Frank Sinatra Singing “Laura” Is Pure Genius
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2023
- In this episode, we discussed Frank Sinatra and his brilliant version of the David Raskin and Johnny Mercer song “Laura” written in 1945. The song was arranged by Gordon Jenkins, and is off the 1957 record entitled “Where Are You?”
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Catherine Sundvall
Clark Griswold
Ryan Twigg
LAWRENCE WANG
Martin Small
Kevin Wu
Robert Zapolis
Jeremy Kreamer
Sean Munding
Nat Linville
Bobby Alcott
Peter Glen
Robert Marqusee
James Hurster
John Nieradka
Grey Tarkenton
Joe Armstrong
Brian Smith
Robert Hickerty
comboy
Peter DeVault
Phil Mingin
Tal Harber
Rick Taylor
Bill Miller
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Brett Bottomley
Frederick Humphrey
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Scott McCroskey
Dave Ling
Rick Walker
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Vinny Piana
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I'll tell you something kind of funny although I'm sure it's more usual than we think. I'm basically a heavy metal/hard rock/prog guy from the 70's BUT I also grew up listening to Sinatra because of my father and uncle , so...everytime I listen to this day ANY Sinatra song I enter what I call a "Sinatra Streaming Rabbit Hole" and man it's really really tough to let go and come back to normal. Once Im listening to these extremely beautiful well arranged orchestral songs I feel I can't go back to my usual music. I don't know if anyone else can relate lol. Sinatra transports me to another time and another place, where everything is classier and dreamier than our reality.
I can absolutely relate, Martin!! I'm a hard rock, metal, and prog guy too, and I've loved those genres from an early age. However, in my teens, a friend challenged me to give Sinatra a chance. I was very surprised, at first, that my friend was a Sinatra fan, but I took the challenge and became a huge fan myself. I still love hard rock, metal, and prog, but Sinatra is the man, and his recordings rule! 🙂
Totally with you on this. I was of the "grunge" era but my Dad was a big fan of the Rat Pack crew, but especially Frank. Every road trip and holiday was a mix of Frank and Elvis (and the Eagles on occasion). So many good memories are envoked every time I listen to Frank.
I was a hip-hop head and my kids can't listen to pop. Without my prompting, the youngest made himself a 50s Crooners playlist back in highschool. He would harmonise the vocals while doing his homework. We all listen almost exclusively to jazz now and especially The Consouls who brilliantly do VGM as jazz.
If you haven't already done so, check out Mark Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra, released in 2022. Rock song-writer, guitarist, singer Mark Tremonti (Creed, Alter Bridge, Tremonti) studied Sinatra in depth for a few years, and then recorded an album's worth of songs with many members of Frank Sinatra's old band. All proceeds benefit the National Down Syndrome Society. It is well worth a listen.
Martin, I relate! I like hard rock and metal too, but FS's music feels like it's healthy for our bodies and brains. :)
My Jazz teacher explained Frank’s voice as ‘always emotionally accurate’. Perfect for weddings or heartbreaks.
May be because he was feeling what he was singing. Kind like that.
@@bobalex6323 He did a powerfully evocative _Old Man River_ on a soundstage. Even there, he was able to convey that he knew there was a real world of hard work and emotional pain which many people still lived in. No doubt he enjoyed the many comforts and privileges he experienced during his lifetime, but he never forget his working class upbringing. He was the epitome of the apocryphal "downtown guy" of American legend.
Frank was undoubtedly one of those rare, next level singers. However, much of the magic of his long career came from the composers and arrangers (and musicians) with whom he surrounded himself. It was always a top-notch, complete package. Some of the best music ever written and performed, topped off by The Voice.
He could sing with just a piano and be unbelievable. A lot of his live performances in the 50s were with quintets and sextets
@@PeteCannellasSound Yeah, his work with pianist Bill Miller for all those years was extraordinary.
top notch musicians ...can not make someone sing like Sinatra... composer's songs can be recorded by anyone...arrangers charts can be sung by any performer..
Thank you Rick for making me feel like it's okay to love Bach, Soundgarden, and Sinatra!
There's only two kinds of music: Good and bad.
You won
@@bendancar Indeed. And good music is always hip, regardless of the genre or the time.
As Dave Grohl once said: there shouldn't be guilty pleasure in music, this term is outdated.
It was always OK
The late 50s album: "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" is insanely brilliant
Dark, almost haunting. One of my favorites too
Yup. How blue can you get w/o contemplating suicide. In other words, terrific.
