Hollywood, Vol. 1: Celebri Colonne Sonore Originali

Contains 6 CDs with cinematic performances, promos and interviews 'The Voice' sang in nearly 50 different films, newsreels and radio/TV spots released by Paramount, RKO, MGM, Columbia, Hearst, Warner Bros., Universal, United Artists, UA/Capitol and Goldwyn from 1940 to 1964. Virtually every track available on CD for the first time. Rarities include a 1948 radio interview for MGM's The Kissing Bandit and Take Me Out To The Ballgame and a 1951 promo spot for Universal's Meet Danny Wilson. Packaged in a beautiful fabric-lined 5 1/2 w x 11 5/8 h x 1 7/8 box, contains a 120 page perfect bound deluxe book with a preface by Leonard Matlin, and liner notes by Sinatra historians and musician Michael Feinstein. Features reproductions of film stills, behind-the-scenes photos, movie posters and other memorabilia. 2002.

It's hard to imagine any facet of Sinatra's career that hasn't already been explored ad infinitum, but that's just what Rhino has done in this massive, six-disc retrospective that chronicles the Chairman's long association with Hollywood. While most are aware of Sinatra's earning his Tinseltown credibility via From Here to Eternity and The Man with the Golden Arm, his career in films stretched all the way back to 1941's prescient Las Vegas Story.

This is quite literally a treasure trove for Sinatra fans. Fully 90 percent of the 160 songs, interviews, and promotional pieces included have never been commercially available before. It is, in a sense, the history of a parallel Sinatra universe, often sharply different--especially after he became a bona fide box office attraction--from the recording career it accompanied. While much of the early material displays the easygoing crooner-teen heartthrob who can often seem like yet another totally different Sinatra persona, the vibrant swing of WWII clearly begins to push him to greater heights. From precious, fly-on-the-wall moments (Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bing Crosby goofing their way through a Robin and the 7 Hoods tracking session) to Frank hammering Broadway fare into his own likeness (Guys and Dolls, Carousel, On the Town, Finian's Rainbow) and the swinging heights of Pal Joey and The Joker Is Wild, this set offers a remarkably complete chronology of a crucial facet of the singer's legendary accomplishments. Insightful liner notes written by Leonard Maltin, Michael Feinstein, Will Friedwald, Didier C. Deutsch, Scott Nollen, and anthology producer Charles Granata help to focus the set's sprawling scope. -Jerry McCulley