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Duets & Duets II: 90th Birthday Limited Collectors

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Duets & Duets II: 90th Birthday Limited Collectors (Audio CD)
by Frank Sinatra

(19 customer reviews)

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09463433772

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Frank Sinatra's "Duets" and "Duets II" are now combined as a 2-CD set. Includes a previously unreleased duet, Willie Nelson and Frank Sinatra performing "My Way." This special collector's edition commemorates Sinatra's 90th Birthday. (December 12, 1915)

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Product Details

Audio CD Release Date:	November 22, 2005
Studio:	Capitol
Number Of Discs:	2
Format:	Collector's Edition
Average Customer Rating:	based on 19 reviews

Track Listing

Disc: 1
1.	"The Lady Is a Tramp" Frank Sinatra w/ Luther Vandross
2.	"What Now, My Love?" Frank Sinatra w/ Aretha Franklin
3.	"I've Got a Crush on You" Frank Sinatra w/ Barbra Streisand
4.	"Summer Wind" Frank Sinatra w/ Julio Iglesias
5.	"Come Rain or Come Shine" Frank Sinatra w/ Gloria Estefan
6.	"Theme from New York, New York" Frank Sinatra w/ Tony Bennett
7.	"They Can't Take That Away from Me" Frank Sinatra w/ Natalie Cole
8.	"You Make Me Feel So Young" Frank Sinatra w/ Charles Aznavour
9.	"Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry/In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" Frank Sinatra w/ Carly Simon
10.	"I've Got the World on a String" Frank Sinatra w/ Liza Minnelli
11.	"Witchcraft" Frank Sinatra w/ Anita Baker
12.	"I've Got You Under My Skin" Frank Sinatra w/ Bono
13.	"All the Way/One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)" Frank Sinatra w/ Kenny G.

Disc: 2
1.	"For Once in My Life" Frank Sinatra w/ Glady's Night
2.	"Come Fly With Me" Frank Sinatra w/ Luis Miguel
3.	"Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" Frank Sinatra w/ Patti LaBelle
4.	"The Best Is Yet to Come" Frank Sinatra w/ Jon Secada
5.	"Moonlight in Vermont" Frank Sinatra w/ Linda Ronstadt
6.	"Fly Me to the Moon" Frank Sinatra w/ Jobim
7.	"Luck Be a Lady" Frank Sinatra w/ Chrissie Hynde
8.	"A Foggy Day" Frank Sinatra w/ Willie Nelson
9.	"Where or When" Frank Sinatra w/ Steve & Eydie
10.	"Embraceable You" Frank Sinatra w/ Lena Horne
11.	"Mack the Knife" Frank Sinatra w/ Jimmy Buffett
12.	"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?/My Funny Valentine" Frank Sinatra w/ Lorrie Morgan
13.	"My Kind of Town" Frank Sinatra w/ Frank Sinatra Jr.
14.	"The House I Live In" Frank Sinatra w/ Neil Diamond
15.	"My Way" Frank Sinatra w/ Willie Nelson (previously Unreleased)

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: 4.0

( 19 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 found the following review helpful:

change partners... Dec 08, 2005 By svf
Why, why, WHY are Duets I & II being re-reissued for the third time? Of all the Sinatra CDs in the universe to add to your collection, these should be the last. For the same money you can buy 2 or 3 classic Capitol or Reprise albums that are among the finest records ever made. Many of these Sinatra performances would actually be worth hearing without the overdubbed "duets" by this strange cast of characters that only a marketing & PR committee could have ever dreamed up (Jimmy Buffet? Gloria Estefan? Luther Vandross? Bono????). In fact, "One For My Baby" is a beautiful, twilight reading tainted only by the thakfully minimal overdubbed soprano sax noodlings of the nauseating Kenny G. There are a few other near misses here: duets with Lorrie Morgan, Natalie Cole, Lena Horne, and Linda Ronstadt are okay... Still, this set will leave you cold and wanting to hear more of The Man and less of his phoned-in guests.

