Frank Sinatra: Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely

Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely: MOFI's Modern Reissue of a Torch Song Classic

Frank Sinatra released his fifteenth studio album, "Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely," in 1958, continuing his exploration of emotionally charged torch songs that had become his signature style. This collection of heartbreak ballads and sentimental reflections on lost love would go on to become one of Sinatra's most personally beloved works and a commercial powerhouse, topping Billboard's pop album chart and remaining there for nearly two years.

The Original Album: A Cultural Milestone
The album's iconic cover features Sinatra as a melancholy, Pagliacci-like clown—artwork that earned painter Nicholas Volpe a Grammy Award. Beyond its striking visual presentation, the album garnered multiple Grammy nominations and has maintained its critical standing, ranking as number 125 in Colin Larkin's prestigious All Time Top 1000 Albums.

MOFI's Audiophile Treatment
Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs included this Sinatra classic in their esteemed Original Master Recordings series, giving it the full audiophile treatment. Mastered at half-speed by Robert LoVerde, the album is pressed on 180-gram "high definition" vinyl and packaged in MOFI's signature single-pocket gatefold jacket with their customary cardboard insert and rice paper inner sleeve.

Presentation and Packaging
As with most recent Mobile Fidelity releases, the physical presentation is exemplary. The attention to detail in the packaging reflects MOFI's commitment to creating a premium product worthy of its price point. The vinyl itself required a cleaning to remove some manufacturing dust, but otherwise arrived in excellent condition.

Sound Quality Assessment
The sonic presentation of this reissue offers considerable strengths. Nelson Riddle's magnificent orchestra arrangements are rendered with impressive spaciousness and detail, creating a wide soundstage that allows the instrumentation to breathe. The bass response is solid and well-defined, providing a strong foundation for Sinatra's vocals.

However, the mastering isn't without its flaws. The high frequencies occasionally become overly prominent—a common criticism of some MOFI releases. Fortunately, the midrange frequencies remain sufficiently present to balance the occasionally aggressive treble, resulting in an overall enjoyable listening experience.

The Vinyl Verdict
Is MOFI's reissue superior to the 2018 60th anniversary two-record set? Probably not, especially considering the significant price differential. However, it stands as a very good release in its own right and deserves consideration from serious Sinatra collectors and audiophiles.

For those who appreciate MOFI's particular approach to mastering and packaging, this reissue provides a worthwhile interpretation of a Sinatra classic. The combination of generally excellent sound quality and premium presentation makes it a respectable addition to any vinyl collection, even if it doesn't quite reach the definitive status that its price point might suggest. 💵

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