I wrote a commentary on the CD version of "To Be Perfectly... Frank" a few months ago, but finally found this Frank Sinatra bootleg on vinyl the other day. It's my favorite Sinatra album. In 1953, Sinatra had a weekly radio show in Los Angeles where he played DJ, and then he would do one song live on the show. The album (and CD) is a compilation of those recordings, and they're a remarkable document of this incredible American artist. Which sounds academic-like, but in reality a real joy to listen to these recordings.
What makes these recordings so unique is that it's Sinatra with a small band, including an electric jazz guitar, bass, drums, and Piano, and one can easily imagine all these musicians plus Frank, in a tiny radio studio together. The intimacy is very much part of these recordings. The songs are all from the classic American songbook, but with quite a few of obscurities as well. Also, note that there are more songs on the CD version than the LP. I found this (sealed) vinyl by getting on my knees in a record store and going through the floor-level bins. It's amazing what one can find (or do) on one's delicate knees.
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