Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours LP 1962 Capitol Pressing NM
$
30
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Description
Here on offer is the LP that launched Frank Sinatra's comeback as one of the world's greatest recording artists. In the Wee Small Hours was recorded and first released in 1955. The original 1955 release contained 16 tracks spread over two 10" LPs. Since that original release the LP was re-issued in 1959 with 12 of the original 16 tracks. This LP is the 1962 re-issue, again with 12 of the original 16 tracks.
Here is some interesting information about this classic LP and the recording sessions that produced it:
Those who knew Sinatra have said there is little doubt that the inspiration for this LP was Sinatra's failed relationship with Ava Gardner. The album's grouping of "love gone bad" songs, and Sinatra's poignant renderings, were a direct result of Sinatra's failing marriage to Gardner, to the point that these are called "Ava Songs".
Sinatra and Gardner were married in October 1951. Just 2 years later she left him. Capitol Records had signed the then-struggling Sinatra to a seven year recording contract in March 1953. It's hard to believe now but Capitol took a big chance in signing Sinatra because his career had been in a tail spin for several years and it was at rock bottom when Capitol signed him.
Nelson Riddle credited Sinatra's loss of Gardner with his ability to sing the type of songs contained in this album. The failure of his marriage to Gardner was emotionally devastating to Sinatra but it did not shatter him. Instead it caused him to sing more emotionally. In the midst of this personal, emotional upheaval Sinatra began selecting songs for a new album. These songs would become In the Wee Small Hours recorded and released in 1955.
The album was designed as a concept album at a time when such things were unheard of in the recording industry. Albums from this era were little more than collections of singles, but Sinatra developed a distinction between songs intended as singles for radio airplay and jukeboxes and those songs he intended to package together in an album. His recording sessions intended for albums tended to be more artistically serious.
It was no secret among those who knew Sinatra that he was not fond of rehearsing, whether it be recording songs or filming movies. Not so with In the Wee Small Hours and most of his other Capitol albums from the 1950s. He repeatedly rehearsed each of the 16 tracks of In the Wee Small Hours at his home with his pianist, Bill Miller.
This LP is from my personal collection. I am an audiophile of 50 years and have been collecting vinyl for the last 50 years. I acquired this LP about 30 years ago when I purchased a large Sinatra collection. I have played it only once.... to play grade it for this listing. After hearing this LP I can certainly understand why it has become a classic of the Sinatra LP catalog.
The record shows some wear around the spindle hole although there are no spindle tracks, indicating the record has been played very carefully. The vinyl shows as-new high gloss. There are no scratches, scuffs, or marks of any kind on the vinyl. The vinyl is flawless. I have graded the vinyl as NM. The vinyl plays as new. There are no ticks, pops, or hiss in the music or in the dead wax. All you will hear is Sinatra and Nelson Riddle's orchestra. Sonically, this pressing is superb. It sounds like Sinatra is in your listening room.
The sleeve is VG++ with no ring wear, seam splits, or tears. There is one small pen mark on the upper right corner on the reverse side of the sleeve.
The sleeve of this LP has been stored in a polyethylene sleeve protector since I acquired it. I also removed the LP from the original inner sleeves and stored the LP in a custom rice paper sleeve.
The listed flat rate shipping cost is only for inside the lower 48 states of the US. I will ship outside the US but shipping costs are quite high so contact me for an estimate of shipping costs to outside the US.
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