100% agreement. The CD is in my car right now. Even though the songs are all about sad topics, it still cheers me up listening to Frank's magnificence.
he did a series of albums in that vein. That was the first and probably still the best. But there are about 6 that he did with Jenkins or Riddle. Also check out the 1965 album "September of my years" for the last in the series. I posted a comment here also about the others. Also check out the album "Watertown" from 1970 - very different but sad and very good in its own right.
100%
'Summer Wind...' Just simply among the finest recordings ever made.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Flawless
Also lyrics by Mercer..
So happy someone else agrees … always loved the happy swing and Sinatra’s perfect delivery of Summer Wind. Almost the upbeat counterpoint to Laura.
Picked it for my first dance at my wedding.
I think it's important to note that the first horn featured so prominently on this and countless other important recordings of the 20th century was the incomparable Vince DeRosa. Died last year at the age of 101.
I noted that in my recent comment; I didn't see yours before posting. IMHO, the greatest player of the 20th century.
Maybe ah missed it but was this arr by Don Costa, Nelson Riddle or ?
Ty for teaching me about "Vince DeRosa"!
DeRosa was frequently used on Henry Mancini's recordings.
@@craigbrowning9448 ah only have the quintesstial, "wWOwA!" at the moment*3
@@craigbrowning9448 DeRosa was first-call horn in Hollywood from 1939-1990. The most recorded brass player in history, and the most important horn player of the 20th century.
For me, he is the most COMPLETE pop singer ever. His emotional and technical range, flawless diction, impeccable phrasing, breath control, and the warm, unmistakable timbre of his voice set him above all others. And of course, he surrounded himself with the best arrangers and musicians, and wasn’t afraid to let them shine. ❤
I love what you wrote! Franks' diction, phrasing, and breath control REALLY shine when one actively listens!
Word! He was amazing...what a legacy!
Your comment is spot on in all accounts! And Frank was never above letting another artist show their talent either, he knew music and appreciated other artists' work and let them show their talent also. "Laura" is a song I used to perform a lot at my piano bar when working, it's such an enigmatic song with so many emotional minor chords in it, which makes it unusually beautiful! Enigmatic because she's "a face that you can never quite recall" -- "but she's only a dream!" Picks at the heartstrings!
On point.
My parents had all the records. Sinatra was played at both funerals. It’s only in later life I’ve grown (and matured) to appreciate The Voice.
Sinatra was 10 years older than my Mom, who passed away in 2008, but I remember her going to see him at the Fox Theater in St. Louis, maybe in the late '80s or early '90s, and she was as excited and giddy as a teenage girl. She absolutely loved Frank.
I was going to write the same, I’ve never seen my mother so excited before she left to see him and so overwhelmed when she came home. She was so pleased she got to throw a rose toward him. My dad who was with her said she was like a tittle kid again. She was in her sixties then, she’s been dead 14 years and it is a wonderful memory.
@@justlookingaround9834 he had a spell over those ladies!
He had Beatlemania before them...
I've always thought that Sinatra sings like the orchestra is washing over him and he's loving the experience
Wonderful observation for sure. 🥂
He never oversang the other musicians--always 'in the pocket'.
(Subjective of course) I've found his collaborations with Bill Basie the best
Yes absolutely agree. Apparently it was very important to him that the orchestration was big and dramatic. He was the best 👌
One of the great things about Sinatra was the air of attainability about his voice - everybody feels like they can sing like Frank, even though they can't. His style was so natural, effortless, and conversational, it kinda makes everybody feel like they sing like Frank.
Indeed. Another singer just like that was Nat King Cole. He made whatever he sang just seem so offhand, simple, effortless, almost like breathing.
Hadn’t thought of this - great insight!
I had a friend who just didn't get Frank. She was not born and raised in the U.S., which may explain it. She said he didn't sing, he was just talking. Hmm.
My most favorite song from Frank Sinatra was "It Was a Very Good Year" ..
First heard in my childhood and loved it ever since
Real heads know that's the best Frank song, bar none.
Totally agree, , I do this song doing karaoke
Mine as well!
Yes, yes, yes!!! Still brings tears to my eyes!!! First heard it on my first radio circa late 50’s-early 60’s.
I first heard that tune on the Sopranos
There's just something very special about sharing the personal connection you feel to this song through the memory of your dad. You're a good man Rick.
