Frank Sinatra / A Voice On Air 1935-1955 / 4CD box set

Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings mark the centenary of Frank Sinatra’s birth with A Voice On Air (1935-1955), a four-CD deluxe set featuring over 100 tracks culled from rare radio broadcasts and rehearsals, plus a 60-page book…

Producers Charles L. Granata, Didier C. Deutsch, Michael Feinstein and Andreas Meyer delved into their own extensive broadcast transcription collections plus the world’s most prestigious archives and sound repositories (The Library of Congress, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, to name but two) to recover archive audio. The recordings – most of which are unheard since their original broadcast – have been restored and remastered in high resolution from the original glass and aluminum radio transcription discs and magnetic tape masters by engineers Andreas Meyer and Granata. The result of their work, we are promised, is a high-fidelity sound “more rich and vibrant than ever before” while preserving “all the warmth and vibrancy” of Sinatra’s voice.



This overview begins with his first radio performance in 1935 (singing “S-H-I-N-E” with the Hoboken Four) to his last weekly series in 1955 (The Frank Sinatra Show, featuring ultra-rare performances with an in-studio quintet).

Among the unique selling points of the set are dozens of unusual arrangements of Sinatra’s most prized songs and many songs that were never officially recorded by Sinatra (classics such as Cole Porter’s Don’t Fence Me In and Jermone Kern and Ira Gershwin’s Long Ago and Far Away). There are also duets with the likes of Nat King Cole (Exactly Like You), Benny Goodman (I Only Have Eyes for You), Doris Day (Take Me Out to the Ballgame and There’s No Business Like Show Business), plus rarely-heard programme openings, closings, announcements and commercials to add historical context.

The suitably cool, understated design of the box set packaging is the work of art director Maria Marulanda, who was also responsible design of 2007 Columbia Legacy box set Frank Sinatra: A Voice in Time. To complement the audio, the 60-page book features dozens of rare photographs and recording artifacts illustrating the scope of Sinatra’s radio career, an introductory essay by renowned singer, pianist and archivist Michael Feinstein, a personal remembrance by Nancy Sinatra (one of the set’s three executive producers) and detailed essay by Charles L. Granata.

A Voice On Air (1935-1955) required cooperation between Legacy Recordings, Frank Sinatra Enterprises and the Smithsonian Institute. If this boxset is not enough of Ol’ Blues Eyes for you, at the request of the Sinatra family, there will a single CD – Frank Sinatra: Lost and Found – Exclusive Collectors Editions consisting of an additional 26 rare, previously unreleased radio recordings (not available on this box set) offered exclusively at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C and through their website. Currently, the website shows no price and states vaguely that they expect the CD to become available in mid-November, but you can sign up for an email alert when it actually is available.

A Voice on Air (1935-1955) is released on 20 November 2015.

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CD1:

