Gary Foster, Greg Huckins (alto saxophone); Vince Trombetta, Phil Feather (tenor saxophone); Lee Callet (baritone saxophone); Wayne Bergeron, Warren Luening (trumpet); Paul Klintworth (French horn); Chauncey Welshn (trombone); Vinnie Falcone (piano); Chuck Berghofer (bass); Gregg Field (drums); Scott Higgins (percussion).
Steve Lawrence has released only two newly recorded albums in the last 30 years, 1981's Take It on Home and this one. The inspiration for heading into the recording studio for the first time in over two decades was his mentor, Frank Sinatra, who bequeathed him a batch of song arrangements when he retired. Lawrence makes use of those arrangements, written by the likes of Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones, and Don Costa, on a tribute album that deliberately sounds a lot like a Sinatra recording. Lawrence was always a student of Sinatra, singing in the same smooth, swaggering manner even if he was 20 years younger. He was perhaps a little smoother and a little less swaggering, but here, freed from any burden to distinguish himself by the album's concept and by those familiar charts, he frequently evokes Sinatra. In fact, the album would be an odd listening experience to anyone caught unaware. Hear a bit of it in passing without knowing who is singing, and you're liable to suppose it is Sinatra, but listen more carefully and you may become confused. The idea of having Lawrence sing Sinatra is a good one, but maybe it's good primarily for his stage act. The album is, at best, redundant, tribute or not. And yet, repeated listenings bring out the singer's individual nuances, demonstrating that, in his mid-sixties, he is still in very good voice, making you wish he had an opportunity to record more frequently and not under anyone else's shadow. ~ William Ruhlmann
Matt Millar, Roger Lebow, John Krovoza (cello); Julie Berghofer (harp);
Live Recording
Recorded at Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, California on February 11 & 12, 2002.
Personnel: Julie Berghofer (harp); Assa Drori, Jean Sudbury, Carolyn Osborn, Olivia Tsui, Kristin Fife, Jim Stärk, Bob Sanov, Eve Butler, Karen Jones, David Stenske, Liane Mautner (violin); Carolyn Riley, Raymond Tischer, Jody Rubin, Bob Becker , Renita Koven (viola); Phil Feather, Vince Trombetta (tenor saxophone); Lee Callet (baritone saxophone); Larry McGuire, George Graham, Warren Luening, Wayne Bergeron, Charlie Davis (trumpet); Paul Klintworth, Dana Kelley (French horn); Bill Elton, Chauncey Welsch, Bryant Byers, Bob McChesney (trombone); Vincent Falcone, Jr. (piano); Gregg Field (drums); Scott Higgins (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Steve Lawrence.
Recording information: Capitol Studios A & B, Los Angeles, CA (02/11/2002/02/12/2002).
Unknown Contributor Role: Eydie Gorme.
Arrangers: Don Costa; Nelson Riddle; Quincy Jones; Billy Byers.
Personnel: Steve Lawrence (vocals); Nelson Riddle, Quincy Jones (arranger); David Lawrence (conductor); Jim Fox (guitar); Assa Drori, Ray Kobler, Bob Sanov, Kristin Fife, Jean Sudbury, Carolyn Osborn, Olivia Tsui, Eve Butler, Jim Stark (violin); Bob Becker, Carolyn Riley, Renita Koven, Sue Giordano, Ray Tischer, Jody Rubin (viola); Dane Little, John Walz, Stephanie Fife,
Steve Lawrence Sings Sinatra Music
Steve Lawrence Sings Sinatra Music Review
Average Rating: (4.6 out of 5 stars)    What a Singer!
The arrangements on Steve Lawrence's new album are familiar but still great. Only a singer of Steve's calibre would attempt to sing these songs using Frank Sinatra's arrangements. And he pulls it off beautifully.
Steve Lawrence ( like Mark Murphy in the jazz vocal field ) has been very underrated but he has the chops, as Frank would have said, and the dramatic intensity to make songs like What Now My Love his own. A rather banal song like The Best is Yet to Come is made to mean somrthing.
In summary a truly great album.
Submitted by jrgraham (Sydney, Australia) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
 It was great......
This CD was purchased for my mother-in-laws birthday...... she loves it and I'm on her good side.........
Submitted by a reviewer (Vacaville, Ca.)
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Very Nice
After all these years, and it has been a few, the man can still sing a song. Soooo smooth. I like Steve Lawrence a lot but if you add a little Eydie you have something I love more than a lot. If you are a Steve Lawrence fan or just a fan of great music, this is the cd for you. Come on its a good price and you can play it over and over and over again. And I am sure you will:)
Submitted by bsoule535 (King William VA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No It's Like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup
"Two great tastes that taste great together" - that's one advertising slogan that has been used to promote the combination of milk chocolate and peanut butter in Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. This album is a bit like that, combining Frank Sinatra's musical arrangements with Steve Lawrence's voice. Steve is a great singer in his own right, but combine his talents with his obvious appreciation and admiration of Sinatra's songbook and you have a very enjoyable recording. This is a very listenable tribute to one of America's greatest singers.
Submitted by BJ the DJ (Eastern Oregon)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Great Album
He's not Sinatra but a very good second
Submitted by a reviewer (Milwaukee, WI)
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