always moved me with His voice. from the time I was a child through now His Voice has always been on point to me."I Left my Heart in San Francisco" is still One of My all time Favorite Songs.I dig how He uses His Vocal Tone on Tracks&Keeps things cool.TB has always kept it cool on whatever Project he was working on.



5. Essentially, this IS the "Forty Years" offering plus an extra CD for the past decade. Considering the plethora of gems, especially live music, that must (please God) still be available in the archives, this set is a disappointment to owners of "Forty Years". Of course, its still Tony Bennett, arguably the greatest interpreter of American popular standards, there's lots of music, and the selections are generally solid. However, the sound quality is a bit uneven at times and grossly under-represents his live contributions (shockingly, Carnegie Hall 1962 is still the only all-live generally available recording from his first three decades of output). Still, this collection is the definitive take on Mr. Bennett's musical life work to date. Tony Bennett...long may he live.

4 comments about Hairspray (2-Disc Collector's Edition Soundtrack).

1. Hairspray is an excellent film with equally excellent music. The music, which was composed by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman is a complete knockout and the ensemble cast deliver the goods. This collector's editon features an extra disc which features a song peformed by Nikki Blonsky, which was cut from the film, entitled "I Can Wait", as well as demos of songs which did make it into the film and various other recordings specially made for this album. The CD is great value for money and any Hairspray fan will love it! The album also includes a booklet containing lyrics as well as stickers and photocards of the cast of characters. Amazing! :]



2. The Collector's Edition contains 2 discs. The first is exactly the same as the original soundtrack. The second disc contains extras from the film - outtakes and alternate recordings - fine with that as well - although some of the material is also on the DVD (I did not check all details)
   The most disapointing part however is the Karaoke Section. On the cover it promises 5 songs although on the disc are only three songs. On my edition the songs "Welcome to the 60's" and "Come so far" are not on the disc although they are featured on the index on the box.
   If you are looking for the Karaoke Version of either of these two songs - be aware and do not purchase the disc.



3. Although the music is the same as in other albums, the second CD it's a good one. It has excellent pieces played by the composers, and "You can't stop the beat" instrumental is great. Those songs neither played in the movie nor in the live musical are included here. Good pair of CDs!



4. This is the best cd ever! It SOOO much better than the original single disc version! The second disc has alot great songs. My favorite is I can wait. The only bad thing is that it doesn't have Big, Blonde and Beautiful(Reprise) Velma Only Version that is on the 2-disc dvd. Other than that it is ABSOLUTELY GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about Have A Nice Decade: The '70s Pop Culture Box.

1. I liked that many of these songs fit into the "one hit wonder" category, it was fun to listen to them again after all this time. I agree with what many people said about the news snip-its randomly inserted through out - while I didn't completely hate them, it was annoying when I created an itunes play list with some of these songs for a party and all of a sudden the music stops and some weird recorded voice stated speaking about some news-worthy event. I thought they might show up as separate tracks on the CD, providing the ability to omit them from playlists, but that was not the case. Dispite this, I love the box set.



2. This is one of the best box sets EVER! From a decade that no one will miss. That is ofcousre if you have this



3. This is a pretty cool seven CD box set that covers hit songs of the 1970s. It features songs from many different styles of music; including pop, rock, country, folk, R&B, disco, novelty and others. A few of the songs are preceded by brief excerpts from news reports or press conferences. I know that some people didn't like this aspect of the collection, but it didn't bother me, because the sound bites usually relate to the following song in an amusing way. There are many great songs here, and there are also many not-so-great songs ("Feelings", anyone?). A lot of these songs are quite frankly on the "cheesy" side, but in a way that is part of their appeal. This collection does a fantastic job of covering the good, the bad and the ugly of 1970s popular music.



