Sinatra 101 : The 101 Best Recordings and the Stories Behind Them

By Ed O'Brien, Robert Wilson, Ed O’Brien

Sinatra 101 tells the stories behind the 101 greatest recordings of Frank Sinatra. The book follows Sinatra and his music from his prewar recordings at RCA to the "Duets" album released shortly before his death. From "Night and Day" to "I've Got You Under My Skin" to "New York, New York", Sinatra 101 provides notes and anecdotes about each recording session, the genesis of the song itself, and how the recording ties in to Sinatra's life and career. Compiled by renowned Sinatra expert Ed O'Brien with Robert Wilson, the book features input from a number of Sinatra arrangers, studio musicians and friends--from Billy May and Bill Miller to Al Viola and Tony Mottola to Tony Bennett and Robert Wagner--as they weigh in with their own personal favorite recordings by Frank Sinatra. A guest foreword is provided by long-time "Sounds of Sinatra" radio host Sid Mark.The ultimate resource to the greatest recordings of Frank Sinatra, Sinatra 101 was ranked second on a New York Daily News list of the "five Sinatra books worth reading."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1980484953
• ISBN13: 9781980484950
• Release Date: March 2018
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Essential Sinatra

How do you pick the 101 greatest Sinatra recordings? The authors certainly came up with arguably the definitive list,and presented it in a most enjoyable read.Another reviewer wished there was a CD boxed set to accompany the book. I did the next best thing. I have an extensive Sinatra collection and I happen to have all the 101 songs(the correct versions). I bought some high quality cassettes and simply went through my CDs and tapes and put together the audio to the book..three 90 minute and one 60 minute tape covered the 101 songs.Needless to say, it was a labor of love putting these songs in order and is fascinating to read the descriptions and history of the songs as they are playing.

Ultimate source for the story behind the man & his music

Sinatra's approach to lyrical interpretation and his unique sense of tempo is what set him appart from the rest. Sinatra 101 is an excellent compliment to any Sinatra record collection. Too bad there is not a CD Box set of all the songs listed in the book so that readers could read along as they listen to the master at work. As a vocalist and student of Sinatra's sound, I have greatly benefited from Sinatra 101. Sinatra 101 has expanded my knowledge of the music and provides an excellent reference source which I have used to educate audiences during live performances. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED READING FOR ANY SINATRA FAN.

Who cares about the Rat Pack? Listen to the songs!

While the popularity of the Sinatra persona will rise and fall as fashions change, the music is timeless. "Sinatra 101'' spotlights the songs and the stories behind them. In concise, to-the-point language, the authors, Ed O'Brien and Robert Wilson, offer the sort of critical insights that will send you rushing back to the songs themselves, giving you the chance to fall in love with the music all over again. What more can you ask?

A "must" read for anyone the least bit interested in Sinatra

"Sinatra 101" by O'Brien and Wilson is a wonderful combination of three elements: information about American music, the details of Sinatra's contribution to the world of song and the personal, behind-the-scenes stories found no where else. Arranged in an easy-to-read (and reurn to) format, this book serves also as a thorough reference source for Sinatra buffs. It should be first on your must read list.

A must have book for any Sinatra fan.

There is only one word that can truely describe this book By: Ed O'Brien with Robert Wilson...MESMORIZING. It is amazing the work that Ed O'Brien has done on the Recording Career of Francis Albert. This book(Ed's 5th) is a must have for any Sinatra fan.