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Moonlight Sinatra
Moonlight Sinatra
Moonlight Sinatra
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Moonlight Sinatra
Studio album by
Frank Sinatra
ReleasedMarch 1966 (1966-03)
RecordedNovember 29–30, 1965
StudioUnited Recording "A", Hollywood, Los Angeles
Genre
Length32:18
LabelReprise
FS 1018
ProducerSonny Burke
Frank Sinatra chronology
A Man and His Music
(1965) 		Moonlight Sinatra
(1966) 		Strangers in the Night
(1966)

Moonlight Sinatra is a studio album by the American singer Frank Sinatra, released in March 1966. All of the tracks on the album are centered on the Moon, and were arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle and his orchestra. Moonlight Sinatra marked Sinatra's final collaboration with Riddle.

The title of the album is a reference to Ludwig van Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[1]
Encyclopedia of Popular MusicStarStarStarStar[2]
Record MirrorStarStarStarStar[3]

Track listing

[edit]
  1. "Moonlight Becomes You" (Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 2:46
  2. "Moon Song" (Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston) – 3:03
  3. "Moonlight Serenade" (Glenn Miller, Mitchell Parish) – 3:26
  4. "Reaching for the Moon" (Irving Berlin) – 3:05
  5. "I Wished on the Moon" (Dorothy Parker, Ralph Rainger) – 2:53
  6. "Oh, You Crazy Moon" (Burke, Van Heusen) – 3:12
  7. "The Moon Got in My Eyes" (Burke, Johnston) – 2:52
  8. "Moonlight Mood" (Harold Adamson, Peter DeRose) – 3:08
  9. "Moon Love" (Mack David, André Kostelanetz) (adapted from Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony) – 4:14
  10. "The Moon Was Yellow (And the Night Was Young)" (Fred E. Ahlert, Edgar Leslie) – 3:04

Personnel

[edit]

Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8, 10:

November 30, 1965 (Tuesday) – Hollywood. United Recording "A" (from 8 to 11 P.M.).

Cappy Lewis (tpt); Urbie Green, Tom Shepard, Tommy Pederson (tbn); George Roberts (b-tbn); Vincent DeRosa, Richard Perissi, William Hinshaw (fr-h); Lloyd Hildebrand, Jack Marsh (bsn); Norman Benno, Gene Cipriano (oboe); Willie Schwartz, Ronny Lang (fl); Justin Gordon, Chuck Gentry, Harry Klee (wwd); Gerald Vinci, Alex Beller, Thelma Beach, Marshall Sasson, Nathan Ross, Anatol Kaminsky, Bonnie Douglas, James Getzoff, Jacques Gasselin, Emo Neufeld, Ralph Schaeffer, Victor Amo, Lou Raderman, Paul Shure, David Frisina, Alex Murray, Israel Baker, Victor Bay (vln); Paul Robyn, Alex Neiman, Barbara Simons, Allan Harshman, Stanley Harris, Alvin Dinkin (via); Kurt Reher, Eleanor Slatkin, Edgar Lustgarten, Harold Schneier, Anne Goodman, Nino Rosso (vlc); Kathryn Julye (harp); Bill Miller (p); Vincent Terri, Al Viola (g); Ralph Pena, Eddie Gilbert (b); Irving Cottler (d); Victor Feldman (perc); Nelson Riddle (arr/cond).

Tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 9:

November 29, 1965 (Monday) – Hollywood.

Tommy Pederson, Urbie Green (tbn); George Roberts (b-tbn); Vincent DeRosa, William Hinshaw, Richard Perissi (fr-h); Ted Nash, Ronny Lang (cit); Jules Jacob (oboe); Lloyd Hildebrand, Jack Marsh (bsn); Willie Schwartz, Gene Cipriano, Chuck Gentry, Harry Klee (sax); Gerald Vinci, Emil Briano, Ambrose Russo, Herman Clebanoff, Tibor Zelig, Thelma Beach, Arnold Belnick, Jerome Reisler, John De Voogdt, Darrel Terwilliger, Marshall Sosson, Victor Amo, Alex Murray, Ralph Schaeffer, William Kurasch, Victor Bay, Alex Beller, Nathan Ross (vln); Paul Robyn, Stanley Harris, Maxine Johnson, Barbara Simons, Joseph Di Fiore, Alvin Dinkin (via); Kurt Reher, Edgar Lustgarten, Eleanor Slatkin, Harold Schneier, Jesse Ehrlich, Nino Rosso (vlc); Kathryn Julye (harp); Bill Miller (p); Al Viola (g); Ralph Pena, Eddie Gilbert (b); Irving Cottler (d); Larry Bunker (perc); Nelson Riddle (arr/cond).

