Frank Sinatra: Ring-A-Ding Ding!
This was the first release on Sinatra’s own Reprise label, which he set up in 1960, parting from Capitol after seven years. Though his albums had sold well, cementing his status as a uniquely talented and charismatic stylist, much emphasis had been placed on romantic ballads. Noting perhaps, as the 60s dawned, a shift in popular tastes towards more vibrant sounds, Sinatra sought greater impact by deploying a more upbeat, exultantly swinging approach in his recordings. There are no slow pensive arrangements on this new album. Ballads usually performed slowly are lifted by more nonchalant, animated interpretations, at strolling tempos. Sinatra, not a man it was wise to thwart, is brashly assertive on the opener Ring-A-Ding-Dingm a flag waver perhaps rather than a great tune. The rest of the album however is songwriting gold.
Though not widely thought of as a committed jazz vocalist, his style , since his earliest formative days with Tommy Dorsey, was permeated with jazz influence. The relaxed and swinging timing of his phrasing, the reshaping of melody structure, the dynamic and personalised interpretation of lyrics and the purposeful building of feeling are all aspects of jazz style. For upbeat material, he stirs a little grit and vibrancy into his beguiling velvety timbre. The Johnny Mandel ‘s Orchestra’s excellent arrangements provide feisty support with punchy, Basie-like section fills, interplay and backing in general. These upbeat, jazz-styled arrangements are repeated a few months later with Sy Oliver’s orchestra on four fine bonus tracks.
With Sinatra at his incomparable peak, and with strong all-round jazz styling, this is certainly one of his finest albums, reissued here on 180-gram coloured vinyl.
Discography
(1) Ring-A-Ding Ding; Let’s Fall In Love; Be Careful, It’s My Heart; A Foggy Day; A Fine Romance; In The Still Of The Night; (2) Imagination; Without A Song (21.43) – (1) The Coffee Song; When I Take My Sugar To Tea; Let’s Face The Music And Dance; You’d Be So Easy To Love; You And The Night And The Music; I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm; It’s Always You; I’ll Be Seeing You (21.33)
Sinatra (v) with (1) Johnny Mandel Orchestra, Los Angeles, 19-21 December 1960. (2) Sy Oliver Orchestra, Los Angeles, March-May 1961.
20th Century Masterworks 350293 (Available also on CD)
Sophisticated Ladies: That Healin’ Feelin’
This Danish trio, formed in 1987, was mentored by ex-Basie trombonist and “mumbles” artist Richard Boone, with whom the trio played and toured for more than 10 years. On this new release, the group looks back over its long and like-minded collaboration, performing some favourite unhackneyed jazz standards. The album opens in perky 60s soul/blues style with the title track written by Les McCann. Gifted composers acknowledged here who have inspired the group include Thelonious Monk (Bemsha Swing), Abdullah Ibrahim (the gently wistful Blue Bolero), Duke Ellington (the complex and propulsively driving Going Up) and Mary Lou Williams (jaunty, stylish blues/soul in A Grand Night For Swinging and J.B.’s Waltz). Nordic seasoning is added with an appealing “sound picture” ballad original from each of the ladies, reflecting personal roots in Danish song traditions – Swans In May (Marstrand), Walk On Sun (Haastrup), Without Words (Schmidt).
Over the years, the group has developed close rapport, integrating collective dynamics and rhythmic interplay and achieving a balanced all-round input. Marie Louise Schmidt is an accomplished and creative pianist, melodic and expressive in ballad mode, swinging confidently in upbeat numbers, with occasional hints of Oscar Peterson. Helle Marstrand’s resonant bass anchors the balance with perceptive taste and timing, impressing in her exchanges with Schmidt in Bemsha Swing. The trio’s supple, uncluttered rhythmic pulse owes much to the very tight and peppy drumming of Benita Haastrup, busily creative but never intrusive. All in all a very interesting and enjoyable album performed with taste, cohesion and experienced skill.
Discography
That Healin’ Feelin’; Swans In May; Bemsha Swing; Blue Bolero; Walk On Sun; Going Up; Without Words; A Grand Night For Swinging; J.B.’s Waltz; What A Wonderful World (45.14)
Marie Louise Schmidt (p); Helle Marstrand (b); Benita Haarstrup (d). Copenhagen, 12-13 March 2025.
Storyville 1014369
