A Man Alone (album)
Encyclopedia
A Man Alone is a 1969 studio album
by American singer Frank Sinatra
, arranged by Don Costa
.
In a tribute to the poet, all songs on this album were written by Rod McKuen
. "Love's Been Good to Me" reached No. 8 on the British charts, and was also notably recorded by Johnny Cash
.
awarded the album two stars, stating: "A Man Alone was intended to be a serious statement, but much of it comes off as embarrassing posturing. McKuen's compositions are lyrically slight and musically insubstantial, but what saves A Man Alone from being a total failure is the conviction of Sinatra's performance, as well as Don Costa's skillful arrangements. Sinatra and Costa pull so much out of so little on A Man Alone, it makes the listener wish they had applied their talents and ambitions to a similar, but more substantial set of songs. As it stands, the album is an intriguing listen, but ultimately a failure."
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by American singer Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
, arranged by Don Costa
Don Costa
Don Costa was an American pop music arranger and record producer, best known for his work with Frank Sinatra.-Career:...
.
In a tribute to the poet, all songs on this album were written by Rod McKuen
Rod McKuen
Rod McKuen is an American poet, songwriter, composer, and singer. He was one of the best-selling poets in the United States during the late 1960s. Throughout his career, McKuen produced a wide range of recordings, which included popular music, spoken word poetry, film soundtracks, and classical music...
. "Love's Been Good to Me" reached No. 8 on the British charts, and was also notably recorded by Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
.
Reception
The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas ErlewineStephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
awarded the album two stars, stating: "A Man Alone was intended to be a serious statement, but much of it comes off as embarrassing posturing. McKuen's compositions are lyrically slight and musically insubstantial, but what saves A Man Alone from being a total failure is the conviction of Sinatra's performance, as well as Don Costa's skillful arrangements. Sinatra and Costa pull so much out of so little on A Man Alone, it makes the listener wish they had applied their talents and ambitions to a similar, but more substantial set of songs. As it stands, the album is an intriguing listen, but ultimately a failure."
Track listing
All songs written by Rod McKuenRod McKuen
Rod McKuen is an American poet, songwriter, composer, and singer. He was one of the best-selling poets in the United States during the late 1960s. Throughout his career, McKuen produced a wide range of recordings, which included popular music, spoken word poetry, film soundtracks, and classical music...
- "A Man Alone" – 3:47
- "Night" (Spoken) – 2:25
- "I've Been to Town" – 3:13
- "From Promise to Promise" (Spoken) – 1:31
- "The Single Man" – 3:01
- "The Beautiful Strangers" – 2:41
- "Lonesome Cities" – 3:18
- "Love's Been Good to Me" – 3:27
- "Empty Is" (Spoken) – 2:46
- "Out Beyond the Window" (Spoken) – 2:45
- "Some Traveling Music" (Spoken) – 2:36
- "A Man Alone (Reprise)" – 1:30