Swing Along with Me Rightly Promoted As “Twelve of the Most Uninhibited Things Frank Sinatra Ever Recorded”: Graced With Grand Arrangements, Tour De Force Vocals

Mastered from the Original Master Tapes and Out of Print: Mobile Fidelity's Numbered-Edition 180g 33RPM LP Will Have You Swinging

1/4" / 15 IPS analog master to analog console to lathe

Few albums are so compelling that they prompt a competing record label to go to court in attempt to block their potential popularity and success. Yet that’s what happened in 1961 when Capitol Records legally forced Reprise Records, Frank Sinatra’s new home, to change the title of Sinatra Swings to Swing Along With Me. Capitol felt that the blockbuster set was too close in sound (and title) to the Chairman’s Come Swing With Me. Still, the action couldn’t conceal the truth: Swing Along With Me is a phenomenal effort that finds the Voice in mellifluous form.

Originally promoted as “twelve of the most uninhibited things Sinatra ever recorded,” Swing Along With Me pairs the legendary singer with arranger Billy May, who leads an orchestra that just doesn’t quit. Just as impressive, the album features the incredible production standards for which the era is famous. The result: Tour de force vocals, fabulous rhythms, grand interpretations, and vivid sonics.

Of course, the album is true to its title. Sinatra rarely, if ever, swung so hard (and effortlessly) as he does here. Whether it’s his timing and voice control (“Don’t Cry Joe”), diction and feeling (“Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone”), or note-perfect baritone (“Granada”), the Chairman makes the most out of Mays’ brassy arrangements. Several unexpected touches—classically themed instrumental introductions, Spanish-influenced accents—add to the allure.

Viewing the record as delivering one giant, swaggering groove after another is simplifying the magic contained within. But Swing Along With Me claims a big-band looseness and nightclub panache that makes it incredibly easy to enjoy. At the time, Sinatra was in the midst of his high-flying Rat Pack days, and he brings that same ring-a-ding-ding spirit to every tune here.

Mobile Fidelity’s numbered-edition 180g LP is mastered from the original master tapes and tops all previous incarnations. The audiophile label is honored to have the opportunity to present this timeless music in pristine fidelity that enhances the transparency, fullness, timbres, and soundstage so that listeners can experience Sinatra as if he and Mays’ orchestra were only feet in front of them. The connection to the music, and the emotion, is riveting. Try not to swing along! 

"Comparing the recent Mobile Fidelity reissue with the original release proves startling because, immediately, it reveals how rushed Sinatra sounds on the original. This is a guy who has a cab waiting for him outside. Also, on the original pressing, Sinatra resembles the typical “Shouty Man” that blasts his lungs about incredible offers on TV advertisements; such is LP’s well-lit upper midrange effect. Mobile Fidelity’s version issue calms the great man, unveiling the playful Sinatra. Now, with Ol’ Blue Eyes’ delivery during “I Never Knew,” you can almost hear his eyebrow raise and see his half smile appear."
--Paul Rigby, TONE Audio, Issue 38, June 2011

Frank Sinatra Swing Along With Me Track Listing:

1.    "Falling in Love with Love" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 1:49
2.    "The Curse of an Aching Heart" (Henry Fink, Al Piantadosi) – 2:06
3.    "Don't Cry Joe" (Joe Marsala) – 3:05
4.    "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone" (Sidney Clare, Sam H. Stept) – 2:56
5.    "Love Walked In" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:19
6.    "Granada" (Dorothy Dodd, Agustín Lara) – 3:38
7.    "I Never Knew" (Ted Fio Rito, Gus Kahn) – 2:14
8.    "Don't Be That Way" (Benny Goodman, Mitchell Parish, Edgar Sampson) – 2:41
9.    "Moonlight on the Ganges" (Sherman Myers, Chester Wallace) – 3:18
10.    "It's a Wonderful World" (Harold Adamson, Jan Savitt, Johnny Watson) – 2:17
11.    "Have You Met Miss Jones?" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 2:30
12.    "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" (James Cavanaugh, Russ Morgan, Larry Stock) – 4:09