Search - Frank Jr Sinatra :: That Face

Junior's Album-Way Cool!

Tony Rome | Florida | 06/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In an era where aging rockers such as Rod Stewart and Michael Bolton, with limited vocal abilities, are carving out new careers

dipping into the American Songbook (Stewart sounds a lot like Moms Mabley, and the less said about Bolton, the better) here comes the son of our greatest pop singer with a CD of 13 songs that would make Dad proud...



Though at 62, Frank Junior's vibrato has started to widen, he displays great phrasing and feeling and a sense of rhythmic pulse that's truly impressive.



The songs, for the most part are swingers, with great arrangements by Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Torrie Zito et al, three of the charts (That Face, Masquerade Is Over, Cry Me A River) were originally written for Frank Senior's aborted "Digital Sinatra" project in 1988...The studio orchestra backing Frankie this time around is so good, it's almost scary!



Standout cuts: That Face, Softly As In A Morning Sunrise, Masquerade Is Over and a stunningly beautful reading of The People You Never Get To Love--also included, a duet with Steve Tyrell on Neal Hefti's "Girl Talk" with an updated lyric that won't make Gloria Steinhem shreik in terror.



As he's gotten older, Frankie seems to rely less on leaning on his Dad's well known mannerisms, and has evolved into an original.....in any case, hundreds of others singers have carved out successful careers trying to sound like the Chariman, so why not Number One Son?



Frank Junior has never had an abundance of commerical appeal, so sales of "That Face" may not approach those of lesser talents.



It's a shame....this package leaves the Stewarts and the Boltons of the world in the dust!"

STEPPING OUT OF DAD'S SHADOW

The Stranger | 06/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For many years, Frank Sinatra Jr., by the very nature of his name, has been overshadowed by the immense presence of his father, who is regarded by many as the greatest singer of the 20th Century. Early recording efforts were met with moderate success, and for a number of years, the younger Sinatra put aside the microphone and picked up the baton, as he lead the band for his old man's twilight years. His last CD, As I Remember It, paid tribute to Dad, in spoken word and song. It was wonderful, and quite well received by critics and Sinatra fans worldwide.



In the ten years since As I Remember It, Frank Sinatra has left us, and his passing has brought on a number of young claimers to the throne: Michael Buble, Peter Cincotti, Matt Dusk, and Steve Tyrell, to name a few. There have also been attempts by established stars, to enter into the realm of The Great American Songbook: Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, and most recently, Michael Bolton come to mind. And now, Frank Jr. has stepped into the fray with That Face, a marvelous collection of songs that could immediately catapult him to the top of the list. With arrangements by such stalwarts as Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Don Costa, and Sam Donahue, as well as Bill Rogers, to whom the CD is dedicated, Sinatra swings and croons his way through the well known, and the not-so, with songs like The Masquerade is Over, Cry Me A River, Girl Talk (with Tyrell), The People That You Never Get To Love, and I Was a Fool (To Let You Go). He even reprises one of his most popular recordings, Spice, with great exuberance and in fine voice. In fact, Sinatra is in very fine voice throughout this entire CD.



Produced by Charles Pignone, and Terry Woodson, and recorded in the famed Capitol Records studios that bore witness to so many of his father's wonderful sessions (Oh, if walls could talk!), That Face allows Frank Sinatra Jr. to step out of the shadows of his father, and stand alone as a terrific singer of song. The comparisons are bound to be made, but believe me, this gentleman is his own person, with impeccable style and talent. Now, all he has to do is compete with the other singers of today who tackle this genre. What Sinatra has going for him, though, is the knowledge that the throne is not up for grabs, and probably never will be. That allows him to just be the best that he can be, and his best has given us That Face, which is the best newly recorded collection of standards, old and new, available today. Don't be surprised to see another Grammy on the Sinatra mantelpiece, only this one will have a "Jr." engraved on it.



And it's about time.

"

"But Summer's Not Forevermore . . . No Matter How You Try .

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 07/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to admit that this is my very first album of Frank Sinatra, Jr., whom I've watched in a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl a year ago on a tribute honoring his famous Dad and I absolutely enjoyed listening to its impressive repertoire of timeless standards from the Great American Songbooks. Not to mention his awesome interpretations and its gorgeous arrangements. I'm so glad that he is continuing his father's legacy in spreading good music for our listening pleasure always and forever.



This album is one of the best of its kind. It consists of thirteen great songs, one of which is his very own composition, "Spice" and arrangement by one of the greatest arrangers/conductors of all-time and Frank Sinatra's favorite, Nelson Riddle.



My personal favorites include the following:



"What A Difference A Day Made" - its lovely samba-ish arrangement by a fine arranger, Torrie Zito, is a delight to listen to. Torrie Zito also worked with Frank Sinatra on some of his finest recordings. It's Bossa Nova-flavored rhythm is so pleasing to the ears.



"You'll Never Know" - a gem of a song by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon, outstanding arrangement by Don Costa and features the beautiful trumpet solo by Warren Luening. It has that delicate nostalgic sound to it.



"You'll never know just how much I miss you

You'll never know just how much I care

And if I try I still couldn't hide my love for you

You ought to know for haven't I told you so

A million or more times



You went away and my heart went with you

I speak your name in my every prayer

If there is some other way to prove that I love you

I swear I don't know how

You'll never know if you don't know now."



"Girl Talk" - composed by Neal Hefti and words by Bobby Troup. The charming arrangement was done by Jeff Morrison who also played the solo piano, and flugelhorn solo by Warren Luening. This is one of the best tracks and I just love this duet with one of the greatest interpreters of standards, Steve Tyrell, whom I've also watched live on three concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, Starlight Bowl and Catalina Jazz Club. I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with him face-to-face. I wish these two great singers would collaborate on a duet CD. That would be great! Their first duet "The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else" from Steve Tyrell's "Songs of Sinatra" is simply fantastic.



(Girls - listen closely to "their own revised lyrics" and judge for yourselves, LOL!). Here's the intro.



Steve: Hey, Francis!

Frank, Jr.: Steve?

Steve: You're having a drink. Can I join you, man?

Frank, Jr.: Sure, what do you think we ought to drink to?

Steve: Let's drink to the girls, brother!

Frank, Jr.: Yeah ... and one of their favorite pastimes.

Steve: Yeah.



"They like to chat about the dresses they will wear tonight

They chew the fat about their tresses or the neighbor's fight

Inconsequential things that men would never care to know

Become essential things that women find so apropos. . ."



"Cry Me A River" - His rendition is so splendid. This track was superbly arranged and conducted by Billy May and features Plas Johnson on tenor sax and Carl Fontane on trombone solo.



"The Trouble With Hello Is Goodbye" - this achingly beautiful song was penned by husband-and-wife songwriting team of Alan & Marilyn Bergman and its tasteful melody was composed by Dave Grusin. It's one of my absolute favorite songs by this trio of the most creative composers and lyricists of all-time. It's pretty arrangement was done by Bill Rogers and that well-played trombone solo by Bill Waltrous.



This is my first Frank Sinatra, Jr. CD and certainly will not be the last. I wholeheartedly recommend it for your listening pleasure.

"