Point of No Return
Though already in business in 1961 with his own record label,Frank Sinatrawas contractually obligated to give Capitol one more record before                 moving on to Reprise. Sinatra gave them the ironically titledPoint of No Return, which is hardly the deal-fulfilling throwaway one might expect. Expertly arranged and conducted by longtime Sinatra ally Alex Stordahl, it's an elegant collection of farewell songs (including "I'll See You Again," "As Time Goes By," "There Will Never Be Another You," and "It's a Blue World"), delivered by Sinatra with a profound sense of sadness and loss. Fans of such downbeat Sinatra concept albums asIn the Wee Small HoursandSings for Only the Lonelywould do well to pick up on this oft-overlooked gem.--Dan Epstein