ALBUM OF THE WEEK: In The Wee Small Hours - Frank Sinatra

So we both listened to this album a few times this week to see if it would grow on us.  NOPE.  We will surely be making a few enemies with this review:

In the Wee Small Hours:

Holly:

I’ve never really like Frank Sinatra, but I thought I should put in a strong effort, especially since it’s the first album on this list. So I listened, and tried to like his pompous, un-nuanced voice. Nope. Still don’t like him.

This album was recorded at a point in Sinatra’s career where he had just divorced his second wife (Ava Gardner), and the public at large saw him as a washed-up has been. Somehow, In the Wee Small Hours saved his career.

It’s considered to be his first “concept” album, which is a good thing, I guess. I found it to be one slow, sad, depressing dirge of a song after another. And I just can’t hear Sinatra’s singing as genuine. It’s just so sickeningly suave. This can’t be a DeCaigny thing. Aren’t there other people in the world who share this opinion?

Alas, I should point out the positives. Some of the arrangements are pretty cool. It definitely sounds like the arranger, Nelson Riddle, was directed to make sure the orchestra parts stay firmly in the background, but there are some cool moments. Another positive…..uhhhh….I kind of like the cover art.

I’m going to pick a favourite track from each album we listen to. My favourite track from this album is the title track, In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning. Mainly that’s because I’ve always really liked this song. I’ve heard many versions of this song, and though this is not by a long stretch my favourite, I don’t mind it. Ben Webster does a really great, understated version of it. But don’t worry, I won’t recommend saxophone versions of every song we review!

Kelly:

I just have never been able to get really into Sinatra.  There are a few tracks here and there from other albums that I like, but this album is just slow and dull.  I get the idea of a concept album, but a change in tempo would not hurt from time to time!  Also, this album is nearly an hour long.  An HOUR of what sounds like the same interpretation of similar sounding songs.  I might as well go to a U2 concert.

I remember the song "In the Wee Small Hours" from a great vocal arrangement that our high school music teacher did and it's a great song and I guess Sinatra does a good job...but I think some other crooners of the day just sounded better, like Bing Crosby.  For me when in comes down to Ol' Blue Eyes or Der Binger, it's Bing every time (even when asked "who do you think was the bigger asshole in his lifetime, although that's a close one).  Even Chris Botti's arrangement of this song sounds less douch-y.

 I don't even feel like this is one of those albums you can put on in the background while you're cooking or cleaning because his voice is so heavy and insidious that you have to listen to it, no matter how droning it is.  And really?  Mood Indigo?  Leave that to the professionals (AKA Duke Ellington).

My favourite track from this album is track 3, Glad to be Unhappy.  He sounds a bit different and lighter from the other tracks, and his voice has more movement.  He sounds sweeter and more relaxed - and a little like Bing Crosby.

When it comes to a buy or a pass for this album, Frankie gets a firm pass.

In The Wee Small Hours