In The Wee Small Hours

Timeless music, great album !

It felt like magic

It’s fine? I do t really care about Sinatra. I don’t think I’ve ever found myself wanting to listen to l e of his albums and this didn’t change my mind

This isn't very good.

Very pleasant album, perfect for a cozy evening (or indeed as a lullaby).

Nice voice, but every track is effectively a carbon-copy of the one that came before it. Good to have on in the background when cooking the dinner, but beyond that I wouldn’t actively listen to it.

Pretty good. Nice to throw on in the morning while you’re drinking your coffee. Not as effective at pumping you up to beat up the neighborhood bully who makes you eat white dog shit.

Favorite Song: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning Least Favorite Song: Mood Indigo

Frank is a smooth as glass in this introspective album of love lost. Great for a rainy day or on the jukebox at your favorite watering hole. You can wistfully meander through these tunes contemplating lost love as the bartender plies you with whiskey.

Respect for the first concept album ever Frank, complete with cool artwork. However as ever the music of Sinatra leaves me as cold as a cold thing.

2.5

A peaceful and timeless album to listen to despite its melancholic subject matter. I didn't recognize any of these pieces, which points to their quality, considering I was engaged throughout.

Not a single song on this album has a temporary above a rest heart rate, it just slowly drags on and on and on.

Classic

Nicht mein Genre! Langweilig!

The band sounds good, Frank's voice is fine. It's just that the songs just don't appeal to me. I don't find them romantic or passionate at all. Instead I feel like this is a collection of movie themes.

Just some slow love songs with good vocals. 3 stars

Classic Frank. The guy was a legend for a reason.

Beautiful voice, of course, but I didn’t really enjoy the actual songs.

Respect. Always recognizable.

Not one of Frank Sinatra’s better albums this is quite melancholy all the way through, no stand out tracks.

Too many of these tracks have better versions. Frank could never give “Mood Indigo” the same energy that Nina Simone gave it. Who could do “I Get Along Without You Very Well” better than Chet Baker? Ray Charles or Billie Holiday on “When Your Lover Has Gone” just sounds so much cleaner. I could go on, but you get my point. Obviously, Ol’ Blue Eyes has a wonderful voice and is an incredibly gifted singer. Also, on this project he’s working with one of the best bands of his time. The writing, though it has almost nothing to do with Frank, is awesome. My favorite is “Deep In a Dream”. The sound effect they have after the line, “My cigarette burns me, I wake with a start”. Iconic. BWAHHH!!! There a few real fun parts on this album and the title track is so fucking beautiful from start to finish. Credit to Frank for writing the last track on the album. The first of only seven he ever wrote. This album gets the job done and some people even consider it one of the first concept albums. Not sure about that, but I certainly enjoyed it. 4/5

Not the upbeat Sinatra stuff but I still love it. Can imagine listening to this on a nice summers evening drinking coke out of a glass bottle. Great vibe. Specific rating- 4.4 Fav song - Mood indigo Least fav - I’ll be around

It was great! Based on the song titles, I imagine I may have ended up sobbing if I listened to the lyrics, but still very good either way

Don't think I've ever sat down and listened to a full Frank Sinatra album before, obviously he's pretty amazing at this singing thing even when the songs get a tad too mopey for me. Little shout out to It Never Entered My Mind because not enough people sing about solitaire. Could have been right up there as an album if I still smoked. Favourite: Deep In A Dream Least: When Your Lover Has Gone (but don't hold me to this)

3/5 Kuuntelee mielellään, kyllä poika laulaa osaa. Ei kuitenkaan ihan sellainen kiekko, jota tulisi laitettua levylautaselle tämän aktiivisesti.

Olihan hienoa kuultavaa. Toimii taustamusiikkina, mutta tuohon voi myös syventyä ja kuunnella tekstejä tarkemmin. Lopusta olisi voinut vähän lyhentää, alkoi tämäkin toistaa itseään jossain vaiheessa.

Samaa kaavaa alusta loppuun. Yhden tai kahden kappaleen jälkeen tuli ähky. Ei kiitos enempää.

Grogi käteen, havannalainen huuleen ja sihtailemaan baariin. Vanha sinisilmä toimii aina. Tosin rajansa määrälläkin

Albumin Bio lupaa melankolista tulkintaa yksinäisyydestä, rakkaudesta ja surusta. Ja sitä myös kuuntelija saa. Vaikkakin viimeset raidat tarjoilevat hieman iloisempaa jazz musisointia. Hieno levy mutta en kyllä useamman kerran jaksaisi kuunnella.

Aivan loistavaa tunnelmointia. Oon aina pitänyt Sinatran soundista ja Quincy Jonesin sovitukset kappaleissa on tietenkin mielettömiä.

i dont remember anything

Kid rock. Nuff said.

Classic, very good, typa album Id listen on repeat alone

Too mellow

Never heard a Sinatra album in full before. Doesn't "wee" already mean small? 3/5

Yearning background music

Julien bam type beat

Good album kinda is what it is

50's emo

Franky Boy, scho ganz e gueti Stimm, aber da het ihn d Ziit und die modern Musig leider längstens überholt. Zwei Fedoras mit zwei Zigis ide Hand defür

Franky du alte knacker. Gfüllt mit all dene us influences scho 1000mal uf de mr sinatra gstosse, aber na nie würki was uscheggt. Darum eich doch au happy gsi zum da mal dri gügsle und lose. Und ao guet ischs ez au nöd gsi. E biz zu langwilig. Scho e vibe wo er cha ufbringe, aber musikalisch für mich es 2.5. eifach zwenig pepp

king! hüt sind mer 47 minute allerdings chli zu lang gsi (immerno dütschrap spuck der eis id frässe vibes am regiere), aber es gid durchus diversi szenarie wo ich mir das album 3 mal nachenand chönt ineböllere will aber all mini lieblings sinatra tracks (oder wie ich sie ab jetzt nänne: sinatracks) nöd uf dem album sind chani nöd 5 stärn gäh und muess en wee small abrundig vornäh hoffentli bsuecht eus de franky boy demnächst wieder!

4/5

Definitely not my kind of music; respect for the legend, for the icon, great artist... anyway not for me, sorry!

Cigar and scotch music. Seriously though, a great album by one of the all time greats.