Charts

[edit]
Chart (1966) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[4] 34

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Moonlight Sinatra

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from Grokipedia
Moonlight Sinatra is a concept album by American singer Frank Sinatra, consisting of ten standards unified by lunar themes, with every track title incorporating the word "moon." Released in March 1966 by Reprise Records, the album was recorded over two days in late November 1965 at United Recording Studio in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The project showcases Sinatra's smooth vocal interpretations of classic tunes from the , including "," "Moonlight Becomes You," and "I Wished on the Moon," all evoking romantic nocturnal imagery. Arranged and conducted by longtime collaborator —marking their final collaboration together—the album features lush orchestral backing from an ensemble including guitarist Al Viola, bassist Ralph Peña, and drummer Irving Cottler, emphasizing swing and elements. Produced by , it runs approximately 32 minutes and highlights Sinatra's signature phrasing during a prolific phase of his career marked by hits like . Critically, Moonlight Sinatra received positive notices for its cohesive theme and Riddle's elegant charts, earning a 7.5 out of 10 rating on , though it did not produce major chart singles and is often viewed as a charming, if minor, entry in Sinatra's extensive catalog of over 100 albums. The album's , featuring Sinatra in a contemplative pose under moonlight, complements its wistful mood, and it has since been reissued in various formats, including CD and vinyl remasters.

Background and Concept

Development

In late 1965, opted to record another , building on the success of his earlier themed projects such as (1955), which explored loneliness through nocturnal ballads, and Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), which celebrated upbeat romance via swinging standards. This decision aligned with Sinatra's established approach to cohesive albums during his era, allowing him to delve into romantic introspection amid evolving personal circumstances, including his high-profile marriage to in 1966. Moonlight Sinatra represented the culmination of Sinatra's over-a-decade-long partnership with arranger , which had begun in 1953 at and produced iconic works like the aforementioned albums. Although not Riddle's absolute final project with Sinatra—Strangers in the Night followed shortly after in 1966—it effectively marked the end of their primary collaboration, as Sinatra increasingly turned to other arrangers such as for (1965) and for subsequent releases, reflecting a desire for varied stylistic directions in his mature phase. Producer played a pivotal role in shaping the album, which leveraged Sinatra's signature romantic style to evoke intimacy and during a transitional period after the exuberant years of the early . Burke, who had overseen several Sinatra sessions at , curated the project as a deliberate nod to the singer's idol , with roughly half the selections originally associated with Crosby's repertoire. Pre-recording preparations centered on a meticulous song selection process, limited strictly to standards featuring "moon" in the title to unify the lunar motif without venturing into contemporary pop like "Moon River" or "Fly Me to the Moon." This curation drew from the Great American Songbook, ensuring a timeless quality that complemented Sinatra's interpretive depth and Riddle's lush orchestrations.

Theme and Title

Moonlight Sinatra is a centered on the as a unifying motif, symbolizing romance, , and melancholy within Sinatra's body of work. The selection of and pop standards emphasizes nighttime introspection, with Sinatra's interpretations infusing the tracks with emotional depth and a sense of wistful longing typical of his mid-1960s ballads. This thematic coherence creates an intimate, atmospheric listening experience that highlights the moon's enduring role in evoking tender, reflective moods. The album's title, Moonlight Sinatra, serves as a playful nod to Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2, commonly known as the "Moonlight Sonata." This adaptation reimagines the classical composition's poetic lunar imagery through Sinatra's signature vocal phrasing and the album's celestial emphasis, blending high art with popular songcraft. To preserve conceptual purity, the album excludes any non-moon-related tracks, curating exactly 10 songs where "moon" appears in the title or lyrics, ensuring a tightly focused narrative.

