Backstory

When Frank Sinatra signed with Columbia on June 1st, 1943, he was already a superstar of stage and radio. Sinatramania was reverberating around the world and Columbia was eager to start recording. Keep in mind, it wasn’t just the bobby soxers who enjoyed Sinatra – his appeal reached their parents, too!Working with Tommy Dorsey’s arranger, Axel Stordahl, a sophisticated style emerged as Frank Sinatra began making records at Columbia. Stordahl was particularly skillful in framing Sinatra’s voice within his soft orchestrations and understated rhythms, but on tracks like “Saturday Night,” and “All Of Me” we hear definite hints of “swings” to come.This collection brings together 36 songs that were destined to become classics, including powerful love songs like “Falling In Love With Love,” “I Only Have Eyes For You,” and “The Song Is You.” Later recordings like “I’m A Fool To Want You” show the beginnings of a transition into the darker side of love. Also woven into the mix are 8 ultra-rare alternate takes.This was the breakthrough era for Sinatra and this collection captures the spirit and energy of that time. The tenderness of the youthful voice would change over the years, but it would always remain – The Voice.