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I looked into it, but was unable to determine whether Sinatra hired the young, largely television based composer, or whether he was assigned by the studio. In either event, both singer and composer seem to have progressed profitably in their respective careers.
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Just picked up the new London Review of Books, and there's a critique (which I haven't read yet) of a new box set (3 CDs, 1 DVD) called SINATRA: LONDON.
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The Sinatra London set is wonderful, although hardly "new," and contains the best visual representation of a live Sinatra concert that I've ever seen. It's the complete 1962 performance from Royal Festival Hall with Sinatra at the very peak of his career. It's worth owning for this disc alone. Absolutely sublime.
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Just wanted to mention that the sublime layout and graphic design for this Sinatra tribute was created by Craig Jamison, the creative genius behind the Gull Cottage/Sandlot Films website in which my work appears. Craig is one of the most talented individuals it's ever been my pleasure to know, and he worked for weeks to create the stunning visuals that you'll see within the body and structure of this massive tribute to Francis Albert Sinatra. Without him, and without his inspiration and guidance, this massive retrospective would never have been fully realized or presented. Steve
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Thanks, Steve. I assumed "London" was a new release because TLBR reviewed it. (Obviously I knew it wasn't a new recording.) Any idea how long it's been on the market?
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It premiered in late Fall, 2014, and was a popular Christmas gift for all of us Sinatra fans last December. Steve P.S. I'm coming to Los Angeles this Thursday, August 27th, and will remain in town until Thursday, September 10th when I fly home to Philly. Do let me know if anyone is interested in saying hello personally while I'm in town.
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Damn -- I must be an unpopular Sinatra fan. I never knew about it... *** I'm counting on you to see me while you're in town. Still got my phone #?
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If it's the same number shown on the business card you gave me last Summer, then yes.
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This is the tribute to Ol' Blue Eyes that I've longed to write for the past fifty five years, ever since I first adoringly discovered "The Voice" way back in the Fall of 1960 when he became my favorite singer, and my life long idol. It is, in the purest definition of the phrase, a "work of love." No other individual has influenced my life so significantly or profoundly for five and a half decades. I got to meet him briefly in his dressing room at the old Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey during March, 1976, and he put his arm around me in congratulatory reward for having won a local contest. It was a moment that has played on in repeated mental screenings over much of my life. The debt that I owe him for a lifetime of pleasure is surely incalculable but, in my own inarticulate attempt at capturing both his film and music careers, as well as their sublime artistic and historical importance, I've attempted to repay the debt that I'll never entirely be able to express in mere words. It is my hope that you will find my words of some meaning and value. Blessings, Steve
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There are some major books, and performance tributes scheduled to honor the centennial of Frank Sinatra's birth in the months ahead. He would have been one hundred years old this coming December 12th. Steve
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His 100th year of celebrations, which included a wonderful four hour documentary on HBO last Summer and a network concert tribute on CBS just several days ago, all winds down in just a few more days. Francis Albert Sinatra would have turned one hundred years young on Saturday, December 12th, 2015. It's been a fabulous year for the greatest popular singer of this or any other lifetime. Indeed, Bing Crosby famously remarked that "Sinatra was the singer of a lifetime...but why did it have to be mine?" Happy Birthday, Mr. Sinatra. God Bless and Keep you in Heaven, together with Dean, Sammy, Bing, Judy, Ella, Nat, and Mel. Thank you for the immensity and gift of your artistic legacy. We shall continue to bask in the splendor and shadow of your music and films. You did good. Thanks For The Memories. Steve
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Posted: |
Dec 8, 2015 - 3:30 AM
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By: |
MusicMad
(Member)
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His 100th year of celebrations, which included a wonderful four hour documentary on HBO last Summer and a network concert tribute on CBS just several days ago, all winds down in just a few more days. Francis Albert Sinatra would have turned one hundred years young on Saturday, December 12th, 2015. It's been a fabulous year for the greatest popular singer of this or any other lifetime. Indeed, Bing Crosby famously remarked that "Sinatra was the singer of a lifetime...but why did it have to be mine?" Happy Birthday, Mr. Sinatra. God Bless and Keep you in Heaven, together with Dean, Sammy, Bing, Judy, Ella, Nat, and Mel. Thank you for the immensity and gift of your artistic legacy. We shall continue to bask in the splendor and shadow of your music and films. You did good. Thanks For The Memories. Steve Well said! For me, he was easily the best. I often quote the words of George Burns who described him as: ... the only singer in the world who sings like Frank Sinatra ... Mitch
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Posted: |
Dec 8, 2015 - 9:30 AM
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By: |
Rameau
(Member)
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I can recommend the bio written by James Kaplan, it's two huge tomes. The first one, Frank: The Voice, takes you to when he won the Oscar for From Here To eternity, & the just published, Sinatra: The Chairman, takes it from there to his death, two really thick books. I've read the first one, the best biography I've read of him, & am looking forward to reading the second part (which I'm going to have to buy, but it's going to be £20 well spent). His behaviour was outrageous a lot of the time, he has so many faults, but a few good points as well, & he was a singing genius. A great read.
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He also raised millions of dollars for charities, and was the most loyal and generous of friends. His social activism on behalf of minorities is legendary, having been a monumental force for the repeal of segregation in the United States, while his support of Israel and Jews all over the world knew no bounds or restrictions. Singer, actor, painter, composer, conductor, producer, and director...He really was one of a kind. Steve
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On the night of Thursday May 14th, 1998, America and the world lost the most iconic, beloved entertainer of the twentieth century. Sadly, it has been eighteen years since the passing of The Chairman Of The Board. William B. Williams assigned that name to Francis Albert Sinatra on his WNEW Radio program a half century ago, and it stuck. No performer either before or since has had the cultural impact of Sinatra. Singer, Actor, Director, Dancer, Painter, Producer, and Social Activist, Frank Sinatra remains the single most influential multi media artist in show business history. On the anniversary of his passage into both history and legend, we take a look back at his remarkable career and commemorate more than one hundred years, as well as one of The Greatest Stories Ever Told, with this retrospective and one hundredth birthday celebration of the life and times of Frank Sinatra. Steve Vertlieb
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Posted: |
May 13, 2016 - 12:49 PM
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By: |
Richard-W
(Member)
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Steve Vertlieb, If you have any pull with the Sinatra organization try to get them to release the songs Sinatra recorded at NBC in the fall of 1953. The three or four recording sessions are significant for many reasons, not the least of which is they are the transition out of Columbia and into the freedom at Capitol. Sinatra is at the peak of his voice in these sessions. New arrangements of old songs and new songs allow Sinatra's voice to front a small, intimate combo. The lyrics are fully realized, and the music has spontaneity. The songs were only intended to be played on the TO BE PERFECTLY FRANK radio program but after one hears the quality of the work, one realizes they just have to be released on a multi-disc set. Listen to the five tracks included on disc four of A VOICE ON AIR for an example of how good they are. The 70 + songs are a treasure trove. Sinatra at his absolute best. The fidelity is quite good. Somebody needs to light a fire under the Sinatra people to get this music out. Fans have been appealing to them for years, but nothing ever happens. I'm vastly grateful to Chuck Granata for everything he does, but the years tick by waiting for him to finish something, and there is no indication he'll move on TO BE PERFECTLY FRANK. So if you have any influence, exert it, please.
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Well, I'll definitely pass along your comments to Chuck. I share your desire to have these released, incidentally. I also wish that someone would find the original full color version of NBC's Producer's Showcase telecast of "Our Town" with original songs by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen. I have a black and white version, and the show is really marvelous. Steve
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