Frank Sinatra was on fire by this point in his musical career. This album, released way back in 1961, was yet another effort by the iconic Crooner. In fact, it was his 21st album release, which is amazing really for any artist out there today. He would never look back. This album was recorded over a time span of three days in early 1961 and was promptly released in the same year as the album itself. It also marked Frank Sinatra’s final effort with Capitol Records, with whom he soon parted ways with. Regardless, this should be an interesting album to listen to. Let’s dive in.

Day By Day begins with some drum rolls, and brass sections galore and this sounds marvellously upbeat. It is an old-fashioned romance-based piece of music, with Frank Sinatra singing about being deeply in love and becoming more so each and every day with a lover. He sounds positively thrilling in this song, and this is one of the better sides of Frank Sinatra, to this day. There is call-and-response-styled brass section-based instrumentation throughout this song before Frankie returns to sing, once again. A fantastic piece of music, this is joyful and thrilling. A great way to start an album with an absolutely fantastic song. Wonderful.

Sentimental Journey begins with horns and piccolo trumpets and is fairly downtempo. Frank Sinatra sings well here, and he showcases his more sensitive side musically here. Mind you, this still sounds very upbeat and pretty throughout. The backing instrumentation supports Frank perfectly throughout, and the interesting backing group itself consists of brass, piano and xylophone, amongst others. Frank Sinatra sings about picturesque ideals throughout, and he sounds very happy, positive and cheerful, even though he sings about sentimental emotions. The music in the second half sounds loud and brassy, and that instrumentation plays tag team with Frankie. In any case, this is another winner musically. It ends with piccolo trumpets galore.

Almost Like Being In Love begins with some loud drum rolls and quickly enters another upbeat and swinging tune. Nonetheless, the music throughout is giddy, joyful and breezy. A really refreshing and interesting tune, the music throughout is very snazzy and Jazzy. This is the perfect tune for those who have a positive reflection on love and romantic ideals throughout. All in all, this works wonderfully and nicely in a musical sense. A fantastic listening experience, barely over two minutes in length. Sweet.

Five Minutes More begins with more multitracked and dramatic horn sounds that are very cool. Frank Sinatra enters into a tune about desiring to be with a lover for just five more minutes. In any case, this is classic Frank and he sounds bold and happy here. Nonetheless, this music is very skilful and timeless throughout, with both Frank and the backing group competing for space here. There is a brilliant brass instrumental solo section that sounds absolutely cool. A really impressive and upbeat, swinging tune that works wonders on the listener. A fantastic song, period.

American Beauty Rose begins with fast-paced Jazzy instrumentation and has Frank Sinatra singing about the ladies that one can meet. This is a fun, inspired and fantastic listen mentioning many different ladies’ names. Pretty cool, Frank Sinatra has taste in this area. With lyrics about romanticism and similar musical adventures, this is a fine moment from the A Grade Crooner. A pleasant, upbeat and lovely listening experience, Frankie is in great form here, and he secretly picks his own lady to choose from a bunch of different ladies, which is interesting. A short song is here and concludes quickly.

Yes Indeed! sounds more moody with swinging hi-hats being played. This is an interesting musical change from what came before it. It quickly launches into a pleasant, enjoyable and euphoric tune that sounds really fine and great. This is more positive and joyful music about being in love with someone who does deserve it. Frank Sinatra is very upbeat and giddy here, and the instrumentation matches his mood. In fact, this may be the most upbeat Frank Sinatra album out there. Regardless, this music sounds fine and great, and it works intellectually and emotionally throughout. Great to hear.

On The Sunny Side Of The Street begins with more upbeat horns, and sounds positively great. Frank Sinatra sings about the old-fashioned and traditional ways to enjoy a day with a lover. Nonetheless, this is extremely awesome and cool simultaneously. A great and pleasant song, singing about being as rich as Rockefeller himself, but in terms of sunlight, of course. In any case, this is an awesome and stunning listening experience that is a golden oldie. A fine and great tune about walking in the sunlight as a metaphor for love. Bold, pretty and cool, Frank Sinatra sings a classic song here. Nice work. The instrumental section at the end is very quirky.

Don’t Take Your Love From Me begins with snazzy, Jazzy instrumentation and has Frank Sinatra singing about flowers and other simple things alike. This song is a positive, yet venomous warning to a lover. Regardless, this does sound really fantastic and musically moving. A really pleasant piece to listen to, and less than two minutes long. It ends with a fantastic vocal and some of that good old Jazz instrumentation. Neat.