Saw Sinatra in Vegas in '92. He was getting up in years, but it was still one of the most swinging, amazing concerts I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot. This rocker kid was not supposed to love Sinatra, but almost nothing done in the later Rock era can equal his Capitol recordings from the 50s, and much of the later Reprise era. Simply great.
I saw him live in Vegas and he was getting up in years as you say. Didn't put some songs over the way he once had. Two things struck me about this show: I don't know if this was standard for him, but he received no introduction whatsoever, and just walked on to the stage singing a most appropriate song, "I Got the World on a String." The second thing was you could almost hear the air crackle when he came out. That's how big a presence he had. I imagine Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Streisand would have that same affect. A non-singer that created that atmosphere was Ali. Sinatra passed right by me, and even though I was aware of his nickname, I was struck by his beautiful blue eyes. I can appreciate that he knew just how good he was, when he was determined to get out of his contract.
A story was told by an orchestra member like this, and I paraphrase: Frank had an incredible talent for arranging and hearing the orchestra. One time he stopped a song during rehearsal and asked a specific member if he had hit a wrong note, or did he just hear it wrong. The member said he hit the note wrong. Frank didn’t chastise him, he just said thank you, and picked up the rehearsal again.
Training by constant experience is underrated.
This is the video you were born for. Please do more on Frank.
Agree 100%
Frank's version of Angel Eyes was always a favorite of mine. Love how he sings those diminished intervals.
Some singers really are/were musicans.
The care and thoughtful execution. He doesn't show off. But his dynamic range here is beautiful too. It's really intimate, generally. But there are moments where he uses some chest power.
Great singers are actors too. He's not just singing lines over changes. He's inside this song, pulling us in.
Too many singers, today, especially seem to just love the sound of their own voices.
In Sinatra's best work, he's sounds so natural in there. He loves it in there. In the song.
And this one isn't one of the obvious choices. Gorgeous.
Love this comment. Wonderfully insightful.
And critics made fun of Jim Morrison for adopting some of his technique. Copy the best.
Most musicians are actors because you have to pull your audience into the song you're playing. Johnny Depp uses the same analogy. It's what's in between the notes.
Some of the rare recorded sessions have him stopping everything and going back until it's right - again and again. Nelson Riddle persisted and the results speak for themselves.
Exactly. Another example of a singer who I’ve always felt is there to serve the song, not to overshadow it, is Ella Fitzgerald. Such immense talent and yet so much respect for the music. ❤
It's a beautiful thing to have such a big RUclipsr highlighting this kind of arranging. The masters who could write arrangements like this rarely get their due. ✌️❤️
Nelson Riddle had some of the best arrangements in this genre of music.
This was Gordon Jenkins but you are correct in that Nelson Riddle had many of Frank's best arrangements.
@@WellnessRosterHQ We should mention Vince Mendoza's arrangements in this context - particularly in his work with Joni Mitchell on Both Sides Now. Lush stuff.
@@WellnessRosterHQ Also check out the great arrangements George Shearing did for Nat Cole. Beautiful stuff!
The great thing about Frank was he almost always sang live with the band. Live in the room with the strings and conductor. He almost always got the right take in a few runs. His singing into those Neumann U47 tube mics is just so classic and gorgeous, right to tape too. Nobody came close to Frank, he had many imitators but none captured the emotional depth and uniqueness of Frank's singing. Like he was singing right to you. Timeless.
Each song is a short film. These masterpieces of performance, arrangements, melody/chords/lyrics will age very well.
Let's just say that the beauty of Gene Tierney could easily inspire someone to write a song so hauntingly beautiful. Also good to know that Sinatra almost always recorded his part live with the orchestra.
She certainly got Vincent Price going!
And Hawkeye because of her overbite.
That might sound like a trivial comment to some but the aura that certain Hollywood stars possessed, back when there was no one (with the the exception of a few baseball players & the occasional president) whose fame exceeded theirs, is hard to appreciate now. Tierney's dark beauty was legendary then, and Laura was in part a cinematic meditation on the effect such beauty could have on the minds of the seemingly most pragmatic & worldly men. Little wonder then that David Raskin conjured this masterpiece to represent the state of such a man's mind--and that Sinatra, that greatest of all poets of romantic shipwreck & longing--so perfectly brought it to life.
Yes I've seen photos of Frank in the studio (Capitol Records Hollywood) singing live with the orchestra.👍👍
@@amileoj9043 Nailed it.
My sister was named after this song (this version of course). I feel so fortunate to have grown up listening to Sinatra! I particularly love his work with Jobim.
