"The Capitol Years" by DEAN MARTIN - Anthology of Mono Capitol 78s", 7" Singles and Album Tracks Recorded Between December 1948 and December 1961 with Guests Peggy Lee, Paul Weston (and The Dixie Eight), Jerry Lewis, Nat 'King' Cole, The Martingales, Dick Stabile and His Orchestra with Arrangers Nelson Riddle, Gus Levine, Andre Previn and more (May 1996 US - June 1996 UK Capitol 2CD 40-Track Anthology with Previously Unreleased Stereo and Bob Norberg Remixes and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Memories Are Made Of This..." 

 

Capitol Records USA had begun the daunting process of CD Remastering their huge Male and Female Vocals catalogue for the Nineties Easy Listening aficionado. Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat 'King' Cole and of course the Real Deal Tuxedo of Schmooze and Booze - the fabulous DEAN MARTIN. 

 

That's Amore! Indeed! I love this Goody Two Shoes June 1996 2CD Anthology and have owned it forever. So, even if it's completely forgotten nowadays (July 2023) and truth be told – is rarely ever seen on must-have wants lists – I want to big up the love for the man with the most Volare in his Napoli trilby. Here are the memorable details...

 

UK released June 1996 (30 May 1996 in the USA) - "The Capitol Years" by DEAN MARTIN on Capitol PRDFCD 2 - 0777 7 98409 2 2 (Barcode 077779840922) boasts 40 gorgeously clean and full audio tracks across 2CDs. It comes in a fat jewel case of old (black speckled spines) with a decent full-color 32-page booklet chockers with period photos, memorabilia and track-by-track liner notes from people who care – JOSEPH H. LAREDO and Compilation Co-Ordinators Bob Furmanek and Kim Niemi (The Dean Martin Association of the UK is even mentioned on the second last page of the booklet). It breaks down as follows...

 

CD1 (52:16 minutes):

1. Memories Are Made Of This (28 Nov 1955 US 78" Capitol 3295) - includes a few un-credited seconds of spoken dialogue by Dean Martin introducing the song - it was recorded 1955 for the US Radio Station WNEW and is segued onto the beginning. The song spent six weeks at No.1 on the charts

2. Powder Your Face With Sunshine (Smile! Smile! Smile!) (17 Jan 1949 US 78" Capitol 15351)

3. You Was (17 Jan 1949 US 78" Capitol 15349 - Duet with PEGGY LEE)

4. Dreamy Old New England Moon (11 April 1949 US 78" Capitol 57-545 - with PAUL WESTON)

5. I'm Gonna Paper All My Walls With Your Love Letters (10 April 1950 US 78" Capitol 948 - with PAUL WESTON and THE DIXIE EIGHT)

6.  I'll Always Love You (Day After Day) (22 May 1950 US 78" Capitol 1028)

7. Solitaire (15 Oct 1951 US 78" Capitol 1817 - with DICK STABILE and Orchestra)

8. Night Train To Memphis (3 Dec 1951 US 78" Capital 1885)

9. Pretty As A Picture (10 Mar 1952 US 78" Capitol 2001)

10. Oh Marie (30 June 1952 US 78" Capitol 2140)

11. You Belong To Me (28 July 1953 US 78" Capitol 2165)

12. Susan (Recorded 2 July 1952, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

13. The Peanut Vendor (Recorded 2 July 1952, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

14. I'm Yours (12 January 1953 US Capitol EP Album 401 - from the film "The Stooge")

15. That's Amore (14 Sep 1953 US 78" Capitol 2589)

16. I'd Cry Like A Baby (Recorded 13 Aug 1953, Take 9, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED Alternate Version)

17. Hey Brother, Pour The Wine (8 March 1954 US 78" Capitol 2749)

18. Every Street's A Boulevard (In Old New York) (7 June 1954 US Capitol EP 533 "Living It Up" - Transferred from Paramount Magnetic Film Track)

19. I'll Gladly Make The Same Mistake Again (29 Nov 1954 US 78" Capitol 3988)

20. Open Up The Doghouse (Two Cats Are Coming In) (29 Nov 1954 US 78" Capitol 2985 - Duet with NAT 'KING' COLE) 

 

