Frank Sinatra
He's On The Charts Again!
Frank Sinatra re-entered the Billboard Top 200
(Greatest Love Songs) at #153 over Valentine's
Day weekend...
Posted by: Nancy | Feb 25, 2003 8:37 AM | 
Comments(18)
An Interview With Frankie 2003
The Son: Singing the Songs His Dad Sang
by Jeff Rivers
Hartford Courant, February 18, 2003
When he was a young man, hearing that he sounded just like his dad stung. "Who doesn't want to be his own man?" Frank Sinatra Jr. asks.
But beginning Wednesday night, those same words would strike the 59- year-old Sinatra as a kind of special praise and appreciation. When his father died the outpouring of love for the man and his music helped inspired the "Sinatra Sings Sinatra" show that runs at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville through Sunday.
During much of his performances, he'll be singing his dad's songs to his dad's charts, especially as they were performed with the Count Basie Band. He'll also be singing songs from the 1960s, '70s and '80s that are in the vernacular of the tunes created in American popular music's golden age from the '30s to the early '60s.
The show is a tribute to his dad, who died in 1998, to the music the elder Sinatra loved and the fans who loved him. After 40 years in show business, the younger Sinatra finally finds himself in sync with a musical trend: Everyone from jazz's Jane Monheit to rock's Rod Stewart is singing from the songbook of great American standards.
As a young man, Frank Sinatra Jr. trailed the beat of the popular
culture and found himself out of tune with much of his generation. At first, he was a tuxedo in the era of blue suede shoes. Later, he became a dry martini in the time of jug wines. The young singer had inherited a lot from his father, including his looks, his voice and a dedication to his craft.
But he didn't inherit his father's timing. The younger Sinatra had
been born too late. He'd hoped to take his place in a world he saw his father rule with a flick of a cigarette and a stamp of his foot. That world had become a kind of "Brigadoon" that only existed when Ol' Blue Eyes and the members of his Rat Pack held court on stage.
Otherwise, rock 'n' roll ruled. Elvis was the King. A new era -- what the younger Sinatra calls the Amateur Age -- was at hand.
With the exception of the 1950s group the Coasters, whose humor he enjoyed, Sinatra never had much use for rock, which he says has been shoddy in craft and reflective of a continuing debasement of the culture. "Every time I think it can't go any lower, it gets worse," says Sinatra, who assails rap as being a garbled social pathology expressed to a beat. The record companies that have profited from flooding the market with such bad music present the same mentality and morality as drug dealers, he says.
A quiet man, he enjoys intimate dinners with friends. When in his West Hollywood home, he likes to watch movies from the 1920s to the '50s. "That seems to be a simpler time." He listens to classical music, recordings of jazz stalwarts such as Shirley Horn and contemporaries such as Jack Jones. Sinatra is also learning to like the companionship of his two cats, gifts the divorced man got from his stepdaughters.
During his early career, the scrutiny and sometimes the ridicule of the press were a constant companion. Some even questioned whether his kidnapping in 1963 was really a publicity stunt, which was "damn hard when you're 20."
For years, things didn't get much easier.
But what's a man who aspired to become a polished professional singer to do when fate presents the jagged little pill? He keeps going. By 1968, he had performed in 47 states and 38 countries. Never rock; always standards.
"I didn't know how to do anything else. I didn't want to do anything else."
He remembers what his friend Gene Roddenberry, the creator of "Star Trek," said when the networks rejected his show: "Somewhere on the other side of the picture tube there must be some intelligent life."
For years, he stayed on the road in search of that audience, usually traveling and performing with a big band.
He kept singing until more and more people started understanding how good he and the music were. He sang, and he survived. And he worked 6* years as his dad's music director. While working for his exacting and mercurial dad proved nerve-wracking, he believes it helped give him an "authenticity" in singing his father's music that differentiates him from the scores of others trying the same thing.
