Frank Sinatra

Prepare your ears for a treat, courtesy of the "Old Blue Eyes": the great Frank Sinatra. In 1954 he released the concept album [i]Songs for Young Lovers[/i], a collaboration with conductor Nelson Riddle that sprinkled the magical Sinatra dust over the jewels of the biggest writers in the American songbook, including Cole Porter: "I Get a Kick out of You" is a stand-out.

As the title suggests, the "concept" on Frank's incredible album [i]In the Wee Small Hour[/i]s is the busted heart and insomnia that only a love-gone-bad can produce . . . and Frank was really living the agony here. He had split up with movie actress Ava Gardner, and the heartbreak coils like cigar smoke around such tracks as "Mood Indigo."

"All the Way" is one of many Frank Sinatra songs penned by lyricist Sammy Cahn: in terms of quantity, Cahn's Sinatra material would be bested by no other songwriter. In 1955 Sinatra released the collection of re-vamped standards, [i]Songs for Swingin' Lovers[/i], one of the all-time untouchable swing sets, every note a knockout.

From his early days as an idol to the bobby-soxer set (fronting the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on "Blue Skies") to the final performances of his classics (we've included the version of "My Way" featuring with Pavarotti on [i]Sinatra 80th — Live in Concert[/i]), Frank Sinatra created a body of work that would seal his reputation as one of the few genuine giants of American popular music. At the dawn of the '60s, Frank planned his exit from Capitol Records in order to start his own label, Reprise Records, where he became "Chairman of the Board," a job title-turned-moniker that would stick for the rest of his life. Here, you'll find great tunes at all tempos, and a golden voice that remains untouchable.