1949 · Album
Frankly Sentimental
Recorded 1946–1947 · Columbia Records · Produced by Not credited
When Sinatra Sang Quietly Through the Ache
Some songs he barely inhabits; others he makes sound like they were written just for him.
Frankly Sentimental arrived in 1949 as a collection of eight ballads recorded across 1946 and 1947, arranged and conducted by Axel Stordahl. By this point in Sinatra's career, he had already moved past the bobby-soxer hysteria of his earlier years and was settling into the role of a vocalist who could inhabit a sad song. This album showcases that transition, though not always smoothly.
The reception was mixed in ways that tell you something real about what's here. John Riley in The Boston Globe heard a vocalist who sometimes seemed bored—particularly on "Body and Soul," where Sinatra "wades through as though it were a demanding chore." But Riley also noted that in other moments, that same quiet simplicity actually worked, deepening the song instead of undermining it. Harold Ober from the Asbury Park Press came away convinced that these familiar tunes were "sung in Sinatra's best style." The Springfield Sunday Republican felt the material was so perfectly suited to the vocalist that each number "might have been written expressly" for him. What you're hearing is a performer who could move the needle in opposite directions depending on the song—and sometimes on the day.
This isn't the place to start with Sinatra. It's not a failure, exactly, but it's uneven in ways that matter. Some tracks land with genuine feeling; others drift past like background music at a hotel bar. The album works best if you come to it already knowing his voice well, already comfortable enough with Sinatra that you can hear the difference between him engaged and him going through the motions. Stordahl's arrangements are polished and present, never intrusive, which means everything depends on what the singer brings. On Frankly Sentimental, he doesn't always bring the same thing twice.
Who's playing
Trigger Alpertdouble bass
Phil Stephensdouble bass
Bob Kitsispiano
Johnny Guarnieripiano
Mark McIntyrepiano
Matty Golizioguitar
Allan Reussguitar
Dave Barbourguitar
Ernie Caceressaxophone
Harry Feldmansaxophone
Toots Mondellosaxophone
Wolffe Taninbaumsaxophone
Milt Yanersaxophone
Bernard Kaufmansaxophone
Herman Schertzersaxophone
Heinie Beausaxophone
Herbie Haymersaxophone
Jules Kinslersaxophone
Fred Dornbachsaxophone
Harry Kleesaxophone
Andy Ferrettitrumpet
Bobby Hacketttrumpet
Yank Lawsontrumpet
Melvin "Red" Solomontrumpet
Chris Griffintrumpet
John Lausentrumpet
Rubin "Zeke" Zarchytrumpet
Clyde Hurleytrumpet
Manny Kleintrumpet
George Arustrombone
William Pritchardtrombone
Andy Russotrombone
William Rauschtrombone
Hoyt Bohannontrombone
George Jenkinstrombone
Ed Kusbytrombone
Johnny Blowersdrums
Norris "Bunny" Shawkerdrums
Ray Hagandrums
Maurice Browncello
Harold Colettaviola
Harold Furmanskyviola
Armand Kaproffcello
Elaine Vito Ricciharp
George Riccicello
Joseph SingerFrench horn
Frederick Buldriniviolin
Mac Cepposviolin
Maurice Hershaftviolin
Harry Katzmanviolin
Howard Kayviolin
Sylvan Kirsnerviolin
Leo Kruczekviolin
Merle Pittviolin
Raoul Polikianviolin
Sam Randviolin
Julius Schachterviolin
Zelly Smirnoffviolin
Isadore Zirviola
Harold Collettaviola
Solomon Deutschviola
Sid Harrisviolin
Felix Orlewitzviolin
Harry Urbontviolin
Jack Zydeviolin
Mitch Milleroboe
Fred Goernercello
Mischa Russellviolin
Felix Slatkinviolin
Dave Sterkinviola
William Bloomviolin
Werner Calliesviolin
Walter Edelsteinviolin
Sam Freedviolin
David Frisinaviolin
Howard Halbertviolin
Abe Hochsteinviola
Sol Kindlerviolin
Morris Kingviolin
Eugene Lamasviolin
Dan Lubeviolin
Alexander Neimanviola
Richard PerissiFrench horn
John Sewellcello
Stanley Spiegelmanviola
Ann Mason Stocktonharp
Julius Tannenbaumcello
Gerald Vinciviolin