I clearly enjoy anything with Sinatra singing. So much emotion and big band sound behind each song. Easy to sweep you away.

What a way to start off the book. Wow, this album is just so good. Sinatra's huge comeback, with this concept album on loneliness and lost loves, a real gut punch record in the right mindset. Sinatra's voice is pure gold and he always has perfect delivery and timing

Oh. My. GOD. This was boring. Every single song had the literal same exact message, same exact tempo, and same exact tune. And it went on FOR FIFTY MINUTES. He did not know when to let something go. I would say I'm glad he got dumped, but then again, THIS is what we got out of it. One song is okay, JUST okay, but any longer than that, and I'm dead.

Overall: 7/10 This album is all about the mood, and the album cover is a perfect representation of the kind of moody, melancholic sound that dominates. While there's lots of romance, Frank sounds sad as hell all throughout. It's impressive to me how well the music paints a picture of a lonely man in a bar, drinking a scotch and rethinking life choices at 3am. The problem is that every song has a similar feeling and they all sort of blend together. Some variety would have been nice, but I can't imagine any other type of song fitting with these ones so I'll give it a pass. Good work there, Franky boy. Fav Song: In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning Least Fav Song: Deep in a Dream

Sad Sinatra is still Sinatra.

Prime Frank.

Barely held my attention but nice enough

I never listened to a Sinatra album all the way through. Not sure this one counts since I had to pause it and unpause through the work day. You think you know a lot of his stuff just from being surrounded by it, but he's got such a deep bench. It's fine. Not something I'd go out of my way to listen to.

Not a huge fan of the crooners. I respect the talent I suppose, but it does nothing for me. OK as background music.

Ah sad Frank... I don't really care much for crooners but this was ok to listen to while working.

Get why it’s here, but this is just kind of background noise, especially compared to Sinatra’s other album on the list.

Crooner classics

He's not like an actual great singer but the voice is still iconic.

After multiple pauses it's taken me all day to make it to the end of this series of monotonous dirges. I haven't the heart to put such a beautiful voice into the 1 star bin with all the rap, hip hop, roooooaaaaar, 'American rock group', Beastie Boys & Slipknot shite, but my 2 stars feels extremely generous & not really deserved.

A collection of funeral dirges

A luscious wallow

Smooth brain rhyme schemes from a hopelessly befuddled man, so utterly defeated and exploited by the nuances of love that he occasionally must appeal to the divine to help him get up to speed with the basics. All of this wrapped up in a fantastically dulcet package. The backing tracks are always dope. I bet every time he wandered up to a stage or into a vocal booth and picked up a mic with a martini in his hand, someone would say, "Uh oh, ol' Frank is at it again. Should we get someone to drive him home?" And someone else would say, "Nah, let him cook"....and thus, a star was born. Frankie is the man.

This album is sad as shit. I love it

Favorite Track: What Is This Thing Called Love

Melancholy

A legend. Enough said.

I feel like I am eating endless salad and breadsticks at the Olive Garden

My absolutely favorite album of his, after ONLY THE LONELY

A melancholic yet beautiful album, which impact as an idea of the art form has to be admired. Most of all the motive in "What is this thing called love" is one of a devistating mystique you rarely get today.

I've never intentionally listened to Frank Sinatra, but have read the story behind this a few times. It tends to catch my eye because it's the first album in the book. It's another one that's hard to judge by today's standards, as it sounds so very of it's time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but I found it pretty hard to relate to in general. It's pleasant enough to listen to, but a bit too long and fairly repetitive. Great voice though, and very well recorded for the time!

Oh my lord this was so dreary and dull. Every song sounded the same. Same topic of song. It just went on and on and on. Just depressing and slow

Hmm, well I do love Frank but to be honest this was boooooring. Just slowly signing some dull lyrics. I can see it has a place and kind of get why people liked this kind of thing but I just couldn't really cope.

Probably just background music for me. No doubt it is pleasant on the ears though

Not a fan

incredibly dull

Frank Sinatra has a beautiful, soothing voice. The album is mostly lovelorn, string-accompanied ballads. I wasn’t familiar with the songs but Sinatra is an absolute pleasure to listen to on them. I love this painted album cover too.

Beautiful and laid back Sinatra record. It's got some nice moments but tends to keep within the same boundaries of tempo and energy levels, which I both enjoyed and also found a little repetitive. It's a 3.5 for me, not quite enough for a 4. I'm not sure why but as I went through this album I didn't find enough variety for me to totally love it. I do love the album cover. To me it's reminiscent of the painting "Nighthawks".

I've learned i don't care for Frank

Not my favourite Sinatra, but still very good. I quite like sad Sinatra, and this record is predominantly slower / sadder / more retrospective. Will be back

Album of sad crooners from Frank. As with previous Sinatra albums I really like the sound and general atmosphere of this era of music but I preferred the last one, nice to have some variety that was lacking here. I understand that they were going for a sad slow album but it's a bit one note. All the songs in isolation were great but overall a 4.

Not my favourite. Appreciate the maudlin tone of the album, but the song selections were repetitive. When Your Lover Has Gone, and Ill Wind, were my favourites.

Never had anyone in my family and a Sinatra fan so the nostalgia element isn't there for me....I obviously appreciate that he was a big deal and he does have a great voice. But, it's dated and none of the big hitters are here, all felt very long and samey too. Sorry Frank

Entspannende Atmosphäre für abends

"This love of mine goes on and on..." like this album. I can respect the historical significance of this album now that I'm aware of it, but after a while it feels repetitive. I lost interest somewhere in the second half. It sounds fine, and I'm sure fans of Sinatra would love it. Between this and Swinging Lovers it's clear I'm not a fan. I don't mind listening to his songs when mixed in with other artists, but alone he doesn't do much for me. I'd rather watch him act.

Classic Frank. Have to love this album

No gruba zamulka, nie jestem fanem sinatry

As boring as you would expect

Typischer Frank Sinatra Sound, eher was für n chilligen Wohnzimmer Abend vorm Kamin. 3 Sterne, die Songs klangen mir alle zu ähnlich

Ja, ganz nett, aber auch monoton.

Probably a very “good” album by any objective evaluation. But not my cup of tea, and my reviews are for future me.

