Frank Sinatra (1915-1998) has become one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th Century. He is still one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with more than 150 million records sales worldwide, according to Billboard.
Sinatra’s many awards include: two Oscars, four Golden Globes, 11 Grammys, one SAG, and three Laurels.
People who enjoy Sinatra’s music have a special bond with this larger than life icon of virtuosity, style, and charisma. He is the ‘People’s Hero’ who rose from modest blue collar beginnings in Hoboken, New Jersey, to become Number One, as he declared in his signature song “I did it My Way.”
I grew up listening to Frank Sinatra; my parents played his albums, and I had a very large jazz vinyl LP album collection, including Sinatra’s catalogue, in high school and college. Though I didn’t consider him a “jazz artist” until he and Ella Fitzgerald were praised as the greatest jazz singers of all time in the 1960s and 70s. My appreciation of Sinatra’s style and smooth voice has continued to grow over my whole life.
To me, and millions of other fans, Sinatra is the Real Thing – world class, sincere and authentic; there will never be anyone quite like him again.
Sinatra was more than just a great singer. Along with being the ‘’poster boy’ for what is hip, cool, and style – but most importantly, Sinatra represented the hopes and aspirations of the 20th Century American common man and woman – watching him move through life made our dreams come alive.
When I was growing up, every male wanted to be as suave as Sinatra, and by the way, we were all in love with Audrey Hepburn. Frank Sinatra, along with his buddy Dean Martin, were the epitome of style and smooth crooning vocals. In the 1950s and 1960s, the popularity of the infamous Rat Pack’s antics, on stage and screen, with Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, captured the public’s attention. They were the ‘gold standard’ of hip and cool – confident and independent self-made men who rose to the top through their own talents and hard work.
Throughout my college years, I expanded my taste in music. Rock, classical, and jazz took me to further explorations; Sinatra was a fading memory. After college, I worked in the financial industry on Wall Street. While living in New York City, I experienced the power and sway that Sinatra held. He was revered, giving people hope and dreams. His hit “New York New York” was the anthem of the “city that never sleeps.” Sinatra gave New Yorkers a sense of hope and pride – “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.”
During my time in New York, I attended a business convention in Las Vegas when Sinatra just happened to be performing at Caesar’s Palace. His presence in town was electric; it put everyone – casino workers, gamblers, and tourists – in a great mood of excitement, pride, and awe. People felt like they ‘were somebody that mattered’, just because the man who made Las Vegas what it is, the man who created their dreams, was in town.
After working in New York, I moved back to Michigan to live and work in the Detroit downtown area which was undergoing a thriving rebirth. I helped put together our own ‘Rat Pack’ of business professionals, modeled on Sinatra.
Every Friday night, at closing of Galligan’s Bar, we organized people to sing Sinatra songs, such as “New York New York”, “My Way”, and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”.
This evening ritual became a sensation and attracted dozens of downtown party goers, including local celebrities, pro sports figures, and big corporate executives.
The popularity of our Rat Pack Friday’s at Galligan’s was further proof of the growing interest in classic crooners. The late 1990s and 2000s saw the swing music and dance revival which had grown out of the popular roots music movement of the 1980s and ‘90s.
I followed the swing and roots music trend with the ensuing revitalization of rock, rockabilly, R&B, country, blues, and jazz.
People re-discovered swing, jazz, lounge, and Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday.
Music consumers were tired of mass marketed cheap imitation music; they wanted real, authentic music. The spread of compact disks and the Internet enabled people to access and listen to older music, classic singers, and varied genres that they had never heard before.
And Sinatra set the standard of what it is to be a true all-around showman. His voice is so smooth, and his emotional control and musical interpretation are unequalled. It doesn’t matter what kind of music genre people may gravitate to, when they hear excellent quality, they like it – that is why Sinatra and all the greats will always attract new fans.
Sinatra Re-Invented Himself
In the 1930’s and 1940’s big band era, Sinatra was the number one singer and the adored idol of the teenage Bobbysoxers. He sang with the Harry James band in 1938 and joined the Tommy Dorsey band in 1939. Sinatra went on a solo career in 1942 and became the top male singer in the Billboard and DownBeat charts. Songwriter Jimmy Webb said, “Frank seems to have invented a style that just took off like some big rocket.”
