Frank Sinatra “Songs For Swingin’ Lovers” 70th Anniversary Tone Poet Vinyl reissue

The first Sinatra issue in this Blue Note Tone Poet series was a cause for celebration, In The Wee Small Hours. It was a beautifully produced, superb-sounding mono reissue. The same team that produced that album has now released the second in the series, 1956’s Songs For Swingin’ Lovers.

A much different kettle of fish than Wee Hours, Swingin’ is an upbeat masterpiece with Frank in his best voice and in top swinging form. Accompanying him in arrangements that have become famous in their own right is Nelson Riddle with a selection of 15 classics from the American Songbook. It’s a perfect upbeat experience after the melancholy of Wee Hours.

I was recently gifted a British first pressing of the original of Swingin’’ by my friend Ryan. It’s clean as a whistle and sounds really good. Not sure how much better the American first pressing is, but this one is mighty fine. And made a good comparison to this new reissue.

There has been some commentary about the new Wee Hours that the orchestra and Frank are larger than life, maybe too much so. Compared to the original, this new pressing is more up front, but everything is so crystal clear, and Frank sounds so vibrant, I think you’ll be fine with it. I love it. I do like the original’s perspective, but I’m sold on both these new Tone Poets. Keep them coming.

Once again, the mono recording from 1955 sounds as lush and detailed as if in stereo. Great mono like this, especially jazz, is so immersive. From the opening of “You Make Me Feel So Young”, you’ll be bopping and tapping.

All the instruments are so clear in the soundstage that nothing is missed. All the players are at the top of the Hollywood heap.

Frank’s voice was a thing of beauty in 1955–fresh, great intonation, total control and clear diction. The voice is right in the middle of the soundstage, and his interpretations sound magnificent.

The album was produced for release by Joe Harley. The new Tone Poet Vinyl Edition was mastered by Kevin Gray from the original analog master tapes, pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI), and comes packaged in a deluxe gatefold tip-on jacket featuring session photos by William Claxton and Ken Veeder. The production is superb. Mine was delivered flat and silent.

The original album was recorded at Capitol’s KHJ Studios in Hollywood and produced by Voyle Gilmore.

The tracklist is a hit list from the Great American Songbook, including:

Side 1

1. You Make Me Feel So Young (Josef Myrow-Mack Gordon)

2. It Happened In Monterey (Billy Rose-Mabel Wayne)

3. You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me(Al Dubin-Harry Warren)

4. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (Irving Kahal-Pierre Norman-Sammy Fain)

5. Too Marvelous For Words (Johnny Mercer-Richard Whiting)

6. Old Devil Moon (Burton Lane-E.Y. Harburg)

7. Pennies From Heaven (Arthur Johnston-Johnny Burke)

8. Love Is Here To Stay (George Gershwin-Ira Gershwin)

Side 2

1. I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Cole Porter)

2. I Thought About You (Jimmy Van Heusen-Johnny Mercer)

3. We’ll Be Together Again (Carl Fischer-Frankie Laine)

4. Makin’ Whoopee (Gus Kahn-Walter Donaldson)

5. Swingin’ Down The Lane (Gus Kahn-Isham Jones)

6. Anything Goes (Cole Porter)

7. How About You? (Burton Lane-Ralph Freed)

What a great list. Choosing a favourite is impossible, but each swings in classic Frank and Riddle style. Each performance, every phrase is legendary.

Tone Poet has released another important Sinatra release. Let’s hope they keep coming. Don’t be scared off by the mono cut or the fact that the band and Frank are slightly forward in the mix. The clarity is refreshing, and the quality of the musicianship is invigorating. Another masterful release from Joe Harley and his team. Very highly recommended.

Released February 2, 2026