1. Vintage Radio Tuning In / Major Bowes’ Show Opening / S-H-I-N-E – The Hoboken Four
2. Fred Allen introduces Frank Sinatra and the Four Sharps / Exactly Like You – The Four Sharps / Fred Allen
3. Moon Love – Frank Sinatra with Harry James and His Orchestra
4. Fame and Fortune Show Opening: I’m Getting Sentimental Over You / Marie – Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
5. Deep Night – Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
6. Ruth Lowe Interview / I’ll Never Smile Again / Fame and Fortune Show Opening: I’m Getting Sentimental Over You – Frank Sinatra / Tommy Dorsey, Horace Heidt & Ruth Lowe / Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & his Orchestra and the Pied Pipers
7. Frenesi – Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & his Orchestra and the Pied Pipers
8. East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) – Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
9. Carnaval de Broadway Opening: I’m Getting Sentimental Over You / The One I Love – Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & his Orchestra and the Pied Pipers
10. Say It / Carnaval de Broadway Closing: I’m Getting Sentimental Over You – Frank Sinatra with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
11. She’s Funny That Way – Frank Sinatra with David Broekman & the Treasury Ensemble
12. I Don’t Believe in Rumors – Frank Sinatra with David Broekman & the Treasury Ensemble
13. Medley: I’ll String Along with You / As Time Goes By – Frank Sinatra with Lyn Murray & his Orchestra
14. That Old Black Magic – Frank Sinatra with Walter Gross & His Orchestra
15. I Heard You Cried Last Night – Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
16. For Me and My Gal – Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
17. Moonlight Mood – Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
18. There Are Such Things – Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
19. Broadway Bandbox Show Opening / All or Nothing at All (orchestral) – Frank Sinatra with Raymond Scott & His Orchestra
20. My Heart Stood Still – Frank Sinatra with Raymond Scott & His Orchestra
21. The Right Kind of Love – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
22. Close to You – Frank Sinatra with Raymond Paige & his Orchestra
23. As Time Goes By – Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
24. It’s De-Lovely – Frank Sinatra & Milton Berle with Raymond Scott & His Orchestra
25. Nature’s Remedy Commercial – Fred Cole
CD2:
1. Songs by Sinatra Show Opening: This Love of Mine / Paper Doll – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra and the Bobby Tucker Singers / Frank Sinatra & Everett Clark with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra and the Bobby Tucker Singers
2. Kiss Me Again – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra and the Bobby Tucker Singers
3. If Loveliness Were Music – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra and the Bobby Tucker Singers
4. Lover Come Back to Me / Songs by Sinatra Show Closing: Put Your Dreams Away – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra and the Bobby Tucker Singers / Frank Sinatra & Everett Clark with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra and the Bobby Tucker Singers
5. My Heart Tells Me – Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
6. My Ideal – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
7. News Bulletin / Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower Briefing / President Franklin D. Roosevelt Address of D-Day (Excerpts) / Music for Millions Introduction & Buy a Piece of the Peace – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra / Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower & President Franklin D. Roosevelt
8. Frank Sinatra D-Day Announcement / The Frank Sinatra Show Opening: This Love of Mine / Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra / Frank Sinatra with Mark Warnow & The Hit Parade Orchestra
9. Frank Sinatra Commentary on Special D-Day Broadcast / America the Beautiful – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra / Frank Sinatra
10. Frank Sinatra Dedication to Canadian Soliders at Rockcliffe Hospital, Ontario / I’ll Be Seeing You (Rehearsal) – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
11. Frank Sinatra Dedication to Soldiers at Halloran Hospital, Staten Island, NY / The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
12. It Had to Be You – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
13. Don’t Fence Me In – Frank Sinatra & Eileen Barton with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
14. Lonely Love – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
15. Long Ago and Far Away – Frank Sinatra with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
16. Songs by Sinatra Opening: Night and Day / Aren’t You Glad You’re You – Frank Sinatra, June Hutton & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
17. It Might as Well be Spring – Frank Sinatra, June Hutton & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
18. Birthday Greetings for Frank Sinatra’s 30th Birthday / Frank Sinatra introduces June Hutton / Button Up Your Overcoat – Frank Sinatra, June Hutton & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
19. Day by Day – Frank Sinatra, June Hutton & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
20. Lily Belle – Frank Sinatra, June Hutton & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
21. Ol’ Man River / Songs by Sinatra Show Closing: Put Your Dreams Away – Frank Sinatra, June Hutton & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
22. Comedy Sketch: The Battle of the Century – Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope & Bing Crosby
23. Songs by Sinatra Old Gold “Yankee Doodle Dandy” Commercial – Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
24. The Frank Sinatra Show Vimms Vitamin Commercial – Frank Sinatra
25. Songs by Sinatra Max Factor Commercial – Frank Sinatra