CD2 (57:47 minutes): 

1. Carolina In The Morning (1 August 1955 US LP "Swingin' Down Yonder" on Capitol 576) 

2. In Napoli (19 May 1955 US 45-Single Capitol 3238)

3. Innamorata (Sweetheart) (13 Feb 1956 US 45-Single Capitol 3352 - Taken from the Paramount Picture "Artists And Models")

4. I'm Gonna Steal You Away (With The Nuggets) (22 May 1956 US 45-Single Capitol 3468

5. Only Trust Your Heart (1 April 1957 US 45-single Capitol 3680)

6. Beau James (1 July 1957 US 45-Single Capitol 3752)

7. Good Mornin' Life (25 Nov 1957 US 45-Single Capitol 3841)

8. Return To Me (Ritorna Me) (17 Feb 1958 US 45-Single Capitol 3894)

9. It's 1200 Miles From Palm Springs To Texas (Released only in Palm Springs for 'Texas Desert Circus Week' 16-20 April 1958 - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

10. Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu) (11 Aug 1958 US 45-Single Capitol 4028)

11. On An Evening in Roma (Sott'er Er Celo De Roma) (8 June 1959 US 45-Single Capitol 4222)

12. All I Do Is Dream Of You (2 March 1959 US LP "Sleep Warm" on Capitol 1150)

13. Medley (Live): 

You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To Do It)

It Had To Be You

I'm in Love With You

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter)

(Recorded 9 May 1959 at the Moulin Rouge in Hollywood (Share Benefit) - PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

14. My Guiding Star (Recorded 27 April 1960, Take 1, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

15. Until The Real Thing Comes Along (3 October 1960 US LP "This Time I'm Swingin'" on Capitol 1442)

16. Ain't That A Kick In The Head (8 August 1960 US 45-Single Capitol 4420 - from the Warner Brothers Motion Picture "Ocean's 11")

17. Just In Time (20 June 1960 US 45-Single Capitol 4391)

18. Be An Angel (11 October 1965 US LP "The Lush Years" on Tower Records 5006 in Stereo)

19. Non Dimenticar (5 February 1962 US LP "Dino: Italian Love Songs" on Capitol 1659 in Stereo)

20. Somebody Loves You (originally on the 5 Nov 1962 US LP "Cha Cha De Amor" on Capitol 1702 - Newly Restored Stereo Version) 

 

The fat double jewel case is clunky for sure when they used to feel so substantial, but it still looks like a classy release - back and front. But it's the audio. I cannot stress how good the BOB NORBERG Remixes and Remasters are. Take a song like "Pretty As A Picture" on CD1 - Take 13 is the Master and Dino is accompanied by DICK STABILE and Orchestra (Stabile on Alto Sax) - you can hear the backing singers clearly but not in an overwhelming way - his voice had the timber too - it's gorgeous. It's like that throughout. And while the big brassy numbers can be too much, a ballad like "You Belong To Me" or the fun of "Susan" (she's got a certain air the boys call supersonic - the barbers are running out of tonic) where the lyrics and melody chime like a well-oiled clock - sound great.

 

Unfortunately you can so hear why stuff like "The Peanut Vendor" was left unissued - it's irritating and not in a Fifties good way either. And the in-joke to "Hey Brother, Pour The Wine" would later become a sick prophesy for his horrible decline into full-blown alcoholism in the late Sixties and Seventies (all those Smokey & The Bandit movies where we used to cringe in the audience). The unreleased "I'd Cry Like A Baby" is a nice find, fun too is "I'll Gladly Make The Same Mistake Again" - but I'm not so sure the Woke-2023 audience would sit still for the lyrics in "Open Up The Doghouse (Two Cats Are Coming In)" that starts out very funny but then ends on misogynistic lines about slapping the ladies and showing them who's top dog that should have men cringe even then.

