Sinatra at the Sands at the Sands Hotel)

This is probably my favourite Frank Sinatra album and for a variety of reasons, not least of which is the humour, yes, humour, because the monologue where Frank recounts some anecdotes of his penniless youth would do credit to a professional stand-up comedian (although it does help to know a bit of his life history to appreciate the in-jokes). Also he throws in several one-liners that are priceless, like the one pointedly aimed at some hapless guy who is trying to make his way discreetly to the rest-room. Frank is perfectly in his element and comes across as very approachable and personable while he recalls some of the jobs he took to please his dad who advised him to "get a proper job". I have played the monologue to friends who could not picture Frank Sinatra as such an amusing raconteur, and we invariably end up in stitches and wishing there was more of this intimate discourse. As for the singing, Frank is in great form and this recording successfully conveys all the atmosphere and excitement of a live Sinatra performance. The Count Basie Orchestra, arranged and conducted by the peerless Quincy Jones, are a powerhouse and absolutely perfect for this swinging, rat-pack era set of songs, and the live recording only makes this album more immediate and endearing. The sound quality, derived from the original mono tapes, is excellent and makes you feel like you are right there in the room. For those who don't appreciate the banter, keep in mind that this is a double LP featuring a generous collection of some of the most beautiful classic American songs of the era and Frank sings them beautifully. This is a ring-a-ding-ding collection.

I loved this album when as a teenager my parents had it new in the mid sixties, and although I have owned the CD for some time I have only just come across this wonderful re-issue. And what a find it is. Firstly the quality of the vinyl is simply superb, and if you own a decent turntable you will be transported back to Las Vegas in the sixties: the background hubbub of a plainly excited crowd together with a real feel for the acoustic of the room. A testament to the quality of the pressing this is how vinyl should be manufactured but infrequently is. Most importantly, the music: Sinatra is in wonderful form, and although at 50 years old his voice sometimes lacks the power of his youth he more than makes up for it with his exquisite phrasing and intonation. Almost every song here is a standard, including those which were new at the time but have since become classics. He revels in the atmosphere and the adulation of a packed house, which together bring out the best in him. However, for me the real star of the show is the wonderful Count Basie orchestra: the sound ranges from a single raindrop to a violent hurricane and all points in between. At one point Sinatra introduces an instrumental section with the words "Run for cover! Run and Hide!" such is the overwhelming weight and power of the orchestra. You simply don't hear big bands like this any more and the album is worth the money just for the instrumental sections alone. The finest album I have bought for years and a bargain at almost any price. 5 stars: nowhere near enough!

This is a fine album from Sinatra, a polished performance.

Recorded in April 1966, 'Sinatra at the Sands' provides a definitive portrait of Frank Sinatra during the 1960s. It features Count Basie and the Orchestra and it's all arranged and conducted by Quincy Jones. Frank runs through some of his standard show numbers and springs a few surprises as well. He's in fine voice and in fine humour. This is an excellent recording and you almost feel as though you're present at the show. Frank was at the height of his powers when this album was recorded. He was the main man. As Dean Martin said; 'It's Frank's world. We're just lucky to be living in it.'

Some of us had to repent our youthful folly and, when we reached our late forties, admit that, whether you liked him as a human being or not and whether he was your parents' taste or not, my gods could this man sing. It took my friends Steve and Martin to persuade me of the errors of my ways. First, I admitted that Songs for Swingning Lovers swung like nobody else. Then there was the exquisite rendering of melancholy of In the Wee Small Hours. Finally, and it has been worth the wait for the CD version, Sinatra at the Sands shows how to take a know-it-all audience like this one at Las Vegas and, in the midst of delivering rude jokes and sassy back-chat, deliver a superb set. Now, why didn't this one follow the rule that the later Sinatra was just going through the motions? Well, a big motivating factor may have been having Count Basie's band as "backing" (they don't, they "front" him!). The banter starts when Sinatra introduces "Fly me to the Moon" saying "This man will lead you down the right path to righteousness..." Rarely was the road to Hell so enticingly paved.