That Old Black Magic is a reference to voodoo (being love, no racist puns intended by Sinatra himself). This song begins with fantastic, swinging Jazz based horns and Frankie sings very well on this tune. Indeed, he retains the euphoric nature and joyfulness of this music. Horns galore are here, along with the usual instrumentation of piano, brass and xylophone on this album. Indeed, Sinatra is king of the Crooners, and this album very much cements his reputation by this point. The piano in the background is smooth, as is the swinging horn section. Some of Frank Sinatra’s best lyricism and arrangements are present here. The whole lot just kicks the proverbial. A very, very enjoyable listening experience about the romanticism and love-based nature of a relationship. A fantastic song, and something worth your ears. This has a great conclusion with some gradual quietening of the singing and arrangements, before gently concluding.

Lover begins with a drumroll and launches into a super smooth great-sounding tune. Frank Sinatra sings sweetly and smoothly, along with passion, about a lover who he appreciates. This sub-two-minute-long song sounds great, and Frank articulates that the lady of his desire is devilish, and the music here is absolutely fantastic. A really great job by Frank Sinatra, the final vocal is fantastic, followed by some stereo-panned brass. Excellent.

Paper Doll begins with some more ecstatic brass sections, and quickly launches into a strange song (of a blow-up doll?!) about acquiring a lady of one’s choice. Still, all bizarre lyrics aside, this is yet another awesome tune that sounds solid, brassy and classy. Frankie showcases that nobody could do the Crooner-styled music that him. Period. All in all, this is a very interesting listening experience. The ending is sensationally awesome.

I’ve Heard That Song Before begins with some excellent brass and drumming, with Frank Sinatra singing nicely, along with some awesome wind instrumentation present. Nonetheless, this is another solidly excellent and wonderful tune to hear throughout. Frank Sinatra sings so well about being deeply in love and listening to music as a way to shine through a relationship. All in all, this is more brilliance from our legendary Crooner. The drumming and percussion are very understated here, and the music sounds very rich and delicious as a result. This song is one to play to your partner when you are in the mood for romance. It concludes very well, a great listen.

I Love You begins with some rather raunchy sounding horn sections, and double bass playing and this tune launches into a rather soppy tune by Frank Sinatra. Still, it sounds very amazing, to this very day. A very different, fresh and lovely tune about the phrase that everyone is aware of from the English language. This isn’t the greatest song on this album, but it does sound really sweet. An awesome listening experience, although a bit soppy and repetitive. This ends with chaotic horns and drum rolls.

Why Should I Cry Over You? is surprisingly upbeat from the start. Frank enters the scene and sounds very joyful and cheerful with his singing, particularly given the subject matter. Musically, his backing band sounds really awesome and fantastic throughout as well, and they enrich and colour nicely the experience of music and Crooner-styled sounds. Eventually, this song leads into a brass-based instrumental section that is joyful and killer. Frank Sinatra can sing in a really amazing and musically decent way. A good listen about dealing with a broken-up relationship, which is fairly relatable for most people out there. The ending is absolutely top.

How Could You Do A Thing Like That To Me? sounds very interesting from the start, and has muted brass and upbeat piano. Frank Sinatra gets his heart out on his sleeve at this point, and he sings directly to a lover about how she overstepped the line. A bit weird to add this sort of lyrics to such a joyful and upbeat experience, but nonetheless, great to listen to anyway. There are a multitude of bugles, saxophones and piccolo trumpets throughout, which are all super cool to hear. Frank Sinatra was an amazing Crooner, and he had a great ear for music. This song gets quieter and quieter at the end in the overall mix before concluding. Great.

River, Stay ‘Way From My Door begins with a couple of snare drum hits, and follows up with some sweet brassy sounds and great singing from Frank Sinatra. This is a song about a natural disaster, in more ways than one. A really interesting and upbeat tune that deserves to be heard by the masses. A fantastic tune, once again. This is a brutal emotional piece of music that simply sounds great. Another awesome and consistent listening throughout, and Frank Sinatra delivers an excellent vocal performance.

I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues is not a Blues number. Instead, this is the final track on this lovely and appealing album. This is a cool, Jazzy and excellent tune to listen to, blowing much of the music of 1961 away into the dustbin of history. Frankie sounds really awesome and delivers a positive, cheerful statement throughout. A wonderful and joyful listen about singing the Blues and other turmoil throughout, this music will last for a very long time in the history of the planet. It doesn’t sound very happy towards the end lyrically, although Frank himself sounds energetic and joyous. The album ends here.

If you need some Crooner Music that is an excellent and euphoric listen, this should be your first go-to point for an album listen. Frank Sinatra knew how to impress those who were fans, and he delivered an extremely underrated album that more people should hear. It’s simply great music, no more, no less. Should you listen to this album? Definitely, give it a go and the music should lift up your mood if you like Frank Sinatra, in particular.

Fantastic.

9/10