Frank Sinatra crafted the perfect lonely late night album. Lyrically, this is a concept album about loneliness, sadness, & "feelin' blue". At it's best, In The We Small Hours, is incredibly relatable and, on its face, a very human record. The gentle string compositions and Sinatra's voice are incredible and play to great emotional effect; "I Get Along Without You Very Well" and "When Your Lover Has Gone" had me tearing up. Such charming and moving album. I was not expecting to like it as much as I do! Absolutely essential!

Honestly, not my cup of tea. Down tempo and really really slow. Everything sounds like an old Disney soundtrack. It's not sparking anything in my but boredom.

Classic Sinatra Album. Has some of his great songs, and nice lyrics. Decent but not personally my style.

I've written on here before of my dad's love of Frank Sinatra. However, it's me that loves this particular record.

I don't think this man has one bad album.

One of these days, I'll have to get myself a hat, go on a long, sad walk and put on this album. It's pleasant, but I'd agree with the fact that it's mostly one-tone. Very strong 3. Maybe a 4. Maaaybe a 5.

A great concept album.

9.5/10 Totally underestimated album by Sinatra. Am definitely telling people about this one

"In the Wee Small Hours" is the ninth studio album by Frank Sinatra. The album is categorized in the vocal jazz and traditional pop genres. It has a set of "love gone bad" songs, a result of Sinatra's failing relationship with Eva Gardner and has themes of introspection, melancholy, lost love, failed relationships, depression and night life. The album was cited as one of the first concept albums and, also, was released as a 12"record LP which would popularize that format in popular music. It was both a critical and commercial success hitting #2 on the US charts. Piano and gentle strings begin the album opener "In the Wee Small Hours of the morning." Sinatra comes in with with an emotional, deep voice. It's in the wee small hours that you miss her the most. This is the only song not from "The Great American Songbook." Horns, playful strings and piano are the instruments of choice in the Barney Bigard, Duke Ellington and Irving Mills' song "Indigo." You haven't been blue until you've reached indigo. "I See Your Face Before" has a lovely horn and string intro. There's a spiraling piano. "Could not my love hurt you in knowing that I want you so." A flute is the primary instrument in Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" Sinatra ponders love and the fool it's made him. Two notable songs that use a sparse piano arrangement are "I'll Be Around" and "Dancing on the Ceiling." The first song sets the tone of melancholy and continues throughout the 18 songs. Sinatra's vocals are emotional and downtrodden as Sinatra himself coined the term his "Eva Album." The music tends to be sparse and subdued. There is no one that I've heard better than Francis Albert Sinatra of how and when to sing and when not to sing; he lets the music express and enhance the mood and plays off it. Once you hear his version of these songs from "The Great American Songbook," I doubt you'll want to hear any else's. This is a classic in every sense.

Franks voice is so distinctive, and has been around for so long that it rather fades into the audio deja vue. This was a quite revolutionary record of its time, but alas, age has dulled it effect. It's almost background shopping muzak now. That's a pity, it is clearly a work of an important artiste.

1. morning - 2.5 2. indigo - 1.5 3. unhappy - 1.5 4. along - 2 5. dream - 1.5 6. face - 1.5 7. friendz - 1 8. lover - 1.5 9. thing - 2 10. night - 2.5 11. around - 1 12. uuind - 1 13. mind - 1 14. dancing - 1 15. zame - 1.5 16. mine - 1.5

I do enjoy Sinatra and this is overall a good album, but it's just a bit too slow, too weepy for me. Every song is pretty much about the same thing, which I understand is the point, but it just kind of carries on after you are a few songs in. Great Sinatra, probably not in my regular rotation.

I like Sinatra, but it’s really inescapable that it’s all the same. I suppose that’s what makes him so magical.

I like it, and it’s an important album. I’m sorry I’m too lazy to write something better

⭐⭐⭐ 5/10 Good, but dated

Love some rat pack

Of course Frank has a smooth voice - but how damn boring.

Soothing to have in the background—at times I felt like I was supporting cast in a 50s movie, pondering some late-night challenge in a smoky back room somewhere.

I have no time for this, really.

Fucking limeys. You know, it’s just that people like this…you know…they get all they want so they really don’t understand, you know…about a life-like Frank’s. I mean, when you’ve loved and lost the way Frank has, then you, uh, you know what life’s about.

Very enjoyable, but found I got through a lot of the songs in the background, without being captivated by any.

very slow music for dark mood days,but I like it

too slow for me in the morning

Pretty good, never listened to a full Sinatra album in full before

Didn’t expect to be giving a Frank Sinatra album 2 stars but it was just such a slog to get through. Every song sounded the same to me

Great Voice! This man is just a blessing to listen to. His music, although sad, was very good to listen to. Someone said it always sounds like Christmas music and I can definitely agree with that.

4.5/5. I'm gonna fucking kill you driving crooner!

Best Song: In the Wee Small Hours Of The Morning. I truly can't tell if I liked this more or if I just hadn't spoiled on Sinatra's grossly saccharine style yet. Worst Song: Can't We Be Friends? Frank Sinatra with the OG incel track. Overall: Basically the same song 16 times in a row. And that one song isn't even that good! Don't understand why this album would be chosen, given that there's already an abundance of Sinatra on the list. I just don't want to Sinatra wimpily singing about his made up woes. Stop crooning about how you now need to order orange juice for one and write something interesting.

moody love songs

Very boring. 1 or 2 songs like this ok but a whole album… not so. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. A lot of wining about some a loved one.

yawn

I kind of loved this. I didn't ever expect to enjoy listening to Frank Sinatra but this had an old-timey charm and a depth of feeling. Like an old musical or something, which kind of makes sense as Wikipedia describes it as "the first concept album!"

Frankie in his prime….

A beautiful record full of classic blue eyed heartbreak and pining, unrequited love. It’s hard to find fault with someone as influential and legendary as Frank Sinatra. Not the most well known songs of his, but it’s still an excellent album. I couldn’t imagine ranking anything he’s done any less than 5*.

Yeah, it's Frank Sinatra and he has a beautiful, emotive voice and all that, but I found this album to be pretty boring and too long. The vibes are pretty dour. There are some songs worth keeping, but the overall feeling is that I'm in a sad bar watching a sad cabaret singer and I want to go home. 6/10

opening song was beautiful and i thought the album would be perfect. almost every song sounds the same but he’s an amazing vocalists and one of the most iconic voices ever. very influential perhaps this album isn’t his best. love how it reminded me of one of my favorite movies, 101 dalmatians. sounds like these songs should be in the soundtrack.

