AAA Vinyl Review: Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours (Tone Poet / Capitol)

The Blue Note Tone Poet team has taken on one of the most iconic vocal albums ever recorded—Frank Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours—originally released by Capitol Records in 1955. In this review, I dive deep into this extraordinary all-analog reissue and why it may be the definitive version of this masterpiece. This Tone Poet edition is fully AAA, sourced from the original phono reels—tapes that have remained safely stored and untouched for nearly seventy years. Lacquers were expertly cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, the pressing is handled by RTI, and the album is presented in a beautifully crafted Stoughton gatefold jacket. Produced with care and passion by “Tone Poet” Joe Harley, this release sets a new benchmark for classic vocal reissues. The Blue Note Tone Poet series is overseen by "The Tone Poet" himself Joe Harley, who makes sure each release under the Tone Poet name receives the utmost of care and attention to detail. I previously posted an announcement video when this title was first revealed, but now the record is here—and we can finally talk about the sound, the presentation, and whether this becomes the new reference version of In The Wee Small Hours. Previous video: Sinatra’s “In the Wee Small Hours” Gets AAA Reissue! Blue Note Tone Poet Announcement https://youtu.be/HEwXyBm8J8M Reference System -VPI Scout with Classic Platter Upgrade -JMW Memorial Tonearm -VPI Analog Drive System -Phasemation PP-500 MC Cartridge -Miyajima Labs Infinity Mono MC Cartridge -ModWright PH 9.0 Tube Phono Preamplifier -Cayin A-50T Integrated Tube Amplifier -System Audio Pandion 30 Loudspeakers -Degritter Ultrasonic Record Cleaner -VPI 16.5 Vacuum Record Cleaner -Sweetvinyl Sugarcube SC-1 Mini -Pioneer RT-707 Reel To Reel Tape Deck -Ramar Record Brush -The reference system is wired exclusively with Audio Art cables. #FrankSinatra #InTheWeeSmallHours #TonePoet #TonePoetSeries #BlueNoteTonePoet #AAA #AllAnalog #VinylReview #AudiophileVinyl #KevinGray #CohearentAudio #RTIPressing #StoughtonPrinting #JoeHarley #SinatraVinyl #JazzVinyl #CapitolRecords #FrankSinatra #InTheWeeSmallHours #TonePoet #TonePoetSeries #BlueNoteTonePoet #AAA #AllAnalog #VinylReview #AudiophileVinyl #KevinGray #CohearentAudio #RTIPressing #StoughtonPrinting #JoeHarley #SinatraVinyl #JazzVinyl #capitolrecords 00:00 Introduction 02:54 Some Thoughts On The Recording 04:49 Dimensional Mono 06:19 The Arrangements 07:13 The Voice 08:39 Futher Thoughts 10:32 The Jacket and Pressing 11:46 Conclusion @BlueNote