Christmas Songs By Sinatra (Rpkg) [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The core of this album dates to a 1948 set of 78's that collected the various holiday recordings Frank Sinatra had issued for Columbia records to that point in his still young career. Big-band leader/early Sinatra collaborator Axel Stordahl handles the arrangements, while many tracks(like most pop tunes of the era) feature the backing of various small vocal ensembles. The holiday Sinatra of that teen idol and post-war era may not have yet achieved his uncanny way with a phrase or the world class cool that cemented his legend, but the beginnings of that introspective warmth show through on the singer's solo performance of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and elsewhere. This new edition contains three previously unreleased radio recordings that span the sacred ("Ave Maria," "The Lord's Prayer") and secular (a sprightly "Winter Wonderland") as well as songs from the singer's Christmas V-Disc. Collectors will also welcome five rare, heretofore unissued alternate takes of key tracks like "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells." --Jerry McCulley

Tracks:

White Christmas
Silent Night, Holy Night
Adeste Fideles
Jingle Bells
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Christmas Dreaming
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Introduction By General Reynolds
Medley: O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Joy To The World/White Christmas
Ave Maria
Winter Wonderland
The Lord's Prayer

Amazon.com

Ol' Blue Eyes always put a little something extra into songs that really meant something to him, and the music of the holidays clearly held a special place in his heart. While he recorded many of the titles on this collection before, Sinatra's diehard fans will certainly want to hear these alternate versions of well-known recordings such as "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" and "White Christmas." It's also heartwarming to hear that one-of-a-kind voice matched to the regal backing of "Adeste Fideles" and the crystalline choir that joins him on an impassioned reading of "The Lord's Prayer." An interesting set, but probably best suited for completists. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews:

Love this CD.......2007-01-16

This is a great cd, I bought it for my boyfriend who is a HUGE Frank fan and he loves the cd as well so it was a very good purchase.

Early Sinatra Sings.......2004-12-06

Before he was the Chairman of the Board and made words like cool and swingin' synonymous with himself, Frank Sinatra was a skinny young singer working as a Columbia Records recording artist attempting to follow in the footsteps of his personal heroes like Bing Crosby. He was yet to have his fall from popularity, his return to prominence or attain his eternal hepcat status at the centerpiece of the Rat Pack. "Christmas Songs By Sinatra"-released once again for the holidays-collects all of the smooth holiday standards recorded by the young king of cool during his Columbia Records period.
Enjoy lovely classics like "White Christmas," and "Silent Night, Holy Night." Don't be shocked, or even mildly surprised by the fact that this album never decides to swing. This would be the wrong recording period for that kind of originality in Sinatra's Yuletide cheer. No, this set of tracks celebrates the great Christian Christmas standards, from "Jingle Bells" to "Joy To The World." If you love a traditional lilt to your Christmas music, this would be the collection for you.
The liner notes in the accompanying booklet are excellent, relating the history of the recordings and giving their appropriate release time stamp-a real treat for music aficionados. Placed alongside Rat Pack Christmas singles, this album allows the listener to chart the growth of a singer, and honestly enjoy some great music.

This Christmas, here is Frank Sinatra.......2004-11-27

This is a collection of Christmas songs by Young Blue Eyes, by his first record label, Columbia. Sinatra certainly had a good voice, but he hadn't quite developed the great phrasing that he later became famous for. Also, the arrangements of the songs aren't really all that interesting. For some reason, a lot of the songs are alternate takes, instead of the master takes. There is also a "V-Disc" and three songs performed live on the radio. This is a decent enough collection, but Sinatra's later Christmas recordings are better.

Nice but slow.......2004-01-09

It is a younger Frank who is hitting all the right notes. However, the songs are generally slower songs and it seems like the tempo of the songs is just a little off. It almost feels like there is a lack of energy. Even Jingle Bells is slower than other artists do it. There are two swinging tunes in the middle. There is also interesting introductions which are amusing. Overall, though, I was hoping for a more interesting CD.

Solid but not unique.......2003-12-05

If you don't have any other Sinatra Christmas CD, this one might be the one for you. It includes alternate takes of songs done for other recordings plus a few rarities not previously published. Fine set of liner notes add some helpful background. As for the singing, this is earlier Sinatra and well worthwhile to listen to.

Average customer rating:

A bobby soxer Christmas

Christmas Songs By Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

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Similar Items:

Frank Sinatra Christmas Collection
A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra
Swing and Dance with Frank Sinatra
Voice of Frank Sinatra
Complete Recordings

ASIN: B0002S94F2
Release Date: 2004-08-24

Tracks:

White Christmas
Silent Night, Holy Night
Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)
Jingle Bells
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Christmas Dreaming (A Little Early This Year)
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Santa Claus Is Comin To Town
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Introduction By General Reynolds, Chief Of Special Services/Frank Sinatra
Medley: O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Joy To The World/White Christmas
Ave Maria
Winter Wonderland
The Lord's Prayer

Amazon.com

The core of this album dates to a 1948 set of 78's that collected the various holiday recordings Frank Sinatra had issued for Columbia records to that point in his still young career. Big-band leader/early Sinatra collaborator Axel Stordahl handles the arrangements, while many tracks(like most pop tunes of the era) feature the backing of various small vocal ensembles. The holiday Sinatra of that teen idol and post-war era may not have yet achieved his uncanny way with a phrase or the world class cool that cemented his legend, but the beginnings of that introspective warmth show through on the singer's solo performance of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and elsewhere. This new edition contains three previously unreleased radio recordings that span the sacred ("Ave Maria," "The Lord's Prayer") and secular (a sprightly "Winter Wonderland") as well as songs from the singer's Christmas V-Disc. Collectors will also welcome five rare, heretofore unissued alternate takes of key tracks like "White Christmas" and "Jingle Bells." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

A bobby soxer Christmas.......2004-11-27

Average customer rating:

Christmas Songs by Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Manufacturer: Sony Extra Value
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Traditional Jazz General | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music

Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B000QUEQDG
Release Date: 1999-10-01

Tracks:

White Christmas [Alternate Take][#] - Frank Sinatra, Bobby Tucker
Silent Night [Alternate Take][#] - Ken Lane Singers, Frank Sinatra
Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Ken Lane Singers, Frank Sinatra
Jingle Bells [Alternate Take][#] - Ken Lane Singers, Frank Sinatra
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra
Christmas Dreaming (A Little Early This Year) - Frank Sinatra
It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [Alternate Take][#] - Ken Lane Singers, Frank Sinatra
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ken Lane Singers, Frank Sinatra
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town [Alternate Take][#] - Frank Sinatra
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Frank Sinatra,
Introduction by General Reynolds, Chief of Special Services/Frank Sinat - Frank Sinatra
Medley: O Little Town of Bethlehem/Joy to the World/White Christmas [Me - Frank Sinatra
Ave Maria [#] - Frank Sinatra
Winter Wonderland [#] - Jeff Alexander Orchestra and Chorus, , Frank Sinatra
Lord's Prayer [#] - Jeff Alexander Orchestra and Chorus, , Frank Sinatra

Music:

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