Recording and Production

Sessions

The recording sessions for Moonlight Sinatra occurred over two intensive days, November 29 and 30, 1965, at United Recording Studio A in . These sessions captured approximately 10 tracks in Sinatra's characteristic efficient style, involving multiple takes per song to refine vocal nuances and phrasing. The schedule was notably tight, coming just five days after Sinatra's NBC television special A Man and His Music aired on November 24, 1965, and amid ongoing commitments from his recent film Von Ryan's Express. Despite the demanding pace, the atmosphere was vibrant and collaborative, with Sinatra engaging directly with the orchestra and conducting playback reviews, resulting in a "magnificently" successful outcome as observed by journalist Gay Talese. Technical production employed high-fidelity analog recording equipment standard for Reprise Records productions, prioritizing clear vocal isolation and precise orchestral balance in the intimate studio environment. Nelson Riddle conducted the sessions, guiding the ensemble through the moon-themed arrangements.

Arrangements and Personnel

The arrangements for Moonlight Sinatra were crafted by Nelson Riddle, who served as arranger and conductor for all ten tracks, delivering lush, string-heavy orchestrations that evoked a sense of moonlit romance and intimacy. Riddle's approach emphasized subtle, sparkling textures with prominent strings and woodwinds, creating a dreamy atmosphere that contrasted with the more upbeat, swinging styles of his earlier Sinatra collaborations like Songs for Swingin' Lovers! (1956), instead incorporating ethereal swells and flowing tempos to suit the album's nocturnal theme. Sonny Burke produced the album, overseeing the recording sessions held on November 29 and 30, 1965, at in Hollywood, . Bill Miller provided piano accompaniment across several tracks, contributing to the intimate feel. The sessions featured Riddle's , a large ensemble blending brass, woodwinds, and an extensive for the album's romantic, orchestral sound. Personnel remained consistent across both days, with no major changes noted. Key contributors included:
  • Vocals:
  • Piano: Bill Miller
  • Guitar: Al Viola, Vincent Terri
  • Bass: Ralph Peña,
  • Drums: Irv Cottler
  • Percussion: , Larry Bunker
  • Trumpet: Cappy Lewis
  • Trombone: , Tommy Pederson, Thomas Shepard
  • Bass Trombone: George Roberts
  • Saxophone/Clarinet/Woodwinds: Wilbur Schwartz (flute), Chuck Gentry, Harry Klee, Gene Cipriano, , Ted Nash, Ronny Lang
  • French Horn: , William Hinshaw, Richard Perissi
  • Oboe/Bassoon: Norman Benno, Jules Jacob, Lloyd Hildebrand, Jack Marsh
  • Harp:
  • Violin (26 players): Israel Baker, Thelma Beach, Alex Beller, Emil Briano, Herman Clebanoff, Bonnie Douglas, David Frisina, Jacques Gasselin, James Getzoff, Anatol Kaminsky, William Kurasch, Alex Murray, Emo Neufeld, Lou Raderman, Nathan Ross, Ambrose Russo, Ralph Schaeffer, Paul Shure, Marshall Sosson, Victor Amo, Gerald Vinci, Tibor Zelig
  • Viola (9 players): Alvin Dinkin, Joe Di Fiore, Anne Goodman, Stanley Harris, Allan Harshman, Maxine Johnson, Alexander Neiman, Paul Robyn,
  • Cello (6 players): Jesse Ehrlich, , Kurt Reher, Nino Rosso, Harold Schneier, Eleanor Slatkin
This setup highlighted Riddle's signature blend of and classical strings, tailored to enhance Sinatra's interpretive phrasing on the moon-themed standards.

Musical Content

Track Listing

Moonlight Sinatra comprises ten tracks, each with "moon" explicitly in the title, underscoring the album's cohesive lunar theme. The total runtime is 32:18. No alternate takes or post-recording edits were used in the final mix.
No.TitleDurationComposer(s)
1Moonlight Becomes You2:46Johnny Burke,
23:03Sam Coslow, Arthur Johnston
33:26,
4Reaching for the Moon3:05
5I Wished on the Moon2:53Dorothy Parker, Ralph Rainger
6Oh! You Crazy Moon3:12Johnny Burke,
7The Moon Got in My Eyes2:52Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnston
8Moonlight Mood3:08Harold Adamson, Peter De Rose
9Moon Love4:14, Mack Davis, André Kostelanetz
10The Moon Was Yellow (And the Night Was Young)3:04Fred E. Ahlert, Edgar Leslie

