Frank Sinatra's repertoire (like that of
Ella Fitzgerald) was so vast that when musicians or singers wish to pay tribute, they can choose almost any American popular song of 1930-1955 and it would fit. Organist
Joey DeFrancesco plays nine well-known standards on this date, some of which are more closely associated with
Sinatra than others. Actually, the
Sinatra connection is basically irrelevant, for
DeFrancesco swings in his usual fashion. Teamed with tenor saxophonist
Houston Person (who is up for the challenge), guitarist
Melvin Sparks, and drummer
Byron Landham,
DeFrancesco rips through a very uptempo version of "Pennies from Heaven," adds soul to "Teach Me Tonight," cooks on "What Now My Love," is relatively relaxed on "Don't Worry 'Bout Me," and duets with
Person on a sensitive version of "Angel Eyes." As usual on a
Joey DeFrancesco date, everything works. ~ Scott Yanow