A compilation of Sinatra recordings from the '40s. Porter was the complete package: catchy music and fun lyrics ("Do do that voodoo that you do so well"). You can't go wrong with Cole Porter, but this isn't a great disc. Mainly, that's due to the poor arrangements. While many of these tunes would be incredible swing band tunes, what we have here is Sinatra singing ballads over cheesy, shrill strings and backup singers. I have to assume that Sinatra was playing to the crowds of hysterical housewives that lapped up his music at the time (there's some live radio tracks here with screaming women to prove the point). Just to be fair, the recordings do have some historical value but it's really not a good representation of Sinatra's recordings of Porter songs. Every now and then, you can catch a phrase or two of Sinatra singing at the top of his game and that almost makes this disc worth it. 10 of the 18 tracks are radio performances so the recording quality isn't that great, it simply indicates that Sony was trying to make a little money by cleaning out the vaults. I should have purchased the 1996 compilation Frank Sinatra Sings The Select Cole Porter with arrangements by the incomparable Nelson Riddle. I still might.
Tracks: Some of my favorite Porter tunes are here, including I Get a Kick Out Of You, Begin the Beguine, Night and Day, Why Can't You Behave? (possibly the best track on the disc). Also included is a fun, playful duet with Rosemary Clooney, Cherry Pies Ought To Be You.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
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