Sinatra was worshipped by his near hysterical female fans and respected by American GIs fighting in World War Two. Frank’s combination of talent and appeal caused a new sensation in popular culture. This iconic phenomenon has been replayed to varying degrees with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Elvis Presley, James Brown, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, Freddie Mercury, Madonna, and Michael Jackson, but Sinatra was first.
Two big hits of Sinatra’s, with over one million single record sales, were: “I’ll Never Smile Again”—in 1940, it hit No. 1 on Billboard for 12 weeks—and “All or Nothing At All”—in 1943, it hit No. 1 on Billboard for 21 weeks.
Below, I’ve included two recordings of Sinatra’s; in them, we can compare his 1930s and ‘40s singing style to his later mid-1950s Capital Recording mature style.
However, by the 1950s, music tastes had changed with the growth of rock and roll, R&B, country, and modern jazz. The big bands from the World War Two era were no longer popular. The singers of the 1940s were forced to adapt and change their image, style, and music. Many became successful crooners in Las Vegas, while others focused on movies, television, and theater, including Dean Martin, Doris Day, Sammy Davis Jr., Anita O’Day, Nat King Cole, Dinah Shore, Dick Haymes, Lena Horne, Jo Stafford, Billy Eckstine, Rosemary Clooney, and others.
Frank Sinatra was no exception. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, his singing career was in serious decline. Columbia Records wanted to re-brand Sinatra as a rock ‘n’ roll singer, but he would have no part of it. As his record sales tail-spinned and his offers for good parts in movies dwindled, Sinatra’s career was in crisis. His professional and personal life were further complicated by his turbulent separation from his wife Ava Gardner in 1953, and their eventual divorce.
Throughout these challenges, Sinatra focused on re-inventing himself. He re-mastered his singing in Las Vegas clubs and concerts to develop a mature, perfected sound with deep emotional feel and superior musical-lyrical interpretation and phrasing. His singing became more heartfelt; it had more ‘soul’. The obstacles that Sinatra endured in his career and personal life changed his character and made him stronger, more confident. According to DownBeat critic Pete Welding, “Sinatra is a mature, life-tested singer with a hard-won self-knowledge who has known success, failure, and heartbreak, that has enriched his art with tenderness and intimacy.” Sinatra’s combination of emotive connection and musical virtuosity resonated with audiences and rekindled his career.
In 1953, Sinatra dropped Columbia Records and began a seven year contract with Capitol Records, working with arranger-conductor Nelson Riddle.
Sinatra’s career rebounded in 1953 when he won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in the movie From Here to Eternity; the film won eight Oscars.
In addition, the movie The Godfather highlighted the story about Sinatra, portrayed by Al Martino, struggling to win the role as Maggio in From Here to Eternity.
The Oscar and the Capitol recording deal revived Sinatra’s film, recording, and concert careers. Soon back on top, Sinatra earned the nick-names, “The Chairman of the Board”, “Il Padrone”, and “Ole’ Blue Eyes”.
Sinatra – Riddle Collaboration
The Frank Sinatra and Nelson Riddle collaboration at Capital, from 1953 to 1962, is critically acclaimed as producing some of the best vocal albums of all time, and undisputedly the best albums released in the fifties, according to Billboard, DownBeat, Allmusic, and Rolling Stone. The albums are Sinatra’s trademark identity – they helped to put him back on top.
Nelson Riddle (1921-1985), an award winning pop and jazz recording arranger-conductor, was known for his work with many world famous singers, including: Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Linda Ronstadt, and others.
Sinatra described Nelson Riddle as “the greatest arranger in the world.” Their albums are historic masterpieces that had a major impact on popular music.
The Sinatra –Riddle collaboration produced a total of 19 recorded albums from 1954 to 1966; of those, 14 were produced by Capital Records from 1953 to 1962. Most of the Capital albums have been re-released in a box set, with a few combined as one album.
Frank and Nelson took 1940s big band standards and re-interpreted both the lyrics and the music, taking the concept of romantic swing to a new level. They made the songs more persuasive, stylish, touching, and intimate.
MY FAVORITE SINATRA- RIDDLE ALBUMS
SONGS FOR YOUNG LOVERS and SWING EASY
These two albums are packaged together.
