Sinatra

KatyK, I am sure Lona will say the same , seeing him live was just fantastic and even in the Albert Hall one had a feeling he was singing directly to you , so skinny yet that smile , he filled the stage , his diction perfect , I read he said he had learned his breathing whilst singing technique was learned during his time with Dorsy,he didn't wait for a pause to take a breath, he would do it in the middle of a line yet it isn't noticeable

Warning to all Sinatra fans, if you want a toe curling moment go on utube and see and hear Peter Andre sing ' Fly Me To The Moon' he has brought out a Sinatra tribute CD , it really is awful

Annie What memories for you to have. I have several of Frank's CDs and when I play them I always think 'where did he learn to sing like that?' I particularly love Strangers in the Night and all the classics such as Witchcraft, I've Got You Under My Skin, too many to mention. I loved his films too, especially On The Town. Like you say a skinny little fellow but with so much charisma. Peter Andre? Really? Oh dear.

AnnieB - I've been listening to the Dylan CD again, and really, it's rather miserable. He's chosen all sad nostalgic songs by Sinatra.
My favourite is "That Lucky Old Sun" , a bit more upbeat.
But there's a video to accompany "The Night we called it a Day" which is funny.

as per above:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOxy_hy22CA

Sorry to highjack the thread!

It is a shame that his golden career was stained throughout by his alleged association with mafia. There was an interesting interview on radio 4 with Petula CLarke, who had been invited to see Sinatra do a cover of 'Downtown', which she had taken into the charts. Apparently he wasn't very happy with his recording session though she thought it was great. They then went on to eat and then to a nightclub where they were drinking in a backroom with Sinatra and Tony Bennett when a couple of gangster type characters joined them uninvited and Sinatra apparently pulled out a gun and put it on the table in front of him. She said what had been a very convivial atmosphere got very tense and she and her companion made a hasty exit!

Trisha, that was so funny, and Dylan sounded good , I will buy it,

KatyK, next time you see him on tv, you will notice when you would expect a breath in take often there isn't one, and he can hold the end of a song longer than you expect

But not necessarily on the right note!

Jane10!!! Wash your mouth out! Any note sang by Sinatra was the right note!

I agree that's the difference between Sinatra and Bublé, Anniebach. Frank was the master of phrasing so I can't help noticing the times MB should not be taking a breath.

It is noticeable isn't it Merlotgran .

@Greyduster - you mention some fine arrangers/directors there but I think I would have to insist on adding Gordon Jenkins to your list...

Here is the master at work - with the backing of Gordon Jenkins's superb arrangement.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHJ3iZpfBRI&index=1&list=RDVHJ3iZpfBRI

That was brilliant - almost a work of art. Thanks feetlebaum.

Dodgy character at times or not, no-one can compare to the warmth of Sinatra's voice. Simply the best.

I am sure if he had sang the alphabet he would have made it sound so emotional

I agree that he is incomparable, and i enjoyed the you tube link feetlebaum; i don't know much about Gordon Jenkins. I'm afraid i'm a dyed in the wool Nelson Riddle fan and i think Sinatra did some of his best work with him. Each unto his own, eh? I have an early LP Riddle did with Shirley Bassey, when she had a fine lyrical style and it is just magical. I'm no big fan of Bassey, but i could listen to that cd all day.

Thank you feetlebaum , I never tire of hearing him

And breath control? He worked as a band singer with Tommy Dorsey, and learnt a great deal from Mr. D. on that score.

Sinatra's worst? Well, after My Way of course. how about his duet record with Dagmar. Frank Manning's Mama Will Bark?

My feet were killing me, my dogs were barkin'
I must have fallen asleep where I was parkin'
And then I dreamed two dogs were talkin', take my word
It was the doggone-est thing you ever heard

She said, You look so lovely in the moonlight
(Mama will bark)
(Yes, but papa will bark)
Your eyes are shining like the starlight
(Yes but mama will bark)
Your lips are so inviting, darling
Give me one more kiss

Ah, the dead hand (that made a lot of hits) of Mitch Miller again!

PS: Sorry that's DICK Manning...

What about Elvis ? He could sing rock and roll, country, ballads in fact anything he was given.

What a handsome man he was too.

I wonder if his twin brother had lived, if he would have been as talented ?

Anniebach. You have surprised me. I never saw you as a Dylan fan. We do have something in common :-)

Petra, I am a big fan of Dylan and also Willie Nelson, Fitzgerald, Vaughan, my choices confuse many ,

I agree NanKate re Elvis. I saw a picture of him in a book which was taken in his early days and the caption underneath was 'Elvis, looking more handsome than 10 movie stars' I agree.

Frank Sinatra's voice had real character. He always sounded, when he was singing as if he had a story to tell. Michael Buble is just a 'smoothie'. Nice enough but no depth.

That us was made him so special Rosiebee, not just a great voice but the ability to put emotion into every line

@NanKate : You mean there could have been TWO of them?

As though one hadn't been enough to bomb popular music back to the stone age... AND he wasn't as funny as Stan Freburg...

Two Presleys... doesn't bear thinking about!