The Sinatra Treasures: Intimate Photos, Mementos, and Music from the Sinatra Family Collection [Hardcover]

There have been all kinds of Sinatra compilations of gorgeous songs interpreted by this legendary singer, but this dignified and loving tribute to Frank Sinatra is the most wonderful retrospective I've ever seen. The book contains quotes and photos, many never released until now, and reprints of some amazing memorabilia all neatly sleeved and achived in the most organized and dignified fashion. This was put together with great care, attention-to-detail, time and sincerity.

The cd included is not a recompilation you've already heard before but there is actually an excerpt from an early radio show and some touching songs that really exemplify the extraordinary talent of Frank Sinatra.

If you have any sentiment for Sinatra's effect on our culture you have to peruse through this book. Incredible.

Top pick for Holiday gifts of '04.

"I've sung and recorded so many wonderful songs over the years it would be impossible to name one in particular as my favorite. Many of them are special to me for one reason or another . . . The ones that stick in my mind are "Only the Lonely," "In The Wee Small Hours" and "Come Fly With Me" because I think the orchestrator's work and my work came together so well." ~ Francis Albert Sinatra (1915-1998)

I was at my favorite bookstore, Borders (teamed up with Amazon.com lately) over the weekend and bought one of the most-coveted Sinatra keepsakes any fan like me would love to have, "The Sinatra Treasures." Charles Pignone, a Sinatra friend and archivist, and also the President of Sinatra Society of America, did an excellent job in putting this book of intimate photos and never before published treasured mementos from the Sinatra Family Collection. This one-of-a-kind hardcover consists of 192 pages of valuable black & white and color photos of Sinatra with film and music celebrities such as Dean Martin, Quincy Jones, Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne, Nancy, Frank, Jr. & Tina Jr., his wife Tina, Harry James, Tommy Dorsey & Pied Pipers, Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, his parents Marty & Dolly Sinatra, "Anything Goes" co-stars Bert Lahr & Ethel Merman, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, Bob Hope, Jackie Gleason, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Gene Kelly, Robert Farnon and Orchestra on the rehearsal of "Great Songs Of Great Britain," his co-stars on "From Here To Eternity" Montgomery Cliff & Burt Lancaster, his co-star on "High Society" Princess Grace, and his famous favorite arranger, Nelson Riddle, not to mention political icons such as the late Presidents Reagan and Kennedy, the former President George Bush, and former First Ladies Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan.

This excellent book also offers a compilation CD of songs as well as rare interviews and radio programs; anecdotes; quotes from the star himself and from his daughters Nancy and Tina, and son Frank Jr.; letters written by Sinatra as well as letters written to him by famous musical and movie legends, and famous political figures. There are also rare photographs of Sinatra with the charismatic late President Ronald Reagan whom "he loved, respected and campaigned for." And according to him, "probably none was closer to his heart than his old friend from the movie lots, the late President Reagan."

The Forewords were written by Frank Sinatra, Jr. and one of the greatest arrangers/conductors, Quincy Jones who wrote one of the most unforgettable anecdotes on Sinatra, and according to him was the first time he'd been called "Q" and the last he'd heard from him until 1962.

"Q, wouldn't it be kooky if we added Johnny Mandel's new song, "The Shadow Of Your Smile," to the show? "No Problem. Can you learn the lyrics by tomorrow?" He gave me a look and began writing the words on a pad, over and over again. Eighteen pages. I dozed off. When I woke up he was still writing, force-feeding the subconscious." ~ Excerpt from the Foreword written by Quincy Jones on September 2003.

Some of the many goodies of this wonderful book are the 'inserts' consisting of reproductions of cherished mementos such as scripts from his Radio Programs; a very nice Victorian style eight-pages photo album; "It Might As Well Be Swing" label copy; a piano sheet of his famous "My Way"; 1942 Official Score Card of New York Giants; a telegram from my favorite Princess and his co-star from "High Society," the very elegant late Grace Kelly, congratulating him on his Oscar victory; 1981 Presidential Inaugural Gala Program produced by Sinatra and a lot more.

Following are the most remarkable quotes from the famous musical icon in the 20th Century.

"When I was nine or ten years old, I would sing with the piano at my father's bar. One day I got a nickel for singing, and that's where it all began. I thought, 'This is the racket to be in'."

"My mother influenced me a great deal. She was a self-taught woman, very bright, had a good common sense and was a hard worker... My earliest childhood memories of my father, Marty, are in the kitchen. He did much of the cooking."

"I like recording late at night. The later the better. My voice was not meant for daytime use."

"I seldom listen to my own recordings. I was once on Catalina Island years ago at a place called Christian's Hut, and Duke Wayne was at the bar. Suddenly, on the jukebox comes my recording of 'One For My Baby', and John Wayne turned to me and said, 'What the hell do you listen to when you're alone at three o-clock in the morning?"

"My toast is simply that I wish everyone thousands of times more than I have gotten in my life. I've been a man overly rewarded in my lifetime, and that's a fact. I appreciate what's happened to me, and I wish everyone in the world a lot of sweet things, pleasant dreams, hugging, kissing, and peace in our time. And may the last voice you hear be mine!"

This is a kind of book worthy to any Sinatra fan. It's a must-have and I highly recommend it, otherwise, you'll miss out on a lot of things to be learned about the greatest musical legend ever lived, the world's most famous entertainer, the Voice of the Century and the Chairman of the Board, none other than the late Mr. Francis Albert Sinatra.

It is as if I have suddenly and unexpectedly come into possession of a Sinatra family album...this book is like an intimate scrapbook of memorabilia that will thrill any fan. Lovingly put together by Charles Pignone and the Sinatra estate, the book offers many pleasing images...many that have never before been seen by the public. The book also contains many "facsimile" items--beautifully reproduced programs, lyric sheets, and other fun memorabilia. Pignone's composition of pictures, quotes, and commentary is stellar. It all flows together like a great concept album. The CD included in this package is a revelation, offering music and interviews...one last chance to hear "The Voice." For the Sinatra fan, this book is a must-have keepsake.

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