In The Wee Small Hours is the ninth album released by Frank Sinatra. It featured arrangements by Nelson Riddle and was released in April 1955. This was the same year that a riot occurred at an Elvis Presley concert for the first time, Chuck Berry recorded his first single and Etta James released her debut album.
Sinatra was entering his 30's and his fan base began to dwindle. The second season of 'The Frank Sinatra Show" flopped on air and lead to the show being cancelled. Frank was entering a dark time in his life. While Frank was recording this album, his relationship with his first wife, Nancy Barbato ended and his next relationship and marriage with Ava Gardener suffered due to both sides facing jealousy over extramarital affairs. He referred to this album as 'The Ava Album' due to the themes of the album involving loss and hope while facing a crumbling relationship.
Sinatra intended for "In The Wee Small Hours" to be a cohesive album as opposed to a package of singles which was common for albums at the time. Due to the content of the songs picked out of the Great American Songbook, he felt the content deeply and painfully which contributed to his emotional, and powerfully moving vocals on the record. He recorded for this album in the late hours of the evening, which keeps it true to its title.
This is also the first album where Sinatra felt comfortable rhythmically improvising, thanks to Riddles arrangement which led to a different, more mature feel in Sinatra's voice. Riddle seems to bring out the best in Sinatra, with both "Songs for Swinging Lovers" (1956) and "In The We Small Hours" being produced by him, with these records widely being regarded as Sinatra's best work.
Even though Frank took many takes on the tracks in search for perfection, some technical errors can be heard in his voice, however, some say this contributes to the somber and hauntingly emotional feel to this LP.
This album is thought to have contributed to a liberation of men from being seen as wimps for having emotions. If this album doesn't move you, you must be made of stone.
This album starts off strong with "In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning". The track is the only original on the album. It hosts lyrics painting a portrait of a man who can't sleep as he reflects on his unrequited love. The swelling strings on this track paired with Sinatra's melancholy yet smooth vocal performance makes for a track that became an instant classic, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of desire for the person who holds your heart to also be held in your arms.
Next we move onto a cover of Duke Ellington's jazz standard, "Mood Indigo". This song perfectly reflects Sinatra's personal life at the time, talking about a feeling of despair after being left by a lover, which is portrayed through lyrics such as "When I get that mood indigo, I could lay me down and die.". "Mood Indigo" opens with brass instruments, instantly setting the tone for the rest of the track being carried by emotional strings, a charming, fairy tale-esque harp and a piano that chimes in with juxtaposed, cheerful keys.
The third track on the album "Glad To Be Unhappy" is especially notable for Sinatra's use of rhythm. This song showcases his newfound confidence in playing around with his vocal placement, with a simple accompaniment that allows his polished yet bouncing vocals to shine.
"I Get Along Without You Very Well" is a masterclass in polished yet emotionally expressive tracks. You can feel Sinatra's loss on this song without the vocals becoming muddied and loosing phrasing. Raw emotion without a raw sound. Same goes for "Deep in a Dream"
"Can't We Be Friends" is one of the tracks that makes this album as great as it is. It's expressive, timeless and skilfully performed between Sinatra and his pianist, Bill Miller, as well as the other musicians in his band. The simplicity of this track does not take away from the performance whatsoever.
The other standout track of this album is "Ill Wind", it's one of the more unique tracks on this album, with many different moving elements. It features interjecting woodwind instruments and Sinatra playing with rhythm more on this track than any other on the album. This is a truly underrated Sinatra song that I think gets passed on as it's not as upbeat as some of his other performances like "Fly Me To The Moon", or "That's Life".
In The Wee Small Hours is Sinatra's jazziest album and it will be one that will stay with you after your first listen. For me, this album comes to me in my loneliest moments to wrap me up in the warm blanket that is Sinatra's voice and tucks me in with his sorrowful demeanor and yearning for what he's lost to lull me to sleep and remind me that tomorrow is a new day and to hold onto hope that things will work out. Although in staying that I believe that the first half of the album is much stronger than the second.
This album is the perfect soundtrack for those days when you are looking for a touch of serenity amongst the chaos. Even though it is lugubrious, the album is an easy, relaxing listen. Sinatra remained sanguine on this album through all of the pain he was facing in his personal life, which made this album one of his finest works. This album is a must listen for anyone going through heart ache of any kind or any jazz fan.
RATING: Easy 8
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