[.ca] Cyles

this cd is distinctly different:
This cd is unlike any of Sinatra's work that I am familar with. With "Cycles" Sinatra sings more of the modern music of that time, leaving behind Johnny Mercer, Cole Porter, and others. This cd seems to bring out a lot of arguements among Sinatra fans. The best way that I can describe it is Frank Sinatra sings Glen Campbell. I just cannot see Sinatra as hobo or whatever the connotations are in "Gentle on My Mind". If you want something different, this is it.

THIS IS NOT A "RE- CYCLES":
Frank Sinatra has left a legacy of so much music on record. Most of it is "top-shelf". But we all have our personal "favorites". My favorite Sinatra albums are "Cycles" and "A Man Alone- Sinatra sings Rod McKuen". In my mind, these two albums are a unity. . .and I usually play them back to back. The song "Cycles" written by Gayle Caldwell (former New Christy Minstrel (?)) is a beautiful reverie of life and of keeping going on despite the overwhelming sadness of the moment. I love this song. . . and I love Gayle for writing it. . .and I love Frank Sinatra's recording of it. His version of "Moody River" is catchy and you can't help but smile real large when he sings the woprd "friend" as only Frank could have pronounced it, ennunciated it and sung it! Some have called this a conemprary "pop" album (and it is) but it is classic great Sinatra. I recommend it (together with "A Man Alone) whether you're a Sinatra fan or not. You'll become one real quick when you listen to these albums . . . even now. Thanks Mr. Frank for leaving us this great music to enjoy today . . .and yes, to even "wallow in our moods a little" every now and then. You were one of the all time greats. . . for all time!

Overlooked Sinatra album provides great reflective music:
The mainly contemplative material that Sinatra recorded for the 1968 release of Cycles did not produce a big hit that could have drawn a larger audience to the album. It does remain one of his stronger efforts from the period. The mood is almost exclusively melancholy, livened only by a rather pointless cover of Pat Boone's Moody River, delivered in a derivative fashion by Sinatra. That aside, I still regard this as a 5 star album because there is a definite theme to the album, supported by strong melodies. Sinatra rarely attempted recognisably country music material, but his rendering of By The Time I Get To Phoenix is superb: slowed down from the Glen Campbell original, sung with great sincerity and imagination - listen to the phrasing on the line "by the time I reach Oklahoma" - completely different from any other version I've heard. Little Green Apples is equally well performed, possibly the definitive version. The album's title track can be ranked alongside other memorably reflective Sinatra songs from the late 60s including I Will Drink The Wine and Love's Been Good To Me (from Sinatra & Company and A Man Alone, other albums worth your consideration). I enjoyed this album greatly - it's not the Sinatra of Songs For Swinging Lovers, but those who appreciate Frank in ballad mode won't be disappointed.

Not bad at all.:
Once you get past the fact that this is not Sinatra material at all, this turns out to be a rather enjoyable album. It's a far cry from "Swingin' Lovers" and "In The Wee Small Hours," and that in itself makes the affair (the "Non-Swingin' Affair") a bit depressing. The photo on the front is vintage Frank-- did his chick fly the coop, or does he have a migraine? But the photos of hippies in the booklet are a better reflection of the material (some of them look like witches, you might agree). "Rain In My Heart" is so depressing, with Don Costa's blurred strings and Sinatra almost sighing his way through it, you know right away The Man isn't going to blow off these songs. Joni Mitchell is about as appropriate for Frank's famous voice as Bob Dylan or Jimi Hendrix-- which is to say it's spooky, especially when he kind of pulls it off on "Both Sides Now." He *had* seen life from both sides, it's safe to say. "Little Green Apples" was covered by everyone and their kid brother, and Frank does alright. Kind of cozy, really. "Pretty Colors" must be some kind of L.S.D. trip, except on apple juice from those green apples! Another fine arrangement from Don Costa, however, like all the tracks on this disc. He was one versatile musician. "Cycles" is an awesome song-- catchy, meaningful straight-forward. Not a standard, but still one of Sinatra's more memorable hits. However, I've forgotten all about "Wandering." "By The Time I Get To Phoenix" is about the strangest title ever, but this was another song everyone covered. Frank equals Dino on this depressing number about leaving your wife while she's asleep-- the dirty rat. "Moody River" isn't so moody after all, with Sinatra joking around with the word "friend" to make it rhyme and generally having fun with the tongue-in-cheek lyrics. It's a long way from "I've Got You Under My Skin" however. "My Way Of Life" is the song that comes immediately after "My Way" in an alphabetical list of Sinatra's recordings. "Gentle On My Mind" is the third song on this album that a lot of singers covered, but here the prize definitely goes to Dean Martin. His version is amazing. Ten songs-- a bit square by today's standards, or even yesterday's, when placed beside The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Jimi and so forth. But it's Sinatra trying to go contemporary while still keeping his high standards. It's mostly classy, but not timeless by any means. If you like these songs, you might like what FS does with them. Otherwise I'd buy "Cycles" the song on "Greatest Hits Vol. 2."

Frank Sinatra Cycles:
You can't find it in stores however this is one of the best Sinatra albums ever! If you like Frank Sinatra which is wrong you have to love him.. You must buy this album.

• Rain in My Heart
• From Both Sides, Now
• Little Green Apples
• Pretty Colors
• Cycles
• Wandering
• By the Time I Get to Phoenix
• Moody River
• My Way of Life
• Gentle on My Mind