4. Do you remember watching "Chico and The Man"? Do you remember when the Colts were in Baltimore and the Orioles were famous for Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Earl Weaver instead of Cal Ripken? How about Chevy Vans with Shag Carpets with murals painted along the side? If so YOU MUST PICK UP THIS BOX SET! Rhino has done a fantastic job compiling 7 CD's worth of memories from the "ME" decade. Journey back to a time when AM Radio (that's right...AM Radio) featured hits by Alice Cooper, Peter Frampton, mixed with hits from Motown artists like Stevie Wonder and James Brown...and throw in a dash of Disco for flavor. A time when music wasn't so fragmented, a time when there really was Top 40 radio. Sure some of the songs in this set are goofy, and will make you roll your eyes (Popcorn by Hot Butter) but you can't help but feel their nostalgic charm. There are going to be tons of songs in this set that you know by heart...but, there are also tunes found here that you probably haven't heard in 20+ years (well, except when today's American Idol winners and hip-hop artists steal certain portions of these songs to incorporate in today's "music") Maybe nothing on this set is ground-breaking, and the booklet included in this set even recognizes that the musical path we followed in the 1970's was nowhere near the path carved by music pioneers in the 1960's, but you will still have a great time listening to these tunes. The booklet by the way is fantastic. Great track by track listing of the songs and the artists who performed them. It's full of the useless trivia that I crave and which currently clogs up about 80% of my brain pan. I loved listening to a tune, and reading the paragraph or two about the artist or the song while it played out.
   I see other reviewers here who disliked the "sound bites" or news clips that are wedged between some of the songs....I loved them, and only wish they had provided more per disk. (There is usually only 4 or 5 per CD). Sure I loved hearing "Convoy" and "The Streak" again, but I also enjoyed listening to Jimmy Carter denounce his "Playboy" interview, and nothing is so chilling as hearing Jim Jones urge his followers to "hurry" and drink the Kool-Aid before authorities arrive. Moments that really defined the 70's.
   So jump into your favorite bell bottoms and peasant blouse or jam your butt into some sequined spandex and get your boogie on.



5. This seven disc compilation would have been perfect, if Rhino had left off the highly annoying soundbites that precede many of the tracks. I did not purchase this set to hear segments of ancient news stories that did not interest me then, nevermind today!

5 comments about The Reprise Collection.

1. This has all the Sinatra favorites. If you need to finish your collection this is one to have.



2. "Acting is integral to Sinatra's singing - not histrionics, but skillful, sensitive acting of lyrics and melody, with definite phrasing, economic use of italics, controlled gestures of voice, face and body, and a foundation of understated passion, he turns each song into a one-act play." ~ David McClintick, Liner Notes ~
   
   This four-CD-box-set, "The Reprise Collection" is a great compilation of Frank Sinatra's recordings during his Reprise years and most definitely a worthy addition to any Sinatra buff and collector. The collection producers, Mo Ostin, Joe McEwen and James Isaacs did a great job in this tribute to Frank Sinatra's 75th birthday and his 30th anniversary as a Reprise artist.
   
   Disc One contains 21 songs and the rest of the CDs contain 20 songs each -all remarkable recordings highlighting the illustrious and bright years of the legendary singer at Reprise. Some of the tracks are previously unreleased. Recording engineer Lee Herschberg made sure that the digital mastering and remixes are flawlessly done. The sound quality is excellent. The packaging is quite impressive and comes with an attached booklet with articles, photos and a thumbnail of 98 Sinatra albums. The interesting and informative articles are as follow:
   
   1. "So Frank Is Seventy-Five" by William Kennedy
   2. "Questions Without Simple Answers" by David McClintick
   3. "The Songs - An Introduction" - list and annotations of all the songs by Jonathan Schwartz
   4. Afterword written by James Isaacs
   
   The selection represents the works of the most brilliant and remarkable Sinatra arrangers/conductors/orchestrators such as Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Johnny Mandel, Gordon Jenkins, Don Costa, Claus Ogerman, Robert Farnon, Sy Oliver, Quincy Jones with Count Basie Orchestra, Neal Hefti, Eumir Deodato, Torrie Zito, Marty Paich, Ernie Freeman, Billy Strange, Joe Parnello and Billy Byers, and also features pianist Bill Miller and guitarist Tony Mottola.
   
   My list of favorites includes:
   
   Disc One: "Love Walked In," "The Second Time Around," "Let's Fall In Love," "Night And Day," "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," "What'll I Do?" "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "The Last Dance," "All Alone," "A Garden In The Rain," "A Nightingale Sung In Berkeley Square," "Don't Take Your Love From Me" and "Without A Song," with lyric that ends with . . .
   
   "I'll never know what makes the rain to fall
   I'll never know what makes the grass so tall
   I only know there ain't no love at all without a song."
   
