A Man Alone

Sinatra is always at his best when he has a story to tell. On this CD he sings the words of Rod McKuen, a brilliant poet and lyricist. Full of the famous Sinatra emotion and tenderness each track contains thought provoking lyrics that hit straight to the soul. I first bought this album on cassette in 1970 and when it became worn out, ten years later, I tried everywhere to obtain another copy but was constantly told that it was no longer available. I can personally identify with much of what Sinatra sings on this CD and it has kept me going when times have been low. So thanks Frank, Rod & Reprise for giving us this fantastic collection.

A wonderfully moody selection of meloncolic songs. Frank Sinatra at his introspective best and with some little heard but excellent stuff. Not for the depressive sort though!

This album is one of Sinatra's forgotten masterpieces. Musically it is a success, we see some terrific songs with beautiful jazzy arrangements that are so evocative in the imagination. Rod McKuen has transcended brilliance in my view with this album. It is a rare treat to have a single album all by one composer and lyrically he is a genius.

This album takes the term concept album to a whole new level. This isn't just an album around a single theme, it is dramatic adventure and tells a story. To listen to, it plays more like "Watertown" than "September of My Years", "Moonlight Sinatra" or any of the capitol saloon albums we all know and love.

This album touches me on a very personal level and expresses some very profound things. It says exactly how I feel at this point of my life and it speaks of a feeling every man experiences at some point in his life. The subtle blend of the desire to be alone and free, yet fighting the urge not to be on one's own. The album manages to capture an extraordinary blend of wistfulness, sadness, melancholy and loneliness, yet in the same breath it is spoken to us by a man who has accepted his fate, is not bitter about it and whilst he realises he it is unlikely to change he still has the faint whisper of optimism and dream that it may do. However the final undertone is of someone who perhaps doesn't want anything changed; yes his life isn't perfect, but it's the way it suits him. Overall the effect is staggering.

This is not an album you listen to with somebody else, it isn't even an album you tell anyone you have listened to. It isn't an album that you sing aloud or in your head all day long, it is an album best enjoyed alone. This is for the seasoned Sinatra listener who can appreciate the subtlety of its magic and whilst I hesitantly say this, it is a mans album. The feelings described in this album are very masculine based and something only a man can truly appreciate and relate to.

The albums strongest point is also its weakest. It has an extremely short run time and this is not helped by the fact that a large majority of the tracks on the album are in fact the orated poetry. The poetry is beautiful and this is coming from someone who isn't very much into poetry as an art. It is read flawlessly and the words in the poems are very true and are accompanied by some beautiful arrangements. They read like small soliloquies and add to the dramatic effect of the album. Due to this, it isn't an album you pick songs from to listen, it is one you listen to from start to finish when you are in the mood.

Musically it has some magnificent successes on. Sinatra is in a beautiful rich and warm voice and we see beautiful songs such as "A Man Alone" and a favourite of all who listen to this album "I've Been To Town". I find the arrangement for "Lonesome Cities" inspiring and it is my perfect jazz sound. It is such a shame "Loves Been Good To Me" is often put on compilation albums, because the album works so much better as a whole. The jazzy carousel arrangement of this well known song is an excellent addition and upbeat note in the album, however it best enjoyed in the grander context of the entire album.

The ending of this album is sublime. It just ends the album so perfectly and is the best ending to an album I have ever heard. Not that it is musically anything amazing, it is in fact very simple, just what is said after one has listened to the entire album is right on the money. I won't spoil the surprise, just listen for yourself.

Short yet ever so sweet this is the king of concept albums. If you want "Come Fly With Me" and "Strangers in the Night" Sinatra then look else where, but if you want a new Sinatra experience be prepared to be wowed.