Review of Frank Sinatra : Summit: In Concert
Drunken, tacky, and undoubtedly a piece of history, The Summit: In Concert captures a 1962 Chicago supper-club show by the three biggest names in the Rat Pack. The apparently unedited tape clocks in at more than 78 minutes, with plenty of the trio's banter preserved--for better or worse. (Sinatra: "Shut up, Sam, and sit in the back of the bus!" Davis: "Jewish people don't sit in the back of the bus!" Sinatra: "Jewish people own the bus!") There's some fine singing, of course; though Sinatra seems to be going through the motions during most of his solo miniset, his "When Your Lover Has Gone" is a highlight, as is Davis's "Out of this World." More an intriguing document than an entertaining repeat listen--thanks in part to the anarchic interruptions of many of the second half's songs--Summit is for those who already own the guys' truly worthy recordings. --Rickey Wright

Users's Reviews - Frank Sinatra : Wish I was there........
A must for any rat pack fan. Just wish I was there to see it live. It seems like a time we'll never see again. Too Bad. Worth a purchase.

Your latest reviews - Frank Sinatra : "Every Song You Hear Seems To Say . . ."
". . . Merry Christmas, may your New Year dreams come true."

Christmas is just around the corner! And this most-anticipated-holiday-of-the-year wouldn't be complete without listening to this delightful and listener-friendly Sinatra Christmas CD. What I love most about this recording is the traditional, classic and solemn Christmas carols flawlessly arranged and conducted by one of Sinatra's greatest conductors/orchestrators, Gordon Jenkins, and of course Mr. Sinatra's superb and contemplative renditions. Adding to the beauty of each song is the chorus by the Ralph Brewster Singers. Frank Sinatra once remarked that Gordon Jenkins was "the best-equipped musician, orchestrator and conductor that he ever worked with."

It's always been very pleasurable listening to this CD at this time of the year. These are my favorites and the most-loved Christmas songs of all-time.

"A Christmas Song" - a beautiful and ever-popular song Mel Torme and Robert Wells composed in 1946 and was first made popular by another great singer, Nat King Cole. This song is the epitome of Christmas.

"A Christmas Waltz" - Words by Sammy Cahn and music was composed by Jule Styne. The first version (track #5) was arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins and the alternate version (last track) was arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" - written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 film "Meet Me In St. Louis" starring Judy Garland.

"O Little Town Of Bethlehem" - I love this traditional Christmas hymn. The lyrics were penned by Philips Brooks, who was then the rector of Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia and later became the Bishop of Massachusetts.

"The First Noel" - a traditional Christmas carol with its origin unknown. It was first published in 1833.

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" - a Felix Mendelssohn music and the words were written by John Wesley in 1855.

"Adeste Fideles" (O Come All Ye Faithful) - music composed by John Reading and lyrics by John Francis Wade dating back from the 1740s.

"Silent Night" - a very solemn song originated in Austria. The music was composed by a church organist, Franz Gruber and the words were written by an assistant pastor Joseph Mohr on Christmas Eve of 1818.

"White Christmas" - An all-time and most-loved Christmas carol with words and music by the great composer Irving Berlin. This track was superbly orchestrated and conducted by Nelson Riddle.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" - a melancholy beautiful song by Walter Kent and Kim Gannon composed in the 1940s.

"Jingle Bells" - the bubbliest and the most spirited track from this collection, it's words and music were written by John Pierpont. The most popular Christmas song and every kid's (from one to ninety-two [kids at heart]) favorite.

"Mistletoe And Holly" - the legendary singer tried his hand at songwriting and co-wrote this wonderful carol with Doc Stanford and Hank Sanicola.

"It Came Upon A Midnight Clear" - Lyrics by Rev. Edmund H. Sears and music by Richard S. Willis, an American composer and music journalist.

"It came upon the midnight clear
That glorious song of old
From angels bending near the earth
To touch their harps of gold
Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From Heaven's all gracious King
The world in solemn stillness lay
To hear the angels sing."

Wishing one and all the best of the Holiday Season!