For many Frank Sinatra fans, Only the Lonely (1958) is his best album. It’s moody and intense. Sinatra was at the top of his game. Nelson Riddle’s orchestra sounds fantastic on these new remastered CDs. I bought the European Edition because I read their mono version sounds incredible. After listening to it a couple of times, I agree!

There have been other “stereo” versions of Only the Lonely but I found them hard to listen to with the music swinging from one speaker to another. This new remastered stereo version eliminates that problem. But, being Old School, I prefer the new mono version. If you’re a Frank Sinatra fan, this is a must-buy. If you have a Sinatra fan on your Holiday Gift List, this wonderful 60th Anniversary Edition of Only the Lonely is the perfect choice. Do you have a favorite Frank Sinatra song? GRADE: A
TRACK LIST:
Disc: 1 (Original Mono):
1. Only The Lonely
2. Angel Eyes
3. What’s New?
4. It’s A Lonesome Old Town
5. Willow Weep For Me
6. Good-Bye
7. Blues In The Night
8. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
9. Ebb Tide
10. Spring Is Here
11. Gone With The Wind
12. One For My Baby
13. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (alt take – May 5, 1958)
14. Angel Eyes (alt take – May 5, 1958)
Disc 2 (Stereo, New 2018 mix from 3 track masters):
1. Only The Lonely
2. Angel Eyes
3. What’s New?
4. It’s A Lonesome Old Town
5. Willow Weep For Me
6. Good-Bye
7. Blues In The Night
8. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
9. Ebb Tide 10. Spring Is Here
11. Gone With The Wind
12. One For My Baby
13. Lush Life (session takes – May 29, 1958)
14. One For My Baby (test track – June 24, 1958)

Some of the best stories of 1941 don’t appear in The Great Stories #3 (1941). Robert A. Heinlein’s stories could not be included in this volume because of contract problems. Martin Greenberg and Isaac Asimov provide insightful introductions for each of the missing stories however. Heinlein’s “Universe” is the iconic generational starship story. Heinlein’s “By His Bootstraps” might be one of the best time travel stories ever published. This volume also includes Theodore Sturgeon’s best SF story (according to Asimov): “Microscopic God” about a scientist who creates an entire microscopic race. Asimov’s classic, “Nightfall” and Alfred Bester’s “Adam and No Eve” round out the roster of famous stories in this anthology. Clearly, 1941 was a especially excellent year for Science Fiction! GRADE: A+
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION By Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg 9
“Mechanical Mice” by Maurice A. Hugi (aka, Eric Frank Russell) (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, January 1941) 13
“And He Built a Crooked House” by Robert A. Heinlein (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, February 1941) 37
“Shottle Bop” by Theodore Sturgeon (UNKNOWN, February 1941) 38
“The Rocket of 1955” by C. M. Kornbluth (STIRRING SCIENCE STORIES, April 1941) 66
“They” by Robert A. Heinlein (UNKNOWN, April 1941) 69
“Evolution’s End” by Robert Arthur (THRILLING WONDER STORIES, April 1941) 70
“Microcosmic God” by Theodore Sturgeon (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, April 1941) 86
“Jay Score” by Eric Frank Russell (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, May 1941) 113
“Universe” by Robert A. Heinlein (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, May 1941) 130
“Liar!” by Isaac Asimov (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, May 1941) 131
“Solution Unsatisfactory” by “Anson MacDonald”(aka, Robert A. Heinlein) (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, May 1941) 148
“Time Wants a Skeleton” by Ross Rocklynne (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, June 1941) 149
“The Words of Guru” by C. M. Kornbluth (STIRRING SCIENCE STORIES, June 1941) 203
“The Seesaw” by A. E. van Vogt (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, July 1941) 211
“Armageddon” by Fredric Brown (UNKNOWN, August 1941) 231
“Adam and No Eve” by Alfred Bester (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, September 1941) 237
“Solar Plexus” by James Blish (ASTONISHING STORIES, September 1941) 251
“Nightfall” by Isaac Asimov (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, September 1941) 263
“A Gnome There Was” by Henry Kuttner and C. L. Moore (UNKNOWN, October 1941) 298
“By His Bootstraps” by “Anson MacDonald” (aka, Robert A. Heinlein) (ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, October 1941) 323
“Snulbug” by Anthony Boucher (UNKNOWN, December 1941) 324
“Hereafter, Inc.” by Lester del Rey. (UNKNOWN, December 1941) 339

I’m a big fan of Kate Bush’s music so when I heard that Kate was remastering all of her classic albums, I was eager to listen to the result. Scintillating sound! Remastered Part 1 delivers a box set of seven CDs full of Kate Bush’s unique songs. Here are the seven albums included in this set:
THE KICK INSIDE (1978)
LIONHEART (1978)
NEVER FOR EVER (1980)
THE DREAMING (1982)
HOUNDS OF LOVE (1985)
THE SENSUAL WORLD (1989)
THE RED SHOES (1993)