 

CD2 opens with the vaudeville "Carolina In The Morning" - crystal clear sound and note-perfect players accompanying his silky vocal delivery (nothing could be finer). The girly chorus and strings schmaltz shimmies in with "In Napoli" and "Innamorata (Sweetheart)" - a pair of surrender-to-the-kisses ballads that he so excelled in. The quirky tenderness of young love continues with the fun "I'm Gonna Steal You Away (With The Nuggets)" - his backing vocalists bopping with the words (falsettos and bass) as he tells of squeaking windows and elopement. But they all falter against my absolute fave for the whole set - "Only Trust Your Heart" - a truly gorgeous breeze-softly-sighing ballad where our Dino implores us to ignore the naysayers of logic and concentrate only on the warmth of her kisses (will do).

 

Neither "Beau James" or Good Mornin' Life" with their big brassy Times Square tales do much for me - but I can never get enough of one of his masterpieces "Return To Me (Ritorna Me)" - his voice, the orchestra and those swooning girly singers - it is a hurry-home-to-my-heart moment that never gets old for me (a No. 4 chart hit for him). Martin is also forever tied to the Italian double-whammy of "Volare..." and "On An Evening In Roma..." - fly up to the clouds - away from the maddening crowds - that melody and its opening notes are instantly recognizable to generations - the Euro cool of Expresso Coffee. 

 

Frank Sinatra territory looms with the jaunty and happy-go-lucky "All I Do Is Dream Of You" - another fab slice of period genius - skies are blue morning noon and nighttime too. His brilliant raconteur wit comes shining through as he works the crowd for the 1959 four-song live medley - a very smart Previously Unreleased way to show what fun he was when he was on (he jokes "everybody hates a smart ass!"). The Previously Unreleased STEREO take of "Be An Angel" is a treat - gorgeous Strings, Piano and Saxophone sailing out of your speakers - a song he recorded in February 1961 but fans would have to wait until October 1965 to hear it on the Tower Records LP "The Lush Years" (the latest release date on this compilation). Again beautiful sound for the ballad "Non Dimenticar" from the hugely popular album "Dino: Italian Love Songs" on Capitol Records, February 1962 (Stereo too). It comes to an end on another rarity - a restored Stereo Version of "Somebody Loves You" - a Cha-Cha shuffle that probably made your aunty shimmy on the carpet in 1962. 

 

You can of course find Dean Martin Capitol Records stuff in so many places today (2023) - some like the gorgeous Bear Family multiple-CD Box sets even afford his artistry respect - regardless of cost. But spare an Uncle Sam for "The Capitol Years" with its beautifully Remastered Audio and tasty booklet full of love for its hero. I've seen it for less than four squid on retail sites - and as I say, that's an amore I'll take any day of the Italian-American week...

"The Legacy [1961-2017]" by GLEN CAMPBELL – Featuring Bobbie Gentry, Anne Murray, Jimmy Webb, Leon Russell and many more (June 2019 UK and EU UME/Capitol Nashville 4CD 78-Song Book-Wallet Reissue – Remasters Originally Done For The 2003 Box Set)- A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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This Review and 364 More Like It

Are Available In My E-Book 

 

GIMME SHELTER!

CLASSIC 1960s ROCK ON CD 

And Other Genres Thereabouts 

 

Your All-Genres Guide To 

Exceptional Reissues and Remasters 

All Reviews From The Discs 

No Need To be Nervous!

(No Cut and Paste Crap)

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"...Gentle On My Mind..."

 

What you have here is a Re-Release loosely called the 2019 Reissue Edition.

 

When first US-only issued back in October 2003 on Capitol Nashville 72435-90493-2-8, this 80-Track 4CD Box Set was called "The Legacy [1961-2002]" and had Disc 4 containing 15 live cuts (which made sense at the time).

 

But with Campbell's passing in early August 2017 aged 82, Capitol slimmed down the earlier big box to a more space-friendly card-wallet fold-out set up, rejiggered Disc 4 to contain 13 tracks from studio albums issued between 2003 and 2017 (including stuff from his hugely popular swan-song album "Adios"), used the same quality Bob Norberg Remasters for Discs 1 to 3 (those tracks remain unchanged), updated the liner notes to include the later stuff and his loss - and finally re-titled the whole 78-song shebang as "The Legacy [1961-2017]" - a more accurate description. This '2019 Reissue Edition' was also re-released in both the USA and Europe (a first time for UK/EU fans).