I love that you’re talking about one of the great older songs. When Frank sang a song, his style made it a Standard. This was one of my dearest husband’s favorite songs…RIP my darling Ken…❤️❤️❤️
Something else that makes Sinatra’s singing so special is his sense of rhythm regarding the melody. He’s been known to sing a little ahead or a little after the written melody note giving a slurred or bluesy effect. This actually influenced some of his contemporaries and future vocalists. Perry Como comes to mind as does John Lennon (“Girl”, “Run for Your Life”).
While it may have seemed sloppy, it seems it was perfectly timed to give the song a little extra pep, swing or syncopation, like a class drummer
@ghost mall The great ones always make it look easy.
I love the swing in his vocals
He used to say that his singing style was modeled after the trumpet. That’s why he has such a unique sense of timing.
I love his ability to sing in and around the rhythm yet never seem to drag or rush. Amazing.
When I was young, I didn’t care for his music at all. One day in my late 30’s my ears finally caught his magic. It was Christmas Waltz. Now he’s one of my all-time favorites.
There’s just something about his smoothness and ability to not overshadow the song, but compliment it.
There will never be another Frank.
The song from the film noir "Laura" with Gene Tierney. I love Sinatra's "The World We Knew". No one else could sing that song so beautifully.
Thank you, Rick, for recognizing Frank Sinatra. Frank was in a class all by himself. My dad, who had a career as a sportswriter, was a big fan of jazz and big band and he loved Sinatra, consequently I followed in dad's footsteps. I doubt if Sinatra's stature will ever be approached again.
Rick, thank you for introducing Frank and Gordon to your RUclips audience. I think this album may have been one of Frank’s favorite albums
because it allowed him to bare his soul to his listeners. I used to be a musical director for one of the great female singer ever by the name of
Keely Smith, and her and Frank were at one time engaged to each other, and I was privy to some really interesting stories.
I guess I may have listened to the Where Are You album at least 200 hundred times and its still to this day, breathtaking. Such mastery!
nice video
Wow were you lucky - Keely was a fabulous singer and entertainer!!
My ex-wife was named from this song... Whenever I hear it or even think of this incredibly beautiful melody, I find myself transported back to happy times, when we were CRAZY IN LOVE with each other...Then as always, I feel the tears running down my face, and thank God for all the good times we spent together!❤⚘
The orchestration with the voice of Sinatra is amazing. I love the string sections.
His work in the 50s with Nelson Riddle was exquisite. Brilliant arrangements. Read that Frank used to like record off the floor while standing in the middle of the orchestra to get the feel of the music. They used great mics back in those days and placed them strategically, which is why these recordings still sound so great today.
It's no wonder that when Linda Ronstadt used Riddle for the arrangements of her two albums of torch songs they were her best selling albums!
Also great stuff with Basie and Neil Hefti
I have read that Diana Krall uses the same mic as Sinatra did... interesting
@@bamaraiderable +1. E.g., Ronstadt / Riddle's version of "What's New"
@@MarkUnderwood-knowlengr Also listen to Julie London singing What's New. I listened to a radio show probably 25 years ago where they played the song over with 10 different singers. I loved Linda...but check out Julie London, too!
Your enthusiasm, passion, and knowledge of music is so enjoyable to watch. You could probably make me even enjoy Yoko Ono.
You are more tolerant than me. I wouldn´t go t h a t far.
Let’s not go crazy now
What a beautiful piece of music. Rick's dad had good taste. It's also nice to see Rick pull out the jazz guitar
In my life Sinatra was a icon. But then I thought I was just prejudiced because I, and the generation before me, grew up with him. Now I know it wasn't prejudice! Thank you so much for this video. I can still hardly believe my ears to hear you talk about him like this.
Sinatra's iconic I've Got You Under My Skin (with Q Jones producing) is one of the greatest performances in music history,. They say that all the musicians applauded spontaneously right after the recording in the studio.
Growing up, an Italian American, Sinatra is a god of music. I’m amazed to find you doing this. Much appreciated! I love your channel!
YES! I’d love to see more breakdowns of Sinatra songs, and a series highlighting the Great American Songbook would be fascinating!
When I started studying jazz guitar I was told to listen to Frank to learn phrasing. He had such soul.
Loved this.
I regularly listen to Sinatra At The Sands just to hear how good that live orchestra and his voice were.
Beautiful song.
I think that album is the best concert Sinatra ever!
