L.A. Is My Lady (2024 vinyl reissue)
Capitol/UMe Records, 2024
REVIEW BY: Tom Haugen
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 03/31/2025
It’s been 40 years since Frank Sinatra released his 57th and last solo studio album, and it lives again here with newly mixed and remastered audio, plus previously unreleased tracks for the CD/Digital Deluxe Editions.
The vinyl version, which is what we’re discussing here, contains the original 1984 album, where 11 songs bring in plenty of guests.
The title track opens, and the inimitable singing from Ol’ Blues Eyes is met with strong attention to percussion and plenty of smooth melodies, and “The Best Of Everything” follows with bright drumming and soulful sax, where soft versus loud bursts illuminate Sinatra’s talents.
Further along, the orchestra backdrop and dreamy flute of “Teach Me Tonight” adds even more sophistication to the listen, while “It’s All Right With Me” escalates into a swift and frisky landscape via the booming horns, spirited guitar and animated strings.
In the middle is where “Mack The Knife” arrives. Though it may have paled in comparison to Bobby Darin’s version, it sounds great here- especially with the flowing keys sounding so lively. Not far after is where “Stormy Weather” resides, and it’s a calmer moment of soaring vocals and meticulous guitar playing.
Close to the end, the Big Bang presence of “A Hundred Years From Today” helps make this the album’s best, and “After You’ve Gone” exits with an infectious energy of buzzing brass and animated drumming that suits Sinatra’s flawless delivery.
The album features George Benson, Lionel Hampton and Bob James, to name a few, and the always fantastic Quincy Jones handles production and conducting. For the diehard fans, the six bonus tracks on the digital version will be necessary, though for the casual listener like myself, the original vinyl is a good amount of the Chairman Of The Board.