tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post3346816799595017432..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Somebody should say this about SinatraBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20445194761639035012015-12-10T23:54:31.480-08:002015-12-10T23:54:31.480-08:00I like what Brando said about Sinatra: “Frank’s t...I like what Brando said about Sinatra: “Frank’s the kind of guy, when he dies, he’s going to heaven and give God a bad time for making him bald.”Hank Gillettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17328364486555780403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54768394312509168612015-12-09T22:36:59.883-08:002015-12-09T22:36:59.883-08:00Dennis Miller talks about the time he had dinner w...Dennis Miller talks about the time he had dinner with Frank Sinatra (also included is a funny story about Don Rickles):<br /><br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQyJlKI26lkCarolMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357698369178272616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6999586570273199072015-12-09T07:00:15.191-08:002015-12-09T07:00:15.191-08:00I live in a suburb of St. Louis with a large priva...I live in a suburb of St. Louis with a large private college that built a performing arts center. St. Louis gets the A listers, we get the B and Cs. Which is fine...they have to make a living, too. <br /><br />Just saw their marquee and they are advertising a show next year. Sinatra singing Sinatra. I always remember Junior having a fine voice, but how could he EVER compete wit Dad?<br /><br />Pam, St. LouisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23733970408786707812015-12-08T23:06:59.976-08:002015-12-08T23:06:59.976-08:00Sinatra's sense of humor may have been knocked...Sinatra's sense of humor may have been knocked out of him by the career sag in the early 50s. I can't find the book of interviews with radio writers where one of them talked about a radio show with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Frank Sinatra. (I think the interview was in "The Laugh Crafters.") The writer said that Crosby & Hope dropped the script and started ad-libbing. Everyone was feeling sorry for Sinatra -- who then proceeded to mop the floor with both Hope and Crosby. Nobody expected it.Craig Gustafsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503925766039307551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9769710165537825072015-12-08T19:29:35.789-08:002015-12-08T19:29:35.789-08:00Blinky: If you have to get one single Sinatra albu...Blinky: If you have to get <i>one</i> single Sinatra album, go for "In The Wee Small Hours." No pop album has ever better explored the anatomy of melancholy, in 16 wonderfully crafted songs. Hard to believe it's now more than 60 years old.<br /><br />I should also note Sinatra's Columbia period (1943-1952), especially the period from 1945-1947 when he was a romantic balladeer without peer. In that category, he had only a few rivals in the '40s -- Nat Cole, Billy Eckstine and, believe it or not, Perry Como, whose Victor sides from that era are nearly as good as Frank's. But when pop music turned away from standards and Broadway and focused on the trivial and mundane (<i>aka</i> the Mitch Miller effect), Como went along with the flow but Sinatra rebelled. Thankfully, he found a home at Capitol Records, which let him pioneer the long-play album as art form.<br /><br />Saw Sinatra twice live -- at the Kennedy Center in 1983 (the opening act was, of all people, the Flying Karamazov Brothers!) and in 1986 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, which was two-thirds full despite having some of the most avid fans of his around. He was still in good voice, but for live Frank, check out his 1959 album from Australia, where he does a swingingly terrific "Night and Day" with Red Norvo. (Three years later, in a Paris concert, he approached the song from a starkly different but equally brilliant perspective, accompanied only by a guitarist.)VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48080300717258175372015-12-07T20:46:18.465-08:002015-12-07T20:46:18.465-08:00Frank did hate "Strangers In The Night."...Frank did hate "Strangers In The Night." Here is a more complete recounting of the story of that song: http://www.steynonline.com/7247/strangers-in-the-night<br /><br />That Sinatra special was about 70% painful. Next year, let Seth MacFarlane, Trisha Yearwood and John Legend do the live singing and add more clips of Sinatra himself. And I think the man recorded enough songs that we could fill two hours without resorting to U2 dirges that he rejected. Sorry, Bono, ever consider that he rejected it for a reason? If he rejected a jewel like "She's Such A Groovy Lady," there's no way he would've done that piece of crap. Pat Reederhttp://www.hollywoodhifi.