This was literally Ol’ Blue Eyes’ swan song. After he did this pair of unlikely hit records, he went to his eternal reward (or was it punishment, for doing it “his way”?). The mixing and matching of the Chairman was a promotional call from heaven, as everyone from Barbara Streisand to Tony Bennett to even Sting got into the act of going through Sinatra’s songbook. Purists tend to pan these sessions, but they do have their charm, and Frankie boy himself doesn’t sound too bad at all, although you can tell that his voice is helped by the engineer.
As with most things Frank, it’s the duets that you DON’T think will work that are the best. He sounds like a drinking buddy with Willie Nelson on “A Foggy Day” and the bonus take of “My Way.” Likewise, “Luck Be A Lady” with rocker Chrissie Hynde is a hip little take. For some reason, a wonderfully desultory reading of “One For My Baby” with saxist Tom Scott was left off until now; it’s a real highlight, while his teaming with Barbara Streisand sounds a bit too contrived, thank you. Did they talk politics between takes?
If you’re a neophyte, this should not be your first Sinatra album. That’s what the Capitol sessions are for, but it shouldn’t be left off your list either. Definitely a party album for the cocktail crowd. One for the road.