Point of No Return (Frank Sinatra album)
Encyclopedia
Point of No Return is an album by American
singer Frank Sinatra
, released in 1962.
As the title reflects, the album contains Sinatra's final recorded songs with Capitol Records
before permanently moving to his own Reprise Records
label to achieve more artistic freedom with his recordings.
Indeed, he had already begun recording with Reprise as early as 1960 and had already recorded Ring-A-Ding-Ding
, I Remember Tommy
, and Sinatra Swings
by the time these sessions occurred. He recorded this album in a hurried two-day session in September 1961 to fulfill his contract.
The album was still a special occasion, reuniting Sinatra with Axel Stordahl
, the arranger and conductor who helped Sinatra rise to stardom in the 1940s. He also arranged the vocalist's first Capitol
session back in 1953, so his presence gave a sense of closure to the Capitol era.
In an interesting side note, Sinatra recorded a different version of "I'll Be Seeing You" only months apart during the very same year on I Remember Tommy for Reprise.
The bonus tracks represent the rest of Sinatra's work with Axel Stordahl
on Capitol Records. These songs were recorded at Sinatra's first Capitol session in April 1953 and were produced by Voyle Gilmore
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, released in 1962.
As the title reflects, the album contains Sinatra's final recorded songs with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
before permanently moving to his own Reprise Records
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:...
label to achieve more artistic freedom with his recordings.
Indeed, he had already begun recording with Reprise as early as 1960 and had already recorded Ring-A-Ding-Ding
Ring-A-Ding-Ding
Ring-a-Ding-Ding! is a 1961 album by Frank Sinatra. It was Sinatra's first for Reprise, and, as the initial concept was "an album without ballads", included only uptempo swing numbers....
, I Remember Tommy
I Remember Tommy
I Remember Tommy... is an album by Frank Sinatra, released in 1961. It was recorded as a tribute to bandleader Tommy Dorsey, and consists of re-recorded versions of songs that Sinatra had first performed or recorded with Dorsey earlier in his career...
, and Sinatra Swings
Sinatra Swings
Sinatra Swings is an album by Frank Sinatra, released in 1961.The album's two titles derive from the fact that Capitol thought this album, originally titled Swing Along With Me, was so close in sound and title to Sinatra's earlier Capitol album Come Swing with Me! that the label sought, and was...
by the time these sessions occurred. He recorded this album in a hurried two-day session in September 1961 to fulfill his contract.
The album was still a special occasion, reuniting Sinatra with Axel Stordahl
Axel Stordahl
Axel Stordahl was an arranger who was active from the late 1930s through the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s at Columbia Records...
, the arranger and conductor who helped Sinatra rise to stardom in the 1940s. He also arranged the vocalist's first Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
session back in 1953, so his presence gave a sense of closure to the Capitol era.
In an interesting side note, Sinatra recorded a different version of "I'll Be Seeing You" only months apart during the very same year on I Remember Tommy for Reprise.
Track listing
- "(Ah, the Apple Trees) When the World Was Young(Ah, the Apple Trees) When the World Was YoungWhen the World Was Young is a popular song composed by M. Philippe-Gerard, with lyrics by Angele Vannier. The English lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer. The original French title was "Le Chevalier de Paris"....
" (Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
, M. Philippe-Gerard, Angele Marie T. Vannier) - 3:48 - "I'll Remember AprilI'll Remember April (song)"I'll Remember April" is a popular song. The music for the song was written by Gene de Paul, and the lyrics were written by Patricia Johnston and Don Raye....
" (Don RayeDon RayeDon Raye , born Donald MacRae Wilhoite, Jr., in Washington, D.C., was an American vaudevillian and songwriter, best known for his songs for the Andrews Sisters such as "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar", "The House of Blue Lights", "Just For A Thrill" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."While known for...
, Gene de PaulGene de PaulGene de Paul was an American pianist, composer and songwriter.-Biography:Born in New York City, he served in the United States Army during World War II....
