Album: September of My Years

Introduction
"September of My Years" is a studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1965 under the Reprise Records label. This album is considered among Sinatra's many reflective and fully grown works, as it features tunes assessing love, loss, and the passage of time. Produced by Sonny Burke and set up by Gordon Jenkins, the album received important honor upon its release and was granted the 1966 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, making it among Sinatra's most effective and unforgettable albums of his profession.

Background and Recording
In 1965, Frank Sinatra turned 50 years old, and this milestone birthday motivated him to create an album that caught the introspective and reflective feelings that featured getting in the later years of his life. Coordinating with manufacturer Sonny Burke and arranger Gordon Jenkins, who had previously interacted on Sinatra's 1957 album "Where Are You?", "September of My Years" was developed as a concept album, with each tune thoroughly chosen and organized to fit the theme of aging and self-reflection.

The album was tape-recorded in 4 sessions in April and May of 1965 at United Western Recorders in Hollywood, California. Always known for his impeccable phrasing and capability to communicate emotion through his voice, Sinatra approached this album with a more understated and subdued singing delivery, leading to a more intimate and personal listening experience.

Track Listing and Themes
"September of My Years" includes an overall of 13 tracks, the majority of which are ballads that were either brand-new or formerly taped by Sinatra. Amongst the notable songs on the album are the title track, "September of My Years", which sets the tone for the whole album; "How Old Am I?", a poignant and reflective song about the passing of time; and "It Gets Lonely Early", a ballad about the loneliness that can often accompany aging.

Other standout tracks consist of the Grammy-winning "It Was a Very Good Year", a nostalgic appearance back at previous likes and experiences; "Don't Wait Too Long", a cautionary tale about not letting life pass by; and "The September of My Years", a delicate and heart-wrenching ballad about dealing with the autumn years of life with grace and dignity. The album closes with the somber and introspective "Last Night When We Were Young", a fitting end to an album that informs the story of a man concerning terms with his own mortality and the passage of time.

Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "September of My Years" was consulted with important recognition from music critics, who applauded Sinatra's emotionally charged singing efficiencies, along with the rich and atmospheric orchestrations by Jenkins. The album's industrial success was also notable, as it peaked at # 5 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart, and was licensed gold by the RIAA.

The enduring effect of "September of My Years" is significant both within Sinatra's discography and on the planet of pop music. As a concept album, it led the way for other artists to check out deep and reflective themes in their music, more sealing Sinatra's status as a prominent and renowned vocalist. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked "September of My Years" at # 100 on their list of the 500 biggest albums of perpetuity, a testimony to its long-lasting appeal and influence. Over 50 years after its initial release, "September of My Years" stays a crucial part of Frank Sinatra's musical tradition.