The Official Frank Sinatra Appreciation Thread

[The Chairman]

Sinatra was an a**hole, by all accounts, and a mobster...also, he was incredibly bland...the Sex Pistols cover of My Way on the other hand, rocks.

I hope you're joking, because if you're not, you know nothing about the man. His mob relations are either falsified or exaggerated beyond belief, he was a civil rights activist, and his music was extremely ahead of its time. Oh, and The Sex Pistols' covers of "My Way" sucks. Hard.

 

[The Chairman]

Agreed....

It's lovely, isn't it? It's a bit hard to listen to at the first because how frail he sounds, but at the same time it brings a whole new level of depth and emotion to the song, and his phrasing was still second to none.

Silent Night

 

[Dwarf lord]

I hope you're joking, because if you're not, you know nothing about the man. His mob relations are either falsified or exaggerated beyond belief, he was a civil rights activist, and his music was extremely ahead of its time. Oh, and The Sex Pistols' covers of "My Way" sucks. Hard.

I wouldn't call it ahead of its time because his music is an object of the time. A strong portion of his work was covering the hits of Broadway from the 20s, 30s and 40s. I love Sinatra, but he wasn't really ahead of his time (not that that's a bad thing at all)

 

[The Chairman]

I wouldn't call it ahead of its time because his music is an object of the time. A strong portion of his work was covering the hits of Broadway from the 20s, 30s and 40s. I love Sinatra, but he wasn't really ahead of his time (not that that's a bad thing at all)

Yes it was. Not the music itself maybe, but his recording techniques were lightyears ahead of what others were doing at the time. He was the first to use a live orchestra when recording vocals, he was the first to put emphasis on albums rather than singles, and he invented the concept album lightyears before The Beatles took credit. He also was the first to have complete control over his material, refusing to bow to pressure and add rock music to his repetoire. Even his phrasing and breath control techniques were nothing short of ingenius And his arrangements, done by geniuses by Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, Don Costa, Billy May etc., were far more complex than what most artists sang against around that time period (listen to "I've Got You Under My Skin," for example). He was the first musical figure I'd consider an artist.

 

[Dwarf lord]

Yes it was. Not the music itself maybe, but his recording techniques were lightyears ahead of what others were doing at the time. He was the first to use a live orchestra when recording vocals, he was the first to put emphasis on albums rather than singles, and he invented the concept album lightyears before The Beatles took credit. He also was the first to have complete control over his material, refusing to bow to pressure and add rock music to his repetoire. Even his phrasing and breath control techniques were nothing short of ingenius And his arrangements, done by geniuses by Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, Don Costa, Billy May etc., were far more complex than what most artists sang against around that time period (listen to "I've Got You Under My Skin," for example). He was the first musical figure I'd consider an artist.

There are tons of musicians who could be considered an artist before 1935. The biggest I can think of would be Louis Armstrong one of the "Gods" of music (along with Sinatra). Actually now that I think about it, a lot of intrumentalists of the Jazz age could be considered artists. Some of the solos they crafted were breath taking.

And I would probably say that a lot of Sinatra's real innovation was not in the hands of him, but in the people like Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, ect.

Also as far as I'm concerned, his first 15 years or so, he was a swing musician. He had a big band and played with them in and out of the studio. He really wasn't different from any of the other big bands and swing singers at the time. It wasn't until the 50s when he started doing kind of different things.

And I would consider Dust Bowl Ballads by Woodie Guthrie to be the first real concept album.

 

[The Chairman]

There are tons of musicians who could be considered an artist before 1935. The biggest I can think of would be Louis Armstrong one of the "Gods" of music (along with Sinatra). Actually now that I think about it, a lot of intrumentalists of the Jazz age could be considered artists. Some of the solos they crafted were breath taking.

And I would probably say that a lot of Sinatra's real innovation was not in the hands of him, but in the people like Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, ect.