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87618832963337057832015-12-07T19:35:56.734-08:002015-12-07T19:35:56.734-08:00I have read many times that Sinatra as a boy was v...I have read many times that Sinatra as a boy was very lonely. He used to sit on his stoop alone after school waiting for his parents to come home from work. An only child, a neighbor said Frank was the loneliest little boy she had ever seen. His mother Dolly (Natalie) was a fierce woman and I'm sure she had a lot to do with whatever contradictions were deep in her son.CarolMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357698369178272616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70458607233287942962015-12-07T18:47:32.461-08:002015-12-07T18:47:32.461-08:00A brilliant observation, Mr. Levine, sir. (Why am ...A brilliant observation, Mr. Levine, sir. (Why am I surprised? Your blog will be rediscovered in 2525 as the 20th/early 21st century oracle). Sinatra was that rare beast, a great, great singer (not as good, mind, as the God-like squirt Matt Monro) who was a better-than-good actor, though next time I catch him on the tube I will be saying to myself, "Come on Frank, where's your sense of humor?". Oh yes, Frank had a big chip on his shoulder, which is why Joe Schmoe identifies with him. But it also gave him an edge that big-bucks singers from Bing Crosby to Paul MaCartney have simply never possessed or understood. blogwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07362291687463326731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85645292512428561142015-12-07T18:15:56.104-08:002015-12-07T18:15:56.104-08:00I've been wondering why! Hopefully someone wi...I've been wondering why! Hopefully someone will come clean with a reason.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03282460712559420306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9219797588468447852015-12-07T18:14:29.718-08:002015-12-07T18:14:29.718-08:00I've been wondering why! Hopefully someone wi...I've been wondering why! Hopefully someone will come clean with a reason.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03282460712559420306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78049906750790318092015-12-07T16:52:53.376-08:002015-12-07T16:52:53.376-08:00Sam Kinison was actually a borderline decent singe...Sam Kinison was actually a borderline decent singer.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQ7zq3jKuVY<br />Andy Rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27120369129324550552015-12-07T13:33:00.325-08:002015-12-07T13:33:00.325-08:00There are some very good biographies of Sinatra ou...There are some very good biographies of Sinatra out there. He could be a true asshole to people, but then he could also send people in need large sums of money anonymously. Even his hangers-on were conflicted about him. I think he had a lot of self-hatred and insecurity, but damn, could he sing.thomas tuckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241537308195762967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88176352127623881702015-12-07T13:28:12.033-08:002015-12-07T13:28:12.033-08:00But instead, the MCA lyricists came up with -
- &...But instead, the MCA lyricists came up with -<br /> - "Strangers In The Night,<br /> Exchanging glances ..."<br /> - And Sinatra was stuck.<br />So when he went into the studio, he decided to sabotage the record.<br />Listen to it sometime - Frank takes what is supposed to be a romantic ballad ...<br /> ... and SNARLS the words; he makes the love song sound like a threat.<br />At the finish, Frank decides to musically flip off Bowen, by improvising a scat over the fade - you remember: "Doobie Doobie Doo ..." - Mike Doran<br /><br /><br /><br />Interesting story. I always thought, when listening to the very end of "Strangers" that as Frank's voice trailed off, he did a sarcastic scat which sounded like, "wah, wah, wah, wah, wah..."CarolMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357698369178272616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80282612773769854402015-12-07T12:55:19.902-08:002015-12-07T12:55:19.902-08:00What a mess of a show! Seemed like it was an after...What a mess of a show! Seemed like it was an after thought or a way to get Wynn some publicity. Besides Tony there wasn't anything remotely interesting and none of the singers could capture any Sinatra in their boring renditions. A total snooze fest and the Lady Gaga ending was just plain weird. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37237329569554627832015-12-07T11:03:20.932-08:002015-12-07T11:03:20.932-08:00CBS Sunday morning had a nice piece on Sinatra. O...CBS Sunday morning had a nice piece on Sinatra. Of course it was to promote their special. They did gloss over his Italian friends, but did paint a picture of his friendship with Sammy. Said they were close, but not close enough to over turn JFK's not allowing Sammy to attend the inaugural ball Frank arranged.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880646894752760905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85713889152281196402015-12-07T11:01:42.156-08:002015-12-07T11:01:42.156-08:00I enjoyed much of the show. I was surprised how we...I enjoyed much of the show. I was surprised how well Usher did. It wasn't his normal style but wow, he adapted to it really well & did a great job. Nick Jonas was a VERY poor fit. Talented at his game, but NOT for Sinatra vocals. His voice is too weak/soft for this. Trisha Yearwood did very well also. My #1 was lady Gaga for the finale. It was a home run! SOOO talented. Even with the dancer screwing up, LG still pulled it off 100%.Mike R.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53943394896920323912015-12-07T09:39:49.108-08:002015-12-07T09:39:49.108-08:00Twenty years ago there was a special on ABC celebr...Twenty years ago there was a special on ABC celebrating Sinatra's 80th birthday and Frank was in attendance smiling and applauding as Bruce Springsteen, Hootie And The Blowfish, Natalie Cole and others sang the songs he made famous.