Remastered Part 2 is scheduled for 2019. It will be another boxed set of Kate Bush’s later albums. If you’re a Kate Bush fan, this is a must-buy! A perfect holiday gift (to yourself!). Do you have a favorite Kate Bush song? GRADE: A

Robert Redford announced that The Old Man and the Gun would be his last movie. I thought this was an odd choice of a movie as Redford’s last acting gig. Redford plays a genial bank robber. Sometimes Redford uses Danny Glover and Tom Waits as assistants on his bigger heists. Redford meets Sissy Spacek (a rancher) and you think she might reform him. Casey Affleck is the cop hunting Redford down. The Old Man and the Gun meanders from stickup to stickup. I kept waiting for some magic to happen, but this languid movie just ends. Do you have a favorite Robert Redford movie? GRADE: C

The Buffalo News movie critic, Jeff Simon, generated a list of Robert Redford’s best movies. How many have you seen?
1. THE CANDIDATE (1972)
2. ALL IS LOST (2013)
3. ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (1976)
4. DOWNHILL RACER (1969)
5. BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969)
6. THE WAY WE WERE (1973)
7. OUT OF AFRICA (1985)
8. THE ELECTRIC HORSEMAN (1979)
9. BAREFOOT IN THE PARK (1967)
10. THE STING (1073)
11. THREE DAYS OF THE CONDOR (1975)
12. INSIDE DAISY CLOVER (1965)
13. THE NATURAL (1984)
14. A WALK IN THE WOODS (1012)
15. OUR SOULS AT NIGHT (2017)

This Hard Case Crime reprint of Oakley Hall’s 1950 novel, So Many Doors, features a new cover painting by Robert McGinnis. Working from never before seen reference photographs from iconic paperback cover artist Robert Maguire, McGinnis creates a classic painting suggestive of the 1950s style of artwork.

So Many Doors tells the story of Jack Ward, a hard-working construction laborer, and the women in his life. Jack meets Vassilia Caroline Baird, known as V, and a torrid affair begins. But, their relationship is rocky. Jack marries Gene Geary, but he’s still in love with V. V marries old, but rich Roger Denton. But both Jack and V lust after each other despite their marriages. This novel of betrayal, lies, and obsessive love erupts with a powerful, tragic conclusion. If you’re in the mood for moody novel reminiscent of John Steinbeck at his best, give So Many Doors a try. GRADE: B+

We spent last week with Jeff and Jackie Meyerson, Maggie Mason, Beth Fedyn and Wilba Swearingen in New Orleans. We stayed in a strategically located Marriott Residence Inn on St. Jospeh’s Street. The highlight of our visit was a Sunday trip to Slidell where Deb and John put on a fabulous feast for us: BBQ, brisket, Pina Colada chicken, fish, spicy slaw, potato salad, fruit salad, yummy rolls, and plenty of drink choices. Jackie brought cheesecake from New York City for dessert. Everyone enjoyed the food and fun conversation!

On Monday, we and the Meyersons had lunch at Mother’s Restaurant. Real New Orleans food! Later, Diane and I met up with our niece–the CSI forensic investigator who works in Slidell–and her husband at Emeril’s restaurant (just one block away from our hotel). Once again, the food was outstanding! Diane and I both went with the pork chop. For dessert, Diane chose the wonderful Banana Cream Pie (Diane said afterword it was the best Banana Cream Pie she ever tasted!). I went with Emeril’s signature dessert: Chocolate Soufflé. Super yummy!

On Tuesday, we visited the World War II Museum (just a couple blocks from our hotel). Diane’s father fought in Europe during WWII and my father served on a destroyer in the Pacific. We found the various exhibits and film of the battlefields riveting. After about three hours, we departed the Museum but we’ll return to see more the next time we visit New Orleans.

On Wednesday, we flew from New Orleans to Orlando (where it was 84 degrees). Our flight from Orlando to Buffalo was bumpy. When we landed in Buffalo, the temperature was 30 degrees. Later that night, we were hit with a couple of inches of snow. Big difference from New Orleans and Orlando! We had a lot of fun with our friends and family. Jeff and Jackie coordinated the trip to Deb’s house and rented a huge vehicle that would carry all seven of us. Thanks, Jeff & Jackie!