, Patricia Johnston) - 2:50 - "September SongSeptember Song"September Song" is an American pop standard composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson, introduced by Walter Huston in the 1938 Broadway musical Knickerbocker Holiday. It has since been recorded by numerous singers and instrumentalists...
" (Kurt WeillKurt WeillKurt Julian Weill was a German-Jewish composer, active from the 1920s, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fruitful collaborations with Bertolt Brecht...
, Maxwell AndersonMaxwell AndersonJames Maxwell Anderson was an American playwright, author, poet, journalist and lyricist.-Early years:Anderson was born in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, the second of eight children to William Lincoln "Link" Anderson, a Baptist minister, and Charlotte Perrimela Stephenson, both of Scots and Irish descent...
) - 4:21 - "A Million Dreams Ago" (Lew Quadling, Eddie Howard, Dick JurgensDick JurgensDick Henry Jurgens was an American swing music bandleader, who enjoyed great popularity in the late 1930s and early 1940s....
) - 2:41 - "I'll See You AgainI'll See You Again"I'll See You Again" is a song by the English songwriter Sir Noel Coward.It originated in Coward's 1929 operetta Bitter Sweet, however soon emerged as a standard in its own right and became one of Coward's best known compositions...
" (Nöel CowardNoël CowardSir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called "a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise".Born in Teddington, a suburb of London, Coward attended a dance academy...
) - 2:44 - "There Will Never Be Another YouThere Will Never Be Another You"There Will Never Be Another You" is a popular song with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Mack Gordon for the Twentieth Century Fox musical Iceland starring Sonja Henie...
" (Mack GordonMack GordonMack Gordon was an American composer and lyricist of songs for the stage and film. He was nominated for the best original song Oscar nine times, including six consecutive years between 1940 and 1945, and won the award once, for "You'll Never Know"...
, Harry WarrenHarry WarrenHarry Warren was an American composer and lyricist. Warren was the first major American songwriter to write primarily for film. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song eleven times and won three Oscars for composing "Lullaby of Broadway", "You'll Never Know" and "On the Atchison,...
) - 3:09 - "Somewhere along the WaySomewhere along the Way"Somewhere along the Way" is a popular song.The music was written by Kurt Adams, the lyrics by Sammy Gallop. The sheet music was published in 1952.The original recording by Nat King Cole was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 2069...
" (Kurt Adams, Sammy Gallop) - 3:01 - "It's a Blue World" (Bob Wright, Chet Forrest) - 2:49
- "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)"These Foolish Things " is a standard with words by Eric Maschwitz and music by Jack Strachey. Harry Link, an American, sometimes appears as a co-writer, but his input was probably limited to changes to suit the U.S. market. It is one of a group of 'Mayfair Songs', like "A Nightingale Sang in...
" (Jack StracheyJack StracheyJack Strachey , was an English composer and songwriterBorn John Francis Strachey in London, England on 25 September 1894 he began writing songs in the 1920s for the theatre and the music hall, scoring his first success with songs he had written for Frith Shephard's long running musical revue Lady...
, Harry LinkHarry LinkHarry Link, born Harry Linkey was an American songwriter. He wrote or co-wrote several well-known jazz standards....
, Holt MarvellEric MaschwitzAlbert Eric Maschwitz OBE , known as Eric Maschwitz and sometimes credited as Holt Marvell, was an English entertainer, writer, broadcaster and broadcasting executive.-Life and work:...
) - 3:59 - "As Time Goes ByAs Time Goes By (song)"As Time Goes By" is a song written by Herman Hupfeld in 1931. It became most famous in 1942 when it was sung by the character Sam in the movie Casablanca. The song was voted #2 on the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs special, commemorating the best songs in film. It was used as a fanfare for Warner...
" (Herman HupfeldHerman HupfeldHerman Hupfeld was an American songwriter whose most notable composition was "As Time Goes By."-Biography:Hupfeld studied violin in Germany at 9. He was in the military during World War I, and he entertained camps and hospitals during World War II...