The Sinatra-Riddle Songs For Young Lovers LP 8 track album was released by Capital Records in 1954. It hit #3 in the U.S. charts and #5 in the UK charts. Allmusic gives it a 4.5 star rating out of 5.
Songs for Young Lovers relaunched Sinatra’s musical career and was an immediate sensation with fans and critics. All the songs are upbeat, medium tempo revisions of popular big band standards that he sang at the Riviera and Sands in Las Vegas.
The Swing Easy! LP 8 track album was released on August 2, 1954. Allmusic gives it a 4.5 star rating.
In both these albums, Sinatra is his classic, easeful, playful, and expressive self, with his voice in its prime with a mature, confident, and jazzy sound.
The Sinatra and Riddle collaboration is incredible chemistry; every song is a polished jewel. Sinatra has total control of phrasing and exceptional interpretation of the music and lyrics. The Riddle arrangements create a cozy atmosphere that draws listeners in.
The Best Songs on this album:
“I Get a Kick Out of You”, is a Sinatra signature song that alone is worth the price of the album. The song is by Cole Porter for the Anything Goes musical in 1934. Nobody sings this song like Sinatra; he is excellent, and the orchestra’s hard driving rhythm pulls it all together. Interested parties should listen to this song and close their eyes; it will transport them to the Golden Age of crooners and lounge singers – it will make listeners want to perform a classy jazz dance like Bob Fosse.
Opening lyrics of “I Get A Kick Out of You”:
I get no kick from champagne,
Mere alcohol,
It doesn’t move me at all,
So tell me why should it be true,
That I get a kick out of you.
“Just One of Those Things” is another Sinatra signature song where ‘he owns it’. The song exudes the essence of his style. This track offers listeners the full casual swagger of Sinatra that will spark an uncontrollable urge to tap feet, snap fingers, and want to dance. This iconic song, written by Cole Porter in 1935 for the musical Jubilee, earned a place in the Great American Songbook, has been performed in ten movies, and boasts over 40 different singer recordings. Other renditions have been recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, and Jo Stafford.
Opening lyrics of Just One of Those Things”:
It was just, one of those things,
Just, one of those crazy flings,
One of those bells that now and then rings,
Just, one of those things
“My Funny Valentine” is one of the most beautiful jazz ballads, and Sinatra’s tender, touching, and melancholy interpretation is brilliant – here we have an example of an incredible song taken to sheer perfection. It is the ultimate romantic ballad, sung in a haunting mood that melts listeners’ hearts and leaves them breathless. The song was written by Rogers and Hart for the musical Babes in Arms. Other heartfelt versions of the song are performed by Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Sarah Vaughan, and Miles Davis.
Opening lyrics of “My Funny Valentine”:
My funny valentine,
Sweet comic valentine,
You make me smile with your heart,
Your looks are laughable,
Unphotographical,
Yet you’re my favorite work of art
Other exceptional songs on the album include:
“A Foggy Day” (Gershwin, 1937) is a wonderful upbeat, snappy song. Other notable covers are by Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald.
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me” (Gershwin, 1937) is another sassy rendition that only Sinatra can pull off. This lovely medium tempo romantic ballad is mixed with joy and sadness. The song was also recorded by Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald.
“All of Me” (Simmons, Marks, 1931) is a swinging jazz standard upbeat version of the Billie Holiday hit.
Additional tracks that are good:
“The Girl Next Door” (Blane, Martin)
“Like Someone In Love” (Van Heusen, Burke)
“Little Girl Blue” (Rogers, Hart)
“Violets for Your Furs” (Denis, Adair)
“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” (Albert, Young)
“Sunday” (Miller, Stein)
“Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams” (Barris, Korhler)
“Taking a Chance On Love” (Duke, Fetter)
“Jeepers Creepers” (Warren, Mercer)
“Get Happy” (Koehler, Arlen)
SONGS FOR SWINGIN’ LOVERS
The Sinatra-Riddle Songs For Swingin’ Lovers! LP 15 track album was released by Capital Records on March 5, 1956.
The album ranked high in the Billboard US charts at #2 and the UK charts at #1. It attained RIAA Gold certification and is ranked 5 stars out of 5 by Allmusic and Rolling Stone. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
This album transports me to some 1950’s Las Vegas nightclub—I walk in, dressed in an expensive tuxedo, full of swagger like I own the place.
