Frank Sinatra: Nice 'N' Easy

The Vinyl That Defined Sophisticated Pop Perfection

For vinyl collectors seeking an album that epitomizes the pinnacle of American popular singing, Frank Sinatra's Nice 'N' Easy (1960) stands as an essential document that fundamentally reshaped how popular music could be conceived and experienced. This isn't just a collection of songs—it's a masterclass in vocal artistry that helped redefine the album format itself.

By 1960, Sinatra had completed his transformation from bobby-soxer idol to mature interpreter of the American songbook. Originally released on Capitol Records in July 1960, the Nice 'n' Easy album topped the charts at #1 for nine weeks and was nominated for multiple Grammys, including Album of the Year, Best Male Vocal Performance, and Best Arrangement (Nelson Riddle).

This success crowned Sinatra's revolutionary approach to recording. Throughout his seven-decade career, Frank Sinatra performed on more than 1,400 recordings and was awarded 31 gold, nine platinum, three double platinum, and one triple platinum album by the Recording Industry Association of America.

The Sinatra-Riddle partnership represents one of popular music's most influential collaborations. More than just setting a mood, Nelson Riddle used his orchestra to complement and enhance Frank Sinatra's vocals. He tailored each arrangement to the purpose of the song, maneuvering soloists to best surround Sinatra with the space he needed to shine.

Sinatra described Nelson Riddle as "the greatest arranger in the world." Their albums are historic masterpieces that had a major impact on popular music. This wasn't hyperbole—Riddle's arrangements gave Sinatra's mature voice a sophisticated framework that elevated pop music to art.

Nice 'N' Easy refined the concept album approach Sinatra and Riddle had pioneered with In the Wee Small Hours (1955). The album's thematic coherence—romantic ballads delivered with relaxed confidence—demonstrated that an LP could be a unified artistic statement, an approach that would influence everyone from The Beatles to contemporary artists.

While rock'n'roll conquered young America with Elvis Presley and Little Richard, Sinatra's record effectively answered the new sound. The rhythmic roar of Riddle's orchestra let Sinatra reform his own musical kingdom with sleek contemporary lines, making hoary standards sound freshly minted.

For collectors, the pressing variations offer distinct sonic experiences. The original Capitol pressings from 1960—whether from Scranton (identified by the anvil "⌂" symbol), Los Angeles (star "☆" stamp), or Jacksonville facilities—each have unique characteristics. The mono pressing (W-1417) offers focused intimacy, while the stereo (SW-1417) showcases Riddle's orchestral arrangements in Capitol's "Full Dimensional Stereo."

The Mobile Fidelity Editions
The audiophile reissues deserve special attention. The 1982 Mobile Fidelity release (MFSL 1-086) was half-speed mastered by Original Masteringworks and specially pressed on high definition super vinyl by Victor Company of Japan. However, this early audiophile attempt had issues.

According to Michael Fremer's comparison: "If you have the early Mo-Fi, you have something that's bright, hard and jacked up on top and not representative of the classic Capitol sound." The 1982 version, while technically impressive, sacrificed the warmth that made the original special.

The 2009 Mobile Fidelity reissue (MFSL 1-317) corrected these mistakes. The recording's warm, soft, buttery images were restored, with the original pressing's unnecessary reverberation wisely reduced. Fremer notes that "the reverb is a mastering artifact and not mixed into the master tape."

However, purists note that the 2009 MFSL changed the iconic rainbow-rim Capitol label for a modernized design and replaced the original jacket with a gatefold featuring "coffee shop retro" graphics. While sonically superior to the 1982 MFSL, some collectors prefer original Capitol pressings for their authenticity and period-correct presentation.

Critic Pete Welding of DownBeat Magazine praised the album upon release: "Focused, mature artistry, and great emotional persuasiveness." This assessment has only grown more accurate with time. Sinatra's approach—treating each song as a three-act play—transformed vocal interpretation forever.

Stephen Holden noted: "In the decade prior to Beatlemania, most of the great band singers and crooners codified a half-century of American pop standards on dozens of albums." Nice 'N' Easy stands as perhaps the finest example of this codification.

Original Capitol pressings remain highly sought after, particularly clean mono copies with rainbow/colorband labels. First pressings command $50-150 depending on condition. The 1982 MFSL, despite sonic limitations, fetches $75-125 as a collectible curiosity. The superior 2009 MFSL typically sells for $100-200, offering the best sound quality for those prioritizing audio over originality.

The 60th Anniversary edition (2020) provides an affordable entry point with good remastered sound, though it lacks the analog warmth that makes vintage pressings special.

When you drop the needle on Nice 'N' Easy, you're experiencing a masterclass in how popular music can achieve the highest artistic expression. For serious collectors, the choice between pressings depends on priorities: original Capitol pressings for authenticity and warmth, the 2009 MFSL for ultimate fidelity, or the affordable modern reissues for casual listening.

This album proved sophistication didn't mean stuffiness, that maturity could swing, and that the American popular song could achieve expression equal to any art form. When Sinatra sang these songs "nice and easy," he made perfection sound effortless—the ultimate achievement captured in these grooves, and why it remains essential listening six decades later. 💰

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