<br /><br />Sinatra often credited the composers of great songs but when he added "Something" to the repertoire he at first credited Lennon and McCartney instead of the actual writer, George Harrison. Granted he was not the biggest Beatles fan but wouldn't he have seen the name on the sheet?Stoneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13459492814731834452015-12-07T09:36:34.392-08:002015-12-07T09:36:34.392-08:00For all the people wondering why Michael Bublé was...For all the people wondering why Michael Bublé wasn't on the CBS special... well, keep in mind that Mr. Bublé has his OWN special coming up Thursday night on NBC. Why would he do two in one week, on different networks?Tim Dunleavyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01881671137563687203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43750855976288833492015-12-07T08:43:41.238-08:002015-12-07T08:43:41.238-08:00Eddie Simmons: When you're making out, which d...Eddie Simmons: When you're making out, which do you prefer, Sinatra or Mathis?<br />Boogie Sheftell: I like Presley.<br /><br />-- Dialog from 'Diner'.<br /><br />For me, a far more interesting debate would have been "When you're making out, which do you prefer, Sinatra or Nat King Cole?"ScottyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16454450390321880872015-12-07T08:37:02.517-08:002015-12-07T08:37:02.517-08:00Phil Hartman probably captured Sinatra's disda...Phil Hartman probably captured Sinatra's disdain for rock 'n roll better than anyone, in Hartman's SNL days. The immortal line, "I got chunks of guys like you in my stool" was never more masterfully delivered.<br /><br />Other than that, it's tough to argue with the mastery of Sinatra's "The Summer Wind." The man deserved to be a legend, but only -- as Ken points out -- during the period when he wore a hat. After that was just embarrassing and cringeworthy, like Jerry Lewis after Dean Martin.ScottyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46829816181209733582015-12-07T07:29:24.513-08:002015-12-07T07:29:24.513-08:00Yeah, he was a great crooner in an age when there ...Yeah, he was a great crooner in an age when there were a lot of greats. Some of his movies were fun, but mostly when he was basically playing himself. I don't think his acting was bad, but he was definitely better as a singer. <br /><br />We have some good musical talent today, but sometimes it's hard to tell because it is too often laden with gimmicks and hype. Back then, you just stood there and sang ... if you had no talent, people were going to notice pretty quickly. I think that's why we still listen to Sinatra et al. The talent, and the respect they seemed to have for the music, is timeless. McAlvienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45763353327988448812015-12-07T06:27:45.193-08:002015-12-07T06:27:45.193-08:00"And it can't be forgotten that Frank was..."And it can't be forgotten that Frank was in his 40s as rock'n'roll hit, so all you readers out there over the age of 45, how's about that wonderful Electronic Dance Music? Diggin' on Drake's "Call Me On The Cell Phone"? How about Korn's latest? And, boy, can that Miley Cyrus girl sing?"<br /><br />I'm 57, and I love "Hotline Bling", probably because it's based on a sample from "Why Can't We Live Together" by Timmy Thomas from early 1973. Never cared for Korn one way of the other.<br /><br />And, dear God, YES! Miley Cyrus can sing! Go to Netflix, pick A Very Murray Christmas, skip the interminable first 45 minutes of a one hour special and listen to Cyrus sing "Silent Night" sitting on a piano in an elf suit. When she wants to be, Cyrus is k.d. lang good, which is the highest praise I can give. <br />So, remarkably, is Lady Gaga.Rock Golfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04945235295808697884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54648414045432307622015-12-07T06:07:08.124-08:002015-12-07T06:07:08.124-08:00It's a tribute to Frank Sinatra's enduring...It's a tribute to Frank Sinatra's enduring appeal that not one snarky millenial has written the standard comment of "Who the f__k is Frank Sinatra, I never heard of him".Aaron Sheckleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10220260472954412052015-12-07T05:56:13.374-08:002015-12-07T05:56:13.374-08:00Regarding Sinatra's disdain for Rock and for t...Regarding Sinatra's disdain for Rock and for that matter, Cosby's odd relationship with Soul and R&B, much like Rap/Hip-Hop, Rock was considered a fad and/or kid's stuff. Stan Freberg, a devout Jazz fan recorded his parody of "Sh-Boom" and at one event, he played it and said, "I hope this puts an end to Rhythm and Blues".<br /><br />A quote from musician/presenter Steve Race is in order,"When you turn 35, something terrible happens to music".Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17850672682992802562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86502801800879890742015-12-06T21:59:15.028-08:002015-12-06T21:59:15.028-08:00I agree with Emily.... where is Michael Buble in t...I agree with Emily.... where is Michael Buble in this 100 year tribute?????<br />hklhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00422226213032469910noreply@blogger.com