Musical Style

Moonlight Sinatra exemplifies a blend of swing and romantic balladry, characterized by slow tempos, lush string sections, and Frank Sinatra's intimate crooning that cultivates a dreamy, nocturnal ambiance throughout the . Nelson Riddle's arrangements draw on orchestral elements to create a sense of ethereal elegance, incorporating prominent strings and subtle rhythmic foundations to evoke a moonlit serenity, while adapting classic standards into a polished soundscape. This approach prioritizes atmospheric depth over high-energy swing, allowing the music to unfold with a gentle, flow that aligns with the album's thematic cohesion. Track-specific elements further highlight the album's stylistic nuances. For instance, "Moonlight Serenade" serves as a vocal adaptation of Glenn Miller's iconic 1939 , where Sinatra's phrasing infuses the melody with poignant longing, supported by Riddle's swirling, hypnotic orchestration that leans toward balladry while retaining subtle echoes. In contrast, "Oh! You Crazy " introduces a lighter, mid-tempo swing with playful horn accents and Sinatra's relaxed delivery, providing a whimsical to more melancholic selections like "Reaching for the ," which employs hushed strings and resigned vocal inflections to underscore themes of aspiration and . Sinatra's vocal techniques are central to the album's emotional resonance, featuring precise, honeyed phrasing that emphasizes intimacy and subtle emotional nuance, often lingering on notes to convey quiet yearning without resorting to overt dramatics. Riddle's charts enhance this by balancing orchestral swells with restrained dynamics, such as piano introductions and string sustains, ensuring the focus remains on Sinatra's voice as the evocative core of each piece. Overall, these elements coalesce into a cohesive sonic portrait that prioritizes romantic reverie over exuberance, distinguishing Moonlight Sinatra within Sinatra's discography.

Release and Reception

Commercial Performance

Moonlight Sinatra was released in March 1966 by , with catalog number FS 1018, primarily as a stereo vinyl LP. The album entered the US at number 130 on April 23, 1966, before reaching a peak position of number 34 on June 25, 1966, and remaining on the chart for a total of 14 weeks. In the , the album reached number 18 on the .

Critical Reviews

Upon its release in 1966, Moonlight Sinatra received generally positive reviews from contemporary critics, who highlighted its atmospheric quality and emotional depth. Down Beat magazine commended the album for its "sensitivity and restrained passion," observing that "despite the preponderance of lunar lyrics, [it] never gets sticky or mushy," with Sinatra's voice at its most intimate and inviting alongside Nelson Riddle's evocative charts. The overall sound was described as lush and romantic, evoking a warm summer evening suitable for luxuriation. Retrospective assessments have echoed these sentiments while noting some limitations. AllMusic's 2003 review called it an "enjoyable, romantic listen" driven by "lush, sparkling arrangements," rating it 3 out of 5 stars and praising its low-key charm as a mood piece. Similarly, Colin Larkin's (4th ed., 2007) awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, lauding the thematic cohesion around lunar motifs and Sinatra's tender delivery. Common praises across sources center on Riddle's evocative orchestrations and Sinatra's intimate, restrained vocals, which lend the album a moody, introspective elegance contrasting his more upbeat swing recordings. Critics have also pointed to weaknesses, including a perceived lack of innovation in the concept—all tracks featuring "" in the title—and its position as a lighter effort amid Sinatra's prolific output, sometimes viewed as contractual filler rather than a bold statement. Over time, reception has evolved, with the gaining cult status among fans for its moody ambiance and subtle romance, distinguishing it from flashier contemporaries.

Legacy

Cultural Impact

Moonlight Sinatra holds a notable place in Frank Sinatra's discography as one of his early Reprise-era concept albums, emphasizing thematic cohesion through lunar motifs and lush ballads arranged by . Released in 1966, it exemplifies Sinatra's mastery of introspective standards, bridging his swing-oriented Capitol recordings with the more experimental output that followed, such as the narrative-driven Watertown in 1970. The album's recording sessions in late November 1965 were depicted in Gay Talese's influential profile "," a landmark piece of that captured Sinatra during a prolific period. The album's tracks have appeared in various media, including television; for instance, Sinatra's rendition of "" has been featured in jazz tributes and lunar-themed episodes, evoking the song's origins in Glenn Miller's wartime swing. Additionally, selections like "Moonlight Becomes You" have been sampled or referenced in modern jazz compilations honoring Sinatra's interpretive style, including a with . Beyond its initial release, contributed to the prevalent imagery in mid-1960s , coinciding with the height of the and NASA's Gemini missions, which captured public fascination with lunar exploration. Its escapist, nocturnal themes resonated during this era of technological ambition, influencing subsequent moon-centric recordings in and genres. In later decades, the album gained appreciation during the revival of the and , where its sophisticated arrangements and Sinatra's velvety vocals were celebrated in retro compilations and vinyl reappraisals. Fans and critics alike regard it as an underrated gem for its atmospheric restraint and emotional depth, with Down Beat magazine highlighting its "sensitivity and restrained passion" as a standout in Sinatra's catalog.