When we walked out of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald at the end of the movie, Diane said, “I need the Cliff Notes to this.” I can’t imagine what a single-digit age kid would think of this film with its convoluted plots and schemes. These new adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmanyne), less twitchy than in the first Fantastic Beasts movie, center around Johnny Depp’s character, Grindelwald. Newt’s allies, baker Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), and magical sisters Queenie (Alison Sudol) and Porpentina (Katherine Waterston), show up in Paris just as Grindelwald sets his trap for Credence (a powerful wizard with Obscurial powers). Grindelwald needs Credence in order to kill Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law).

If this summary doesn’t make sense, blame the movie. GRADE: C+

A Rival From the Grave is the fourth volume of the Complete Tales of Jules de Grandin, the detective who investigates the supernatural. Seabury Quinn wrote over 90 of these tales for Weird Tales from the 1920s to the 1940s. In those times, these stories of ghosts and goblins and all manner of eerie creatures proved to be popular with the readership. I’m fond of these atmospheric stories, but I advise you to read them a few at a time. Seabury Quinn developed a template and used his successful storytelling model in nearly all of these scary stories. My reviews of the previous three Seabury Quinn volumes can be found here, here, and here. The fifth and final volume of the Complete Tales of Jules de Grandin will be published in 2019. GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction—George A. Vanderburgh and Robert E. Weinberg
Keeping the Golden Age Alive—Mike Ashley

1933
The Chosen of Vishnu (Weird Tales, August 1933)
Malay Horror (Weird Tales, September 1933)
The Mansion of Unholy Magic (Weird Tales, October 1933)
Red Gauntlets of Czerni (Weird Tales, December 1933*)

1934
The Red Knife of Hassan (Weird Tales, January 1934)
The Jest of Warburg Tantavul (Weird Tales, September 1934)

1935
Hands of the Dead (Weird Tales, January 1935)
The Black Orchid (Weird Tales, August 1935)
The Dead-Alive Mummy (Weird Tales, October 1935)

1936
A Rival from the Grave (Weird Tales, January 1936)
Witch-House (Weird Tales, November 1936)

1937
Children of the Bat (Weird Tales, January 1937)
Satan’s Palimpsest (Weird Tales, September 1937)
Pledged to the Dead (Weird Tales, October 1937)
Living Buddhess (Weird Tales, November 1937)
Flames of Vengeance (Weird Tales, December 1937)

1938
Frozen Beauty (Weird Tales, February 1938)
Incense of Abomination (Weird Tales, March 1938)

William Giraldi’s American Audacity begins with a couple audacious statements: Giraldi says Emily Dickinson is the best American poet and no one other than an American could have written Moby Dick. American Audacity explores dozens of literary topics and a gaggle of writers.

I enjoyed the essays on Cynthia Ozick, David Denby, Lionel Trilling, and Joseph Epstein–all critics whose books I’ve read faithfully over the years. Giraldi’s essay on Moby Dick is thought-provoking. “Darkness There: Edgar Allan Poe” forced me to go to my Library of America Poe volume and reread some stories. And after reading Giraldi on Daniel Woodrell, I wanted to drop everything and read some Woodrell. If you’re hungering for some intelligent, well written literary essays, you’ll find what you’re looking for in William Giraldi’s American Audacity. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION: American Audacity xi
AMERICAN MOMENTS
Creative destruction — 3
Problem of the Catholic novelist — 15
Bibliophile — 31
Art of hate mail — 46
Writer’s immortality — 60
American bestsellers — 73
Single shade of grey — 83
Memoir now — 91
Terms of terror — 102
Promise of happiness — 108
AMERICAN CRITICS
Thinking Things Anew: Cynthia Ozick — 117
School of Fish: Stanley Fish –125
Death and the Sun: Katie Roiphe –140
Clearer Air: David Denby — 146
Ideal Critic: Lionel Trilling — 160
Why to Read: Wendy Lesser — 165
Living Labyrinth: Harold Bloom — 170
The Tomahawk: James Wolcott — 185
Against Dullness: Joseph Epstein — 192
Unmaking It: Norman Podhoretz — 206
On Literature and Love. 219
AMERICAN STORIES
The Magican: Allan Gurganus — 233
Mockingbird, Incorporated: Harper Lee — 267
The Devil and James Baldwin –292
Satan is a Whaler: Moby Dick. — 308
Darkness There: Edgar Allan Poe — 321
The Hedonist: Carl Van Vechten — 340
Fabled Beyond: Daniel Woodrell — 355
Sick in God: Christian Wiman — 362
What We Share: Elizabeth Spencer — 370
Only the Mess: Padgett Powell — 377
Thrill Me: Barry Hannah — 387
Truth to Spirit: Lauren Slater — 400
Far from God: Denis Johnson — 410
On Influence: Cormac McCarthy — 420
Fabled Waste: Child of God — 426
The Monkey’s Business: Francine Prose — 433
The Ballad of Mom and Dad: Richard Ford — 438
Acknowledgements — 443
Index — 445