 

There's a heap to get Gentle On Our Minds, so let's get walkin' to that gurglin' cracklin' cauldron by some train yard...

 

UK released 21 June 2019 - "The Legacy [1961-2017]" by GLEN CAMPBELL on Ume/Capitol Nashville 00602577150609 (Barcode 602577150609) is a 78-Track 4CD Reissue in Slimmed Down Card Book Packaging (same Booklet and Remasters as the 2003 Original). The 2019 Reissue Edition plays out as follows...

 

CD1 (54:30 minutes, 21 tracks):

1. Turn Around, Look At Me (October 1961 US 45-single on Crest 45-1087, A-side)

2. Kentucky Means Paradise (from his 1962 US debut LP "Big Bluegrass Special" on Capitol ST 1810 in Stereo, credited to 'The Green River Boys & Glen Campbell' - see also Track 12)

3. Too Late To Worry - Too Blue To Cry (from his 1963 second studio album "Too Late To Worry – Too Blue To Cry" on Capitol ST-1881, first LP credited to just Glen Campbell)

4. The Universal Soldier (September 1965 US 45-single on Capitol 5504, A-side, Buffy St. Marie cover)

5. Guess I'm Dumb (June 1965 US 45-single on Capitol 5441, A-side - a Beach Boys cover)

6. Burning Bridges (from the 1967 US LP "Burning Bridges" on Capitol ST-2679 in Stereo)

7. Just To Satisfy You (from the 1967 US LP "Burning Bridges" on Capitol ST-2679 in Stereo)

8. Less Of Me (from the 1967 US LP "Burning Bridges" on Capitol ST-2679 in Stereo)

9. Gentle On My Mind (from the 1967 US LP "Gentle On My Mind" on Capitol ST-2809 in Stereo - a John Hartford cover)

10. Cryin' (from the 1967 US LP "Gentle On My Mind" on Capitol ST-2809 in Stereo - a Roy Orbison cover)

11. By The Time I Get To Phoenix (from the 1967 US LP "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" on Capitol ST-2851 in Stereo - a Jimmy Webb song)

12. Tomorrow Never Comes (from his 1963 second studio album "Too Late To Worry – Too Blue To Cry" on Capitol ST-1881, first LP credited to just Glen Campbell - an Earnest Tubb cover)

13. Hey, Little One (from his 1968 US LP "Hey, Little One" on Capitol ST-2878 in Stereo - a Dorsey Burnette cover)

14. I Wanna Live (from his 1968 US LP "Hey, Little One" on Capitol ST-2878 in Stereo - a John Loudermilk cover)

15. Turn Around And Look At Me (New Version) (from his 1968 US LP "Hey, Little One" on Capitol ST-2878 in Stereo)

16. The Legend Of Bonnie And Clyde (from the 1968 US LP "A New Place In The Sun" on Capitol ST-2907 in Stereo – a Merle Haggard/Buck Owens cover)

17. Let It Be Me (from the 1968 US duet LP "Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell" on Capitol ST-2928 in Stereo - an Everly Brothers cover)

18. Scarborough Fair/Canticle (from the 1968 US duet LP "Bobbie Gentry And Glen Campbell" on Capitol ST-2928 in Stereo - a Simon & Garfunkel cover)

19. Wichita Lineman (from the 1968 US LP "Wichita Lineman" on Capitol ST-103 in Stereo - a Jimmy Webb song)

20. Dreams Of The Everyday Housewife (from the 1968 US LP "Wichita Lineman" on Capitol ST-103 in Stereo - a Chris Gantry cover)

21. Reason To Believe (from the 1968 US LP "Wichita Lineman" on Capitol ST-103 in Stereo - a Tim Hardin song)

 

CD2 (61:00 minutes, 21 tracks, Stereo):