Once upon a time there was a "black-market" CD of Sinatra's vocals from these sessions without the overdubbed duets [titled "Solos"]. Too bad Capitol Records hasn't released those tracks as a "Limited Edition" instead of this set... or anything else for that matter: is this really all Captiol, Reprise, and "The Family" can come up with for a Sinatra "90th Birthday Collection" release? There are so many great unreleased live concerts, session outtakes, and video materials stagnating in the vaults... what a shame and what a joke...

13 of 14 found the following review helpful:

Solid Final Outings From The Finest Vocalist In Music History. Aug 28, 2007 By Anthony Nasti "Tony"
Okay, I'm sick of going along with popular opinion just to garner helpful votes and kudos from other reviewers. I'm going to come out and say it: I Love Frank Sinatra's "Duets" Albums!

Phew, that felt good. But yes, it's true. Regardless of popular perception, regardless that The Chairman didn't actually sing directly in the studio with any of his partners, regardless that some songs are indeed not quite up to par, and regardless that Frank's voice is merely 1/4 of what it used to be (which is still twice as much as any other singer at their peak), the two "Duets" albums are solid if flawed testaments that even towards the end, Frank still had it.

The first album was a major hit upon its release in 1993, going all the way to Number 2 on the charts and quickly becoming the biggest selling album of Frank's career. Frank is paired here with a wide pallette of artists both past and present, from Luther Vandross to Barbara Streisand, from Tony Bennett to Bono and everything in between. Such a wide range of artists is bound to produce a wide variety of results, but the majority of the songs prove to be well worth the effort.

The highlights are indeed notable. Luther Vandross adds his soulful style to "The Lady Is A Tramp", while Frank and Barbara Streisand engage in a playful and tender reading of "I've Got A Crush On You". "You Make Me Feel So Young" with Charles Aznavour is bouncy and joyous, while "Summer Wind" with Julio Inglesias bristles with poignancy and pathos. Bono and Frank overcome misgivings from critics about their partnership and team up for a most excellent rendition of "I've Got You Under My Skin". Liza Minelli follows in the footsteps of her mother as her and Frank stride with style through "I've Got The World On A String", while Anita Baker adds some soulful scatting to a seductive "Witchcraft". And to hear Frank and Tony Bennett finally come together on record for "The Anthem", "New York, New York", is a music fan's dream come true.

The album's low point come from Frank's female partners. Gloria Estafan fails to ignite sparks on "Come Rain Or Come Shine", while Natalie Cole is surprisingly lukewarm on "They Can't Take That Away From Me". Carly Simon provides a good counter vocal to Frank on a medley of "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning", but she seems somewhat out of place. Darn shame too, because Frank gives an achingly powerful performance on this track. Most dissappointing is Aretha Franklin on "What Now My Love", which should've been a highlight considering the amazing vocal talents, but Aretha goes far too over the top with "What Now, What Now, What Now..." and it overpowers Frank.

This leaves us with the closing track and the highlight. After Kenny G performs a surprisingly beautiful sax rendition of "All The Way", we quietly fade into an achingly beautiful latter day rendition of "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)", which Frank sings with an uninhibited amount anguish and remorse, his weather beaten voice adding to the song's pain. I almost cried listening to it.

"Duets II" came not long after. Realizing how big a success the first volume was, Capitol Records as well as Frank's inner circle were eager to get him to return to the studio for follow-up. Once again, Frank did not actually record with any of his partners (with the likely exception of his son), but once again it does not hurt the record.

Unlike the first "Duets" album, this cd is solid the whole way through, with one exception. Beginning with a rousing "For Once In My Life", done with Motown legends Gladys Knight and the one and only Stevie Wonder that resonates with joy and excitement. Next, Louis Miguel takes to the skies with Ol' Blue Eyes with a blazing "Come Fly With Me". Things slow down for a gorgeous teaming with Patti Labelle on "Bewitched", the two singers blending together perfectly. Jon Secada proves a good foil for Frank on "The Best Is Yet To Come". Linda Ronstadt shows up next for a lovely "Moonlight In Vermont".