   Disc Two: "The Way You Look Tonight," "Moonlight Serenade," "This Is All I Ask," "Fly Me To The Moon," "Oh You Crazy Moon," "Pennies From Heaven," "The Best Is Yet To Come" and "I Have Dreamed," and of course "America The Beautiful" and "California."
   
   Disc Three: "I've Got You Under My Skin," "The Shadow Of Your Smile," "Wave," "Indian Summer," "How Insensitive," "Once I Loved," "Dindi," "I Concentrate On You," "You Make Me Feel So Young," "Summer Wind," and "Something Stupid."
   
   Disc Four: "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" "More Than You Know," "Send In The Clowns," "It's Sunday" and "The Song Is You," with beautiful lyric that ends with . . .
   
   "Why can't I let you know the song my heart would sing?
   The beautiful rhapsody of love and youth and spring,
   The music is sweet, the words are true
   The song is you."
   
   I could go on and on with all the good things about this set but suffice it to say that this is one of the best-ever compilations of Sinatra recordings and I wholeheartedly recommend it to avid Sinatra fans.
   
   In closing, I share Mr. Isaacs sentiments written on the Afterword . . .
   
   " . . . Most of all, thank you, Mr. Sinatra for a monumental body of work, and for speaking to me when seemingly no one else could. Over the past 50 years perhaps 100 million other human beings have felt the same." ~ James Isaacs, August 1990 ~



3. Along with The Columbia Years, The Capitol Singles Collection, and Sinatra in Vegas, this is a must-have for any Sinatraphile. His Reprise years saw some great ballads and some excellent re-makes of older Sinatra classics. Because of the occasional inconsistency of Sinatra's later Reprise releases, this boxed set is an economical way to get the best of his later work without buying the later albums.
   Sound is excellent, and the set comes with a good booklet on Sinatra as well.



4. Few vocalists pack the drama, emotion, and swagger of Frank Sinatra and "The Reprise Collection" compiles Frankie at his best during that era. You couldn't possibly pack EVERYTHING her recorded on Reprise into a box set...it would be enormous! This covers the gravy of his recordings for Reprise from 1960 to 1986 and shows his career trajectory during those many years, going from a middle-aged pro to the twilight of his years. Anything and everything is pretty much here, from "Something Stupid" to pop classics like "New York, New York" all delivered in the inimitable Sinatra style. Reading over the track listing is a trip down memory lane and so many of these tracks were signature songs Sinatra defined and owned. Of course there's the age-old debate about whether his Capitol or Reprise years were his best; I say who cares! Pop these CDs in and you'll see Frankie was still the consummate artist until almost the end.



5. This is a great value if you are looking for the many highlights of Frank in the Reprise years. This will give you many (not all) of his great recordings. This will save you much time and money vs. trying to find many of these songs individually.
   
   In short: gives you alot of songs for the money. However, there is much more out there during the Reprise years to discover.

5 comments about Stan Freberg Presents The United States Of America, Vol. 1, The Early Years, And Vol. 2, The Middle Years.

1. I was so pleased recently to see that Amazon.com had "Stan Freburg Presents the United States of America Vol. 1, The Early Years, And Vol 2 The Middle Years, both on CD! ----- I can finally retire the cassette tapes of the show that I've enjoyed listening to over the years and enjoy them on CD. :) ----- Stan Freburg is a comic genius and this CD collection should be part of your Freburg CD library. ----- :D Rusty



2. Classic Freberg satire, this on the history of the country, some segments wonderfully funny, others evoking yawns. If you remember him from the 1950s and '60s and enjoy his humor, you'll love this. Otherwise...



3. This generation should hear Stan Freberg!! He is absolutely one of the most entertaining and subtle comics who ever lived and this is his most famous work.
   
   Stan and his contempory (and classic) comic, Tom Leher, both subscribe to the mantra/ philosophy of DELAYED ADOLESENCE. A film that genuflects to this same attitude is 1000 Clown, staring Jason Robards.



4. The CD was in very good quality and exactly what I had ordered. It came in a timely manner as well. I bought this for my father because he had the album for years but it became scratched. He asked for the CD for Christmas. However, after comparing the album to the CD there are some omissions that we noticed that disappointed him because they were lines that he enjoyed. Otherwise, everything is fine.



5. Stan Freberg's histories are hilarious. Great humor and sarcasm. Volume 2 is as funny as volume 1 and it's 25+ years after. Great entertainment.