In the Wee Small Hours is the ninth album released by Frank Sinatra. Featuring arrangements by Nelson Riddle, it was released in April 1955—the same year that Elvis Presley experienced his first concert riot, Chuck Berry recorded his debut single, and Etta James released her debut album. At the time, Sinatra was entering his 40s, and his fan base had begun to dwindle. The second season of The Frank Sinatra Show flopped, leading to its cancellation. Sinatra was entering a dark period in his life. While recording this album, his marriage to his first wife, Nancy Barbato, ended, and his tumultuous relationship and eventual marriage to Ava Gardner suffered, with both struggling with jealousy over extramarital affairs. Sinatra referred to this work as "The Ava Album" because its themes centered on loss and hope amidst a crumbling relationship. Sinatra envisioned In the Wee Small Hours as a cohesive album rather than a collection of singles, which was the norm at the time. Drawi...