Frank Sinatra - Duets II
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CD Details
Artist: Frank SinatraEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1994-11-15
Music Label: Capitol
Soundtracks:
- For Once in My Life - Gladys Knight, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder
- Come Fly with Me - Luis Miguel, Frank Sinatra
- Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered - Patti LaBelle, Frank Sinatra
- Best Is Yet to Come - Jon Secada, Frank Sinatra
- Moonlight in Vermont - Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra
- Fly Me to the Moon - Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra
- Luck Be a Lady - Chrissie Hynde, Frank Sinatra
- Foggy Day - Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra
- Where or When - Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence, Frank Sinatra
- Embraceable You - Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra
- Mack the Knife - Jimmy Buffett, Frank Sinatra
- How Do You Keep the Music Playing?/My Funny Valentine - Lorrie Morgan, Frank Sinatra
- My Kind of Town - Sinatra Family, Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra, Jr.
- House I Live In (That's America to Me) - Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra
Music reviews of Duets II
Music Review: Not Bad, But Justifiably Controversial
Rating: 3 Stars
Love Sinatra and most of the song selections. But, as others have said, the (so-called) "duets" have a few problems--some related to the concept of mixing two singers' separate recordings together and some related to Sinatra being at the end of his career.
Re: the first problem, personally I disagree with the Amazon.com review by Dan Epstein. Generally, I preferred the singers who made an effort to sing WITH Frank (for example, Luis Miguel, Frank Jr.) than those who seemed to be trying to harmonize or jazz it up without any cooperation from their partner (Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight). The music director should have had a firm hand--really guided the actual production of MUSIC, not just the mixes--especially as Frank recorded first, and alone. I know he supposedly chose all the song partners, but I'm not at all sure that he knew (or perhaps, cared) whom he was going to be paired with at the time he sang the song. (I think it sounds like he thought about the partner on a FEW songs--like "Fly Me to the Moon" with Joabim. But on many others...no). If so, that's really really unfortunate.
On some of the "duets" I also wondered how familiar the other singers had gotten with the lyrics, arrangement and Sinatra's vocals before recording. Because for some, the answer seemed, "Not very". I think there was a lot of "record the whole thing and let them fix it as a duet later in the studio." The orchestral accompaniment is precise and amazingly executed, technically. Creative/stylistically, the blending of vocal styles is not so impressive.
Some, like Linda Ronstadt, out-sang him, but also seemed to be doing their own recording, just like Sinatra was. (even though, knowing her work ethic, I'm sure Ronstadt was very familiar with his version). He sounds pretty weary on parts, and its possible she was just trying to boost the musicality and cover the weaknesses (which, on "Moonlight in Vermont", were many).
I give some credit to those like Luis Miguel who actually sang along WITH Sinatra (well, after the fact) rather than repeating or echoing/backphrasing as so many others did.
And Steve Lawrence/Edyie Gorme also tried to cover for his vocal limits, especially with Steve's similar-ish voice bringing a bit more on-key robustness and Edyie injecting some needed vitality.
Which leads to Problem #2: Sinatra. He sounds old in some songs (such as the Lena Horne duet) and weary. He talks his way through at least 60% of the lyrics. Sometimes this adds a little poignancy to a song and doesn't really detract too much. Other times, you wish the mixers who decided which parts to leave in from which singers had left a few more of his out.
Special mention to the pairing of Frank and Frank Jr. on "My Kind of Town". I don't know what happened to Frank Sr. on this recording but he's got some voice and, suddenly, great vitality. Since Frank Jr. is a fine stylist in his own right (and understands his father's style, including its affect from aging, so well) their duet actually "swings" and is quite fascinating for the vocal blend that seems like a similar but different Sinatra dueting with himself. Frank Jr. saves the song and makes his father shine in a way that no one else did on this CD.
As for the concept, some songs work and some don't but they just aren't "duets". They are "mixes". I think that would have been a better title, since this CD is really as much a result of technology and editing as it is actual singing. If it always worked, I wouldn't really care. But, imo, it just doesn't (My opinion didn't keep it from becoming #9 on Billboard, though).
Some good moments with some other legendary performers (and a nifty cover painting by Leroy Neiman), but musically just extremely inconsistent.
Description of Duets II
Encouraged by the massive sales of 1993's Duets, Capitol went back to the well a year later for a sequel. The pairings are a little more inspired this time around, with Willie Nelson ("A Foggy Day"), Lena Horne ("Embraceable You"), Chrissie Hynde ("Luck Be a Lady") and Antonio Carlos Jobim ("Fly Me to the Moon") all turning in satisfying performances. Unfortunately, there's also a heaping helping of forgettable cuts (including duets with Luis Miguel, Jimmy Buffett, Jon Secada, and Lorrie Morgan), and Phil Ramone's arrangements continue to grate. And the overwrought duet with Neil Diamond on "The House Live In (That's America to Me)" has to be heard to be believed. Hardly a necessary addition to your Sinatra collection. --Dan EpsteinGeneral CDs
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