) - 3:17 - "I'll Be Seeing YouI'll Be Seeing You (song)"I'll Be Seeing You" is a popular song, with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Irving Kahal. Published in 1938, the song was inserted into the Broadway musical Right This Way, which closed after fifteen performances. The song is a jazz standard, and has been covered by countless musicians.The...
" (Sammy FainSammy FainSammy Fain was an American composer of popular music.-Biography:Sammy Fain was born in New York City. In 1923, Fain appeared with Artie Dunn in a short film directed by Lee De Forest filmed in DeForest's Phonofilm sound-on-film process. In 1925, Fain left the Fain-Dunn act to devote himself to...
, Irving KahalIrving KahalIrving Kahal was a popular lyricist active in the 1920's and '30's. He is best remembered for his collaborations with composer Sammy Fain which started in 1926 when Kahal was working in vaudeville sketches written by Gus Edwards...
) - 2:47 - "Memories of YouMemories of You"Memories of You" is a popular song with lyrics written by Andy Razaf and music composed by Eubie Blake and published in 1930.-Song history:The song was introduced by singer Minto Cato in the Broadway show Lew Leslie's Blackbirds of 1930...
" (Eubie BlakeEubie BlakeJames Hubert Blake was an American composer, lyricist, and pianist of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1921, Blake and long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote the Broadway musical Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals to be written and directed by African Americans...
, Andy Razaf) - 3:53- Cd reissue bonus tracks not included on the original 1962 release:
- "Day In, Day OutDay In, Day Out"Day In, Day Out" is a popular song with music by Rube Bloom and lyrics by Johnny Mercer and published in 1939.According to Alec Wilder the song, 56 measures long, has a wonderful, soaring melodic line, free from pretentiousness, but full of passion and intensity which is superbly supported by the...
" (Rube BloomRube BloomReuben Bloom was a Jewish American multi-faceted entertainer, and in addition to being a songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and writer .During his career, he worked with many well-known performers, including Bix Beiderbecke, Joe Venuti, Ruth Etting,...
, Mercer) - 3:19 - "Don't Make a Beggar of MeDon't Make a Beggar of Me"Don't Make a Beggar of Me" is a popular song recorded by Frank Sinatra on 2 April, 1953, at his first recording session for Capitol Records, but not released until the CD reissue of his 1962 album, Point of No Return. The song was written by former Tin Pan Alley tunesmith, Al Sherman., and...
" (Al ShermanAl ShermanAl Sherman was an American Tin Pan Alley songwriter from the first half of the twentieth century. Sherman is a link in a long chain of musical Sherman family members.-Early life:...
) - 3:05 - "Lean Baby" (Billy MayBilly MayWilliam E. "Billy" May was an American composer, arranger and trumpeter. He composed film and television music, for The Green Hornet , Batman , and Naked City and collaborated on films, such as Pennies from Heaven , and orchestrated Cocoon, and Cocoon: The Return among...
, Roy Alfred) - 2:35 - "I'm Walking Behind YouI'm Walking Behind You"I'm Walking Behind You" is a popular song written by Billy Reid and published in 1953.Eddie Fisher's rendition of the song became a number-one hit single on both the Cash Box and Billboard record charts in 1953 in the United States, as well as reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart.The...
" (Billy Reid) - 2:57
The bonus tracks represent the rest of Sinatra's work with Axel Stordahl
Axel Stordahl
Axel Stordahl was an arranger who was active from the late 1930s through the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s at Columbia Records...
on Capitol Records. These songs were recorded at Sinatra's first Capitol session in April 1953 and were produced by Voyle Gilmore
Voyle Gilmore
Voyle Gilmore was an American record producer and arranger. He was best known for his work with Frank Sinatra and The Kingston Trio on Capitol Records...
.
Personnel
- Frank SinatraFrank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
- Vocals - Axel StordahlAxel StordahlAxel Stordahl was an arranger who was active from the late 1930s through the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for his work with Frank Sinatra in the 1940s at Columbia Records...
- Arranger, Conductor - Heine Beau - "Ghost Arranger"