uch in the vein of the preceding NICE 'N' EASY, Sinatra revisits his musical past here, but in a more specifically historical manner. The titular reference is to bandleader Dorsey, under whose baton the young Sinatra came of artistic age following his stint with the Harry James band. Two decades later, Sinatra recorded this tribute to Dorsey, revisiting some of the classic Big Band repertoire he essayed in his Dorsey band years.
The simple joy of hearing Sinatra belt out such tunes as "East Of The Sun" and "Imagination" over sharp Big Band accompaniment is enhanced by the presence of arranger Sy Oliver, who was hired by Dorsey around the same time as Sinatra and was on hand for many of the original recordings of this material.|
Rovi
As the title suggests, I Remember Tommy is an affectionate tribute to Tommy Dorsey, the legendary bandleader who helped elevate Frank Sinatra to stardom. Arranged by Sy Oliver, who also gained attention through Dorsey, the album contains a number of songs that were part of the Sinatra/Dorsey repertoire, given slightly new readings. Though the intentions were good, the new versions pale in comparison to the originals. Nevertheless, there are a handful of gems included on the record, making it worthwhile for dedicated Sinatra aficionados. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Rovi