Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra – Sentimental Dorsey with Frank Sinatra, Vocalist
Sentimental Dorsey with Frank Sinatra, Vocalist documents one of the most important partnerships in the history of American popular music: the formative years Frank Sinatra spent as featured singer with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra.
Sinatra joined Dorsey’s orchestra in 1940 and remained until 1942. During those years, the young vocalist developed the extraordinary breath control, sustained phrasing and emotional restraint that would later become central to his unmistakable style. Sinatra closely studied Dorsey’s remarkably smooth trombone technique and learned to carry a musical phrase with the same apparently effortless continuity. These recordings therefore capture more than the beginning of a famous career — they reveal the foundations of the mature Sinatra sound.
Dorsey’s orchestra provides an elegant setting for Sinatra’s youthful voice, combining polished big-band arrangements with romantic balladry and understated swing. At this stage, Sinatra sounds lighter and more vulnerable than on his celebrated Capitol and Reprise recordings, yet his instinct for storytelling is already unmistakable. He allows the melody and lyrics to unfold naturally, bringing intimacy and emotional depth to performances originally created for the dance-band era.
The collection includes memorable recordings such as “Let’s Get Away From It All,” “Dolores,” “Oh! Look At Me Now,” “This Love Of Mine,” “Violets For Your Furs” and “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Other highlights include “Blue Skies,” “Fools Rush In,” “There Are Such Things,” “Without A Song,” “Street Of Dreams” and “Daybreak.” Together, the sixteen selections trace Sinatra’s transformation from gifted big-band vocalist into one of the defining voices of the 20th century.
Released in the United States in 1987 by Pair Records in association with RCA Special Products, this double-LP compilation draws upon the historic RCA Victor recordings made during the Dorsey–Sinatra partnership. The original mono presentation preserves the character and atmosphere of these early-1940s performances, while the two-record format gives the music room to unfold across four well-balanced sides.
Both records are in beautiful Near Mint condition, showing little indication of previous play. The sleeve is graded VG and displays some visible signs of age and handling, but remains a respectable original housing for this historically important collection.
An excellent choice for admirers of Frank Sinatra, traditional pop, vocal jazz and the golden age of American big-band music — and a fascinating opportunity to hear the young Sinatra developing the technique that would ultimately make him “The Voice.”
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra
Title: Sentimental Dorsey with Frank Sinatra, Vocalist
Label: Pair Records / RCA Special Products
Catalogue number: PDL2-1117
Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Compilation, Mono
Country: United States
Released: 1987
Condition: VG+/VG+
All records from Mr. Hansen Records are carefully cleaned, conservatively graded according to the Goldmine standard and securely packed with collector-grade care.