Songs for Swingin’ Lovers is undoubtedly the best Frank Sinatra album ever, hands down. It is sheer greatness – it is a work of art. Critics state that this is “one of the greatest albums of the era.” Rolling Stone ranks it as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Pete Welding of DownBeat wrote, “A landmark achievement, as satisfying today as when recorded, and just as fresh sounding – a delightful blend of Riddle’s naughty sweetness and Sinatra’s witty bravado.”
If listeners can only have one Sinatra album, this is the one.
The Best Songs on the album:
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” is my favorite Sinatra song. I consider it the definitive Sinatra signature song; it’s on a level all by itself. It is the most celebrated song of his career. Cole Porter wrote this song for the Eleanor Powel musical film Born to Dance in 1936, and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. Sinatra’s timing, phrasing, and interpretation are crisp, fresh, and excellent. The bold big band sound is clean, rich, and full. A real foot tapper and finger snapper, this song puts listeners in a suave state of mind.
Opening lyrics of “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”:
I’ve got you, under my skin,
I have got you, deep in the heart of me,
So deep in my heart that you’re really a part of me,
I’ve got you, under my skin
“You Make Me Feel So Young” is the first song on the album; as soon as I heard it, I loved the album. Sinatra captures the feel of being young and in love. The ballad is joyful, fresh, and playful; it puts me in a good mood. The song was written by Myrow and Gordon for the 1946 Vera Ellen film Three Girls In Blue. Ella Fitzgerald also recorded it.
Opening lyrics of “You Make Me Feel So Young”:
You make me feel so young,
You make me feel like spring has sprung
Every time I see you grin,
I’m such, a happy, individual
“I Thought About You” is a tender, longing, romantic ballad; anyone who has ever loved someone can relate to this song. Written by Van Heusen and Mercer, the song was also performed by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Hartman, and Tony Bennett.
Opening lyrics of “I Thought About You”:
I took a trip on a train,
And I thought about you,
And I thought about you
“Makin’ Whoopee”, is a playful, tongue-in-cheek, good times blues song. Sinatra works wonders with it. The song was composed by Kahn and Donaldson in 1928 for Eddie Cantor. Over the years, it was also performed by Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Julie London, and many others.
Opening lyrics of “Makin’ Whoopee”:
Another bride, another June,
Another sunny honeymoon,
Another season, another reason,
For makin’ whoopee
Other exceptional songs on the album:
“You’re Getting to Be a Habit With Me” (Warren, Dubin, 1932), is a wonderful and playful melody. Other covers are by Bing Crosby and Doris Day.
“Too Marvelous for Words” (Whiting, Mercer, 1937) is a joyful, upbeat medium tempo love ballad. It was also recorded by Bing Crosby.
“How About You” (Lane, Freed, 1941) is a cozy and nostalgic romantic ballad. The song was also recorded by Bing Crosby and Judy Garland.
Remaining tracks that are all good:
“It Happened In Monterey” (Wayne, Rose)
“You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me” (Kahal, Norman)
“Old Devil Moon” (Lane, Harburg)
“Pennies From Heaven” (Johnson, Burke)
“Love Is Here to Stay” (Gershwin)
“We’ll Be Together Again” (Fischer, Laine)
“Swingin’ Down the Lane” (Jones, Kahn)
“Anything Goes” (Porter)
A SWINGIN’ AFFAIR!
The Sinatra-Riddle A Swingin’ Affair! LP 15 track album was released by Capital Records on May 6, 1957. It hit #2 in the U.S. charts and #1 in the UK charts. Allmusic gives it a 5 star rating. The album was a runaway seller.
The title is a little misleading; this is not a hard swing album, rather, it is entertaining with a medium tempo and upbeat bright and breezy easy listening songs.
The album is distinct and enjoyable, with warm and intelligent expression. Sinatra is his usual self-assured and confident persona, bringing it home. “Sinatra and Riddle took the concept of romantic swing music to a new level; very smooth and easy to listen to, with many touching, intimate songs”, according Pete Welding of DownBeat.
The Best Song on the album:
“Night and Day” is one of my all-time favorite songs. This track tugs on the heart strings with its haunting mood and lyrics. It is another popular jazz standard associated with Sinatra. It is a nostalgic, reflective, and longing romantic ballad put into an upbeat tempo with a brassy big band sound. This is definitive Sinatra at his sassy and swaggering best. Cole Porter composed “Night and Day” for Fred Astaire in the musical Gay Divorcee in 1932. The song is also recorded by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby.
