Let's Be Frank

Last updated
Let's Be Frank
Trisha Yearwood--Lets Be Frank.jpg
Studio album by
Trisha Yearwood
ReleasedDecember 20, 2018 (2018-12-20) (Williams-Sonoma)
February 14, 2019 (2019-02-14) (Wide)
RecordedSummer 2018
Studio Capitol Records Building
Genre Jazz
Length47:03
Label Gwendolyn
Producer Don Was
Trisha Yearwood chronology
Christmas Together
(2016)		Let's Be Frank
(2018)		 Every Girl
(2019)

Let's Be Frank is the fourteenth studio album by American country artist Trisha Yearwood. It was first released through Williams Sonoma stores on December 20, 2018 and was widely released on February 14, 2019 via Gwendolyn Records. The project was produced by Don Was and arranged by Vincent Mendoza. The album pays tribute to Frank Sinatra, whom Yearwood had always admired. It was a record that Yearwood had always wanted to create but never got around to doing so. Let's Be Frank includes covers of songs notably performed by Sinatra and also features one original composition.

Contents

Background and production

According to Yearwood, she had always wanted to record album of traditional pop songs. She was originally approached by producer Don Was following her televised performance at Frank Sinatra's 2015 "100th Birthday" tribute. [1] The album was recorded in summer 2018 in four days at the Capitol Records Building in Hollywood, California. She performed the tracks with Sinatra's original microphone and was accompanied by a 55-piece orchestra. [1] [2] [3] Let's Be Frank was arranged by Vincent Mendoza. Yearwood called the collaboration with Mendoza something she "couldn't be more proud of". She also noted his previous work with Tony Bennett, Ray Charles and Barbra Streisand. [1]

Yearwood drew inspiration for Let's Be Frank from her childhood. In an interview with iHeart Radio , Yearwood explained that her mother was fond of Frank Sinatra and for that reason, she "grew up" listening to him. [4] She also mentioned that many of the songs Sinatra recorded were covered by other artists. These songs also appeared in films and television shows that she watched as a young child. [5]

Content

According to Yearwood, the material for Let's Be Frank originated from the Great American Songbook catalog. While many of these songs had been recorded by Frank Sinatra, their original versions by other artists may be more memorable. [4] Two notable recordings she covered by Sinatra included "Come Fly with Me" and "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)". [1] Yearwood also noted that "Come Fly with Me" was one of the most challenging songs to record because of its rhythm. The track "I'll Be Seeing You" was an especially emotional song to sing, according to Yearwood. She commented in 2019 that the song made her think of her mother, Gwen. [4]

The track "For the Last Time" originally was a line that Yearwood had thought of. Her husband Garth Brooks assisted by composing a melody to accompany her idea. [6] It is the only original composition to appear on the album. Yearwood commented in 2019 that she not want the song to appear on Let's Be Frank because she feared it would disrespect the music of Sinatra. [1] [4] She was encouraged to play the song to her producer Don Was. Was enjoyed the song and arranged for the track to be recorded for the project.

Critical reception

Let's Be Frank received critical acclaim upon its major release to stores. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the album not exactly "the kind of comeback most observers would've expected from Trisha Yearwood." Erlewine went on to call the record a "well-balanced songbook" that included diverse arrangements and song choices. [7] Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave Let's Be Frank four of five possible stars in his review. Coyne highlighted tracks such as "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)" and "For the Last Time". He also compared Yearwood's song selection to that of Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Coyne later concluded his review of the album by saying, "Let's Be Frank is a delightful detour, and while it doesn't curb the hunger for more country music from the greatest female artist of the greatest generation of female artists, it is chock full of reminders of how she earned that distinction in the first place." [8]

Commercial performance

Let's Be Frank was first issued on December 20, 2018 exclusively through Williams-Sonoma retailers. It was officially released to all major retailers on February 14, 2019. [9] Both of these releases were distributed through Gwendolyn Records. [1] Upon its initial release, the album would peak at number 2 on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart and number 7 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart. [10] [11] Let's Be Frank marked Yearwood's first solo album since 2007's Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love and first to chart as well. [1] Yearwood made numerous promotional appearances to support the album. She made her first appearance when launching songs off the album at the Rainbow Room in New York City. [4] This included a performance of "For the First Time" on The Today Show in early 2019. [6]

Track listing

Standard edition [12]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Witchcraft"
4:14
2."Drinking Again"
2:55
3."All the Way"
4:36
4."Come Fly with Me"
  • Cahn
  • Van Heusen
3:10
5."Over the Rainbow"
4:32
6."One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)"
  • Arlen
  • Mercer
4:29
7."They All Laughed"
3:13
8."If I Loved You"
4:07
9."The Man That Got Away"
  • Arlen
  • I. Gershwin
4:15
10."The Lady is a Tramp"
3:35
11."For the Last Time"
3:51
12."I'll Be Seeing You"
4:06
Total length:47:03

