Frank Sinatra The Voice Vinyl LP - Columbia CL 743 Mono First Pressing (1955) Condition: Very Good Vinyl and VG++ (EX) Cover. Vinyl was play-tested on both sides and plays very well with good fidelity throughout. A little light backgound noise occasionally, not bad. Cover is really nice with great color, no splits or writing. Matrix (Side A runout): XLP36511-2G Matrix (Side B runout): XLP36512-1L The Voice is a 1955 album by Frank Sinatra. The Voice AllMusic Review by Bruce Eder Most of the Sinatra recordings available during the 1950s consisted of his contemporary work for Capitol Records. But every so often his former label, Columbia Records, would get something together on LP from among his '40s and early-'50s sides. The Voice was one of a handful of '50s long-players showcasing the first phase of Sinatra's solo career, and at the time it wowed listeners -- the focus is on the ballads, and the dozen represented here constitute a bumper crop of classics, all resplendent in the singer's richest, most overpowering intonation and most delicately nuanced work. The sensibilities, from the lushly seductive "Laura" to the gently self-satisfied "(I Got a Woman Crazy for Me) She's Funny That Way," show off a huge emotional range, and the latter song may be the highlight of the album, displaying a soft yet smugly confident brand of machismo, all of it drenched in Axel Stordahl's overflowing string arrangements, yet quietly bold in its emotional content. It's that stretch of subtexts that, coupled with the beauty of Sinatra's instrument and Stordahl's arrangements, make the singer's Columbia material so striking to hear -- his subsequent work on Capitol and Reprise would be defined differently, and usually more directly, along with the texture and range of his singing. The Columbia material tended to get neglected, both in the marketplace and most listeners' minds, as his career extended over the decades, but hearing The Voice anew is a reminder of just how overpowering Sinatra's sound could be, even in the early phase of his solo work. Tracklist A1 I Don't Know Why (I Just Do) A2 Try A Little Tenderness A3 (I Don't Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance (With You) A4 Paradise A5 These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) A6 Laura B1 She's Funny That Way B2 Fools Rush In B3 Over The Rainbow B4 That Old Black Magic B5 Spring Is Here B6 Lover _____________________________________________ Shipping: Calculated domestic shipping via Media Mail or Priority Mail. Will ship internationally at FLAT RATES. Records mailed in a proper cardboard LP mailer. All records cleaned prior to shipment. Check out my other auctions, and save on shipping! I do offer multiple-bid shipping discounts -- please contact me before paying if you plan to purchase or bid on multiple auctions. Payment: Paypal is preferred method of payment. Return Policy: I do accept returns for up to 30 days. Please let me know if you have questions about this item or any others I have for sale before you bid or purchase. If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me immediately and I will do whatever I can to resolve. This may be a replacement, a credit, or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances. _____________________________________________ I use the Goldmine Grading System, and play-test all records. I note any differences between vinyl and cover, and make note of any inserts, special sleeves, or potential defects. MINT (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Most often this is a still sealed record, records that have been opened are rarely if ever marked as Mint. NEAR MINT (NM) - A good description is that it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect, with no visible defects. VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) - Except for a couple minor things, this could be Near Mint. Most collectors will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if on the high end (VG++). VG+ records may show slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Covers should have only minor wear. VERY GOOD (VG) - VG records are among the biggest bargains, and for many, will be worth the money. They can lack the original gloss, may have surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages. But the noise will not overpower the music. VG covers will have signs of handling, and may have minor splits. GOOD PLUS (G+) - Good+ does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, but it has significant surface noise and groove wear. Cover may have significant ring wear, noticeable writing, or obvious damage. GOOD (G) - Record may have some skipping, but is otherwise listenable. I generally avoid selling Good (G) rated records unless they are highly collectible or desirable, in order to enjoy until something better comes along. Cover has major wear or seam splits that need repair, or heavy writing like radio station call letters to prevent theft. Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.