Not necessarily true at all. Frank still invented the concept album. To build albums based around certain themes was entirely unique. And as I said he rarely released singles and never bowed to company pressure, both something many successful artists around that time wouldn't dare do. He was the first musician to have complete control of his material, and cemented that when he formed Reprise.

Furthermore, the way he completely immersed himself in the material was incredible. He didn't just emit words from his throat, he poured from his heart and soul. There has no other singer past or present who sold a song like him.

 

[Dwarf lord]

Not necessarily true at all. Frank still invented the concept album. To build albums based around certain themes was entirely unique. And as I said he rarely released singles and never bowed to company pressure, both something many successful artists around that time wouldn't dare do. He was the first musician to have complete control of his material, and cemented that when he formed Reprise.

Furthermore, the way he completely immersed himself in the material was incredible. He didn't just emit words from his throat, he poured from his heart and soul. There has no other singer past or present who sold a song like him.

Billie Holiday. She came around a few years before Sinatra.

 

[The Chairman]

And I would probably say that a lot of Sinatra's real innovation was not in the hands of him, but in the people like Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, ect.

Also as far as I'm concerned, his first 15 years or so, he was a swing musician. He had a big band and played with them in and out of the studio. He really wasn't different from any of the other big bands and swing singers at the time. It wasn't until the 50s when he started doing kind of different things.

And I would consider Dust Bowl Ballads by Woodie Guthrie to be the first real concept album.

He was still, as far as I'm concerned, very unique in his early times. While he couldn't read music, he was from the very beginning involved with every aspect of the recording process. He knew what worked and what didn't and had a great ear. Also, in addition to his phrasing and breath control, his synchopation and timing in which he sang were and still are hard to beat.

And I still say he revolutionized if not invented the concept album.

 

[Kelly]

Billie Holiday was an artists artist......beautiful voice...

 

[The Chairman]

Billie Holiday. She came around a few years before Sinatra.

I'd put her as Frank's female equivalent. Neither one was better than the other. Amongst male vocalist, Frank towered over the others.

 

[The Chairman]

Billie Holiday was an artists artist......beautiful voice...

I prefer Lady Ella, but you're right, Bille was amazing, and a good friend and major influence on Frank. Frank supported her towards the end of her life when she had finanicial woes, and even reluctantly hired someone to feed her substance addiction, just because he didn't like seeing her miserable. The only male vocalist who came close to Frank was Bobby Darin, and maybe Sammy Davis.

 

[Kelly]

I saw Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin, different nights but same weekend when I was a little girl at the Venecian Room at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas....

My favorite show there was Engelbert Humperdink.....but probably because he came to our table and sang to me....lol


My parents favorite singer was Frankie Laine.......he had a beautiful voice....

 

[The Chairman]

I saw Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin, different nights but same weekend when I was a little girl at the Venecian Room at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas....

My favorite show there was Engelbert Humperdink.....but probably because he came to our table and sang to me....lol


My parents favorite singer was Frankie Laine.......he had a beautiful voice....

Are you that old? You're so lucky to have witnessed such talent. I'd imagine it was some time in the late 1960s' considering Frank (briefly) retired in 1971 and Bobby died in 1973 (a tragic loss). Englebert Humperdink was okay, but he was more of just an entertainer than an artist. He didn't have the soul or nuance that Frank or Bobby did. Frankie Laine had a nice voice. I've only heard "Mule Train", I think.

I have a couple of tracks from Frank's Only The Lonely Album on right now. This and September Of My Years are his best are albums, though my personal favorite is his first album with Count Basie.

 

[Kelly]

Are you that old? You're so lucky to have witnessed such talent. I'd imagine it was some time in the late 1960s' considering Frank (briefly) retired in 1971 and Bobby died in 1973 (a tragic loss). Englebert Humperdink was okay, but he was more of just an entertainer than an artist. He didn't have the soul or nuance that Frank or Bobby did. Frankie Laine had a nice voice. I've only heard "Mule Train", I think.

