[Douglas Pratt]

Best five year period 1965 to 1970

[Saul]

Originally Posted by Nancy

Nice post, Saul.

Thank you, Nancy.

Your father's work left an indelible mark on my life and I'm always happy to discuss his career. I can see I'm going to enjoy being a member here.

One quick, funny story if I may -

I used to hang out in a bar/restaurant in Manhattan each night after work. I was a "regular" there (much like Norm in "Cheers") and the bartenders would always take real good care of me. One night I sat at the bar and the bartender came over and told me the guy sitting next to me was just talking about Sinatra (the bartender knew I was a big fan). The guy sitting next to me overheard the bartender and he turned to me and asked if I liked Frank. I replied, "Absolutely, he's the best. As a matter of fact, I just bought a book about him".

The guy took interest and asked, "What book"? I replied, "It's called, 'The Way You Wear Your Hat'". He started laughing and I looked at him confused. He told me that he was Bill Zemhe and he was the guy who wrote the book. We ended up spending the next hour just talking about your dad, and it was a great hour!

Small world, huh?

[Nancy]

Yes, indeed. Billy Zee is a sweetheart of a guy.

[George Lyons]

Good story. Small World, but I wouldn't want to paint it, right, Gary?
Gotta go watch "24", the boss is calling....

[SinatraFan]

Nice story, Saul.

[Domenico]

Great story Saul,

My favorite Sinatra era would be...63-68
He released a ton of studio gems and made some great films along the way....

Cent anni!

[Nick in Toronto]

There are a lot of people with wonderful taste who have responded to this thread. And if they are unfamiliar with periods mentioned by other members, well, what a treat they have in store.

[AR86]

Nice story Saul!!

[Rusty Bob]

1955 - 1959:
In the Wee Small Hours
Only the Lonely
No One Cares

My 3 favorite Sinatra albums. Plus the singles: "(Love Is) The Tender Trap"; "(How Little It Matters) How Little We Know"; "Can I Steal a Little Love".

[Greggie]

:

Originally Posted by Rhodalee

I also cannot separate any years. I don't know of anything he did that I do not love. I have his recordings of all his years.

Those are exactly my thoughts Rhoda.

[Greggie]

Saul, I can't remember how many times I have read "The Way You Wear Your Hat." I love it.
How exciting to have met Bill Zehme....only in New York.




Now I hope you run into Pete Hamill who wrote "Why Sinatra Matters."

[ARIES3032]

and Grace, Since my teen years until I leave this earth I will always love every thing this man has sung! I have the LP's , CD, DVD, to prove it.

[David M Bond]

My period would be 1955 -1965, for me that is almost ten years of immaculate performances. There are some true gems and very few I don't like. This to me is Sinatra at his best, top of the World and making history everyday.

[Saul]

I'll go one step further... I picked 1955-1959; I say Frank's works for this timeframe is the greatest five year period for ANY 20th century artist!

Consider this - he was at the top of his game musically. When the greatest singer is at his greatest point then that alone makes it noteworthy. Add to that three film roles that were Oscar noteworthy (and a few more very memorable roles).

OK, that's TWO different media in which Frank excelled during this time.

What makes it even more amazing is that Frank found time to star in a television show during this point!!

There may have been other artists who had awesome five year periods within their area but NOBODY could touch Frank for excellence in more than one field.

[Nick in Toronto]

You are right Saul! Sinatra was on top from the early 40's until he became distracted a decade later.

Once he recognized the problem, "not doing my Job" he took the reins again and became the only entertainer to ever hit the top twice.

And, it was done entirely on talent.

[hodgo]

I'm finding this question hard to answer, if it was which is your favourite 10 year period then easy the whole of the 10 year period at Capitol 1953 - 1962, but seeing as I have to narrow it down even further, I'll go for the first 5 years 1953 - 1957 if only because it contained "In The Wee Small Hours" & "Songs for Swinging Lovers". But really that whole 10 year tenure at Capitol was faultless really.

[Nick in Toronto]

Earliar in this thread I gave my favourite years as 1953 - 1957, but I neglected to mention two seminal albums from this period. The first is A Jolly Christmas, and the second is Come Fly with Me.

[irene soggia]

Originally Posted by Saul

It's a tough choice but I consider 1955-59 as his best five year stretch.

Consider the music - the heart of the Capitol years; his albums touched on the loneliness (from "In the Wee Small Hours" to "Only the Lonely") and to the best of the swinging music (topped off by "Come Fly With Me"). IMO, this also coincided with his voice being at its best - he may have had a truer, more powerful voice in the '40s but the late '50s gave us those haunting, passion-filled tones.

Likewise with his movies - he gave three portrayals of pain-filled characters that were worthy of Oscars ("The Man with the Golden Arm", "The Joker is Wild" and "Some Came Running"), and not to mention lighthearted fun films like "Guys and Dolls" and "A Hole in the Head").

This post is 2009, but the things which are written I'd have wanted to write today !!!

[donnah]

Loved the 50's and 60's, but also love to listen to some of his 80's work.

[Nick_Bradley78]

Think I've changed mine from original choice 3 years ago to 1959-64. Just so much going on in that period, on screen, on record and live, now available properly that it was a high point.