The fall release schedule for Sinatra-related products appears to be fairly light this year. As of this writing, there are no new blockbuster, must-have music releases planned for the Christmas buying season, which is a departure from what fans have come to expect each Fall. Of course, as has become a tradition, there will be a Sinatra Calendar. The two new audiophile releases from Mobile Fidelity (Nice ‘n’ Easy and Only The Lonely) are still planned and I await them eagerly. As I’ve just learned, LP lovers will now have something to celebrate, too: both will also be available in 180g virgin vinyl. The release date for the vinyl, however, will not be concurrent with the CDs, which are still slated for mid-September; the LPs have no officially announced release date at this time.

A few days ago I noticed that there will be new title in  The Rat Pack Mystery series. Due in early December, Robert Randisi’s, Hey There (You with the Gun in Your Hand): A Rat Pack Mystery, will be the third installment of this popular series. I hope to have a review when it is released; I haven’t read either of the first two titles, but I think it’s about time that I did, especially since I won’t have much other new Sinatra material to cover this Fall.

Both Yankee and Shea Stadiums, two New York City baseball institutions, have reached their final days. After decades of wrangling over whether it would happen and who would end up footing the bill, each now has a nearly-complete replacement looming adjacent to their current location. Barring a playoff bid for the Mets, which could bring a short stay of execution for Shea Stadium - the Yankees are hopeless this year - the two parks will see their final hurrahs in just a few weeks. Shortly thereafter, wrecking balls will begin erasing the physical presence of these two fields of dreams. And grown men everywhere will observed to shed a tear. There Used To Be A Ballpark Right Here will soon be getting a lot of airplay.