Frank Sinatra “Where Are You”

This is one of my favorite Sinatra records—have I said that before? Probably. But forget all those other declarations made in the heat of the moment—this one, from 1957, is it. Not my very favorite, but right up there. And I didn’t even own it (or hear it) until recently—well, relatively recently, maybe 10 or 12 years ago—can’t keep track. I just really like the overall quietness, slower tempo, and how the understated arrangements compliment Sinatra’s melancholy approach. Honestly, I don’t know if these Gordon Jenkins arrangements are understated, that’s just how if feels to me—you know, compared to the big, bold, energetic sound on the uptempo Nelson Riddle records—which I like, too, of course. The song, “Where Are You?” (1937), is my favorite—it’s a song I love, yes, because of the Mildred Bailey version in Love Streams (1984). (Unforgettable.) But this has got to be the saddest version, ever. Also: “Maybe You’ll Be There,” “Laura,” “Autumn Leaves,” “I’m a Fool to Want You.” All twelve songs are good, those are my favorites. The cover is amazing, a close to life-size, close to photorealist, color rendition of Sinatra—his sad face partly obscured by his folded arms, blue sweater, cigarette smoldering. As grim as the image is, it’s also quite flattering. It expresses “where are you?” nearly as well as the song. If that wasn’t enough, the back cover, b&w sketch, a somber man, the listener, also smoking, parting the curtains of his bachelor pad, looking out, while the face of has absent lover floats behind him like a Macy’s balloon ghost. But she’s gone.

8.7.26