Frank Sinatra - Where Are You (2013) [SACD]

Underrated, at least in comparison with the better-known In the Wee Small Hours and Sings for Only the Lonely, 1957's Where Are You? is another excellent collection of melancholy torch songs, including "Lonely Town," "The Night We Called It a Day," "I Think of You," and "Maybe You'll Be There." As on those records, Sinatra doesn't sing so much as breathe, never overwhelming the fragility of the compositions with excessive displays of emotion. Of course, this approach just makes the songs sound that much sadder. This was also the first record Sinatra recorded in stereo, and Gordon Jenkins's lush string arrangements are obviously designed to take advantage of the new medium. --Dan Epstein