My second favorite album of 1970 is Frank Sinatra’s little-known but no less classic concept album Watertown.
The album tells the tale of a man picking up the pieces after being left by his wife. He raises his two children, earns the sympathy of his neighbors, and quietly tries to win her back. The record ends with him waiting in the rain at a train station, the wife having gone back on her promise to return.
The album didn’t receive much attention at the time of its release but it has a passionate cult following (half of which is in my extended family, I believe).
Watertown is one of just a few albums I’ve given the track-by-track treatment on the blog. That made it tough to find a song to feature today. I went with a performance of ‘Lady Day,’ a song originally recorded for Watertown but ultimately left off the record. The song was later released as a tribute to Billie Holliday.
Her song was sad, the words were true
Her morning came too fast too soon
And died before the afternoon
Poor lady day could use some love, some sunshine
Lady day has too much rain
Poor lady day could use some spring, some breezes
Lady day has too much pain
It’s such a lonely face
Such a cloudy sky
So many shadows in her eye
So many empty dreams
So many bitter times
Just a handful
Of broken rhymes
Poor lady day could use a smile, some kindness
Lady day has too much rain
Poor lady day could use some dreams, some flowers
Lady day has too much pain
Just too much to say
Just too much to know
Too little time to say hello
And then the evening comes
And now she doesn’t cry
And it’s too late to say
Good-bye
Meet Me In Montauk 
Not a shocker here, but this member of your extended family would not place this album ahead of the others you have featured from 1970.
And we love you despite that opinion.
Yes we do Dana, but I LOVE this album as you know. Have it on my song list and yes I listen to it on the treadmill (on the cool down) 🙂