1. Galveston (from the 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210 - a Jimmy Webb song)

2. Where's The Playground Susie (from the 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210 - a Jimmy Webb song)

3. If This Is Love (from the 1969 US LP "Galveston" on Capitol ST-210)

4. True Grit (from the 1969 Soundtrack LP "True Grit" on Capitol ST-263 - Elmer Bernstein/Don Black song)

5. Try A Little Kindness (from the 1970 US LP "Try A Little Kindness" on Capitol E-SW-389)

6. Honey, Come Back (from the 1970 US LP "Try A Little Kindness" on Capitol E-SW-389)

7. One Pair Of Hands (from the 1970 US LP "Oh Happy Day" on Capitol SW-443)

8. All I Have To Do Is Dream (February 1970 US 45-single duet with Bobbie Gentry on Capitol 2745, A-side - an Everly Brothers cover, Boudleaux Bryant song)

9. Everything A Man Could Ever Need (from the 1970 US Motion Picture Soundtrack LP to "Norwood" on Capitol SW-475)

10. It's Only Make Believe (from the 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493)

11. Pave Your Way Into Tomorrow (from the 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493)

12. MacArthur Park (from the 1970 US LP "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Album" on Capitol SW-493)

13. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) (from the October 1971 US LP "The Last Time I Saw Her" on Capitol SW-733 - a Roy Orbison cover, Cindy Walker song)

14. The Last Time I Saw Her (from the October 1971 US LP "The Last Time I Saw Her" on Capitol SW-733 - a Gordon Lightfoot cover)

15. I Say A Little Prayer/By The Time I Get To Phoenix Medley (from the November 1971 US duet LP "Anne Murray/Glen Campbell" on Capitol SW-869)

16. The Last Thing On My Mind (from the 1972 US LP "Glen Travis Campbell" on Capitol SW-11117 - a Tom Paxton cover)

17. I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star) (from the 1973 US LP "I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star)" on Capitol SW-11185)

18. I'm So Lonely I Could Cry (from the 1973 US LP "I Remember Hank Williams" on Capitol SW-11253)

19. Houston (I'm Comin' To See You) (from the April 1974 US LP "Houston (I'm Comin' To See You!)" on Capitol SW-11293 - a David Paich song)

20. Bonaparte's Retreat (from the April 1974 US LP "Houston (I'm Comin' To See You!)" on Capitol SW-11293)

21. The Moon's A Harsh Mistress (from the October 1974 US LP "Reunion: The Songs Of Jimmy Webb" on Capitol SW-11336)

 

CD3 (73:51 minutes, 23 songs, Stereo):

1. Rhinestone Cowboy (from the June 1975 US LP "Rhinestone Cowboy" on Capitol SW-11430 - a Jimmy Webb song)

2. Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.) (from the June 1975 US LP "Rhinestone Cowboy" on Capitol SW-11430 - a Dennis Lambert/Brian Potter song)

3. Arkansas (from the January 1975 US LP Compilation "Arkansas" on Capitol SM-11407)

4. Don't Pull Your Love/Tell Me Goodbye (from the April 1976 US LP "Bloodline" on Capitol SW-11516 a Medley of Dennis Lambert/Brian Potter and John Loudermilk covers)

5. Southern Nights (from the 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-511601 - an Allen Toussaint cover)

6. Sunflower (from the 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-511601 - a Neil Diamond cover)

7. God Only Knows (from the 1977 US LP "Southern Nights" on Capitol SO-511601 - a Beach Boys cover)

8. I'm Gonna Love You (from the 1978 US LP "Basic" on Capitol SW-11722)

9. Can You Fool (from the 1978 US LP "Basic" on Capitol SW-11722)

10. Highwayman (from the 1979 US LP "Highwayman" on Capitol EST-12008)

11. Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like (from the 1980 US LP "Somethin' 'Bout You Baby I Like") on Capitol SOO 12075)

12. Any Which Way You Can (from the 1981 US LP "It's A World Gone Crazy" on Capitol SOO-12124)

13. I Was Too Busy Loving You (from the 1982 US LP "Old Home Town" on Capitol 90016-1 - a Jimmy Webb song)

14. Faithless Love (from the 1984 US LP "Letter To Home" on Atlantic America 7 90164-1 - a John David Souther cover)

15. A Lady Like You (from the 1984 US LP "Letter To Home" on Atlantic America 7 90164-1 - a Jim Weatherly/Keith Stegall song)