I have a couple of tracks from Frank's Only The Lonely Album on right now. This and September Of My Years are his best are albums, though my personal favorite is his first album with Count Basie.

lol...no early 70's.....I was a mere toddler....Englebert was a few years later as was Frankie Laine, we also saw Frankie Avalon a few years after that.....the Lettermen were regulars there, etc...etc....my step father was a big travel agent in the area, and knew the management of the hotel....I just knew we got to see alot of singers there.....honestly I never knew who it was we were seeing....I just liked the music. Most of what I remember of this time is what my parents and sister talked about....she's 7 years older than me.

Edit: My mistake, it wasn't Bobby Darin, it was Bobby Vinton......

 

[The Chairman]

Edit: My mistake, it wasn't Bobby Darin, it was Bobby Vinton......

The "Blue Velvet" guy? Heh, can't win 'em all. Nah, I dig Vinton. But Darin would've been something if he lived longer. Aside from Frank, he had the best pure talent I've ever heard.

 

[Kelly]

The "Blue Velvet" guy? Heh, can't win 'em all. Nah, I dig Vinton. But Darin would've been something if he lived longer. Aside from Frank, he had the best pure talent I've ever heard.

Yep.....I started thinking......wait...............we saw the Bobby guy again a few years later....that couldn't have been Darin....lol My sisters favorite was ..... oh crap I just forgot his name....I'll think of it in a minute...

I wanted to be a part of the Lennon Sisters family.....


OMG, these memories are making me feel really old.......but honestly they aren't my memories....I remember very little of it...

 

[The Chairman]

Yep.....I started thinking......wait...............we saw the Bobby guy again a few years later....that couldn't have been Darin....lol My sisters favorite was ..... oh crap I just forgot his name....I'll think of it in a minute...

I wanted to be a part of the Lennon Sisters family.....


OMG, these memories are making me feel really old.......but honestly they aren't my memories....I remember very little of it...

At least you got to experience it. I have to relive the magic through various cds and dvds. It's okay, but it doesn't beat seeing the real deal.

 

[Kelly]

At least you got to experience it. I have to relive the magic through various cds and dvds. It's okay, but it doesn't beat seeing the real deal.

Well I get to say I did......lol

Personally, I wanted to grow up and be Carol Burnett...... But sing and do comedy on Broadway, not a TV show....


Just remembered my sisters favorite....Tom Jones....

 

[The Chairman]

Well I get to say I did......lol

Personally, I wanted to grow up and be Carol Burnett...... But sing and do comedy on Broadway, not a TV show....

I wanted to be Frank. Still admire him greatly. When I was 4, I was thrown onstage at parties and would sing "Love And Marriage". Then they'd play "Fly Me To The Moon" and I'd sing it to my grandmother (R.I.P. ) and we'd dance. Ah, memories.

 

[The Chairman]

I have 10 or so Frank videos that I'm uploading from my computer that I hope to post soon. I could've ripped them straight from Youtube if Frank's business handlers weren't such *******s when it comes to copywright. A lot of people complain that Frank's music isn't reaching the younger generations, when in fact Youtube is the perfect medium for that to happen.

 

[The Chairman]

Just remembered my sisters favorite....Tom Jones....

My bus driver was singing "It's Not Unusual" over the bus radio the other day. It was frightening.

 

[Kelly]

LOL, thats funny.


This wasn't the music that I listened to privately in my room. I was listening to The Monkeys....lmao.

 

[The Chairman]

LOL, thats funny.


This wasn't the music that I listened to privately in my room. I was listening to The Monkeys....lmao.

Well, The Monkees did leave a legacy.

Spoiler

Of laughter.

 

[Kelly]

Well, The Monkees did leave a legacy.

Spoiler

Of laughter.

Yeah, later.........it was Kansas, Foreigner, Styx....

 

[The Chairman]

Yeah, later.........it was Kansas, Foreigner, Styx....

Ah, Styx brings back memories. I remember one day in art class our art teacher let us bring in music, and someone brought in "Mr. Roboto," and well started dancing around the art room. We later came up with our dance to it called The Robonga, a combination of The Robot and The Conga.