In the Wee Small Hours

“The ultimate break-up album.”

I bought the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, and I am going to work through that, listening to all the albums I can listen to in Brown's music library (they have these old-school CD players; it's kind of fun). Let me be perfectly clear: I know even less about music than I know about film. The whole point of the exercise is that I am learning about the history of music, and how to write about music, and you’re along for the ride to witness my pleasant and occasionally insightful discourse on the subject. By all means quote me as “a great thinker of our time” to impress your friends, but remember that recorded here are not historical facts, but rather are my observations and reactions – generally my initial reactions, so don’t be surprised if I disagree with myself later on.

Sinatra and Ava Gardner

Anyway, the fact that In the Wee Small Hours is described as one of the first ever concept albums is a little curious to me, since its concept is “sad,” which is not exactly an album concept as we think of it post-Pink Floyd. Nevertheless, having just split with Ava Gardner, Sinatra records sixteen songs of loneliness and lost love, and that, as I understand it, is important to the development of the concept of the album as a work in itself, rather than just a collection of hits. It could better be described a mood album, and the consistency of that mood means that the album’s a bit of a downer, but in the best possible way.

I’m glad that this album was my first proper introduction to Frank Sinatra. My main concern was, given how often Frank’s music is relegated to elevator music, that I wouldn’t be able to shake the feeling that I was in Au Bon Pain. So I’m glad that this album doesn’t contain any of the most commonly heard Sinatra songs. Instead I am presented with an amazing performer, who functions as a protagonist, simply and honestly sharing his feelings.

Capitol, 1955. Produced by Voyle Gilmore.

And here, for your viewing pleasure, is an educational video starring Frank Sinatra from 1945.