16. The Hand That Rocks The Cradle (from the 1988 US CD "Still Within The Sound Of My Voice" on MCA MCAD-42009 - a duet with Steve Warner)

17. I Have You  (from the 1988 US CD "Still Within The Sound Of My Voice" on MCA MCAD-42009)

18. If These Walls Could Talk (from the 1988 US CD "Light Years" on MCA 42210 - a Jimmy Webb song)

19. Unconditional Love (from the 1991 US CD "Unconditional Love" on Capitol CDP 7 90992 2)

20. She's Gone, Gone, Gone (from the 1990 US CD "Walkin' In The Sun" on Capitol CDP 7 93884-2 - a Harlan Howard cover)

21. Show Me Your Way (from the 1992 US CD album "Show Me Your Way" on New Haven NHCD 20012 - a duet with Anne Murray)

22. Only One Life (from the 1992 US CD "Wings Of Victory" on New Haven NHCD 20021-2 - a Jimmy Webb song)

23. Somebody Like That (from the 1993 US CD "Somebody Like That" on Liberty CDP-0777-7-97962-2-9)

 

CD4 (43:02 minutes, 13 tracks):

1. You'll Never Walk Alone (Hammerstein & Rodgers cover)

2. People Get Ready (Curtis Mayfield cover)

3. Amazing Grace (Gospel Traditional cover)

4. Lean On Me (Bill Withers cover)

Tracks 1 to 4 from the 2003 CD album "Love Is The Answer")

5. Times Like These (Foo Fighters cover)

6. These Days (Jackson Browne cover)

7. Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (Billie Joe Armstrong cover)

Tracks 5 to 7 from the 2008 CD album "Meet Glen Campbell"

8. Ghost On The Canvas (Paul Westerberg of The Replacements cover) - from the 2011 CD album "Ghost On The Canvas"

9. Waiting On The Comin' Of My Lord - from the 2013 CD album "See You There"

10. I'm Not Gonna Miss You - from the 2014 CD album "I'll Be Me"

11. Everybody's Talkin' (Fred Neil song, Nilsson cover)

12. It Won't Bring Her Back (a Jimmy Webb song)

13. Adios (a Jimmy Webb song) 

Tracks 11 to 13 from the 2017 CD album "Adios"

With his signature/name embossed in gold on the front sleeve and seven colour / black & white photos of Glen giving it some Country Rock (with his so square haircut) across the seven inner fold-out flaps - "The Legacy [1961-2017]" feels and looks classy for damn sure. Its reduced Christmas Card Size actually suits and has a slide-in flap for all 4-CDs, whilst the fifth houses the 58-page colour booklet.

The detached booklet is beautifully laid out with period photos right up to the 00s, a tasty thing to see and read (Mark Copeland compiled it in conjunction with GC). Every song has discography details – the sessionman-list citing the likes of Hal Blaine, Jim Gordon, Al Casey, Bob Felts, Leon Russell (before a solo career) and vocal duets/songwriting partnerships with Bobbie Gentry, Anne Murray, Jimmy Webb many more. The back leaves of the booklet have collage pages of every one of his albums pictured in colour. Very well done as I say. Downsides - it might have been better had the actual entries stated catalogue numbers – full release dates etc – and surely with the 2019 updated reissue – a fifth disc could have been a visual – DVD or BLU RAY – but alas.

The Superb and Clean Audio is the 2002 Remasters done at Capitol by BOB NORBERG for the original 2003-issued Box Set (used again) and while you could argue that the overall number of tracks is down from 80 to 78, Disc 4 now makes a whole lot of sense and sounds utterly amazing – like a really well-produced slick Country Rock album of the 90s or 00s. To the tunes...

 

All the huge hits are here - "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "Galveston", "Gentle On My Mind" and loads more - his genius being a crossover from pure Country to the beginnings of Country-Pop or Country-Rock as we like to call it now. John Hartford's mini masterpiece "Gentle On My Mind" is a perfect example. His original US 45-single on RCA Victor 47-9175 was issued in April 1967 and is the 'most' hick Country tune imaginable - all pedal steels and a few bars short of yee-haws into the mix. In its original form (which many adore or even prefer over Campbell's) - it is pure Country through and through.

