Sinatra and Strings (1962)

About this title: Sinatra and Strings, Frank Sinatra's first album with arranger Don Costa, is an exquisite, romantic collection of ballads and is one of his most sensual records. Costa has given the songs -- which consist entirely of standards -- exceedingly lush, heavily orchestrated arrangements that sound like updated, contemporary versions of Axel Stordahl's ornate charts. Sinatra responds with smooth, nuanced, yet powerful vocals that make these traditional songs sound fresh. The pair take some chances with their arrangements -- "Stardust" never reaches the chorus, for instance -- but Sinatra and Strings ... read more

Tracks:

1. I Hadn't Anyone Till You [Noble]
2. Night and Day [Porter]
3. Misty [Burke/Garner]
4. Stardust [Carmichael/Parish]
5. Come Rain or Come Shine [Arlen/Mercer]
6. It Might as Well Be Spring [Rodgers/Hammerstein]
7. Prisoner of Love [Columbo/Robin/Gaski]
8. That's All [Haymes/Brandt]
9. All or Nothing at All [Lawrence/Altman]
10. Yesterdays [Kern/Harbach]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.