How many recordings has this artist made? Phrasing is awesome

Dreary rubbish

Scumbag, woman abuser, also boring music

It's not for me, too sad and laid back, but this is an important album as a concept album and vocal pop album. Vocal performance is fantastic.

One of the most boring things I've ever listened to. It's not actively bad, but it's very soporific and all sounds the same

I like the simplicity that allows the vocal to be the star but the subject matter gets dull after a while. I want to hear more Frank, but some change to topic and pace would be nice

Beautiful. Soothing. Instantly recognisable voice and the instruments are great. Highlights: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning Deep In A Dream I See Your Face Before Me

Dude can sing. King of the crooners. Arrangements are nice too. Though I'm not sure what makes any of his albums better or worse than the others. They're all pretty much the same schtick. It'll always just be dinner music to me.

Pretty good. I am not a big fan but understand his impact

its frank sinatra i mean

Like Christmas!

I like his voice but sadly not the melancholy vibes. This isn't a hit for me, but I would loop his other stuff

Frank, Frank, Frank. Listen, buddy, I know you’re going through a rough patch, but there’s lots of fish in the sea, okay? You just gotta pick yourself up and get yourself back out there. I know it’s been bad, and I know you miss her, but maybe it’s for the best, right? But I’ll tell you this: nothing’s gonna change if you just sit around singing these sad-sack songs all day. Listen, it’s okay to lick your wounds, but you gotta make some changes, buddy. How’s about we go out tonight? No pressure… we’ll just go out get a drink or two and have a couple laughs. You’ll see. You’ll feel better. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, am I right? Let’s get things moving in a positive direction, Frankie. I love you, man. You know that, right?

While I prefer "Songs for Swinging Lovers", this album, Sinatra's first with Nelson Riddle arranging, is arguably more consistent in that it holds that melancholy mood throughout. It reinvigorated Sinatra's career and, as one of the first records released on the new 12" vinyl format, allegedly kicked off the album era. Not as much fun as some of the later recordings, it is an album to wallow in, late at night, perhaps with a whisky in hand.

Tämähän oli kivaa musisointia, etenkin alkupuolisko albumista.

Not my vibe

This album broke my heart a little but healed my soul a little too. Frank Sinatra eats and leaves no crumbs on this one. Maybe not for everyday but I created a new playlist to accomodate this sort of sound for occasional listening for when the modern world gets me down 🥲

Great old tunes

4.5

Expected to enjoy this a lot more than I actually did.

what a voice! though this sort of slow soul isnt my thing i can see its appeal.

Lo escuché en el taco de navidad... Wonderful

So sad, Frank. Why?

Según Robert Dimery, este es el primer álbum de la historia que hay que escuchar antes de morir. Además, lo califica como "quizás el mejor álbum sobre una ruptura de todos los tiempos". Discrepo en ambos puntos. Pero a lo que vamos: Frank Sinatra merece, sin lugar a dudas, formar parte de esta lista. Su voz, por sí sola, ya merece dos estrellas. Además, los acompañamientos de Nelson Riddle son excelentes: otra estrella más. Por otra parte, es un álbum demasiado largo y repetitivo; todas las canciones parecen ser la misma. Le bajaría la puntuación por eso, pero la escucha ha encajado muy bien hoy (2 de enero), justo después de Navidad.

This is a sentimental and morose album full of songs I've never heard and likely won't again. Frank's voice is silky smooth like an old Scotch spilling out in tears.

Love those pipes, but a snoozer for sure.

The ability to take a group of songs from the Great American Songbook from over 20 songwriters and craft them into such a cohesive album is an impressive feat. Sinatra may be boring, but the mood he and his collaborators create on “In The Wee Hours” is rich and melancholy.

Beautiful voice, warm, cozy and ultimately boring album. I think Jefferson Airplane summarized this album best and they didn't even know it. You just want somebody to love. You need somebody to love. Wouldn't you love somebody to love? You better find somebody to love.

This album does a very fine job of filling a niche mood. Frank’s voice is soothing like a massage. I imagine being at an upscale club where everyone is dressed to the 9s. It could be a supper club or maybe people are playing baccarat. I don’t know, but cigarettes are being smoked with a vintage holders and whiskey from the finest crystal.

Easy listening, can see why they lasted

So schön kann Jazz sein. Zarte melancholische kleine Meisterwerke erfreuen meine Ohren. Bisher hatte ich nur Best of... Alben vom Maestro in Solo oder Duets. Jetzt habe ich mir innerhalb von wenigen Wochen 5 seiner Original Alben erworben und höre Sinatra nochmal neu. Und bin begeistert.

This was a sad album for sad men and just way too much sadness.

Classy, atmospheric.....just not entirely for me

Repantigado, noche de luna, Frank es LA VOZ que nunca te cansa. Buena voz, y swing.

love this album

Frank's got a lovely set up pipes unfortunately the slow mournful vibe of the album not really working for me today (maybe because its sunny).

It’s interesting that this album popped up today - Tom Waits has said that this is one of his favourite albums, and the themes of loneliness and introspection on this are certainly familiar ones. The cover sets the noir mood and song titles like “Glad to be Unhappy” and “I Get Along Without You Very Well” you know that you are in for some soul searching. Nobody does this better than Frank and this is much better than the cheery Songs for Swingin’ Lovers.

Ugh. Sorry not sorry, but music can hardly be more boring than that. 50 minutes of a guy slowly singing about heartbreak with a boring background music. I could have die without it.

Ah, The Sultan of Swoon! Great mellow crooning. There are some bangers for grandma on here. I definitely have days where I like to vibe this music. He is one of the greats. I like What Is This Thing Called Love, but I prefer Billie Holliday's version. I'll give this a 4.

Frank's silky smooth croon is front and center here, supported by orchestral arrangements sometimes cool and jazzy and sometimes lush and sweeping. The album truly does evoke a late night feeling, sitting up in the dark with a cigarette, wondering where it all went wrong, or debating whether to dial up the 1950's version of a booty call.

