Around 1984 as Frank Sinatra began to retire from touring, Charlie decided he wanted to record his own album featuring songs out of the Sinatra song book that featured his trumpet. He asked Sinatra for permission to record his songs, to which Sinatra replied ‘I’ll do better than that. I’ll direct the orchestra.’ The album was titled "What’s New" and featured music arranged by Sinatra's own great arrangers Billy May, Nelson Riddle and Don Costa. Even though the album was not a commercial success it was widely acclaimed by critics and jazz lovers.