Come Dance With Me
Released in 1959, this was one of Sinatra's most commercially successful albums, remaining on the charts well into 1961. The reason for its popularity is apparent upon first spin: track for track, this is probably the enjoyably upbeat album Sinatra ever recorded. Billy May's arrangements swing unbelievably hard (the horn section positively leaps out from the speakers), and the Chairman himself is at the top of his vocal form on "Something's Gotta Give," "Cheek to Cheek," "Dancing in the Dark," and nine others. This is Sinatra at the very height of his artistic peak. The CD throws in four extra tracks of almost equal stature to the standing selections.--Dan Epstein