Frank's voice sounds great. A real crooner. This album really shows a different approach and era of music. I liked it, however a lot of the songs began to have a very similar feel to them for me, and halfway through started to feel a bit repetitive.

Amazing voice but just too slow and sad for my tastes

Late night rainy walk was the perfect fit for this

Boring as fuck

Oh man. There's no voice quite like his. Nobody croons like Frankie. Makes the ladies swoon like Frankie. Sinatra the singer is unmatched. The songwriter Sinatra, however, needed a kick in the head. This isn't music for listening. You put this on to meet your in-laws. My panties remain dry. Poor effort.

Cute.

A master class in slow crooning… which I snored through. I felt like I was listening to the same song the whole time. It has a distinct vibe, straddling Christmas and a romantic scene in a 1950s detective show, but not much for me to engage with.

Felt more like one continuous song rather than an album. A consistent nostalgic/regretful/romantic feeling throughout that pairs very well with Sinatra’s voice.

This is one of the first concept albums if you will: A man singing in loneliness about a broken heart. One of Sinatra's best album with lush arrangements.

Music i love listening during the winter! As one of the first "Concept" Album we gotta credit that and pushing the now beloved 12" Vinyls too makes this work much more important for the future. Yeah 50minutes about heartbreak is long if you just sit down and listen to the music. You dont gain much more but for atmosphere while havin dinner, drinks, a walk in the snow etc. its powerful!

This might be one of the best albums ever. It's so delightful. I predict I'll be listening to this for many, many years.

Well, I loved this. I don't really have any notes to share. I loved every song, loved the emotion, loved the instrumentation. A true treat.

No

Love me some sinatra, brings me back to when I was a teenager.

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but you can judge this album by its art and understand exactly what it is. "In The Wee Small Hours" is a reflection on love and heartbreak, beautifully rendered in melancholy piano and Sinatra's soothing tones. It's the musical equivalent of curling up in front of a warm fire on a cold rainy night. The album as a whole is comfortably blue, each track blurring into the next - it perhaps works best for background listening, but a few tracks stand out; my favorite on this listen being "Mood Indigo." Overall, this album is a wonderful package.

This is so overrated, as Frank is generally. One'll take Tony Bennett any day. Go listen to the TB + Bill Evans records for what a record with this title should sound like.

Dull

Not an album stacked with classic Sinatra standards - but still, I want to light some candles, put this on and make sweet sweet love to my baby.

The first time I heard it I was in Active Training for the reserves and I had checked out a library CD copy to listen to on down time (along with a hand full of other titles) but it was right before lights out and I just relaxing in my bunk listening to this on headphones and it spoke to me deep. I felt every ache and heartbreak on the tracks. His voice so warm and emotional. It was like listening to a buddy pour his heart out. It was an instant favorite of mine since. This may not be an all purpose banger, but, man, in the right senerio, you can truly understand this album and this album understands you. (10)★★★★★

Fantastic voice and swagger! Great songs! 5 stars

It's very good and Frank sounds incredible as always, but maybe a little ballad heavy for my taste. Not quite my thing, but I appreciate it. 4 stars.

Just exquisite. Perfect heartbreak album. One of the greatest voices of all time. The first album on the 1001 list chronologically speaking and arguably not bettered until 1989 when The Blue Nile recorded Hats.

Too sad for me

• 3/5 • aside from being morose and sleepy, I couldn’t say this album was any real innovation or break from The Chairman’s prior or subsequent work • it’s a testament to Old Blue Eyes’ voice and artistry that a downbeat album consisting solely of covers could be considered for this list (and still earn 3 stars from me) • if it were one of his Xmas albums I’d give it 5 stars!

Kind of biting after a while. But I was listening in the morning. This record is meant to be listened to at night after you're supposed to be asleep.

Not enough variety on this album, just gentle songs, lacking the swing you expect from Sinatra.

I recognize the talent and how iconic this is, but again not my jam. Kind of a huge bummer, would fit if I was cosplaying a 50s cocktail party. 3*

It’s OK.

Thoroughly enjoyed this album. Brought me back to my grandma’s house as a kid. Very slow and melancholy, but beautiful nonetheless. His voice does it for me every time.

太困了

Masterful singing by Sinatra, but every song being about heartbreak starts to get old as this goes on.

<Bernie_Sanders_meme.jpeg> I am once again asking you to listen to “What Time Does the Next Miracle Leave?” from Frank Sinatra’s 1979 record, Trilogy, wherein he sings about how “Uranus is Heaven”. The song is 10+ minutes long, but if you skip to the 8:30 mark, you’ll hear what you need to hear.

Probably good in it's day. Not now though.

beautiful voice but very repetitive NNN

Sinatra! What a legendary voice. This was smooth and melancholy.

Great singer but not my thing, 3

Day299 - an album for the broken hearted and melancholy. i’m neither and i loved it

proto jschlatt

Even Frank’s worst is still great. I like this one, but it’s a bit sleepy for my taste.

красиво, конечно, но уныло жесть

Hab doch alles gehört, mega entschleunigend. Voll geil

Finally an album that actually deserves to be listened to before you die. That being said while Sinatra can do no wrong, this album was so….melancholy, that I came out of it mildly depressed. For that reason, I can’t give it a 5. 4/5

I understand why it’s here. Probably not the best thing to listen to at the gym. I wouldn’t seek this out, but it’s good.

Classic Frank. Not something I could listen to every day. But it’s good to be reminded of his great voice. 3.5

Frank Sadnatra

Sad stories told by the Chairman of the Board. Got a little old by the end of it.

He needs to get new subject matter stat

Not my favorite Frank album... it drags a bit at times, but it is Frank...

Jag har lore om det här albumet! Jättebra skiva!

I get why this is on this list but this is really just not my thing

I really liked the richness of the sound of this Never really listened to Sinatra outside the big songs but this is gorgeous

Can one listen to this apart from xmas?

Even when he's sad it's mostly bangers

I love Sinatra so much, his voice is just stunning. Very moody and mopey. Sets a mood. Perfect album to melt into the couch to. Very samey. Snooze after the title track, sadly. Sorry Frank!

Great voice!!

