Few artists can make legendary music even past their heyday like Frank Sinatra could. Although Frank Sinatra on paper was merely a Crooner based singer, he also had great intelligence and ability to work with the right people, namely colleague Nelson Riddle. Despite the fact that this was his last effort with Nelson Riddle, this is seen to be one of the better Frank Sinatra albums of the 1960s and contains many hit songs released as singles. In any case, this is another very important release from Old Blue Eyes. How does it sound in retrospect? Let’s find out.

Strangers In The Night was reportedly hated by Frank Sinatra after its release. It shouldn’t have been the case. From the start, it is a magical listen with lush, rich orchestration and a great deal of musical suspense throughout. Frank Sinatra delivers a wonderful and lovely vocal delivery that captures one’s imagination. A really great and excellent listen, this is one of the best songs Frankie himself ever recorded. The climax of the song is amazing and is absolutely worth listening to. This looks back at romantic love that lasts forever and is a bigger heart-on-the-sleeve job than anything The Beatles had recorded by this point. All in all, this is an amazing song with a key change near the end. A classic tune, there are some doo-doo-doo’s at the end before this quickly fades out. Sweet.

Summer Wind begins with 1960s styled organ keyboard, and lush brass sections and leads fairly quickly into another amazing song that moves the listener. The joy, ecstasy (not the drug, the emotion) and pleasantness of this music sound extremely wonderful to listen to. This album is the perfect listen so far for an early romantic relationship, and it certainly ticks the right boxes in that respect. Frank Sinatra sounds extremely happy here, and he delivers a powerful and positive musical statement that simply works. Really awesome music, this is the sort of brassy, classy music listening that has been largely ignored to this day. This should change now. This is something you should play to your partner and enjoy. Another great tune.

All Or Nothing At All begins with a swinging beat, and nicely played horns and has Frank Sinatra quickly entering the scene with a great singing voice and enthusiasm about being in love. Some may find the lyrical matter here a little too 1960s for its own good, but this is easily forgivable. This is a straight-up amazing listen about wanting to do everything with a lover in one’s life and having no regrets. Catchy, cool and clever, Frankie and company deliver a really stunning and professional performance with singing that is one of the best vocal parts by Sinatra himself. There is a solo section with keyboards, strings and horns galore that sound extremely upbeat. Something to put one into a good mood, this is outstanding music. Frank quickly returns towards the end to wrap up a fantastic and excellent listening experience. A really top-notch listen, absolutely worth your time. It ends with a keyboard finale.

Call Me is a bit slower and more sensual sounding, with saxophone, piano and Frank Sinatra’s immortal voice. A really top-notch tune about helping a lady through her troubles in her life, and sounds pretty, lush and interesting throughout. A great listen about attracting a lady of one’s desire back into their world. If you are male and have a crush on a lady you know, this may be a good way of musically attracting her via serenading. Regardless, this tune is a very memorable and fantastic listening experience. Really sweet to hear, this is another great song. The outro comes fairly early, but the singing and playing in this section make it worth it. Tremendously awesome.

You’re Driving Me Crazy! begins with a drum lead-in, quickly followed by more organ, brass and horns. Frank Sinatra sings about mixed emotions, but in such a pleasant and upbeat way that this is stunning. Really awesome, once again, musically. Frank Sinatra is in full 1960s swinging mode here, just sounding really happy and unique with his own craft and musicianship. A great story about being hurt and left alone by a lover, but sung in the most joyous way out there. Frank holds a vocal note wonderfully at the end before this all concludes. Excellent.

On A Clear Day (You Can See Me Forever) is even slower than the songs before it, with intermittent organ and brass. Frank Sinatra sings gently and softly, sounding as though he really wants to woo a lady out there of his choice. Sensational stuff for all listeners out there, Frank Sinatra does not fail to impress musically at this point. Great and relaxing music to listen to on any occasion, this is something to play with your lover on that secret picnic together in an exotic location. Everything on this record is nearly perfectly done, and this isn’t even Frank Sinatra’s best album. His euphoric singing is really infectious and wonderful to listen to. Another great song to hear and it concludes softly. Brilliant.

My Baby Just Cares For Me begins in a dramatic fashion, with more sounds that have been present throughout this album. Frank Sinatra sings about a dedicated lover who really cares. This was the 1960s and romanticism in music was a fairly common norm at the time. In any case, this quirky and clever tune sounds really dynamic, interesting and dramatic. True love is really when two lovers do not go after material things from one another, and Sinatra points that out very well in this song. A great two-and-a-half-minute song, this is fine and fantastic music. It concludes with more organ, sweet.

Downtown begins with some bombastic drum rolls and retro 1960s sounds that are rather dated, but this is easily forgivable. Frank Sinatra sings well here, and he is singing about getting into the middle of the city and enjoying the hustle and bustle of modern life. There is also some subtle guitar on this tune as well. All in all, this is a fantastic listen, even for a lesser track from this fantastic album. This is great music for those to play in the car on the way to order cocktail drinks at a pub. Brilliant effort, once again. Short at just over two minutes long.

Yes Sir, That’s My Baby begins with some dramatic drumming, launching into another cool era-defining Frank Sinatra song that sounds awesome, amazing and pleasant listening. Frank sounds as though he is doing his absolute best to woo every woman listening away in the audience. An interesting and catchy listening experience that should be heard by more out there. A weird keyboard solo is present here, but then again, this was the late 1960s. Frank Sinatra continues to reveal his glorious and passionate straight male charm for all those ladies out there, just before this song quickly concludes. Excellent.

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World is a weird and odd conclusion to a great album, with a super fast tempo and a piece of music that is ultra quirky. This is more of an experimental musical piece as a result, but despite that, Frank Sinatra rides high on success here. The solo musical sections are frenetic and crazy throughout, and this tune sounds incredibly great and wonderful. It also sounds very grandiose as a result of Nelson Riddle’s production values. This builds up into a fast and fantastic climax right at the end, and Frank Sinatra reaches the high notes excellently with his vocals, just as the album concludes.

Underrated this album is. It is a great example of one of the best albums ever made by Frank Sinatra. It also runs around the 30 minute mark, meaning that it is really decent length wise for his songs. This album also should teach the listener a valuable lesson: even people past their heyday of popularity can make great albums. Frank Sinatra nailed that musical aspect, well and truly. Should you listen to this album? If you love Crooner Jazz in particular, a solid yes. Even passing fans of Frank Sinatra or Jazz will enjoy this as well.

Fantastic.

9/10