Reissues and Availability

The album received its first in 1991 through , marking the transition of Sinatra's Reprise catalog to digital formats with standard stereo remastering from the original tapes. Subsequent CD editions followed, including a 2011 remastered version by International, which applied minor while aiming to retain the clarity of Nelson Riddle's original orchestral arrangements. In the digital era, tracks from Moonlight Sinatra became available on major streaming platforms such as and during the 2010s, enabling broader accessibility without physical media. Select songs, notably "," appeared in the 2008 compilation Nothing But the Best, featuring a remastered transfer that emphasized the album's intimate big-band sound. High-resolution digital files in format at 24-bit/44.1kHz were released in 2021 via Frank Sinatra Digital , offering audiophiles enhanced fidelity from the master tapes. Vinyl reissues gained traction in the amid renewed interest in Sinatra's catalog, with a 180-gram remastered pressing issued in 2014 by under the Signature Sinatra series, praised for its improved and preservation of the original mono-compatible mixes. The is included in comprehensive boxed sets such as the 1995 The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings and the 2010 limited-edition The Frank Sinatra Collection: The Reprise Years, both remastered to highlight Riddle's lush instrumentation without introducing significant alterations. No major unreleased outtakes from the sessions have surfaced, though these collections provide bonus content like alternate takes from contemporaneous recordings.

References

  1. https://musicbrainz.org/release-group/4151757f-4352-3188-abc7-905c126a0a86
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/417834-Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra
  3. https://sinatradiscography.com/session/index.php?sa=661%2C663&ssid=2090%2C2156&ss=1207
  4. https://www.allmusic.com/album/moonlight-sinatra-mw0000264229
  5. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/hollywood/news/album-review-moonlight-sinatra-frank-sinatra/articleshow/54828705.cms
  6. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/frank-sinatra-in-the-wee-small-hours-feature/
  7. https://www.commentary.org/articles/terry-teachout/nelson-riddle-remade-sinatra/
  8. https://www.thepaulleslie.com/the-paul-leslie-hour-episode-41-frank-sinatra-jr/
  9. https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/moonlight-sinatra-frank-sinatra/0060253797621
  10. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/rediscover-moonlight-sinatra/
  11. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moonlight-Sinatra-Frank/dp/B000008KQA
  12. https://www.the-main-event.de/songindex/reachingforthemoon.html
  13. https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a638/frank-sinatra-has-a-cold-gay-talese/
  14. https://www.discogs.com/release/5347476-Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra
  15. https://musicbrainz.org/release/b4e8a969-1e4c-4f52-98c3-73d12bc801a1
  16. https://ontherecord.co/2023/02/27/frank-sinatra-moonlight-sinatra-2/
  17. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/76683/Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra/
  18. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/56157/all
  19. https://www.discogs.com/release/3116871-Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra
  20. https://genius.com/albums/Frank-sinatra/Moonlight-sinatra/q/release-date
  21. https://www.billboard.com/artist/frank-sinatra/chart-history/tlp/
  22. https://www.recordsandcharts.com/album.php?alid=4275
  23. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/DownBeat/60s/66/Downbeat-1966-08-25.pdf
  24. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/frank-sinatra/moonlight-sinatra/
  25. https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a1435/frank-sinatra-has-a-cold/
  26. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/songs-about-the-moon-20-essential-tracks/
  27. https://www.ipm.org/show/afterglow/2021-06-09/frank-nelson
  28. https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/34440/all
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/6116643-Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/9344136-Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra
  31. https://open.spotify.com/album/7CWImGNqeGN5tQGpKj5V7i
  32. https://www.discogs.com/release/6557483-Frank-Sinatra-Moonlight-Sinatra
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/1166647-Frank-Sinatra-The-Complete-Reprise-Studio-Recordings
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/5456296-Frank-Sinatra-The-Frank-Sinatra-Collection-The-Reprise-Years
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