Through the years, Sinatra says, he had a complicated relationship with his father. Sometimes he was the harried employee. At other times, they were pals at a baseball game. He sang "My Kind of Town" on the elder Sinatra's second duets album.
Sinatra says his father taught him the value of loyalty and
conviction. The singer calls "My Way" a powerful signature song for his father, "who never did anything 51 percent."
And he says he doesn't either. Through the years, he's taken a stand on what he wants to sing and how. He's at peace with how those decisions have affected his career. At this point he just wants to sing the songs he loves to the people who love and appreciate the music.
After all those years of seeking his place and his voice, Sinatra
finds an artistic comfort and joy in singing his father's music, his
father's way. All the way.
Posted by: Nancy | Feb 18, 2003 8:35 PM | Comments(14)
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Responses to 'An Interview With Frankie 2003'
Ginny Thayer says:
Feb 18, 2003 10:05 PM
saw Frankie's show at the MGM in Las Vegas last May...glad he finds comfort & joy in singing his father's music because the audience loved him...we loved him...great show, great music & great voice....loved it all the way....Ginny
Jazzbeau says:
Feb 19, 2003 5:03 AM
Way too go, Frankie! You do it, "Your Way!" Best of Luck, Alway`s!
wmbjjb says:
Feb 19, 2003 8:31 AM
I am so happy we have another Sinatra singing "Sinatra". He is great!! Jeanne
George Bellefon says:
Feb 19, 2003 9:05 AM
He deserves a lot of respect.
ARIES3032 says:
Feb 19, 2003 10:23 AM
The noise you hear is Applause for Frankie Jr. We were honored to see him 2 years ago in Fort Myers, and cannot wait to see im again. I closed my eyes and the music that came from this most talented man was very moving. Also the way he spoke with the audience made you feel he was speaking directly to you. I wish him only continued sucess with his music and his life. Thank you Frankie for keeping the music of Frank Sr. alive. We love you. Lee
ELIZABETH says:
Feb 19, 2003 6:36 PM
Frankie has had the courage to live true to his code--to be who he is and who he needs to be--himself--a Person that happens to be very much like his Father, musically, in voice, and appearance. Frankie is a Class Act "All The Way". His Performances are a wonderful Tribute to his Father. Like his Father, he is keeping the great Music alive.
ELIZABETH says:
Feb 19, 2003 6:56 PM
I saw Frankie Perform in Wallingford, CT, on November 19, 1999. He was excellent. I have listened to "As I Remember It" at least one hundred times. I am really looking forward to seeing "Sinatra Sings Sinatra".
Bret says:
Feb 19, 2003 7:52 PM
The first time I saw Mr. Frank Sinatra Jr. in concert in Las Vegas, I knew the torch would continue to burn brightly.
SINRAY says:
Feb 19, 2003 7:57 PM
Bravo to Frankie Jr. you are your Dad all the way buddy, we all love you and the Sinatra Family, you don't need luck with so much talent.
Dunc says:
Feb 20, 2003 11:55 AM
One of the worst things about being a young Sinatra fan is the fact you'll never get to see this great music perfomed live... or at least that's what I thought, untill now. It's great that Frankie is taking 'Sintatra Singa Sinatra' on the road, he is in my opinion the only person who has the right and the ability to do this kind of thing, and it's given me the hope that I may one day actually get to see and hear the greatest music of all time performed LIVE!! Thank you so much Mr Sinatra for what you are doing, keep the music playing!
The UK awaits...
Jim Musgrave says:
Feb 21, 2003 12:24 PM
Excellent! Excellent! I heard on the radio yesterday that Frank Jr. was performing with Tony Bennett. What a show that must be!
gerald says:
Feb 23, 2003 2:29 PM
I have Frank Jr.'s cd "As I Remember It". It's Beautiful ! There should be more cds from him. Bravo Frank Jr. !
