Francis A. & Edward K. is an album by Frank Sinatra with Duke Ellington and his big band.

Recording and music

The original intention was to record a mix of standards and originals, but only one original, Ellington's "I Like the Sunrise", was used. The arrangements were written by Billy May. All of the performances are at a slow tempo except "Come Back to Me".

Release and reception

Francis A. & Edward K. was released by Reprise Records. The AllMusic reviewer wrote that both Sinatra and the Ellington band gave uneven performances; however, HiFiStereo Review gave it a "Best Of The Month" review in the May 1968 edition, in which reviewer Peter Reilly observed, "Two fine musicians at the peak of their powers have made an album twice as youthful and carefree and unpretentious as most people less than half their age."

Track listing

Personnel

Among others, non-credited. Complete Personnel: Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams, Mercer Ellington, Al Porcino (tpt); Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown, Chuck Connors (tbn); Johnny Hodges (alt); Russell Procope (alt/clt); Jimmy Hamilton (ten/clt); Paul Gonsalves (ten); Harry Camey (bar/b-clt); Bill Miller, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Jones (p); Jeffrey Castleman (b); Sam Woodyard (d). Billy May (arr/cond). Tracks 3, 4, 6, 8: Recorded 11-December-1967 (Monday) - Hollywood. Western Recorders (from I to 6 P.M.). Tracks 1, 2, 7, 5: Recorded 12-December-1967 (Tuesday) - Hollywood. Western Recorders (from I to 5 P.M.).