LISTEN – Frank Sinatra – Sinatra: Vegas

Frank Sinatra – Sinatra: Vegas [Rhino – $79.98]

Here’s the ideal gift for the martini set, or anyone who just loves the classic American songbook. Rhino offers up four CDs and one DVD of sizzling, swinging Frank Sinatra live Las Vegas sessions. He may have been a New Jersey boy, but Vegas was his home away from home in the later stages of his career. Sinatra’s live sessions are the recordings where his perfect vocal phrasing really erupts into all-out swinging nirvana. The usual suspects are here — “Come Fly with Me”, “Fly Me to the Moon”, “Witchcraft”, “The Lady Is a Tramp” — on these five sets ranging from 1961 to 1987. The Chairman of the Board virtually takes Cole Porter’s “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” off the market for other singers with his delicious, syncopated vocals and Count Basie’s banging orchestration. The set comes complete with a 60-page, full color book and two show poster reproductions. Hang the posters above the home bar, but make sure those are gin martinis for this music, buddy. Save the vodka for another night out. [Amazon]