This was an absolutely beautiful piece. About 20 years ago, I discovered Frank Sinatra‘s version of Desafinado. I have been so used to his “made for radio“ material, but that song blew me away. And this one does as well. Thank you for going here 👊🏼
I’ve always loved “Autumn in New York” and every other track from his 1958 “Come Fly With Me” album for that same harmonic and melodic richness.
When I was a kid I hated the music my parent's listened to - but I could never bring myself to hate Sinatra - even then I knew he was a master...
ironically all of the first generation of rock stars were influenced by your parents music. There was no rock and roll prior to Haley, Berry, Domino, Presley etc. There was blues, country and big band music and these were the formative influences of virtually all rock singers.
@@stevenuttley - If you want to go down that path, then Louis Armstrong is the fountainhead of Rock and Roll - works for me. All music is an amalgam of what went before...
I not so much hated but was embarrassed to like my parents' music but now, my kids picked up how great crooners actually were and I have never lost my love for a great Bacharach tune!
Italian Americans of a particular generation (I'm early Gen X) grew up surrounded by Frank's music. And, even if we didn't enjoy his music in our youth, it seems that we all come around to appreciate just how great he was. How could you not?
My late Italian mother loved Frank Sinatra. Her and my dad saw him 3 or 4 times in Detroit. I was young and I didn't know what all the fuss was about him. Until I grew up and realized how truly great he was.
So glad you did this video. Sinatra is literally the soundtrack of America. “The House I Live In” should be played at every sporting event. “Songs For Swingin’ Lover’s is a perfect album that will make you smile and sing along every time you listen. Please give them a listen Rick.🇮🇹
More about Frank's voice/singing, please.
One of the greatest. Early years with Dorsey developed his horn like phrasing. God broke the mold on that one. The bands weren’t bad either….
Gordon Jenkins' scoring of this work is right up there with the Hollywood greats, from Bernard Hermann to Alfred Newman (not the MAD Magazine mascot, the other Alfred) to William Walton to John Williams to James Horner and beyond. My parents as well were wide-ranging in their musical tastes, and I became a Sinatraphile as a result. My only ridiculous aside: my Mom was a huge Spike Jones fan, and I have trouble hearing this song without hearing his loony deconstruction of it. Our parents' influences live on no matter what we do after our time with them.
How good was Frank???: Imagine a 15yr old in the 1970's who was into ELP, Zeppelin etc. knowing his Mother was a fan buying her a Sinatra "Greatest hits" type album and being totally gob-smacked by "It was very good year".....from that day on I was hooked....Great video Rick loved it
Me too
We ALWAYS had great music in my house . My much older siblings always played the Rolling Stones and Beatles , etc from day one , I was born in '58 . We had the best of all the rock including progressive rock and beyond .
My parents played Classical music ,
Jazz , Big Band , Frank Sinatra and all his contemporaries .
So I was hearing all that great music from my earliest years .
Probably my first and truly memorable music memory was Christmas Eve , all my siblings were asleep ; it was very late and just me and my parents .
It was snowing out , Christmas tree was gorgeous and they were playing Miles Davis' ALL BLUES .
Everyone finds Sinatra eventually because he has the perfect song for every mood and feeling you've ever had. You realize he's been there too. He gets it.
Great quote Sir. How very true.
I always tell people, if you are really serious about music, the road will eventually take you to Sinatra.
He lived a very deep life despite the outward appearance of goofing around and partying.
Frank was my mum and dad's favourite singer (and has always been one of mine) and we grew up listening to him. His partnership with Count Basie and his band was extraordinarily. There are two albums - one is the studio album called "Sinatra-Basie: An Historic Musical First" and the other is "Sinatra Live at the Sands". Both incredible. The best big band of all time fronted by the best male jazz singer of all time.
and It Might As Well Be Swing!
“One more for the Road” is my favorite. Grew up listening to Sinatra with my father. Learned all the standards from Sinatra and Ella before branching out into other jazz musicians.
Same here. Just Frank and the pianist, and a couple shots of whiskey.
Sinatra was so adventurous with his interpretive choices; every variation he tried could be disastrous and risky, but he knew just where to go to make it perfect.
To my ear, Sinatra’s phrasing is the most stunning.
I have always enjoyed Sinatra but I never got why he was such a big deal until yesterday. I was watching a youtube video of Frank and Dean and Joey Bishop as host the tonight show. After their usual tomfoolery, Sinatra got up and sang Angel Eyes with the band. I was enthralled. When he was thru, my hands started to clap. Amazing live performance.