 

Glen Campbell's genius was to hear the potential in the tune and his recording gives it that gorgeous "Everybody's Talkin'" rolling guitar thing that suddenly made it Country-Pop and therefore more accessible to a much bigger audience. Campbell's version was recorded and in the shops by June 1967 on Capitol 5939. It caused a stir and bubbled under to an eventual healthy placing of No. 62 on the Pop charts. But with the album of the same name and a 45-reissue in July 1968, it suddenly took off and headed up to No. 39. The song "Gentle On My Mind" has had extraordinary legs - then and now. Dozens recorded it along the lines of Campbell's interpretation (which has now become something of a default position) and that goes up to 'The Band Perry' whose version issued in 2009 now has over 15-millions views on YouTube.

 

While CD1 and CD2 are full of these kinds of melodies, that other huge collaboration in his life would come with ace-songwriter Jimmy Webb, whose name (when you peruse the lists above) is on a lot of the songs across 'all' the CDs. I wish there was more representation from the mid-70s "Reunion" album with Webb (a bit of a lost classic that), but you can feel his goods all the way to the end. In fact his two for the "Adios" album (recorded five years before issue and amongst his very last recordings) - including that touching title track that would bring a tear to even the most hardened of hearts - are just as good as the 60ts and 70ts stuff. Special mention should also go to Disc 4 where Campbell's solitary composition "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" (recorded in January 2013 with his old playing crew from the 60ts) is an absolute highlight and quite rightly referred to in the updated liner notes by JOEL SLEVIN as a 'masterpiece'.

 

For sure I can remember a time when Glen Campbell and his ah-schucks white picket fence cleanliness was thrown by Rock types like me into the Easy Listening punishment bins and made to slurp less-than-cool-aid with the likes of Frank Sinatra and Burt Bacharach. But time and reappraisal has made us all see those guys and the hugely likeable Glen Campbell as pioneers of their own and their recorded legacy worthy of classy tomes like "The Legacy..."

 

Nicely done and Adios on your journey to that great songsmith in the sky...

"Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" by FRANK SINATRA (1998 US Capitol 'Entertainer Of The Century' Expanded CD Remaster) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" by FRANK SINATRA 

(1998 US Capitol 'Entertainer Of The Century' Expanded CD Remaster)

"...Set 'Em Up Joe..."

It doesn't take a particular genius to work out that Frank Sinatra's career at Capitol Records produced some serious musical magic - and I'd argue that his third torch-song album "...Only The Lonely" from September 1958 is one of them.

Biographical types and crazed aficionados would be right to point novices in the direction of 1955's "In The Wee Small Hours" and 1957's "Where Are You?" - the other two 'whinging for my gal' LPs in Ole Blue Eyes Fifties canon of work. But there's something deeply brill about the track run on "Only The Lonely" and allied with that painted clown artwork – does it for me.

First up - there are two official Capitol CDs for "Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" - a November 1987 issue with a Larry Walsh remaster and the same 14-tracks (Barcode 077774847124) - and this - my preferred tipple - the May 1998 'Entertainer Of The Century' CD Remaster by BOB NORBERG (59:43 minutes) on Capitol 72434 94756 2 5 (Barcode the same - 724349475625). When the album was released it came in MONO and STEREO (10 and 12-track variants) - this CD uses the 12-track MONO variant and includes the two extras "Sleep Warm" and the Previously Unreleased (on CD) "Where Or When" that were included on the original November 1987 CD reissue.

1. Only The Lonely

2. Angel Eyes

3. What's New

4. It's A Lonely Old Town

5. Willow Weep For Me

6. Good-Bye [Side 2 of the 10-track LP]

7. Blues In The Night [Side 2 of the 12-track LP]

8. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry

9. Ebb Tide

10. Spring Is Here

11. Gone With The Wind

12. One For My Baby

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely" - released September 1958 in the USA on Capitol W 1050 (Mono) and SW 1050 (Stereo). The MONO mix is used for this CD - 20/24-bit Remaster by BOB NERBERG.

