Music on the Web (UK)

Webmaster: Len Mullenger

[ Jazz index ] [Nostalgia index]  [ Classical MusicWeb ] [ Gerard Hoffnung ]

BUY NOW Crotchet

‘Young Blue Eyes’ Frank Sinatra Bluebird – 82876 60283 2

 

 

1 You Walk By	11 Medley
2 This Love Of Mine	12 Snootie Little Cutie
3 Say It	13 Alice Blue Gown
4 East Of The Sun	14 Prairie Night
5 Medley	15 Medley
6 Star Dust	16 I’m Getting Sentimental Over You
7 The One I Love	17 Dig Down Deep
8 Let’s Get Away From It All	18 The Last Call For Love
9 The Moon Won’t Talk	19 I’ll Take Tallulah
10 The World Is In My Arms	20 Just As Though You Were

 

All the recordings on ‘Young Blue Eyes’ were broadcast live on the NBC Radio Network between 1940 and 1942 when Frank Sinatra was one of the vocalists with Tommy Dorsey’s very popular big-band. Through that particular union ‘the notion of the modern pop solo vocalist was singularly defined.’ Sinatra was one of several singers with the Dorsey band who eventually became household names – they included Dick Haymes and Jo Stafford.

The ’40s was a period of prolific songwriting and whilst some of the tunes on here are no more than novelty material several of the titles have become ‘evergreens’ of the Great American Songbook . ‘This Love Of Mine’ and ‘Star Dust’ are two such titles that never seem to age. At the time these tracks were cut Sinatra was only in his mid-twenties. More than anyone else Tommy Dorsey was responsible for honing Sinatra’s talents and guiding him into becoming a highly popular crooner. From there the singer developed into the country’s greatest international singing star. None of these tracks have the power of his later recordings with the likes of Nelson Riddle or Billy May. But, what we do have is an early documentary of ‘the man who taught the world how to sing a love song’ and, more than any other person, has influenced rock stars, country singers and classical musicians ever since. Also, as Will Friedwald points out ‘jazz musicians in every genre, from traditional to the avant-garde, have studied Sinatra’s success at telling a story through music.’

With today’s renewed interest in the early big-bands and the gradual regeneration of ballroom dancing, ‘Young Blue Eyes’ should be well received. Whilst many of the singers of yesteryear have long been forgotten the music of Frank Sinatra will surely be with us for the next century bearing in mind the enormous influence he had on the popular song.

Jack Ashby

Return to Index