Opening lyrics of “Night and Day”:
Night and day, you are the one,
Only you beneath the moon or under the sun,
Whether near to me or far, no matter darling, where you are,
I think of you, night and day
Other excellent songs on the album:
“From This Moment On” (Porter, 1950) is an upbeat jazz standard that Sinatra delivers with his mellow, tender baritone, creating a mood about the hope of a promising future. The song was also sung by Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald.
“You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To” (Porter, 1943 is a tender, longing love ballad, in which Sinatra fans the flames of passion. It was a Dinah Shore hit song.
“I Won’t Dance” (Kern), is an Astaire and Rogers standard from the movie Roberta.
Remaining tracks that are also good:
“I Wish I Were in Love Again” (Rogers, Hart)
“I Got Plenty of Nothing” (Gershwin)
“I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plans” (Schwartz, Dietz)
“Nice Work If You Can Get It” (Gershwin)
“Stars Fell On Alabama” (Perkins, Parish)
“No One Ever Tells You” (Atwood, Coates)
“Lonesome Road” (Shilkrat, Austin)
“At Long Last” (Porter)
“I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good” (Ellington)
“If I Had You” (Shapiro, Connelly)
“Oh! Look At Me Now” (Bushkin, DeVries)
“The Lady Is a Tramp” Rogers, Hart)
NICE ‘N’ EASY
The Sinatra-Riddle Nice ‘n’ Easy LP 16 track album was released by Capital Records on July 25, 1960. It held for nine weeks on the Billboard US album charts at #1 and hit #5 in the UK charts.
It is certified as a RIAA Gold album. In 1960, it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Album, Best Male Vocal, and Best Arrangement. Allmusic gives it a 5 star rating.
This release is a very popular Sinatra album full of sentimental and soulful ballads, which Sinatra captures in a very romantic, intimate style – the album showcases the type of songs that Sinatra performs better than any other singer. At first impression, I thought it was a little light and too slow, but as I listened, I discovered how great this album is. All the songs are slow and smooth, they are reflective on the hopes and dreams of finding, or being in, love.
Critic Pete Welding of DownBeat Magazine praised the album upon release in 1960: “Focused, mature artistry, and great emotional persuasiveness. It is immensely satisfying. It has an attitude of mind, a kind of romantic relaxation. There is pure mystery and magic when he takes a song and gives it his caressive, unstrained interpretation.”
Best songs on the album:
“I’ve Got a Crush On You” is one of Sinatra signature ballads about declaring ones’ love; he sings it in a very seductive and dreamy way. The song was written by George and Ira Gershwin in 1928, for the musical Treasure Girl. Other recordings are by Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, and many more.
“Embraceable You” is a very intimate and haunting romantic ballad that will steal listeners’ hearts and leave them breathless. The song was composed by Gershwin for the musical East Is West. The Billie Holiday 1944 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Other versions are by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, and Judy Garland.
“Someone to Watch Over Me”, is a tender, heartfelt ballad about the hope of finding true love. Sinatra does not fail to deliver. The song was written by Gershwin for the musical Oh, Kay in 1926. This track became a signature song of Ella Fitzgerald, and she owns it. Others who covered this song include Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, and Ray Charles.
Other exceptional songs on the album:
“That Old Feeling” (Brown, Fain, 1937) is a very nostalgic, slow ballad. The song has been used in many movies and has been covered by over 90 singers.
“Dream” (Mercer, 1944) is a hopeful and uplifting ballade. It has also been recorded by Fred Astaire, Ella Fitzgerald, and Etta James.
“My One and Only Love” (Wood, Mellin, 1953) is a tender, romantic ballad. Johnny Hartman and John Coltrane performed a famous rendition of the song together.
“The Nearness of You” (Carmichael, Washington, 1938) is a touching, romantic ballad. It has been covered by Glenn Miller, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby.
“You Go to My Head” (Coots, Gillespie, 1938) is a haunting jazz ballad. It has been used in several films. Notable recordings include renditions by Billie Holiday, Bing Crosby, and Judy Garland.