Fav: I See Your Face Before Me Least Fav: Glad To Be Unhappy Long and boring. I enjoy some Sinatra but it was just too much of the same thing, and I get that structuring of albums was different back then, but it’s still bad

I wouldn’t say it’s anything special. Some nice songs, Frank has a great voice, but nothing particularly stands out. It’s very pleasant to have on in the background, but not sure I’d go back in a hurry.

One of the better Sinatra albums

This album goes to show that legends don’t always make legendary albums. Snoozefest 3000.

The Good: my first ´ol blue eyes album on this list. The Bad: it isn´t what I would call a good one. The Ugly: it made me feel ´ol myself… Seriously, I was all excited that my Sunday was being blessed by an album of one of the greatest singers in modern music… and after a couple of songs, as well as several images of a Scorcese movie flashing through my mind, I was done thinking about how to clip the next wiseguy… Tedious after a while. Yet, if you add any of these songs to a random playlist you would be more than happy to be listening to it… now that´s what I call irony. 3* which should be 4 1/2

Honk mimimimi honk mimimimi not unpleasant tho

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. However, it really felt like music to have on while doing something else rather than music to sit down and actively listen to. I'll keep listening to it, as a change from my usual Eno and Aphex Twin albums, when I want some background music that doesn't distract me from what I want to concentrate on.

undeniably iconic, but does blend together at times highlights: in the wee small hours of the morning, mood indigo, ill wind (apr 25 2026)

Gorgeous vocals over Tom and Jerry type beats

Just couldn’t get into this. Just sounded like I was eating mid quality, over priced Italian food on Long Island.

I like Frank Sinatra. This wasn’t my favorite album of his, but there were some hidden gems. This is very calming to me and it’s peaceful. And what’s wrong with Long Island?

Another album that’s very evocative of another time that was nice for a morning but probably never again

I’ve always liked Sinatra. And while I’m not well versed in the vast recording history that is the Sinatraverse, I can put this album on and let it play on repeat all day long.

He's a classic. He's got a great voice. Everyone loves him. But 50minutes is too much.

Just sounds like every song is a Christmas song. Don’t know whether I’ve just been brainwashed by his most famous song. His rhyming is also atrocious in some songs, songwriting wasn’t his speciality but apparently back in the day, you didn’t have to worry.

Good. Very nice

So Sinatra is under represented on this list, with In The Wee Small Hours just the second album of his we've had through 950+, but this one isn't really one of his better works. His voice and style is, as always, super comforting and evocative of all the sorts of places and settings and moods that you associate with him, but it's an hour of him being woe is me about break-ups and love lost, and doesn't have any of his hits. The title track is beautiful, the album itself is just fine and a solid middling 3 because of how remarkable his voice really is, but I want and expect more from a must-listen Sinatra record.

Very smooth, easy to listen too, and much more melancholy than most of the Sinatra I've listened to before. His voice is absolutely brilliant, but it's just a bit much. 16 tracks of more or less unrelenting beautiful misery is quite hard work. One to have on in the background on a rainy day when you've just been through a breakup, a comfortable 3 because of his voice, but nothing more than that. 3/5.

Frank is amazing on everything recorded in the 50s and much of what he recorded through the 60s. But of all of the albums with Nelson Riddle, this one is my least favorite. Riddle is so good at arranging big band horns and their swing collaborations both before and after this one continue to be some of the most mind-blowing music ever recorded. But Riddle's string arrangements sound trite to me; like mediocre film scores from the era. And these arrangements cause Frank to deliver over-theatrical, almost melodramatic performances. The jazz is all but gone; replaced by Welk-like pop that bores me.

In the Wee Small Hours Proof, if proof be need be, that wallowing in heartbreak and unrequited love is old as songwriting and recorded music. But then when you've loved and lost as much as Frank has then, you know what lifes about. His voice really is great, of course it is, but he has such control of tone and feel, it is quite mesmeric. People always talk about his phrasing, but, and I’m going to sound like an old person here, his enunciation is superb, you can hear every letter and syllable, every pause and every note. Many crooners (and Buble is one of the worst at this), just affect a lazy slur in an approximation of laid back cool, but Frank doesn't do that at all, his voice and his interpretation of he melody has such clarity and precision. Musically this is so deftly arranged and it sounds great for 1955, the horns punctuate rather than pierce and the strings for the most part avoid the schmalz and melodrama you might expect. I also like that it frequently feels as though its about to interpolate Jingle Bells (like at the end of Its Cold Outside), giving it a slight Christmassy air. It definitely feels like a autumn into winter album, in the darker evenings with the log burner going. Overall I really liked this - I thought it would be good but I’m surprised how good it is. I inadvertently saw that you both gave it 4. That feels about right, but I also think it deserves a spot on the podium. So in a blatant bit of score manipulation I’ll give it 5. ⌛️⌛️⌛️⌛️⌛️ Playlist submission: Mood Indigo

first i thought of cozy sunday evenings at home reading. but after two or three songs i couldn't, for the life of me, continue listening to it... aghhhhh

I'm definitely not old enough to be nostalgic about this crooning style and it seems to me that if the authors really wanted to spotlight the mid 50's, they could have picked from a myriad of albums featuring the burgeoning jazz/blues/country/rock influences of the era. As it is, if this was the music boomers were having sex to, I'm surprised that they would have stayed awake long enough to accomplish the feat.

The earliest album on this list, maybe the first great album? Tough to say. I was amazed that this was 50 minutes and not more like 30 minutes long for being made nearly 70 years ago. It sounds great and these songs are excellent, it's a mood for sure, and really welcome one on a lazy morning.

Frank Sinatra's music reminds me of movie music from the 50s. That's no coincidence, of course. After all, he also made a lot of film music. Listening to this music gives me the sleepy feeling of a Sunday afternoon on TV in rainy fall weather. It's quite nice and cozy. But I won't be listening to it more often. 3/5

Of its time

Absolutely beautiful album, and if I recall correctly one of (if not the first) "concept albums" of all time. Sinatra does many traditional pop/jazz standards in his signature vocal-jazz style. This album seems to have fallen out of favour with a lot of people as time marches on, but I genuinely love it. I love other albums of his more than this one, but it's definitely classic.

It may be due to timing, but I found this album rather melancholy and sad. His voice is so comforting it hides just how longing his lyrics can be sometimes. Sinatra is def unique and wonderful, with nostalgia baked right in.

