Frank Sinatra – Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Frank Sinatra – Songs For Swingin' Lovers!

Songs For Swingin' Lovers! is one of Frank Sinatra's most celebrated albums and a landmark recording in the history of vocal jazz and traditional pop. Originally released in 1956, the album captures Sinatra at the height of his artistic partnership with arranger and conductor Nelson Riddle, combining sophisticated orchestral arrangements, swinging big-band rhythms and Sinatra's effortlessly expressive vocal style.

Recorded in Hollywood between June and October 1955, Songs For Swingin' Lovers! was Sinatra's tenth studio album for Capitol Records and followed the highly successful In The Wee Small Hours. Where that earlier album explored loneliness and heartbreak, Songs For Swingin' Lovers! takes a much more upbeat approach, presenting a collection of romantic standards with an unmistakable sense of optimism, wit and movement.

The album opens with the exuberant You Make Me Feel So Young, one of Sinatra's signature recordings and a perfect introduction to the record's lively character. Nelson Riddle's arrangement gives the song a propulsive swing while Sinatra's relaxed phrasing makes the performance sound completely effortless. Other highlights include I've Got You Under My Skin, You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me, Too Marvelous For Words and Pennies From Heaven, all showcasing the combination of precision and spontaneity that made Sinatra such an influential interpreter of popular song.

The album also features beautifully understated performances of standards including Love Is Here To Stay, I Thought About You and We'll Be Together Again, providing a contrast to the more energetic swing numbers. Makin' Whoopee, Anything Goes and You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me bring plenty of rhythmic drive, while Old Devil Moon and Swingin' Down The Lane further demonstrate Sinatra's ability to move naturally between romantic ballads and swinging arrangements.

A major commercial success, Songs For Swingin' Lovers! became the first UK album by an American artist to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart, spending several weeks at the top. Its success helped establish the album format as an important vehicle for popular singers and demonstrated how a carefully sequenced collection could create a musical mood rather than simply present a selection of hit singles.

With its combination of Frank Sinatra's iconic voice, Nelson Riddle's inventive arrangements and a superb selection of classic American popular songs, Songs For Swingin' Lovers! remains an essential album for fans of Frank Sinatra, jazz, swing, big band, traditional pop and the Great American Songbook. A particularly important record for collectors of classic 1950s vocal jazz and Capitol Records releases.

Tracklist

1. You Make Me Feel So Young – 2:56
2. It Happened In Monterey – 2:35
3. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me – 2:18
4. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me – 2:48
5. Too Marvelous For Words – 2:28
6. Old Devil Moon – 3:56
7. Pennies From Heaven – 2:42
8. Love Is Here To Stay – 2:40
9. I've Got You Under My Skin – 3:42
10. I Thought About You – 2:30
11. We'll Be Together Again – 4:24
12. Makin' Whoopee – 3:06
13. Swingin' Down The Lane – 2:53
14. Anything Goes – 2:42
15. How About You? – 2:46