It would be great to see this type of hauntingly beautiful and and extremely interesting melodic arranging become common place once again.
My favorite vocal of the 20th century is 'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning'. You can FEEL the scene, not just see it. All from the very first concept/story album ever recorded. An absolute masterpiece.
Mine too. Frank was played a lot in my house growing up. Every song, especially these less radio-played ones, always remind me of my late dad.
Yes. Even BEFORE Sgt Pepper's!
I love the album, "Sinatra, A Man and His Music" which is an anthology of music starting at his early Tommy Dorsey days to his more modern songs. Between tracks, he narrirates about his life and the music. Incredible album.
Thank you! I've always said he was one of the very best. His tone was outstanding, but he learned breath control from the trumpet player Harry James, so that really made a difference to his phrasing and sustain. He worked very hard at his music, although he gave the appearance of being laid-back, that it came easy to him. It didn't. Nobody gets that good without work.
There have been so many artists that I've wanted beato to do a video about during the years. Lately I have realised it's just a question of when he will do a video about someone. Today was Sinatra's lucky day
Nobody could put you in the story of the song like Sinatra.
It took me forty years to start listening to the music. But back in the summer of 2019 I bought a copy of the Capitol Years 3 CD set and that was it! I'm hooked for life. The Capitol albums represent Sinatra in his prime singing superb material from the Great America Songbook.
They do but a lot of the Reprise albums are also excellent.
@@stevenuttley I have the 4 CD Reprise Collection.
Love that this channel includes so many different genres of music. This was a holiday for my head.
Combining the sheer talent of ONE TAKE CHARLIE with some absolutely incredible arrangements and bands he played with... that's a recipe for an icon for ALL TIME
Frank often did not want to do a lot of takes when making films, but it was usually the opposite in the recording studio. Yes, there are some examples of that, but along his singing career in the recording studio, mostly Frank took as much time and did as many takes as he needed to get it where it needed to be. For instance, the 1956 original studio version of "I've Got You Under My Skin" needed 22 takes.
There are singers that sometimes do best in not doing many takes. Frank in movies felt that worked best for him in acting, but the number of takes in his recording a song varied quite a bit.
Absolute masterpiece. I also grew up as a little kid listening to Sinatra, my dad's favorite song was "April In Paris" but Laura was also important as my cousin was christened after the song.
Waldo Lydecker. Where are you? Certainly one of the greatest films ever with an even greater score. Sinatra does this justice and then some. Great stuff, Rick.
Beautiful examination. This was one of my Dad's favorite song as well. He named my sister of this song. Always excellent breakdowns. Thank you. Gordon Jenkins was a true beast.
Two of my favourite tracks of all time are renditions of his: "One for My Baby (And One For The Road)" and "Old Man River" always bring tears to my eyes. His music is of the discographies I most enjoy singing to, not to mention a great warm up for any Baritone vocalist.
As most of the commenters have said, my parents were huge Sinatra fans. So therefore, so was I. My favorite Frank song is Summer Wind. First heard it in the movie, " The Pope of Greenwich Village". Fantastic.
Love Frank and all the interpretations and arrangements that were written for his albums! That album is amazing just as all the albums he did with capitol records in the 50's. I grew up with parents that played mostly Dean Martin when it came to this style but also Sammy and Frank of course. So when I "discovered" Frank on my own I went down a rabbit whole and bought every album I could find. This was 2 years before he passed and I just continued buying records, book and films being amazed with everything. He was such a big personality standing up for injustice and racism.
Thank you so much, Rick- please do more of these great vids with the American Songbook theme. So inspiring🤗
Terrific video Rick! Francis Albert Sinatra ("The Voice") was an incredible singer, actor & entertainer. If you want to read a terrific book about him, pick up "Sinatra And Me-The Very Good Years" by Tony Consiglio as told to Franz Douskey. Tony was his driver & manager for many years. I got to know him via a close friend. By knowing Tony, I was lucky enough to get a personalized autographed photo from the "Chairman Of The Board" himself! I also have an autographed copy of the "Life Magazine" that was dedicated to Old Blue Eyes!
tony o
Absolutely beautiful piece of music with incredible vocals. Don't thing anybody else could have pulled this off but Frank.