Wow, this album is amazing. I'm not a fan of this era's music, for Sinatra for the most part, but this album really is perfect.

This was a great pick to show up on a Sunday morning. Sinatra’s crooning always fits two scenarios for me. I am either relaxing in the morning (like today) with coffee while cuddling up to the dog, or late at night with my feet up on the ottoman and a drink in hand, also cuddling the dog.

Classy

Old Toney music from back in the day; sorry Mr Sinatra, just wasn’t feeling it.

Frank in good form but not his best work so a 3.5 for me

Generally a fan but prefer later era Sinatra with more swing jazz influence. This is a bit too straight.

I wanted to love this more than I did. It’s still fantasy, Ol’ Blue Eyes was one of the greatest singers ever, even in the pre auto-tune era he was a standout. I also appreciate the concept album aspect of it. But it did eventually start to wear on me. Just one song that was a little more uptempo would’ve been a nice change of pace. But the music is so solid throughout that’s it’s hard to ding it at all. I really want to give it 5/5, but I just didn’t enjoy it enough. Sorry Frank, maybe if you have another album on this list.

Musical dna. Sinatra was pretty much untouchable at the top of his game and coupled with Nelson riddle, nothing expressed American masculinity and art like this at least not until Presley or Chuck. Sinatra is not a singer put in front of the orchestra - he’s a vital part of it, as important to the sound of the orchestra as Sweets Edison or George Van Eps. This is as much to do with his talent - his gift - as it is to do with Riddles arrangements. If this doesn’t move you, something’s wrong. And this isn’t my favourite of those magical Columbia albums - the glory of Songs for Swinging Lovers is my favourite. But this is just incredible. I bask in it, revelling in each note, beat, chord and lyric. Essential listening. 25 stars.

Review Sinatra Yeah this is the full full swoon, the full shot of velvet. Turn it up and chill - whether its a balmy summer at sunset, or a fireplace moment. Its Gold. I really should listen to more Frank. Out his record on the “listen to me” pile, along with a few of his other 5 start ones. So many... Take the best albums of each of these vocal greats from the golden age and you've got a solid 4 or 5 from me. But when it comes ot Ella Fitzgerlanbd Frank Sinatra there is just so much amazing material. How to choose a single definitive best album? And leave room for the other greats Nina Simone, Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole, Julie London, Billie Holliday, a Tony or two, so many more including Chet Baker, Shirley Horn, lus the best jazz musicians of the day. And Dorris Day - juts for fun! (who always makes me smile). Did I miss Carmen Macrae, or Etta James ? Then around the turn of the century we got the vocal gifts of Stacey Kent and Madeline Peyroux (overplayed in all the homewares stores) the amazing Gregory Porter, Harry Connick, Melody Gardot, and so many who could spill off Frank, like Vince Jones/Grace Knight (come in spinner) Where is that little CD? I think I have 2 copies....

My absolutely favorite Frank Sinatra album. I normally find his blustery tough guy persona off putting and borderline unpleasant, but the vulnerability and resigned heartbreak on this album is more human, easier to relate to. He is exploring his 'mature voice', and he clearly deeply inhabits and understands the material. The arrangements by Nelson Riddle are understated and superb, much simpler than his usual thing, and completely in service to the songs. Song choice is wonderful. There are some tracks here where I might have other versions I prefer (Mood Indigo by Nina Simone, or I Get Along Without You Very Well by Chet Baker for example), but the construction and tone of the album as a whole are just *mwah* chef's kiss. It's not just technique; it's the honesty and (rare) emotional openness that is stunning here. It's hard the think of a time that Sinatra was so connected to his material. Tom Waits said this is favourite album (and he lifted the whole image and vibe to build his early career out of it). Every home should have a copy. Five stars

A great melancholy journey of unrequited love. Some of the songs did start to blend together, and I definitely feel like the album could have been shorter and more concise to really hone itself. But all in all a relaxing and reflective listen that tugs at heart strings. Top tracks: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, What Is This Thing Called Love, I'll Be Around

I mean...he is the GOAT crooner. Although I never thought of him as much as an album artist and more of just a classic singer. He did surround himself with great songwriters and producers. Very gentle playing and the album cover fits the mood perfectly. It's not as bombastic as his later and more famous hits but I think this is a good easy listen.

I can see the appeal and the music quality if high. Just not my genre. But really a great voice!

why he is the godfather.

Great

He sad

3.8 - I did like this and felt like I was in the right space for it. But I found that after the first 4 songs, they just blended into background music for me. He's got a great voice, but it's more style over substance

Captures a nice vibe, and was a nice accompaniment on a night drive through suburbia, but ultimately a very samey set of songs without many standouts of note. 2.9/5

Would you look at that? It's the oldest album on the list! You know, if I had decided to listen to these albums going in release order while still starting the day I did, I would've listened to this all the way back in October! Anyway, how does this album hold up? Well, I think it holds up decently well. I really liked this album! I think it goes without saying that Frank Sinatra was an incredible singer. His voice is very smooth and pleasant to listen to. The sound of his music is quite cozy. I like it. It's soft but engaging. The writing, and to an extent the sound, is somewhat repetitive. But I don't think it's that big of a deal when it's as good as it is. These songs are all about heartbreak. In a way, this is one of the first concept albums ever released. The songs are all written by different people, but they work well together in this package. For being released in 1955, this is a surprisingly heartfelt and mature album. The theme is handled in a respectable way. I saw a review on this site comparing how Sinatra wrote to how artists like the Everly Brothers by highlighting the absence of bitterness in Sinatra's writing while the Everlys wrote like incels (their words, not mine). As someone who proudly gave A Date with the Everly Brothers a 1/5, I have to agree. The maturity in how the topics of heartbreak and failed romance are handled makes this album a breath of fresh air in comparison to other music of the time. While this album isn't perfect, it manages to be a very important release in music history that's aged pretty well while also having that 50s charm. 4/5.

This had me feeling like I was Deep In a Dream. I’ll Never Be the Same.

Lovely!