Gerald
foundertfg says:
Feb 24, 2003 9:40 AM
Not always easy following in a father's footsteps. To follow a legends footsteps is virtually impossible and requires alot of courage. You have to believe, Frank Jr. obviously does believe. First in himself and his wonderful talents, and the best of the best in music. "Dad's" got to be a proud dad right now.
Barry says:
Mar 1, 2003 2:58 AM
Regarding the Interview with Frank Jnr.....
I wonder if frank Jnr is a bit shy?.
He has every right to be a bit like that.
He has guts I think.Talent also.
Good luck and best wishes to you Sir.
Barry Watson.
( Southern England)
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Old Man MUsic says:
Feb 25, 2003 9:20 AM
They Can get enough of Frank Sinatra
I'm glad His album is onthe charts again
the album"Greatest Love Songs" is one of my favorites played it the whole
Valentine weekend.
Even brought it to my favorite pub on Valentine's Day
The Best
Frank
Old Man Music
DoubleGemini says:
Feb 25, 2003 9:22 AM
May he live forever.
Hank
wmbjjb says:
Feb 25, 2003 11:12 AM
just as it should be. He is still the greatest!!!!
ARIES3032 says:
Feb 25, 2003 12:25 PM
Listen to it all Valentine's Day. So gld it made the charts. He is always on top of the charts s far as I am concerned. There is no music lke his and will never be. Sleep warm Francis , much love, Lee
Jackie says:
Feb 25, 2003 1:24 PM
Wonderful news about Frankie, a man who has been gone from this earth for nearly 5 years and still no one, and I mean NO one has even come close to being the all round superstar that he is. It is heart warming to see so many people who have only recently found his music, becoming just as fond of him and his talents as I have always been. Love you Frankie,
Jackie
Jackie says:
Feb 25, 2003 1:35 PM
After reading my comments above, I want to clarify that they are not directed at Frank, Jr. He has not tried to imitate his dad, but has the qualities and the voice to do so without even trying if he so desired. I am very fond of him and do not want him to feel that the above was directed at him.
Uwe says:
Feb 25, 2003 2:02 PM
the best things run and run and run and will never stop.
the people knew what good music is.
and sinatra is the best.
Bret says:
Feb 25, 2003 5:44 PM
I love my copy of this Great Love Songs CD!
steffen says:
Feb 26, 2003 8:56 AM
sinatra for the special events/seasons/lifetimes.
how about a "summer album" by sinatra?
will climb each year. or a definitive saloon song collection, from capitol to reprise.
gerald says:
Feb 26, 2003 9:30 AM
Wonderful !!!
SINRAY says:
Feb 26, 2003 7:24 PM
The Man and his music, the LEGEND lives on, and he did it his way, the Super Star of Stars We all love you Frank
bruce63 says:
Feb 27, 2003 8:22 AM
There is only one CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
Dunc says:
Feb 27, 2003 12:24 PM
Super! You did it again Mr Sinatra, well done!
luxenhaus says:
Feb 27, 2003 12:34 PM
Fantastic! I got out my copy from last year and enjoyed it the entire Valentine week. Mr. S. is where he belongs-on top of the heap!
Savatri says:
Feb 28, 2003 1:51 AM
That's the best news I've heard in a long time. A radio station here in LA
brought Sinatra back after a couple of vacant years. I can't tell you what a joy it is to drive off, turn on that station, and know that Frank will be keeping me company. It never quite registers on me how much I love that voice (even a song I don't like sounds great) until I hear it suddenly. Then the world seems to stop for me.
Savatri
Ginny Thayer says:
Feb 28, 2003 3:48 PM
love the songs, love the voice...love that man! always #1 on the top of my charts.... Ginny
Will T says:
Feb 28, 2003 9:14 PM
LOve Song Album. And to think that some people were forced to buy it. Haha Understand what I'm referring to Nancy??
ELIZABETH says:
Mar 1, 2003 6:41 PM
Great News!
The total "Top 200" could easily be Sinatra!