Personnel

All credits are adapted from AllMusic. [13]

Musical personnel

Brass and Woodwinds

String Section

Production

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
US Top Jazz Albums (Billboard) [14] 2
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [15] 7

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trisha Yearwood</span> American country singer

Patricia Lynn Yearwood is an American country singer. She rose to fame with her 1991 debut single "She's in Love with the Boy," which became a number one hit on the Billboard country singles chart. Its corresponding self-titled debut album would sell over two million copies. Yearwood continued with a series of major country hits during the early to mid-1990s, including "Walkaway Joe" (1992), "The Song Remembers When" (1993), "XXX's and OOO's " (1994), and "Believe Me Baby " (1996).

<i>Both Sides Now</i> (Joni Mitchell album) 2000 studio album by Joni Mitchell

Both Sides Now is a concept album and studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell that was released in 2000. It is her 17th studio album. The album won two Grammy Awards in 2001 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album and Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s) for the song "Both Sides Now" and a Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.

<i>The Genius of Ray Charles</i> 1959 studio album by Ray Charles

The Genius of Ray Charles is a 1959 Ray Charles album, released in October by Atlantic Records, the seventh album since the debut Ray Charles in 1957. The album consists of swinging pop with big band arrangements. It comprises a first half of big band songs and a second half of string-backed ballads. The Genius of Ray Charles sold fewer than 500,000 copies and charted at number 17 on the Billboard 200. "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'" were released as singles in 1959.

<i>Frankly Sentimental</i> 1949 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Frankly Sentimental is the fourth studio album by Frank Sinatra, released on June 20, 1949 as a set of four 78 rpm records and a 10" LP album.

<i>Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra</i> 1950 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Sing and Dance with Frank Sinatra is the sixth studio album by Frank Sinatra. The tracks were arranged and conducted by George Siravo and his orchestra. Original Columbia 10-inch 33 1/3-rpm LP and 78-rpm album set released October 16, 1950; the 7-inch 45-rpm EP and EP box sets were released in October 1952.

<i>Songs by Sinatra</i> 1947 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Songs by Sinatra, Volume 1 is the second studio album by Frank Sinatra. The tracks were arranged and conducted by Axel Stordahl and his orchestra. It is a collection of eight recordings from six different sessions. It was originally released as a set of four 78 rpm records similar to The Voice of Frank Sinatra and re-issued in 1950 as a 10" record.

<i>Sinatra–Basie: An Historic Musical First</i> 1962 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Sinatra–Basie: An Historic Musical First is a 1962 studio album by Frank Sinatra, arranged by Neal Hefti.

<i>Softly, as I Leave You</i> (album) 1964 studio album by Frank Sinatra

Softly, as I Leave You is a 1964 studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra. Arranged by Ernie Freeman, several tracks such as "Softly, as I Leave You", "Then Suddenly Love" and "Available" departed from Sinatra's signature vocal jazz style by flirting with a more contemporary pop sound. The rest of the album is pieced together with leftovers from various early-'60s sessions, from many different arrangers and conductors.

<i>The World We Knew</i> 1967 studio album by Frank Sinatra

The World We Knew, also known as Frank Sinatra, is a 1967 studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra.

<i>Dear Ella</i> 1997 studio album by Dee Dee Bridgewater

Dear Ella is a 1997 studio album by Dee Dee Bridgewater, recorded in tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, who had died the previous year.

<i>...Allow Us to Be Frank</i> 2004 studio album by Westlife

...Allow Us to Be Frank, a Rat Pack tribute, is the fifth studio album, sixth major album release under Sony BMG and first cover album by Irish boy band Westlife; it is also the first album since the departure of Brian McFadden and as a four-piece. It was released on 8 November 2004, and peaked at number two in Ireland and number three in the United Kingdom. ...Allow Us to Be Frank was number twenty-four on the 2004 year-end album charts. The album features songs made popular by Frank Sinatra such as "The Way You Look Tonight", "Come Fly with Me", "Moon River", "Summer Wind" and "That's Life". It also includes the Nat "King" Cole song, "When I Fall in Love". It was recorded with a 60-piece orchestra at Phoenix Studios in Wembley, in the London Borough of Brent.