I´m happy you bring attention to "Where Are You" because most people only experience Sinatra´s most famous hits, like Fly me to the moon etc. Imagine if you only listened to the hits of say Adele, Nirvana, Beatles etc. You´d miss so many good songs, and probably the best pieces of art who might not top the charts. Where are you is a fantastic album where Sinatra truly showcase his haunting and dynamic voice.
He did some wild stuff out of music but when it came to his music he was a perfectionist and a master of his craft. Even after tons of Jack Daniels and a million cigarettes he still had that voice late into his career.
Frank Sinatra's "The World We Knew (Over & Over)" is fantastic. Dark, strange, romantic. They don't make 'em like that anymore.
Oh, that one is also my favorite. It's just so beautiful and heart wrenching.
I never truly appreciated Frank till later in life . But like many others . As life began to slow i started looking back at all i had missed while speeding through my youth . I have a great fondness for Frank now . And many others of his era . Nice to see him being represented and respected here .
I was working on a Nine Inch Nails album with the Producer / Mixing Engineer Alan Moulder when to my chagrin he saw a Frank Sinatra Album "Live at the Sands" in my stack of Cd's on the shelf in my studio and he commented that it was probably the "Greatest Live Album " ever, and that he loved the album , which I totally agreed with! Frank transcended idioms with finesse and grace.
Sometimes when everybody agrees on one topic there is a big reason. When you say or hear "The Voice" that's it. Everybody knows what you are talking about. Frank Sinatra was so unique and talented. Just listen to one song, any song. He transcends genres and generations. One of the great ones.
I was always so impressed with how he was able to sing so precise and confident over such a complex orchestration. I think I would lose my place every other bar 🙂 "Songs for Only the Lonely" is another incredible album with Nelson Riddle.
My father was a dentist and me as a kid in the 70's always knew he was home when we walked in the house and Sinatra or Mel Torme or T. Bennet was playing on the sound system. You could then most likely find him and my mom in "off limits" living room, as opposed to the family room....sharing a martini and conversing about how their day went. Good times.....cherished memories.
Hey Rick! love your channel!
My oldest friend (@age 6) Eric Schilling, a recording engineer, just won his 21st(?) Grammy! (counting Latin Grammys) "Best Immersive Album" with Stewart Copeland. Have you heard of Eric?
Well My Mom loved Sinatra and I recognize Laura by the punchline "She's just a dream" if not by the whole song. Well, Eric has a published credit on one of the Sinatra duets album! So the whole thing comes full circle: Frank, Mom, Eric, Rick! Keep up the good work Brother ... XO
Exquisite...
I was 9 yrs old in 1957, hearing it again (now) for the first time!
Another great video Rick! Frank of course is timeless. After this, I'd be really interested in you highlighting others of this era as well. Dean Martin is a favorite of mine. But also Sammy Davis, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Nina Simone & others would be great to watch you break down some songs & give your wonderful insight to these artists.
In manouche jazz and bossa nova, the dimished chords are rich harmonic crossroads, allowing to hit beautiful melodic directions, this is something. Sinatra has an incredible feel, he ears everything. His voice literaly sends us love, directly through our eardrums, or so they've proven by science, marketing studies and all. Very powerful and exciting material here, thank you for sharing this
We dropped a podcast (available on all your favorite podcast streaming services) about Sinatra's "In The Wee Small Hours" - that same work ethic you mentioned about Sinatra was readily apparent there as well - everything from the arranging and staging of the orchestra in the studio down to the nuances of the vocals were worked out by Sinatra with explicit intentionality. Sinatra's genius is so often assumed without actually taking the time to experience it - but it's there. It really is. Loved your breakdown here. Very cool it was your Dad's fav song.
Wow, what memories. My parents loved this song and played this Sinatra version and a Kenton Orchestra version. It's no mystery they named my sister, "Laura."
Only The Lonely from vocal, lyrics to the orchestra. This is a album that still feels complete in emotional power.
For many years I have appreciated the music of Frank Sinatra but I came to it in my adulthood. One of my favorite recordings (I forget the name) is a live show he did in Paris with a sextet and man, did they swing. No orchestra, just Frank and six musicians killing it live. Laura is indeed a particularly haunting song and crooned to perfection. I also must say Rick, the depth of your musical ability and that you can break down this song in a way that is readily relatable, is wonderful. You've truly found your niche and we are all the better for it. Best to all.
years of hearing Frank music, that song always felt like it just floats through the air as I hear it. Something magical about it.