Track 4 recorded 25 May 1958

Tracks 1, 2, 5, 8 and 9 recorded, 29 May 1958

Tracks 3, 7 and 11 recorded, 24 June 1958

Tracks 6 and 12 recorded, 25 June 1958

BONUS TRACKS:

13. Sleep Warm

14. Where Or When

Tracks 13 and 14, recorded 11 September 1958 - Track 14 previously unreleased on CD in 1987

Originally produced to perfection by VOYCE GILMORE - the audio on this CD is truly gorgeous and comes with an 'Entertainer Of The Century' spine visible through the see-through jewel case and artwork that is different to the 1987 edition on the rear (also a small but informative set of liner notes).

This is the kind of album/CD reissue that makes you want run out and shout to the rooftops. Essentially head-to-toe with Sinatra effortlessly caressing words and melodies - his voice aligned with Nelson Riddle string arrangements and a set of matchless session players. Highlights include "Angel Eyes" (made even more famous by Jack Jones in 1963 on his  "Wives & Lovers" LP) and the aching "It's A Lonesome Old Town" where Frankie bemoans "...I never knew how much I missed you...” The lone oboe opening of "Willow Weep For Me" is beautifully transferred - that soft shuffle on the drums - it's gorgeous stuff. But the best audio has to go to "Blues In The Night". Everything about this screams class - the opening salvo of double-bass and lone voice as he sings "...my mama done told me...a woman will give you the big eye...but when the sweet talk is done...she'll leave you to sing..." Even prettier is the acoustic guitar on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" - so sweet too as the strings carry it home. And it feels like Howard Arlen and Johnny Mercer practically invented the barroom slouch with "One For My Baby..." - our hero slumped over yet another bourbon - singing to whomever will listen - the barman wearily drying a shot glass as he casts a jaundiced eye over 'love sucker' Numero Uno. I can almost see Frank crying by the lamppost out in the street - chucked out in the wee small hours - wailing for his baby just a little too much.

The "Sleep Warm" bonus track offered here initially turned up on the vinyl compilation album "All The Way" in 1961 - while "Where Or When" first saw LP action in 1978 on another Capitol compilation - "The Rare Sinatra". Accompanied by Bill Mercer on Piano with some strings towards its finish - "Where Or When" is a perfect ending to proceedings. Even if the piano is a tad under-produced - there's no doubt that Frank's voice is sublime...and Pete Welding's liner notes rightly name-check it as a highlight amongst many.

Old fashioned - yes - even a little corny and overplayed - yes. But what a sound - and sometimes - when you need a moment of reflective boo hoo - a snuffled sniffle for the one that got away - then like a pint of plain - Frank Sinatra's "...Only The Lonely" is the man for the job...

PS: Titles in the FRANK SINATRA 'Entertainer Of The Century' USA CD Remaster Series are:

1. In The Wee Small Hours (April 1955 LP) - May 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475526

2. Songs For Young Lovers/Swing Easy! (May 1955 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349608924

3. Songs For Swingin' Lovers (March 1956 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349622623

4. Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poems Of Colour (July 1956 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353373825

5. Close To You (January 1957 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374327

6. A Swingin' Affair! (May 1957 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349608825

7. Where Are You? (September 1957 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374624

8. A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra (December 1957 LP) – October 1999 CD is Barcode 724352138128

9. Come Fly With Me (January 1958 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349608726

10. Frank Sinatra sings for Only The Lonely (September 1958 LP) – September 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475625

11. Come Dance With Me! (January 1959 LP) – May 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475427

12. No One Cares (August 1959 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374129

13. Nice 'n' Easy (August 1960 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374525

14. Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!! (February 1961 LP) – May 1998 CD is Barcode 724349475328

15. Come Swing With Me (August 1961 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353373924

16. Point Of No Return (April 1962 LP) – January 2002 CD is Barcode 724353374020
NOTE: Catalogue numbers and Barcodes are the same digits – use Barcode however to locate the right issue on sites like Amazon.