I have neither, but would definitely like to hear his version of "Willow Weep For Me."
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Monday, 19 November 2007 16:29 (5 years ago) Permalink
You absolutely should.
FWIW, I didn't "get" Sinatra until the week he died. But in addition to reading approximately 3,287 pieces on him and buying SfOtL, I saw two pieces on TV that sealed it for me:
1) A video of him recording "It Was A Very Good Year" on 60 Minutes, I believe, which should put to rest any of the "Frank wasn't a musician" blather in other ILM threads -- his technique and attention to phrasing was utterly without peer, and,
2) Some variety show he hosted during the late 50's/early 60's singing "One For My Baby" with the full on empty barroom set. For some reason--and as awful and cheesy as it could've and should've been, with an actor playing bartender "Joe," etc.--the performance and set piece was just letter-perfect, with such a grace and ease. From the opening piano on, that song creates a space that is as flush with ambiance and atmosphere as any in popular music.
Incidentally, if you're in an awful relationship yet STILL depressed that your partner isn't in town (you know who you are), I recommend "It's a Lonesome Old Town." Heartily.
― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 19 November 2007 16:40 (5 years ago) Permalink
I started to pay him a little attention when I read the Ruy Castro Bossa Nova book.
― James Redd and the Blecchs, Monday, 19 November 2007 16:41 (5 years ago) Permalink
A video of him recording "It Was A Very Good Year" on 60 Minutes, I believe, which should put to rest any of the "Frank wasn't a musician" blather in other ILM threads -- his technique and attention to phrasing was utterly without peer
He really was. I need to post a YouTube clip recorded in the mid sixties. He's giving instructions to an orchestra conducter, and he knew EXACTLY what he wanted.
― Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 19 November 2007 16:42 (5 years ago) Permalink
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― ILX System, Wednesday, 19 December 2007 00:01 (5 years ago) Permalink
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― ILX System, Thursday, 20 December 2007 00:01 (5 years ago) Permalink
Anybody else read that '80s fanzine from Ohio I think that used to rave about Joy Division and Frank Sinatra? Reading that, plus my mother having once been president of the Frank Sinatra fanclub in Hoboken, all helped me "get" Sinatra.
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 20 December 2007 15:36 (5 years ago) Permalink
The Offense was the early '80s zine edited by Tim aka TKA...
― curmudgeon, Thursday, 20 December 2007 15:47 (5 years ago) Permalink
The Johnny Carson PBS special makes me want to revive this.
― Naive Teen Idol, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 03:27 (1 year ago) Permalink
Slight nod goes to Only the Lonely, depending on my mood, but these are his two best albums and both are essential. No One Cares also in this vein and quite worthy.
― Lee626, Wednesday, 16 May 2012 08:53 (1 year ago) Permalink