Remaining tracks that are all good:
“Day In, Day Out” (Bloom, Mercer)
“Nice ‘n’ Easy” (Spence, Bergman)
“How Deep Is the Ocean” (Berlin)
“Fools Rush In” (Bloom, Mercer)
“Nevertheless” (Kalmer, Ruby)
“She’s Funny That Way” (Moret, Whiting)
“Try a Little Tenderness” (Woods, Connelly)
“Mam’selle” (Goulding, Gordon)
SINATRA’S SWINGIN’ SESSION!
The Sinatra-Riddle Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session LP 15 track album was released by Capital Records in 1961. It hit #3 in the U.S. charts and #6 in the UK charts. Allmusic gives it a 4.5 star rating.
This album will put listeners into a good mood. It is highly entertaining, light, and fun, with a consistent sound and emotional mood. The Riddle arrangements are hard, big band swinging jazz with fast driving medium and up tempo rhythms. The orchestra is energetic and forceful. Sinatra is in top form, full of confidence and swagger, with outstanding phrasing of the music and lyrics.
Best song on the album:
“September in the Rain” is one of my favorite jazz standards. Sinatra pulls out an excellent swinging version of the classic ballad. Warren and Dubin wrote this song for the Melody for Two film, 1937. The track became Sarah Vaughan’s signature song. Other jazz recordings include June Christy, Anita O’Day, Joe Williams, Jo Stafford, Dinah Washington, and Peggy Lee.
Opening lyrics of “September in the Rain”:
The leaves of brown came tumbling down
Remember, in September, in the rain,
The sun went out just like a dying ember,
That September, in the rain
Other exceptional songs on the album:
“You Do Something to Me” (Porter, 1929), is an upbeat love ballad which was also recorded by Bing Crosby and Ella Fitzgerald.
“Blue Moon” (Rogers/ Hart, 1934) is a classic standard done in a unique way—it’s tender and mellow, yet jazzy. The song was also recorded by Billie Holiday, Billy Eckstine, and Mel Torme.
“Always” (Berlin, 1925) is a classic upbeat Sinatra rendition.
Remaining track that are all goods:
“When You’re Smiling” (Shaw, Goodwin)
“S’Posin’” (Denniker, Razaf)
“It All Depends on You” (DeSylva, Henderson)
“It’s Only a Paper Moon” (Arlen, Harburg)
“My Blue Heaven” (Donalson, Whiting)
“Should I”(Brown, Freed)
“I Can’t Believe You’re In Love With Me” (Gaskill, McHugh)
“I Concentrate On You” (Porter)
“Sentimental Baby” (Keith, Bergman)
“Hidden Persuasion” (Churchill)
“Ol’ Mac Donald” (Keith, Bergman)
SINATRA’S LEGACY
Looking back at Sinatra’s legacy has been a wonderful journey. The experience brought back many fond memories of great music and style from the Golden Age.
To me and countless others, Frank Sinatra will always remain an all-American hero – icon, singer, actor, producer, business tycoon, king maker, civil rights advocate, philanthropist, artistic painter, golfer, and classical music enthusiast – Sinatra was unique and remains unequalled.
Sinatra was the hero of the World War Two era of my grandparents, my parents, and my aunts and uncles. That respect was imparted to my generation, and will continue to set the values, standards, hopes, and dreams of generations to come.
One more thing, download the “Songs for Swingin’ Singers” Capital album by Sinatra. Then sit back, snap your fingers, tap your feet, dance, sing along – soon you will feel great with a big smile on your face, and the world will be right and life will be good.
Sources:
Reviews
- Capital Album sleeve notes
- Billboard
- Allmusic
- DownBeat Magazine
- Rolling Stone Magazine
Books
- The Capital Years, Peter Kline, NY, 1990.
- Frank Sinatra: The Artist and His Music, David Morrell, 2013.
- Frank Sinatra: A Complete Recording History, Richard Ackelson, 1992.
- Session With Sinatra, Charles Granata, Chicago Review Press, 2003.
- Sinatra: The Life, Anthony Summers, Robbyn Swan, 2010.
- Sinatra: The Song Is You, Will Friedland, 1995.
Films
- Sinatra, CBS TV mini-series, 1992.
- The Voice of the Century, BBC documentary, 1998.
- The Rat Pack, HBO made-for-TV movie, 1998.
- All or Nothing at All, HBO four-part documentary, 2015.
