Here's some more time capsule stuff for Frank Sinatra fans, though these efforts were recorded well before Ol' Blue Eyes hit his stride.

That doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable, of course, but Sinatra's low-key, almost shy persona on the songs in these two boxed sets may surprise those who are only familiar with his later, cocky, "Hey, there" singing style. Still, there are some real gems in the mix."The Song Is You" features Sinatra warbling with Tommy Dorsey's band and includes an incredible array of material that ranges from their first recording session together - when Sinatra was just 24 years old - to their last (February 1940 through January 1942).

The first four discs (or tapes) are Sinatra's recordings with Dorsey, arranged chronologically, and they reflect the growth of Sinatra's phrasing style over the two-year period. Compare "The Sky Fell Down," the first song on the first disc, to "Be Careful, It's My Heart," which is on disc four.

The skinny kid with the big voice, which caused his female fans to swoon and shriek in a manner that wouldn't be equaled until the arrival of Elvis Presley more than a decade later, was polished on such familiar standards here as "Stardust," "Fools Rush In," "Blue Skies," "Night and Day," etc. Some feature the Pied Pipers and/or Connie Haines, and, of course, Dorsey's relaxed trombone solos are everywhere.

As you might expect in a collection as big as this one (94 tracks on the first four discs), there are also plenty of previously unreleased songs and alternate takes. To say this collection is a treat for Sinatra fans is to understate. (Even the 100-page booklet is a collector's dream, packed with historical footnotes and an introduction by Sinatra himself.)

The fifth disc contains 25 songs recorded live by Sinatra during Dorsey's "Fame and Fortune" radio broadcasts, many including interesting but generally forgettable "amateur" numbers written by winners of songwriting contests. It comes across as if it's a very long radio show and includes theme music, announcements and even Sinatra's farewell speech to Dorsey's orchestra.

"The V-Discs" is a collection of songs originally recorded on 12-inch 78 rpm vinyl records, made specifically to be shipped by Army Special Services to U.S. troops overseas during World War II. They were recorded from October 1943 to June 1946, many from radio program dress rehearsals.

Included is quite an array of unusual - for Sinatra - interpretations. And some, such as "Someone to Watch Over Me," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "All the Things You Are," "Let Me Love You Tonight," "None But the Lonely Heart," "Old Man River" and a wonderful duet with Dinah Shore, "The Night Is Young and You're So Beautiful," are the best in the box.

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There are also some goofy novelty tunes, such as the propaganda piece "(There'll Be a) Hot Time In the Town of Berlin" and "Dick Haymes, Dick Todd and Como," which has Sinatra pondering his longevity: "Who knows? I may be past." There are also two cuts of - are you ready? - "Cradle Song (Brahm's Lullaby)".

"The Song Is You" is so low-key that it makes Perry Como seem positively lively, but the double-disc "V-Discs" collection (53 cuts in all) is closer to the Sinatra style with which we are more familiar.

As with all recordings this old, there is a certain amount of hiss and a variance in quality that is unavoidable. But both collections have been carefully prepared to cut down on such distractions as much as possible.

Due to the sheer volume of the recorded material in these two sets, you may find yourself programming your CD player to skip certain numbers - does anyone really want to hear "Brahm's Lullaby" twice in one listening? - but you'll still find plenty of goodies to play.

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