Until I saw him singing live in front of an orchestra I did not really understand why Sinatra was the “Chairman of the Board”. His voice blended with the music and laid over it like a warm, fitted blanket. It was itself a musical instrument. I’ve never heard anything before or since like that in anyone’s voice.
Although I like both, I thought Dean Martin was a far better singer. Also a better actor, comedian, and all around performer.
Yes it was an instrument katana. I think it was Tony Bennett who told Harry Conic ( or was it Michael Buble ) not to kill the lyrics, and I bet he learned that from Frank. Sinatra never did all sorts of Maria Carey “runs” he told the story. Nothing against him, but man how could you not lay down good tracks with his orchestra. The only crooner IMHO that tried not to kill it like Frank was Jim Morrison of the Doors, listen to him when he wasn’t screaming or stoned out of his gored, he was trying to find his inner Frank and noted he was a fan of his ( style my guess ).