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In The Wee Small Hours |  | Artist: Frank Sinatra
Label: Capitol Records
Category: Music
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £1.78
as of 22/11/2009 05:18 GMT details
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New (28) Used (9) Collectible (1) from £1.78
Seller: all your music
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 2408
Format: Original recording remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.4
UPC: 077779682621
EAN: 0077779682621
ASIN: B00000DRCZ
Release Date: November 9, 1992
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning | | • | Glad To Be Unhappy | | • | I Get Along Without You Very Well | | • | Deep In A Dream | | • | I See Your Face Before Me | | • | Can't We Be Friends | | • | When Your Lover Has Gone | | • | What Is This Thing Called Love | | • | I'll Be Around | | • | Ill Wind | | • | It Never Entered My Mind | | • | I'll Never Be The Same | | • | This Love Of Mine | | • | Last Night When We Were Young | | • | Dancing On The Ceiling |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
The first of many artistic milestones in the long and illustrious collaboration of Frank Sinatra and arranger Nelson Riddle that began at Capitol Records, iIn the Wee Small Hours/i is a first in other notable ways as well: it was the pair's first 12-inch LP; their first album devoted entirely to ballads; the first "concept album", a programme of songs designed to be heard in a particular sequence that sustains a mood and suggests a story; the introduction of Sinatra's definitive "saloon singer" persona; and the first flowering of Sinatra's mature artistic sensibility. Oh, and it's a masterpiece, too. The cover portrait suggests the mood of late-night desolation almost as effectively as the music, with Sinatra in the corner, smoking a solitary cigarette on deserted street illuminated only by the a foggy, blue-green glow of lamplight. Loneliness, thy name is Frank! (They say that memories of Ava Gardner caused him to break down after finishing this aching version of "When Your Lover Has Gone".) Riddle's clarinet theme for "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is as haunting as Cole Porter's melody itself. And if there's a more devastating evocation of solitude than "It Never Entered My Mind", well, it must be on iOnly the Lonely/i. With songs like "I'll Be Around" and "Dancing on the Ceiling" to suggest at least the hope of hope, iWee Small Hours/i may flirt with despair but never succumbs to it. It's the kind of comforting company that misery likes best. --iJim Emerson/i
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
Classic Sinatra singing songs of loneliness and despair August 29, 2003
Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota)
31 out of 31 found this review helpful
"In the Wee Small Hours" was the very first 12" album Frank Sinatra recorded, a superb collection of ballads arranged by Nelson Riddle that went to the top of the charts in 1955. Riddle created a melancholy sound that perfectly suited these songs of loneliness and despair, and which showcased Sinatra's sudden maturity as a vocalist. Everybody who could read a newspaper or listen to a gossip on the phone knew that Sinatra's love affair with actress Ava Gardner had ended badly, and it was impossible not to have that tabloid fact provide his singing with an obvious poignancy with this selection of songs. However, what was important was that Sinatra had raised his singing to a whole new level, showing a mastery of phrasing that would define the rest of his career. Special mention needs to be made of the piano work by Bill Miller, which also stands out in Riddle's sparse arrangements. pIn addition to the title song by Bob Hilliard David Mann, there are a series of standards of this type such as Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo," Cole Porter's "What is this Thing Called Love?," Arlen Harbaurg's "Last Night When We Were Young," and a trio of Rodgers Hart tunes. My vote for the best track would go to Hoagy Carmichael's "I Get Along Without You Very Well," a song that epitomizes the mood of the entire album and highlights Sinatra's singing prowess. With the "In the Wee Small Hours" album the crooner who had been the heartthrob of the nation's Bobbysoxers gave way to the saloon singer who became one of the most important musical figure of the 20th century (Bing Crosby, Elvis, and the Beatles are the others who define that ultimate level). This is a must have album for Sinatra fans, the oldest record on my list of ten essential Sinatra albums.
Frank at his best June 6, 2005
mitchgibbo (England)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
During the 50's Sinatra made three seminal albums, Songs for Swinging Lovers, Come Fly With Me, and this...In the Wee Small Hours. This is just THE perfect album for those late nights when you have nothing else to do but relax with a good bottle of what ever you fancy (Frank would approve of a Bourbon or two) and losing yourself in this simply superb set.brSinatra sings for the lost and the lonely, and no-one and I mean NO-ONE does it any better than this. Every note is sung from the heart and every note connects. The Chairman of The Board was truly at the top of his game when he made this and it shows. brAccompanied by the brilliant Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra this is big band swing does the blues and it works supremely well.brQuite simply put...brilliant!
This is why Sinatra is a Legend! May 23, 2001
Mystery Reviewer (UK)
50 out of 53 found this review helpful
First off let me say I am 23 years old and my music collection includes Oasis, Pearl Jam, Fat Boy Slim, Pink Floyd, U2 etc. I think the main reason that young people today think that Sinatra is very sad is because the only experience they have of him is him wailing through 'My Way' about 20 years after his voice had long left him. Please understand: Sinatra in the 80s and 90s is appaling - he lost it completely. However in the 50s Sinatra was absolutley amazing! He had the greatest songwriters EVER working with him and his Nelson Riddle arranged albums are outstanding. This is a sombre album with lyrics which are just as relevant today and still feel contemparary. A case in point is Can't We Be Friends, a song based on what women say after they've ripped out your heart. It actually makes you feel BETTER during bad times, not worse. If you want the more upbeat lively side of Sinatra you can't beat SONGS FOR SWINGIN' LOVERS. Remember: When buying Sinatra, get 50s albums and avoid new 'compilation' albums like the plague!
I never realised how human Frank was. April 24, 2002
E. Jackson (N.Ireland)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
Do not be put off by the cover artwork not being up to modern standards nor by any preconceived notions that you may have about what Frank Sinatra represents in terms of showbusiness. This work breaks all the moulds and shows why you should listen without prejudice. pI am a John Martyn fan and primarily like guitar music in all forms from metal to classical. I heard I get along without you very well on the radio. This started a whole new interest area in which to buy and listen stunned as I was by the depth of feeling evident on this album. If you are in to sincerity and emotion in music this is a big one. pI'm now investigating the Capitol records output in its entirety. Not since I saw BB King live have I been so impressed by a talent or by an artist's sheer class. pThis album is a major achievement in recording a very genuine blues and parts are as difficult to listen to as Gorecki's Third for someone looking for wallpaper. This is not easy listening but is a genuine classic for those who appreciate classic singing, sensitive orchestration and depth of feeling. I never thought that I'd see the day, but the title track alone says more than a dozen empty guitar solos. Don't worry what others think, you can always conceal the CD.
Stirred to the Soul April 8, 2006
ArcherFish123 (Near Ware, Herts. United Kingdom)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is an album of the finest calibre, bar none. For those of you who like the capitivating pensive moods found on albums such as Jeff Buckley's Grace or Nick Drake's Bryter Later, this album is a must for your collection.brWithout repeating the well known retoric about Frank's split from Ava - the genious of this record is the fact it is an album overflowing with painfully tender tracks, where one of the greatest voices of all time has worn his heart completely on his sleeve for 50 glorious minutes. brIf that is not enough to draw you attention then you probably wouldn't like it anyway!!brMy personal favourite tracks here are the title track Wee Small Hours, the lonely I see your face before me and the wonderfully fine I get along without you very well.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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