Frank could sell these songs without even trying--he was alw
Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 05/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Point of No Return was Frank Sinatra's last album for Capitol Records before he went on to record on his own label called Reprise Records. Point Of No Return is a very strong album with numerous highlights that prove just how great Frank Sinatra's voice was at this point in his illustrious career. The quality of the sound is excellent and the artwork is very nicely done.
The CD starts with a most passionate number entitled "When The World Was Young;" Frank delivers this with great sensitivity and I love every minute of it! The lush musical arrangement enhances the natural beauty of this ballad and it all works very well. "I'll Remember April" is another charming number with a very pretty melody and I predict that you'll enjoy this very much.
"September Song" is one of the most beautiful ballads I have ever heard; and when The Chairman sings this out he really does justice to this tune! Frank's voice is able to convey so many emotions to the listener and that's absolutely fantastic. In addition, listen for "There Will Never Be Another You;" this touching ballad tugs at my heartstrings when I hear it and Frank's rendition is really the best of all I've ever heard. "These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You" gets the royal treatment from Frank Sinatra; and the strings are used to great advantage. I also like that piano arrangement, too!
"As Time Goes By" is, of course, one of the greatest love songs ever written; and Frank sings this with lots of feeling. Franks delves into this tune to make his performance a masterful one and it's very memorable. "As Time Goes By" is an excellent highlight of this album. "I'll Be Seeing You" stuns me with its beauty; this nostalgic, sentimental number also tugs at my heartstrings and Frank Sinatra's version is sublime.
"Day In Day Out" features Frank squarely front and center--right where he belongs! The strings are lovely and the harp is equally beautiful. Frank plays with the tempo a bit to place his own mark on this classic pop love song. "Lean, Baby" reverts to a much more upbeat melody that is catchy and very entertaining. Frank sings this with positive energy and I really like "Lean, Baby" an awful lot. The CD also ends well with Frank Sinatra performing "I'm Waling Behind You." "I'm Walking Behind You" sounds very sweet and this sentimental ballad is an excellent ending for this album.
Frank Sinatra moved the hearts of so many countless people; we truly are so much better off for his sharing his gift and artistry with us. This is a must-have for Sinatra fans; and people who like classic pop vocals and even torch songs will like this album, too.
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Sinatra's last Capitol session is memorable
Dennis W. Wong | 11/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's ironic that Frank Sinatra's final Capitol album would be titled "Point of No Return", for in many ways it was that. Not only for Capitol but also for Axel Stordahl who was dying from the cancer that would take him in several months after this album was completed. Thus it was wise on Frank's part to hire him for this, his last recorded session for Capitol. The songs are all given a definitive reading particularly the French chanson/ballad that opens it: "When the World was Young". When you listen to this track, you can realize why Frank was a pretty good film actor. Like Edith Piaf and Billie Holliday, Frank acted out his songs so that he was more than just a singer but an intepreter. Vic Damone may have had a better voice than Frank but no one came close as far as male vocalists except perhaps say Tony Bennett in interpreting the lyrics so they mean something. Also listen to how he enunciates every vowel and syllable in "I Remember April" and you realize why even a trained operatic singer like Renee Fleming is an admirer. This man lives and breathes in his songs, like he said "You gotta mean what you sing". In many ways, I always considered Frank, the "male Billie Holliday". And Stordahl's arrangements are every bit as fine as Frank's other arrangers are on the label such as Gordon Jenkins, Billy May, and Nelson Riddle. Listening to this album, I could say to Frank in heaven like the song, "There Will Never Ever Be Another You"."