Maps of Music

Close to You (1957)

Where the lyrics of Close to You take you, and where it was really made.

Close to You was recorded over eight months in five sessions, and its later CD edition changed the title to Close to You and More to mark the bonus tracks.

Key places

Capitol Studio A, Hollywood (1957)

Recording site Capitol Studios — The album was recorded over eight months in five sessions. Capitol Studio A in Hollywood is the recording location listed for this album. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Close to You: eleventh studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra
• Recorded with the Hollywood String Quartet
• Released on January 22, 1957
• Arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle
• The original release contains 12 tracks
• The CD release was retitled Close to You and More, referencing the bonus tracks

Background

• The album pairs Sinatra's vocals with the accompaniment of the Hollywood String Quartet
• Riddle commented that the structure of popular songs does not lend itself to arranging in the true string quartet style of the classics
• Riddle felt he had not really achieved as much as he had hoped
• When the album was released, it received critical praise

Recording

• The album was recorded over a period of eight months and five different sessions
• Arrangements were written by Nelson Riddle
• Quartet members listed: Felix Slatkin (violin, leader), Paul Shure (violin), Eleanor Aller (cello), Alvin Dinkin (viola)
• Sinatra performed the vocals

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born December 12, 1915 in Hoboken, New Jersey, to Italian immigrants.
• Began singing professionally as a teenager with the Hoboken Four, winning Major Bowes Amateur Hour.
• Joined Harry James's band in 1939, then Tommy Dorsey's band, before going solo in 1942.

Career

• Signed with Columbia Records in 1943 and became a major star of the bobby-soxer era.
• Signed with Capitol Records in 1953; collaborated with arranger Nelson Riddle on albums such as In the Wee Small Hours and Songs for Swingin' Lovers!.
• Founded Reprise Records in 1960, releasing albums including September of My Years and the hit single "My Way".
• Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity (1953).
• Estimated to have sold around 150 million records worldwide.
• Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997.
• Died May 14, 1998 in Los Angeles.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Critics praised the album when it was released
• Nelson Riddle recalled that Sinatra liked the album after its release
• Riddle said the structure of popular songs does not suit the true string quartet style of classical music
• The album was released on January 22, 1957

Reappraisal

• Riddle felt he had not achieved as much with the arrangements as he had hoped
• His comments show the tension between popular song form and classical quartet writing
• The source records the album's reception only through the critical praise and Riddle's own remarks

Records

• The original 1957 release contains 12 tracks
• The CD release was retitled Close to You and More to reference the bonus tracks
• Three bonus tracks were not included on the original 1957 release

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• On the CD release, the album was retitled Close to You and More, referencing the bonus tracks.
• Three bonus tracks were added on the CD reissue, including If It's the Last Thing I Do.
• Nelson Riddle said the album was well received and that Sinatra liked it.
• The Hollywood String Quartet on the album consisted of Felix Slatkin, Paul Shure, Eleanor Aller and Alvin Dinkin.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Maps of Ages ↗ (mapsofages.com)

Privacy · Contact