Although it follows the same patterns and approach as
Cycles
,
My Way
is a stronger album, with a better, more varied selection of material and a more focused, gutsy performance from
Frank Sinatra
. Built around the hit single
"My Way,"
the album again alternates between
rock
covers (
"Yesterday,"
"Hallelujah, I Love Her So,"
"For Once in My Life,"
"Didn't We,"
"Mrs. Robinson"
), a couple of adapted French songs, and a handful of
standards
. This time out,
Don Costa
has written more engaging charts than the previous
.
The Beatles
'
"Yesterday"
is given an affecting, melancholy treatment that brings out the best in
Sinatra
, as does the new arrangement of
"All My Tomorrows,"
which is lush and aching. If
doesn't quite pull off the
R&B
of
he does sing the light
Latin
stylings of
"A Day in the Life of a Fool"
beautifully, and he has fun with
Paul Simon
's
"Mrs. Robinson,"
changing the lyrics dramatically so they become a tongue-in-cheek, swinging hipster tribute. For that matter, most of the record is successful in creating a middle ground between the
traditional pop
loves and the contemporary
pop/rock
that dominated the charts in the late '60s.
doesn't have the macho swagger of his prime Rat Pack records, but its reflective, knowing arrangements show that
could come to terms with
rock & roll
at some level. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine