[SinatraFan]

This is one concert I heard and read much about over the years but didn't actually get to see it until recently. Now thanks to UMG we can all enjoy this DVD whatever the region. Since receiving it I've been watching it often, just a magical hour and a half! Frank is in a good mood, which is evident from his interactions with the orchestra and fans. And his voice is in top form throughout. The Buddy Rich Orchestra can really swing! Buddy Rich himself plays a unbelievable West Side Story Medley on the drums. He gives it all he's got!

I've Got The World On A String is one of my top favorite opening numbers, a great way to get things started. And besides the usual selections like I Get A Kick Out Of You, My Kind Of Town, I've Got You Under My Skin, The Lady Is A Tramp and the saloon medley The Gal That Got Away/It Never Entered My Mind, all sung with the same enthusiasm as usual if not more, we are also treated to some other gems in the Sinatra catalogue that we don't usually hear live. Come Rain Or Come Shine is powerful and one of the best versions by FS. I'm glad When Your Lover Has Gone was included on the set list, it's one of my favorites from In The Wee Small Hours, and I like the new arrangement by Don Costa. And we get a then new recording, Searching, which I like even better than the studio recording. Just love the Nelson Riddle arrangement for All Or Nothing At All and here Frank gives a knockout performance of it. The highlight of the entire concert for me is the two songs with just Frank and Tony Mottola on guitar. They turn the whole Amphitheatre into a quiet and intimate setting. Send In The Clowns and Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars are just beautiful. I can image Frank and Tony recording a whole album of songs like this, would have been something special. And my other favorite track from the night is I Won't Dance, it's amazing and so energetic. One of the best live performances I've ever seen of Frank! He really gets into this song, almost better than the studio versions from the 50's and 60's. Of course New York, New York is the big finale and Frank gives the crowd one more outstanding performance! This is when the song was still pretty new too. I wish this concert could just keep going on longer, it's so good you don't want it to end. Everything went perfect that night in the Dominican Republic.

If you don't have this DVD now is the time to get it while you can. The sound and picture are very good too. Also, be on the look out for the newest UMG DVD Sinatra & Friends.

• Here's a link to the original Concert For The Americas thread.

[marydaly]

Good choice Allen. I have only recently purchased this DVD, but it is fast becoming a favorite.

[George Lyons]

Nice review, Allen; the dvd is a gem.

[Steve]

Very nice review Allen - Thanks. I've bought this recently and love it, Frank seems really engaged and happy.

Highly recommended.

[Nick_Bradley78]

Great choice Allen, before the plethora of live releases of the last decade there was a shortage of great concerts available, this was and remains one of my all time favourites. It was also the first Sinatra concert I bought, before Main Event and Sands, back when the VHS set of the Sinatra collection was released. Almost wore the tape out!

[ARIES3032]

Great review, This is one of my favorites DVD's in my collection. You could not chosen a better one!

[sschweiger]

Any opportunity to hear Frank sing "When Your Lover Has Gone" in person is a special occasion, and that's why "Americas" has always been a special moment!

Plus the fact that Frank was performing in front of more people than comprise 95% of the populations of the cities in our country -- i.e., the ONLY city in Maine that approaches 100,00 people is Portland. That gives you an idea of this concert's scope! Amazing!

Way to go, Allen!

[George Bellefon]

Fine choice indeed.

[Stnwy18]

Wonderful Allen, I love this concert. I need to get the newly released one, thanks for reminding me!!

[RobMich]

Thanks Allen, Wonderful choice! Some time ago I mentioned in a "Frank Sinatra on Television" post that when teaching a college art class in the Dominican Republic I lived right across the street from the stone ampitheater where that concert had been performed. It was thrilling to walk unto the empty stage where Frank had sung years before - I only wish I had been present to see and hear him in person that night. The show and music are wonderful indeed and I'm glad it's now more easily available on DVD.

[Lourdes]

I've review this DVD yesterday.
Wonderful concert!

[steffen]

Originally Posted by sschweiger

...Plus the fact that Frank was performing in front of more people than comprise 95% of the populations of the cities in our country ..."

hi stanley, i think you confuse "concert for the americas" with the "sinatra at maracana stadium" show from 1980. that's the one in front of 175.000 paying people.

"americas" was performed in a smaller amphitheatre which only seats about 5 thousand viewers, the internet says. i think the theatre was also inaugurated by sinatra with that show in 1982.

p.s. the "maracana" show is one that would make a great home video DVD too, it has many unique aspects and should be a good seller.

[Gregory]

Hi Allen,

thumbs up for this selection. I love The Concert for the Americas.

[Kevin Frost]

Quite simply the greatest entertainer who ever lived, at his imperious best.
Nobody comes near!

[S V PELUZIO JR]

This is one of my favorites too.
Nice choice, Allen.

[David B.]

Great to know this concert is open region code now! Thanks, Allen. It's on my list to order.

[Jeanne]

"americas" was performed in a smaller amphitheatre which only seats about 5 thousand viewers, the internet says. i think the theatre was also inaugurated by sinatra with that show in 1982.

It was and I was fortunate enough to be there - I worked for Gulf & Western when they owned Casa de Campo and Altos de Chavon was built as a recreation of a 16th century village and was opened for Dominican artists to have studios there. Frank Sinatra's show was the opening event at the amphitheater and with Buddy Rich - it was one of the most extraordinary concerts I've ever been at. Beautiful open air venue in this gorgeous setting - and the best of the best performing. One of my favorite concert memories and so glad others can experience it now on DVD.

[George Lyons]

Wow! What a memory to relive, Nancy!

[Jeffrey Simmons]

Hi Allen, Its a great, great GREAT concert performance for sure and I love it very much indeed.

It is also a very nice DVD, but how is this show ever to be described as an 'album' for 'Album of the Month' ?

I know its a fine line between DVD and CD or whatever and I don't ever mean to be an old stickler for correcting descriptions and things, well you know I don't go in for that sort of thing, but I always thought the album of the month ought to be an officially issued record album, be it a studio concept or collection or even a concert album on CD? Is that not so?

[Marty]

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Simmons

Is that not so?

No.

It's a shame Jeffrey that Allen's efforts (as well as everyone who takes the time to contribute well thought out and interesting threads to the "Album of the Month" project) aren't more applauded and supported.

The section has already featured a television show as well as compilation collections and rather than argue pedantic semantics, I for one would like to see far more of the membership actually start suggesting and submitting future Album of the Month selections...whatever their source media.