This 1964 release was the second collaboration between Frank Sinatra and Count Basie, and features a much higher percentage of swing-oriented arrangements (courtesy of Quincy Jones) than the previous Sinatra-Basie. This time around, the Count Basie Orchestra gives the swinging treatment to such contemporary numbers as "More," "I Can't Stop Loving You," "Wives and Lovers," and "Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)," and Sinatra responds with plenty of exuberance and gusto. It's got a good beat, and you can dance to it; out of all the tracks, only "Hello, Dolly!" fails to stand the test of time (or repeated listenings). --Dan Epstein
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Simply Delightful! Comment: THIS PARTICULAR CD CONTAINS RARE SONGS THAT COUNT BASIE AND SINATRA DID TOGETHER. MY FAVORITE ONE IS "MORE" FROM THE MOVIE MONDO CANE....LOVE IT!!! Customer Rating: Summary: The quintessential Sinatra Comment: Aside from the "Fly Me to the Moon" selection being the greatest rendition of this song in the history of music, one cannot call oneself a Sinatra aficionado without this CD album in their collection. Count Basie and Frank at the peak of their powers is a most fantastic musical joy. Customer Rating: Summary: It might as well be swing Comment: I received your product (DVD -music) and It was in excellent condition. It came to my mailbox earlier than I had anticipated, hence, I have been enjoying many hours of great music.(a blast from the past) Thank you guys , so much!!!!! Customer Rating: Summary: "More Than The Simple Words I Try To Say . . ." Comment: "Frank Sinatra is so personal a singer. Nobody can imitate him. Frank is unusually sensitive. He is so flexible musically that he fits easily into every situation. And when he has an idea he wants to incorporate, he is able to immediately absorb the whole musical context surrounding that idea. He utilizes every asset he finds, and he's an expert at eliminating stumbling blocks. ~ Quincy Jones ~
Imagine Frank Sinatra with Quincy Jones and Count Basie and his Band doing one of the greatest swing sessions of the century and the result is one remarkable CD such as this, "It Might As Well Be Swing." Before this project came into fruition, Quincy Jones has always wanted to work with Frank Sinatra and got the thrill of his life when he finally worked on this recording, which is a showcase of ten outstanding swing numbers starting off with Bart Howard's very famous song, "Fly Me To The Moon" down to Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Wives And Lovers."
This presentation promises the listeners a whole lot of fun with the Chairman's zesty, bubbly, spirited and swinging performances with splendidly upbeat arrangements by a great arranger/conductor, Quincy Jones, backed by a jazz pianist Count Basie and his Band. "Hello Dolly" takes you back in time to the Roaring Twenties, the Flapper Era and evokes images of a Ballroom with ladies sporting bob-cut hair and dressed in flapper fashion. The rest of the selections will surely bring nostalgic moments as Mr. Sinatra, with his enigmatic vocal artistry, charms you with "I Wish You Love," "The Best Is Yet To Come," "The Good Life," "I Wanna Be Around" and my all-time favorite ditty, a theme from the movie "Mondo Cane," simply titled "More."
"More than the greatest love the world has known
This is the love I give to you alone
More than the simple words I try to say
I only live to love you more each day
More than you'll ever know
My arms long to hold you so
My life will be in your keeping
Waking, sleeping, laughing, weeping
Longer than always is a long, long time
But far beyond forever you'll be mine
I know I've never lived before
And my heart is very sure
No one else could love you more."
This well-produced CD with its great performances, strong material and exuberant arrangements is a worthy addition to your Sinatra collection. For more enjoyable and highly-spirited listens, please check out Come Dance with Me!, Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! And More and Frank Sinatra: On the Swingin' Side of the Street.
Have a swingin' listening experience! Customer Rating: Summary: Sencillamente brillante Comment: Increibles novedosos arreglos excelentemente interpretados por la orquesta. Exquisito el sonido stereo, pareciera grabado ayer. Y la incomparable VOZ en su mayor esplendor.
