[BobbySoxer]

Connecticut to be specific, where my granddaughter, Sweet Caroline, is now a sixth
grader.

For reasons I can't fathom, the music teacher gave a lesson on singing styles. Three photos were displayed: Bruce Springsteen's was captioned, "Sometimes growls when he sings." Bob Dylan's photo said, "Sometimes talks when he sings." But Frank Sinatra's caption read, Sings in a smooth, pleasant tone."

True, neither the words etherial nor transcendental were used; and true few of the youngsters had heard of all three - but according to Caro more of the kids had heard of Frank than any of the younger singers.

The nonplussed teacher played some samples and the children were asked to comment - no doubt about it, the kids agreed the ONLY singer in the bunch was Sinatra.

Caroline's comment made this old flamekeeper's heart sing.

"My mom makes me listen to Bruce sometimes. My Dad played a Bob Dylan CD once or twice. But when I go to my Grandma's house in New York the place is filled with "her Frankie's" voice and it sure is beautiful"

"You're a lucky girl" smiled the teacher as the whole class (except for a few renegade growlers) agreed.

Yes the flame is still burning - because there are keepers, sure: but mostly because" a thing of beauty is a joy forever" (We began Keats a while ago, but so far both my granddaughters prefer Ogden Nash. Ah yes, give me time.

[Ed Potts]

Very nice! Happy Easter, Teacher!

[Nancy]

< the kids agreed the ONLY singer in the bunch was Sinatra. >

Doncha just LOVE it?

[Savatri]

Thanks for telling us that, Bobby. It made my heart sing.

Joan

[Rhodalee]

Kids know what they are talking about, they speak what is on their mind.

Yes, I LOVE IT!!! Just wonderful that they recognize good music when they hear it. Shows you that Frank's flame will go on forever.

Rhodalee

[Tricia]

From the mouth of babe's

[russkish3]

Thanks, Bobbysoxer, that was the best story I have heard today.

Best regards,

Russell Kishi
Glendale, California

[johnofphilly]

Frank's articulate, smooth steady delivery is truly reaching, touching, and transcending the self.

One of Brucie's buddies, Johnny Bongiove (spelled Jon Bon Jovi in the marketplace) was on the radio a little while ago.

He and Patty Benatar oughtta do a duo.
They would bleat like a little pair of goats.

Maybe it's the mid-Atlantic urban seacoast thing - she's from Long Island, he's from Jersey. I can sing like Patty Smith too.

<<mid-Atlantic urban seacoast >> - wait a minute - that's no excuse. FS was from Hoboken!

[victor m.]

Remains Forever. Forever Sinatra. and the beauty part of this is Children dont lie.

[pattisam]

Awesome, Bobby. I bet your buttons are bursting.

The seeds have been planted, and the roots are taking hold with the next generation. Simply awesome.

i like Bruce, but Dylan, i just cant listen to him. i cant understand what hes sayin half the time. i know hes a greatand a legend, but i just dont really care for him. Now, Frank on the other hand.....

[Nancy]

Try just reading his lyrics, Jason. He is quite a poet and he spoke for nearly an entire generation in the '60s. It's can be difficult to appreciate him if you don't have the words.

[Sorry to go off track for a minute...]

In my music class, we were watchin a movie documetry on Dylan. it showed him writing his songs and what effort he puts into them. i have one of his cds actually, his greatest hits Cd.

[Richard]

He's a much better poet than singer. He has written some powerful and important songs. I think his words are more effective when they are coming from the mouth of someone who has a better voice.

[Adam]

I dont think i have ever sat down and listend to either of the other two.

Nice thread.

Adam

[johnofphilly]

Well, Adam, vocally, they have nothing on your buddy Paul over at Apple.


Richard, let me take this opportunity to comment on your avatar.
That is a really nice picture. You once said in reference to cameras, you're never ready. But this shot is certainly a beaming exception.

kind of unfair to compare Dylan and Springsteen to Sinatra though.
I'm a huge fan of both, but certainly there are "nicer" voices in rock n roll.

[RonnieC]

Bob Dylan really doesn't fit into any category. I love his music and have all of his CDs. He's dabbled in so many styles and sounds! He's not a true rocker nor is he a folk singer. He defies category. His poetry is the greatest. Listen to Desolation Row on his Highway 61 Revisited CD. It conjures up vivid imagery! Hurricane and Black Diamond Bay (from his Desire CD) illustrate Bob's gift as a storyteller. His country crooner albums like Nashville Skyline and Self Portrait prove that he could have been a Grand Old Opry star as well! Bob really is an artist and a character.

Here are some of my favorite Bob Dylan recordings:

Heart of Mine
Sara
Mr. Bojangles (still not on CD here in the USA)
Dignity
Ballad in Plain D
Tangled Up In Blue (Blood on the Tracks version)
Shelter from the Storm
Girl from the North Country (with Johnny Cash)
You ain't Goin' nowhere
If Not For You
4th Time Around
Desolation Row
Black Diamond Bay
Abandoned Love
Shooting Star
A Tight Connection to My Heart
I Want You
Lay Lady Lay
The Boxer (Bob sings a duet with himself on this one)
Love Minus Zero=No Limit
The Man In Me
Jokerman
Sooner Or Later (One of Us Must Know)
Brownsville Girl
...and many others...

[ARIES3032]

Thanks so much for letting us know . It brought tears to my eyes. Bless her little pea picking heart. Do give her a squeeze for me. My children and grandson bring me only Frank related presents, and they love to listen to his music. His flame will live on forever!!

[Karyn]

That's a wonderful post Bobby - it certainly does go to show that Frank's flame will live on forever.

It took me a while to "get" Bob Dylan, at first I didn't give him a chance because I didn't think he could sing, until I listened to the lyrics, now I have grown to love his voice too. He has written some wonderful music.