<i>Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love</i> 2007 studio album by Trisha Yearwood

Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love is the eleventh studio album by American country music artist Trisha Yearwood. The album was released on November 13, 2007 on Big Machine Records and was produced by Garth Fundis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trisha Yearwood discography</span>

American country music artist Trisha Yearwood has released 15 studio albums, nine compilation albums, 43 music videos, 56 singles, 29 other charted songs and appeared on 30 albums. Yearwood's self-titled debut album was released in 1991, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200. It became the first debut female country album to sell one million copies, later certifying double platinum by the RIAA. The album would spawn an additional three singles, including "The Woman Before Me". Her second studio album was the critically acclaimed Hearts in Armor (1992). It spawned the top five country hits "Wrong Side of Memphis" and "Walkaway Joe". Her third studio record The Song Remembers When (1993) enjoyed similar success and the lead single reached number two on the Billboard country chart. A holiday album appeared before her platinum-selling fourth studio album Thinkin' About You (1995). Reaching the number 3 on the country albums chart and number 28 on the Billboard 200, its first two singles topped the Hot Country Singles chart. Her sixth studio album Everybody Knows (1996) spawned Yearwood's fourth number one single, "Believe Me Baby ".

<i>Let Freedom Swing</i> 2008 studio album by SWR Big Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi

Let Freedom Swing is a big band jazz album recorded by the SWR Big Band with Toshiko Akiyoshi as guest pianist/conductor. The album was released as a 2 disk CD in February 2008 by Hänssler Verlag in Germany and includes performances of 12 Akiyoshi compositions.

<i>Super Hits</i> (Miles Davis album) 2001 greatest hits album by Miles Davis

Super Hits is a greatest hits album from Miles Davis. Released in 2001, it reached #22 on Billboard's Jazz Albums chart.

<i>Sinatra at the Sands</i> 1966 live album by Frank Sinatra

Sinatra at the Sands is a live album by Frank Sinatra accompanied by Count Basie and his orchestra, and conducted and arranged by Quincy Jones, recorded live in the Copa Room of the former Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 1966.

<i>Basic Miles: The Classic Performances of Miles Davis</i> 1973 compilation album by Miles Davis

Basic Miles: The Classic Performances of Miles Davis is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1973 by Columbia Records and recorded from 1955 through 1962.

<i>Snowfall on the Sahara</i> 1999 studio album by Natalie Cole

Snowfall on the Sahara is a studio album by American singer Natalie Cole. It was released by Elektra Records on June 22, 1999, in the United States.

<i>No One Ever Tells You</i> 2015 studio album by Seth MacFarlane

No One Ever Tells You is the third studio album by American actor and singer Seth MacFarlane. The album was released on September 30, 2015 through Republic Records. The album features Frank Sinatra's bassist Chuck Berghofer as well as a 65-piece orchestra. The album is the follow-up to MacFarlane's 2014 Christmas album Holiday for Swing. Like his two previous albums, No One Ever Tells You was produced and conducted by film and television composer Joel McNeely. The album earned MacFarlane a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

<i>Swing</i> (Renée Geyer album) 2013 studio album by Renée Geyer

Swing is the fifteenth and final studio album by Australian soul and R&B singer Renée Geyer. The album was released on 19 April 2013 and peaked at number 22 on the ARIA Charts.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Evans Price, Deborah. "Trisha Yearwood Takes on Sinatra With Tribute Album 'Let's Be Frank'". Billboard . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  2. ↑ Betts, Stephen L. "Trisha Yearwood Covers Sinatra on New Album 'Let's Be Frank'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  3. ↑ Tracy, Brianne. "Trisha Yearwood Announces New Album of Frank Sinatra Covers — Her First in More Than 10 Years". People Magazine . Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Mastrogiannis, Nicole. "Trisha Yearwood Details 'Let's Be Frank' & Teases Upcoming Country Album". iHeart Radio . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  5. ↑ Betts, Stephen L. "See Trisha Yearwood Sing New 'For the Last Time' on 'Today'". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  6. 1 2 Kelly, Hunter. "Trisha Yearwood on Frank Sinatra Tribute Album, Writing With Garth Brooks". Rolling Stone . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  7. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Let's Be Frank: Trisha Yearwood". AllMusic . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  8. ↑ Coyne, Kevin John. "Album Review: Trisha Yearwood, Let's Be Frank". Country Universe. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  9. ↑ Casey, Jim. "Trisha Yearwood to Release Frank Sinatra Tribute Album, "Let's Be Frank"". Nash Country Daily. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  10. ↑ "Trisha Yearwood Chart History: Jazz Albums". Billboard . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  11. ↑ "Trisha Yearwood Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  12. ↑ "Trisha Yearwood - Let's Be Frank (CD, Album)". Discogs . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  13. ↑ "Let's Be Frank: Trisha Yearwood: Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "Trisha Yearwood Chart History (Top Jazz Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Trisha Yearwood Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.