Ultimate Sinatra (Australian Exclusive Edition)

Australian Exclusive Double Disc Version, Including Live Recording Of Sinatra's Performance In Sydney, On December 2, 1961!

In celebration of Frank Sinatra's centennial year, a new career-spanning collection of the entertainment icon's timeless music has been compiled. 'Ultimate Sinatra' presents key recordings spanning the Chairman of the Board's recordings for Columbia, Capitol and Reprise, together for the first time.

The defining voice of the 20th century, Frank Sinatra enjoyed a legendary recording career that spanned six decades, beginning with his earliest session in 1939 and culminating with his last in 1993, for his world-renowned, multi-platinum 'Duets' and 'Duets II albums.' 'Ultimate Sinatra' opens with "All Or Nothing At All," recorded with Harry James and his Orchestra on August 31, 1939 during Sinatra's first studio session. With that star-making session, Sinatra embarked on a three-year run of nearly 100 big band recordings with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey Orchestras, followed by more than 50 years of sessions for Columbia (1943-1952), Capitol (1953-1962; 1993-1994), and his own Reprise label (1960-1988).

'Ultimate Sinatra's Australian exclusive double-disc album boasts a very special live disc from his Sydney performance on December 2, 1961. The first disc brims with 25 stellar recordings representing a cross-section of Sinatra's unparalleled recording career. Led by "All Or Nothing At All" and closed with a previously unreleased alternate version of "Just In Time," the collection is stacked with standouts, including "I'll Never Smile Again" (1940), "I've Got The World On A String" (1953), "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning" (1955), "I've Got You Under My Skin" (1956), "Come Fly With Me" (1957), "The Way You Look Tonight" (1964), "Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)" (1964), "Strangers In The Night" (1966), "My Way" (1968), and "Theme From New York, New York" (1979), among many more.

The second disc is a live recording of Sinatra's performance at the then Sydney Stadium in Rushcutters Bay. The 27 track disc features songs "Night And Day," "The Lady Is A Tramp," "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You," "My Funny Valentine," and "One For My Baby," among other well-known Sinatra classics – alongside the rarely performed "I'll Be Seeing You;" making this live recording a particular standout.

The disc opens with an introduction by media personality at the time Tommy Hanlon Jr. For this unique performance, Sinatra used his own conductor, pianist and drummer – the remainder of the ensemble were a collection of the best of Sydney's jazz musicians of the era; of which Sinatra said on the night "this is one of the best groups I have ever performed with."