Reviewed here, Vinyl Re-issue released may 2016 (4770458) I own this fantastic concert, on both the rare DVD audio high resolution release (from 2003), the CD (TL1348) from 1996 and now this double vinyl release from 2016. The vinyl surprises with warm, dynamic sound and a carefully crafted master that represents this concert in the best possible way. The vinyls come out the sleeve very clean, with no paper residue or dirt at all. Delicious. In a direct comparison of the three releases I got, one would expect the much hyped and rare DVD-A to deliver the most superior sound experience, but it really does not to me. It comes across much more clinical. The sound mix on this vinyl release is spot on, and will take you to a time where Frank and the musicians are at the peak of their game ;-) I find myself reaching out for the vinyl every time its time for "some Frank", and will recommend this edition of it to everyone that care about listening, and has a good turntable, naturally.

Excellent album. Well recorded. Good sound.

Very good. Replaced my scratched LP.

Este vinil superou minhas expectativas, excelente.

Bien pudiera parecer que en 1966 no corrían buenos tiempos para Frank Sinatra. Dos años antes unos jóvenes con flequillo llamados The Beatles habían puesto patas arriba todo el "establishment" de la industria musical estadounidense. Por si fuera poco, la brecha intergeneracional que se estaba abriendo en la sociedad norteamericana fomentaba la aparición de nuevos referentes musicales tan importantes como Bob Dylan. Ciertamente Sinatra veía amenazada su hegemonía, incluso a las puertas de su casa. El otrora poderoso SWING, genero dominante en la década de los 30, hacía tiempo que había entrado en declive y desde los ámbitos más intelectuales y vanguardistas del mundo del Jazz era visto como un género caduco y trasnochado entregado a la parte más comercial de la industria. Sin embargo, a pesar de esta sensación, nada más lejos de la realidad. Allí en la atestada sala COPA ROOM del Hotel Sands de Las Vegas, Frank Sinatra está en su terreno, los Beatles son un eco lejano, a Dylan no se le espera y los nuevos gurús del Jazz tienen poco que hacer allí ante la poderosa SWINGING BAND de BASIE. La gente que ha pagado un dineral solo quiere a Sinatra, un Sinatra todavía en plenitud (50 años) y en un momento dulce de su relación con Mia Farrow (21 años), se casarían pocos meses después. En la sala la expectación es máxima. En el escenario, a un lado Count Basie ante su Steinway, al fondo Sonny Paine el batería preferido de Frank y frente a ellos a la dirección un joven Quincy Jones, prodigio de la composición, los arreglos y la producción musical. Dentro de este triángulo mágico una banda de ensueño, veteranos músicos curtidos en multitud de noches en vela que tocan con la precisión de un maestro relojero suizo. Todos ellos al servicio de UN HOMBRE, FRANK SINATRA. Un Sinatra pletórico, profesional como siempre, meticuloso hasta la saciedad, en un estado de ánimo exultante, socarrón tanto con el público como con la banda. El set list no puede ser mejor, la grabación es excelente. Ya en el tema de apertura "Come fly with me" se puede apreciar la técnica y maestría en el fraseo, esa dicción tan personal y única de Sinatra y envolviéndolo todo el sonido nítido y potente de BASIE y sus hombres. Al cierre "My Kind of Town", un tema espléndido en un disco que no tiene desperdicio, incluidos los monólogos, imprescindibles para entender "El mundo de Frank" como diría Dean Martin. El libreto de notas firmado por Stan Cornyn, una delicia, premio Grammy a las mejoras notas de un Álbum. En definitiva un disco en directo colosal, imprescindible, a un muy buen precio. SINATRA, BASIE y JONES, tres generaciones diferentes reunidas en el mejor momento. Más no se puede pedir.

A very good record with Frank Sinatra's songs live from the Sands, when listening to the songs you can just Imagine you were there.

Y en tiempo. Es un gran clásico.