In recent years, a good number of Sinatra titles, mostly from the Reprise era, have, surprisingly, been allowed to go out of print. Just try to find a copy of Sinatra in Paris, or Moonlight Sinatra, or She Shot Me Down and you’re going to come up empty handed; you’ll have to buy them used or not at all. While it may seem surprising to some (and bordering on criminal to others), I believe there is plausible reason why this is so.

Earlier this year the Sinatra family entered into an agreement with Warner Music Group (for which WMG paid handsomely) that essentially created a joint venture for the purposes of marketing Sinatra’s music, video, and licensing his likeness, etc. The early fruit of this joint venture can already be seen with the introduction of Nothing But The Best and the extensive re-release of many of Sinatra’s DVD titles this past May. But I believe this is just the beginning.

If you’re going to be re-releasing a slew of new titles, it makes perfect sense to let the older versions  go out of print so the supply channel is cleared and demand is created. This, in my view, is why so many Sinatra titles are now unavailable and I believe it signals that a new round of releases are in the offing, though likely not in time for the holiday season. Whether these re-released titles will be remastered and/or include alternate takes no one is saying. If history is any guide, they will not, but one hopes that the new agreement with WMG might spur a renaissance of sorts for the Reprise material. Only time will tell.

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Ardent Sinatra fans are no doubt familiar with Blue-Eyes.Com. If you’re not, well, you should be, because it’s the best place to browse and buy some pretty interesting Sinatra items - and not just run-of-the-mill stuff, but some truly rare collectibles. Recently the site received a complete makeover and also began publishing regular Sinatra newsletters, which are Must Read Items in my view.

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Don Rickles is a man who must be having the time of his life. After having published a well-received  first book, announcing the impending publication of a second, and being the subject of an adoring documentary, these days he must be feeling pretty good about himself. Though slowed somewhat physically by age, Don’s wit is as biting as ever.  On September 21st he’ll be paired with Kathy Griffin and the two will co-host the Grammy Awards. That alone is reason enough to cause me to watch a program that I would normally skip. I can’t wait.