4/5. A sad and moody album, one of the first concept albums. It doesn't have songs that overstay their welcome and are not cringe or uncomfortable. These feel more like internal thoughts that one might have after a breakup. His voice is calming and the instrumentation is simple and powerful, following his voice like jazz. There is such a sadness here but one that is so important to history of music. The only unfortunate part is that the first side is much better than the second side so it goes down a point. Best Song: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning, Deep In A Dream, Glad To Be Unhappy

Not my type but fine i guess.

süßer text aber mir passiert einfach zu wenig

not sinatra's best work

It could be a 2, it could be a 4. Hard to tell. It's good but it's kinda the same song for 50 minutes. 58/100

It’s good background noise. My biggest gripe with crooners is that all their songs sound basically the same.

It's fine. I can listen to it and not cringe like I did with Limp Bizkit, but I don't think I'll ever pick it up to listen to again.

I was pleasantly surprised by this! I like Frank Sinatra, but I don't think I've ever sat down and just listened to a full album by him (beyond like maybe a "Greatest Hits" my mom has). This was surprisingly cohesive, and each of the songs flowed really nicely into the next to create the full album experience. I would absolutely listen to this one again.

Album 501 of 1001 Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours Rating : 4 / 5 The first album on the list of 1001. I like a lot of Frank's stuff and his "I Remember Tommy" album is near the top of my all time favorite. While I like this one, it just doesn't rank up there with others. Very low key and melancholy, as I kind of prefer the upbeat Frank. Still, this is a very good album. A nice example of what was popular before Elvis & the Beatles took over.

Det var ikke lige mig... Ærligt så mistede jeg koncentrationen ca 1/3 inden albrummet. Kan ikke finde noget interessant her ud over at han er ikonisk. Tilgengæld ikke direkte dårligt. Men bare ikke noget for mig..

Hvis jeg drev et hotel var dette album stensikkert på playlisten i lounge området. Det er både kvalitetsmæssigt og stemningsmæssigt højder over obskure synthpop udgivelser fra 2014. Ud over den specifikke, hypotetiske situation tror jeg ikke jeg kommer til at genbesøge albummet. Jeg kan bedre li’ den mere swingende Old Blue Eyes som er at finde på Fly Me To The Moon, My Way, New York New York og I’ve Got You Under My Skin.

A legend, but these songs bled together and dragged on after a while. Strongest emotion I felt was nostalgia for Christmas. 3.

Personal enjoyment: 2/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

Che voce di velluto

I get it’s old and he’s got a great voice, but boy this is boring stuff.

I’d be depressed too if Ava Gardner broke up with me. Truly a great album that still holds up after all this time. It has some flawless peaks and is pretty consistent throughout, but the B-side does have a couple snags. Maybe they’re just the weaker tracks on a long track list, maybe the style just gets exhausting after that runtime, maybe that style *is* a bit outdated, but there’s just one too many songs on here that are only “okay,” and they keep this from being a full-on masterpiece. Despite that, it’s still a towering achievement. There might be a few albums that came before In The Wee Small Hours that deserve to be on the list, but if you’re going to start off with a bang, this is probably the right place to start. Will 100% stick with me, especially on a late winter night with a glass of scotch on the rocks.

You've heard it said, "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Well in this case the whole is *less* than the sum of its parts. Each song is a small glittering jewel, finely cut, with Frank at the height of his power. He makes each note and phrase expressive and rich with emotion. He doesn't miss anything. Each song is excellently written. The band puts just the proper bit of polish on it all. All of it is a finely tailored tuxedo, worn to the the best restaurant, with exquisite food. But the table is set for one, and the only courses they serve is the aperitif. By the end you are drunk, saf and hungry for something else. The single emotional note of the album is, I'm sure, intentional. Reflecting a certain melancholy for those who went through the war, perhaps, or anyone who has loved and lost. But by the end I just wanted the couple to finally get back together. That's how these show tunes are supposed to work, aren't they?

So my thoughts on Frank Sinatra’s “In The Wee Small Hours” are much more straight-forward than most… - There is no doubt that Frank was an excellent vocalist – not much variation in his style, but very appealing – and what he does, he does really well… - The instrumental arrangements from the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s were what they were – and at least these arrangements didn’t come across as over-produced – like so many of that era… - The quality of the audio in this recording was pretty sold for being 70 years old (i.e. as of 2024)… - Close to 50-minutes of heartbreak and despair is pretty hard to take – even if it is well-done… Not sure if that’s what he was going for (i.e. I’m gonna put out an entire album of all sad, melancholy songs…), but not sure it was the best decision, as there was absolutely no diversity in sound on this album whatsoever… At times, I thought my music app TIDAL was experiencing a glitch, as I could have sworn 4 or 5 times, that I was hearing the same song being repeated… In the end, it’s always unfair to apply today’s standards to yesterday’s music – so I will appreciate it for what it was, and I’m willing to bet that compared to other releases from 1954 – this one would stand up quite well… Solid 3 for me…

Lovely album. Very relaxing and easy to listen to. Great to have on in the background upon an evening.

His bio has very hyperbolic language, but I predict a three.

Favorite Track: In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning

..

I did like this more than another we listened to. The album feels more personal. It does feel a bit long and repetitive but I liked having it on. Could just be me but I think I'd enjoy just having this on versus really actively listing.

I find myself liking his voice more in this. A lot of sad sack songs and I'm not in the mood for this. Musically it is all on point, tho feels a little redundant. Should have cut it down to like 3 tracks

So, I'm not nearly old enough to have listened to a lot of Sinatra. That said, for the last 15 years, as we've set up the xmas tree with my kids, we throw xmas songs on the Alexa as background ambiance. Today I learned that Sinatra has, in my brain, just become the sound of xmas. Past that...I don't know how to rate this. I'm not a lounge-y type guy, so this doesn't really grab me. On the other hand, the voice is iconic, and no one can deny that it's excellent, but it sounds so, so dated that it's kind of boring. It's not bad, so it seems harsh and unfair to give it 2 stars. But I don't necessarily "like" it, and I wouldn't listen to it again on purpose, so giving it 3 stars seems like more of a reputation ranking. I'm going to go 2 star, because I think it's too long. I can stand it for a couple songs, but it starts to drone after a while.

Great album

Classic 50's...

местами прям неприятный вокал, но артистизм и художественный замысел мастерские

yeah it's good but this challenge is starting to bore me

I don't understand how it was possible to make such music that literally sounds like one long. 1/5. I don't see the point in listening to Sinatra if it's not the winter before Christmas. Just whining