Frank Sinatra, "In the Wee Small Hours" (W 581) VG/G RARE Original Mono Pressing

$

45

RARE 1956 Mono first pressing of Frank Sinatra's concept album "In the Wee Small Hours", featuring covers of songs in the Great American Songbook. Record acquired by a Brooklyn-based vintage shop that specializes in vinyl from a private collection. Previous owner was an audiophile who played exclusively on high-grade equipment.
Grading Vinyl graded in-store conservatively and competitively: NM - A nearly perfect record, never played. Never assigned unless a record is sealed. (Open records that look unplayed are graded down to VG+) VG+ - Some signs that the record was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. May contain slight scuffs or light scratches that do not affect play. VG - Light surface noise upon play, but will not overpower the music. No skipping. G+ - Surface noise and groove wear will affect play and overpower the music in some sections. No skipping. G - Surface noise and groove wear will overpower the music in most sections. Record may contain skipping in some sections.
Label: Capitol Records - W 581 Genre: Jazz/Pop/Big Band/Ballad Condition: Vinyl/VG, Sleeve/G (Sleeve has 8" long split in bottom, 5" split in top right corner, spine has light wear, see photos)

• Matrix / Runout (Side A (Stamped)): - W1-581-N4 [Anvil symbol]
• Matrix / Runout (Side B (Stamped)): - W2-581-D15 " [Anvil symbol]

From Wikipedia:

In the Wee Small Hours is the ninth studio album by American vocalist Frank Sinatra. It was released in April 1955 by Capitol and produced by Voyle Gilmore with arrangements by Nelson Riddle. All the songs on the album deal with themes such as loneliness, introspection, lost love, failed relationships, depression and night life. In the Wee Small Hours has been called one of the first concept albums. The cover artwork reflects these themes, portraying Sinatra on an eerie and deserted street awash in blue-tinged street lights.

He had been developing this idea since 1946 with his first album, The Voice. He would successfully continue this "concept" with later albums such as Songs for Swingin' Lovers! and Only the Lonely.

In the Wee Small Hours was issued as two 10-inch LP discs, and also as one 12-inch record LP, making it one of the first of its kind in the pop field. It was also issued as four four–song 45-rpm EP discs sold in cardboard sleeves with the same cover as the LPs, not in paper covers like 45-rpm singles.

The album was a commercial success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard album chart, where it stayed for 18 weeks, becoming Sinatra's highest charting album since Songs by Sinatra in 1947. In 1970 it was re-issued as a ten track album under the name What Is This Thing Called Love?.

In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked it the 101st greatest album of all time.

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