Way cool that you did a vid on Sinatra. I once had one of the most popular Sinatra channels on youtube. Didn't try to monetize it, just wanted to get the younger generation turned on to THE VOICE. The Sinatra family eventually had it taken down, but not before it had about 50M views. Sinatra was and will always be one of the greatest entertainers of all time. He was the first pop star!
@Dan Giovanetti You're so right! (I say he was the first 'rock' star in my comment, but same idea!). It's a shame that his family took your site down. I would think they would be thanking you for the free publicity and exposing Sinatra to the younger generation (No good deed goes unpunished!). I run a fan account on IG, where almost everyone is in their 20s. Trying to get anyone interested in The Beach Boys (Pet Sounds esp.), let alone Sinatra has largely been an exercise in futility. Lana Del Rey LOVES him😊
Sinatra was the first 'rock' super star and pioneer in so many ways (e.g He basically created the concept album in the 1940s!). Every rocker owes him a LOT. His phrasing is inimitable (You can't sing along to Sinatra). There's a reason jazz musicians love him.
I can sing along with him well. Maybe that’s why I’m so phrasing OCD.
While I agree with (almost) all you said - the title of the first “rock super star” would’ve been Bing Crosby, not Sinatra IMO - a huge idol to Sinatra btw. But besides that are you totally on point Frank was indeed one in a billion! - one of the greatest icons in modern music history.
So well put!
@@ElectroIsMyReligion maybe but Sinatra and Nat King Coie were the 2 singers that Chuck Berry name checked as influential to his own phrasing. Bing had a somewhat different and slightly old-fashioned approach on the whole and though Sinatra was influenced by him he developed his approach particularly on up tempo numbers.
@@stevenuttley Crosby was Sinatra’s idol and main influence - seriously look it up. While Sinatra and Crosby musically was very different- do you clearly see how infatuated and influenced he was by Crosby’s charisma and stage persona - hence why I disagreed with OP’s statement about Sinatra being the first the quote on quote _rockstar superstar_ . Crosby was basically the first crooner before the term was even invented. I’m not at huge fan of Crosby’s music myself but his influence on later icons such as Martin, Bennett and Sinatra are obvious. One could argue that without Crosby there wouldn’t have been Sinatra.
This is extremely well done, Rick. Thank you.
I’ve been a music lover for 50 years and I never heard this before. Between the arrangement, the composition, and Frank’s singing, I’m blown away too.
It was throughout a movie I think by the same name Laura .
A different kind of movie with beautiful actress Gene Tierney so used to be married to Howard Hughes but I can't think of who else is in the movie but if you like old movies you might like it .
She plays a woman that men are obsessed with .
Another old movie about a woman who some people thought was so perfect and it's also kind of an eerie movie is Rebecca , with Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine
@@gardensofthegods Gene Tierney was absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful actress. If you like the movies 'Laura' and 'Rebecca" watch "Leave Her To Heaven.' If you haven't seen it---it's on youtube for free.
Probably my favorite Sinatra recording is the album "Sinatra At The Sands" that he did with the Count Basie Orchestra. There's just a raw joy in that live performance, where Frank is clearly having the time of his life, that just isn't present in the great studio recordings. And of course the Basie Orchestra was in top form. Get the LP, not the CD, if you can. Not because that audio format is superior, but because the release on CD added cheap reverb (like so, so many CD re-releases of music from that era) that made it sound like a giant tin can.
Took a wonderful undergrad film course entitled “Fellini, Fosse, and Sinatra” which used Sinatra’s music to illustrate methods and themes present in narrative art, specifically film.
To highlight how articulate, yet unpredictable Frank’s performances were, the professor challenged everyone in each class to sing any Sinatra song of their choosing alongside the original recording in front of the class. We had as much time to prepare as we needed. If we could match Frank note for note, entrance for entrance and beat for beat, he would throw an extra A+ into our grade.
To my knowledge no one before or since has been able to pull it off.
I love that you can beautifully break down an arrangement so musically beautiful!
My dad thought rock and roll was just "noise," but then...he grew up before it really existed. We never listened to a lot of Sinatra, but more big band stuff and my mom was into musical theater and classical. In any case, what's really mind-blowing about the music of that era is that it was all in the arrangements, the playing, the equipment, and the recording space. It sounds amazing, and there's really no multi-track at work. "Stereo" was cutting edge! The building where I used to work was a radio station all the way back into the 30s (Steve Allen got his start as an announcer there) and they used to have live bands play there. I used to sit there in my little studio and wonder what it must have been like...