Old friends reunite as Frank reunites with Antonio Carlos Jobim as they soar through a torrid "Fly Me To The Moon". This performance is an absolute blast to hear on the record. To hear these two forces of musical nature together again is nearly earth shattering, and the recording is nothing short of brilliant.

Chrissie Hynde shows up next for a seductive and swingin' "Luck Be A Lady". Hynde is one of the last people I'd ever expect to be partnered with Frank, but her deep, husky voice is near-perfectly matched with Ol' Blue Eyes here. Willie Nelson and Frank have a ball with "A Foggy Day". Again, Willie, unlikely a choice as he is to sing with The Master, is great. The one low point coems next, as Steve & Eydie turn in a tepid "Where Or When", stealing most of the spotlight from Frank, and in a negative fashion (the intro is nice, though). Things pick up as one Frank's last remaining 1940s' rivals, the great Lena Horne, joins The Chairman for a passionate "Embraceable You". Next comes an unlikely highlight, as Jimmy Buffet of all people joins Frank for an exciting "Mack The Knife". My only qualm with this track is that I wish Bobby Darin could've lived to join Frank on this number. A medley of "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" and "My Funny Valentine" with Lorrie Morgan is soulful and endearing, but things cook when father and son team up for a blazing "My Kind Of Town" (though the version lacks a bit without the "Now This Could Only Happen To A Guy Like Me..." intro). Closing the album originally was a fine rendition of "The House I Live In" with Neil Diamond. As a bonus, Willie Nelson shows up for "My Way", which is good enough if a bit weak.

Overall, I give "Duets" a 4.5. The hate it gets is for the most part unwarranted. It proves that in the end, Frank still had it, and he could still overpower even the best of them. God Bless Him.

12 of 14 found the following review helpful:

Another Missed Opportunity Dec 01, 2005 By Jeff Barlow
Say what you will about Sinatra's over-produced Duets and Duets II being the appropriate items to present as the "90th Birthday Limited Collecter's Edition" but once again the fans are milked for one more unreleased track. Sinatra and Willie Nelson duet on "My Way," but it's pretty obvious that as long as fans are willing to pay, we'll keep on getting the same-old rehashed tracks their way.

If you don't have this material already, this is probably the best place to get it, but if you're looking to celebrate Sinatra's 90th in a more fitting way, there are dozens of CD that are more worthy of your time.

5 of 7 found the following review helpful:

~Sinatra "farewell" masterpiece~Bravo blue-eyes! Mar 20, 2006 By Bradly Briggs
Whenever listening to original limited edition Duets & Duets II, feeling good as the combo of both are a great musical trip with The Master and that incredible cast of truly magnificent duet partners. Sorry, but don't care these wondrous duets were created in various studio locations around the country because it is all done so well and the listener can feel affectionate connection with all great duet partners plus arrangements and production values are the best with vocal performances richly varied & brilliant! Only regret was that Duets III didn't happen as this type of greatness will never happen again and would have loved a Barry Manilow duet as I know they were great fans of each other...Sinatra started his own personal Manilow collection from the beginning. Standouts abound naming a few "I've Got You Under My Skin" with Bono is incredible, "Come Fly With Me" with Luis Miguel a stunning take on the classic, "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" with Patti LaBelle moving and spectacular, "Moonlight In Vermont" with Linda Ronstadt dreamy and romantic, "What Now My Love" with Aretha a vocal tour-de-force, big-band jazzy treatment "Fly Me To The Moon" with Jobim completely classic, "Where Or When" Steve and Eydie a winning and classic trio, "Embraceable You" with Lena Horne moving and sentimental, "Luck Be A Lady" with Chrissie Hynde intoxicating, "For Once In My Life" a soulful and inspired paring with Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder, "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?/My Funny Valentine" with Lorrie Morgan torchy and soulful, "I've Got A Crush On You" with Barbra Streisand a glorious vocal blend, "I've Got The World On A String" with Liza Minnelli showcase two music legends in peak form and "All The Way/One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) with Kenny G a haunting and masterful performance that stays with one long after it's over. Magnificent collection is a must have for anyone featuring superb sound and classy packaging...Mr. Frank Sinatra we love and miss you and thank you for leaving behind this tremendous musical treasure for all of us life-long fans to savor and enjoy over and over again!!!