CD3:
1. Songs by Sinatra Show Opening: Night and Day / I’m an Old Cowhand / Tumblin’ Tumbleweeds – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
2. Along the Navajo Trail – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
3. Frank Sinatra Introduction to “Home on the Range” / Home on the Range – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
4. Frank Sinatra Introduces Louisiana Gov. Jimmie Davis / You Are My Sunshine – Frank Sinatra & Gov. Jimmie Davis with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
5. Frank Sinatra introduces Nat “King” Cole / Exactly Like You – Frank Sinatra with Nat “King” Cole & the King Cole Trio
6. Frank Sinatra introduces Slim Gaillard / Cement Mixer (Put-ti Put-ti) – Frank Sinatra & Slim Gaillard with the Slim Gaillard Trio / Frank Sinatra & Slim Gaillard
7. You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me – Frank Sinatra & Peggy Lee with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
8. I Only Have Eyes for You – Frank Sinatra & Benny Goodman with the Benny Goodman Sextet
9. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
10. Don’t Forget Tonight Tomorrow – Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
11. Sweet Lorraine – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
12. Personality – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
13. Who’s Sorry Now? – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
14. Don’t Marry That Girl – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
15. A Salute to Al Jolson Show Opening & George Jessel Introduces Frank Sinatra / Rock-a-Bye Your Baby – Frank Sinatra with Morris Stoloff & his Orchestra
16. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
17. These Foolish Things (parody) – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
18. (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
19. Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better) – Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante & Garry Moore with Roy Bargy & his Orchestra
20. Frank Sinatra Introduces Irving Berlin / Alexander’s Ragtime Band – Frank Sinatra & Irving Berlin with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra / Frank Sinatra & Irving Berlin
21. Help Me to Help My Neighbor / Irving Berlin Commentary on Frank Sinatra Winning the Jefferson Award – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra / Irving Berlin
22. Frank Sinatra Introduces Johnny Mercer / Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive – Frank Sinatra & Johnny Mercer with Axel Stordahl & his Orchestra
23. Your Hit Parade Show Opening: Lucky Day / (It’s Going to Be A) Great Day – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
24. I Wish I Didn’t Love You So – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
25. Take Me Out to the Ball Game – Frank Sinatra & Doris Day with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
26. There’s No Business Like Show Business – Frank Sinatra & Doris Day with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
27. Serenade of the Bells – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
28. Frank Sinatra Receives the Modern Screen Ed Sullivan Award nad the 1946 “Radio Father of the Year Award” / Come Rain or Come Shine – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
29. Songs by Sinatra Show Closing: Put Your Dreams Away – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra

CD4:

1. Haunted Heart – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
2. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & His Orchestra
3. I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
4. Nature Boy – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
5. Little White Lies – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
6. On a Slow Boat to China – Frank Sinatra with Axel Stordahl & The Hit Parade Orchestra
7. Light Up Time Show Opening: Lucky Day / It All Depends on You – Frank Sinatra with Johnny Green & his Orchestra
8. Some Enchanted Evening – Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten with Johnny Green & his Orchestra
9. Full Moon and Empty Arms – Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten with Jeff Alexander & his Orchestra
10. It’s Only a Paper Moon – Frank Sinatra with Ziggy Elman & his Orchestra
11. Mad About You – Frank Sinatra with Ziggy Elman & his Orchestra
12. A Fine Romance – Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten with Ziggy Elman & his Orchestra
13. Dean Martin introduces Frank Sinatra / I’ve Got a Crush on You – Frank Sinatra with Dick Stabile & His Orchestra / Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra
14. Why Try to Change Me Now – Frank Sinatra with Harry Sosnik & the Savings Bond Orchestra
15. Birth of the Blues – Frank Sinatra with Harry Sosnik & the Savings Bond Orchestra
16. To Be Perfectly Frank Show Opening: Walking and Whistlin’ the Blues / I’ve Got the World on a String – Frank Sinatra with quintet accompaniment feat. Grahmam Forbes / Frank Sinatra with the Sinatra Symphonette feat. Bill Miller
17. I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm – Frank Sinatra with quintet accompaniment feat. Grahmam Forbes
18. A Hundred Years from Today – Frank Sinatra with quartet accompaniment feat. Graham Forbes
19. This Can’t Be Love – Frank Sinatra with quintet accompaniment feat. Grahmam Forbes
20. Them There Eyes / To Be Perfectly Frank Closing: Walkin’ and Whistlin’ the Blues – Frank Sinatra with quintet accompaniment feat. Grahmam Forbes
21. The Frank Sinatra Show Opening: Young at Heart / Tenderly – Frank Sinatra with Graham Forbes
22. Hello, Young Lovers – Frank Sinatra with Graham Forbes
23. It’s Alright with Me – Frank Sinatra with Graham Forbes
24. Our Love Is Here to Stay / The Frank Sinatra Show Closing: Put Your Dreams Away – Frank Sinatra feat. Graham Forbes
25. Gary Crosby Introduces Frank Sinatra / Sam’s Song (The Happy Tune) – Frank Sinatra & Gary Crosby with John Scott Trotter and His Orchrestra
26. Half as Lovely (Twice as True) – Frank Sinatra with John Scott Trotter & his Orchestra
27. Light Up Time / Lucky Strike “LSMFT” Commercial – Frank Sinatra
28. Frank Sinatra sings Bobbi Home Permanment / White Rain Commercials – Frank Sinatra