4Play: Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Ray Charles, Dennis Wilson

Aug. 23, 2009

4Play: Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Ray Charles, Dennis Wilson
Kristi Kates 8/24/09
Frank Sinatra - Classic Sinatra II - Capitol
Sixty years, ten Grammy Awards, and three Academy Awards later, Frank Sinatra has obviously amassed an impressive body of musical and film work, much of which is paid homage to in this second compilation album of some of Sinatra’s most popular songs and, in this case, most heartrending ballads (this set is a little more subdued in tempo than Classic Sinatra, the first collection.) Classic Sinatra it is, too - you’ll get must-haves “Something’s Gotta Give,” “All of Me,” “Moonlight in Vermont,” as well as those aforementioned ballads, the most notable of which are “I Get Along Without You Very Well” and the emotional, soulful “Angel Eyes.”



George Harrison - Let It Roll: The Songs of George Harrison - EMI
Harrison is of course deserving of a retrospective songs collective - so it’s surprising, to a degree, that this is the very first set paying tribute to the quiet Beatle and his remarkably introspective, thoughtful songs. Luckily, the album is well put together, spanning Harrison’s entire solo recording career as well as several Beatles-era songs as performed at the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison’s own songs are ones that should be in any pop fans CD collection; here’s where you’ll get “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth),” “My Sweet Lord,” “All Those Years Ago,” “Something,” “Here Comes the Sun,” and many, many more.


Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music Vols. 1 and 2 - Concord
Many soul music fans might not know that the multi-talented Ray Charles was also a huge fan of country and western music throughout his life and career, and he takes that genre of music into a new realm with this unique set. Adding his citified soul feel to these more rural-based tunes is, surprisingly, a hit combination, as Charles perfectly utilizes his senses of performance and arrangement. “Your Cheating Heart” takes on a more sophisticated regret courtesy of Charles’ vocals; he puts “Don’t Tell Me Your Troubles” through a series of complex twists and tempo turns; and his take on “Take These Chains From My Heart” is timeless.

Dennis Wilson - Pacific Ocean Blue - BMG
Dennis Wilson’s only-released solo album finally gets a reissue on this special digipak, a welcome due for the only member of the beachy band who could actually surf, and perhaps the most underrated member, as well. If you’re expecting the clean, perfectly-balanced vocal sound of the Beach Boys, well, you’ll be disappointed, as Dennis’ voice is weathered and rough; but it’s also vulnerable and character-ridden, perfectly fitting for this emotional collection of songs. Guitar, keyboards, percussion, some reed work, and choir backing vocals support tracks like the beautiful “River Song,” the funky title track, the poppy “The Rainbow,” and the pensive ballad “Thought of You.”