2 of 3 found the following review helpful:

Silly but fun Nov 24, 2010 By Mr. Contrarian "comedy-dee-vine"
These two discs sold a lot of copies, made Sinatra a lot of money (which he deserved), and exposed him to a new generation. All to the good. This is not Sinatra in his prime, but neither is it wretched. It was intended as "easy listening" and that is what it is.

Clearly this collection was never intended as anything more than clean sentimental fun. The fundamental flaw is that these are pure Sinatra songs in which guest singers provide contributions which rarely mesh with Sinatra's style -- although there are a few exceptions. Most of these performances are sung with enthusiasm and good humor, even when lacking notable skill. So, what do you expect when Sinatra gets a different partner on every song?

WHAT DOESN'T WORK:

Carly Simon sings beautifully in the medley of "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry" with "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" but the recording fails because this is not really a medley. It's an intertwining of two songs where Sinatra and Simon are often singing the two different songs at the same time. I listened three times and, to mix metaphors, my ears got cross eyed; I almost got dizzy (in a bad way). A person cannot listen to two songs at the same time any more than you can read two books at the same time. If you ignore the words and listen to the music, you will discover that even the orchestra did not know what melody to play; just a bit of tinkering on the piano and light strings. This is an experiment that did not work. This is neither Sinatra's nor Carly's fault. The producer should have known better.

Everybody should have known better than to have allowed the inclusion of Bono's contribution to "I've Got You Under My Skin." I can say with confidence that there is no worse recording anywhere in Sinatra's catalog. This is garbage. Bono interprets this song as a dark sexual obsession rather than the swinging love song that it has always been. He sounds like phone sex; even going so far as to include heavy breathing during the finale. Inexcusable.

WHAT WORKS WELL:

Tony Bennett makes a marvelous contribution to "New York, New York." He respects it as Sinatra's hit song and sings it that way; sounding like he and Sinatra have spent years together in the Big Apple but that it is Sinatra's town. I wish other singers on this disc had listened to this song before recording their own. It might have changed the whole project. Even better, I wish that Bennett and Sinatra had made an entire album together.

Kenny G. surprises me by being almost shy in his performance on the final song of the album. After playing a short instrumental of "All The Way" he allows the music to segue into "One For My Baby" and then he becomes almost invisible (musically speaking). Sinatra takes over and sings perhaps his finest version of this song on record. His aging voice makes the song sadder and more real. His impeccable phrasing is present thoughout while Kenny G. only occasionally provides quiet background music to the more dominant piano. A marvelous bittersweet conclusion to the uneven first disc.

On the second disc, Linda Ronstandt's voice is pure sweetness on "Moonlight In Vermont." She obviously prepared herself well; her several recordings with Nelson Riddle certainly must have helped. The only flaw here is that her smooth vocals make Sinatra's seem rougher. Nonetheless, unlike Barbra Streisand on the original DUETS, Ronstandt clearly is sensitive to the fragility of Sinatra's aging voice.

Because Chrissie Hynde's voice actually is a bit rough, she matches very well with Sinatra on "Luck Be A Lady Tonight." In fact, this might be my favorite version of this song. Hynde and Sinatra actually give the impression that they might be singing in a casino.

The best performance on this disc is "Where or When" with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme. This is the only song on either DUETS album which sounds as though the singers are actually singing together in the same place at the same time. The chemistry is so right that I am convinced that all three singers had to be together to generate such fun. This is the one song here which leaves me wishing that I could still whistle a tune.

If you end up liking these cds, then do yourself a favor and immediately buy Sinatra's SONGS FOR SWINGIN' LOVERS. It's even better -- one of his greatest albums.

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