[Sans-Culotte]

When people ask me what I listen to, I say “classical music...and Sinatra”. I was fortunate to see/hear Frank live twice - first around 1974-5 (it was after his “Main Event” concert in NY and almost the same show; I was around 18)), and later around 1981-2. He didn’t sound like he did in the 50’s, which was Sinatra’s greatest period, IMO; but he sounded good. I think he was better in the later concert I saw than the one in the 70’s. He could still do the up-tempo numbers well.

[katana]

I heard him sing in person once. I was in my twenties and had never really understood why he was considered such a star. His voice over the radio sounded less melodic and more North Jersey conversational.

Then I heard him sing a few songs live into a mike in front of an actual orchestra. His voice was like an instrument, the dominant instrument, of the orchestra. Not a separate thing but the essential element. I have heard nothing like that from any singer before or since.

[sheana]

When I heard that Sinatra had started forgetting words to the songs on stage, etc. I told Hubby...let’s go see him. He was in Vegas and we went. He was forgetting his lines but it didn’t matter. He worked around it, laughed about it, and ad libbed it. Still one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. HE died not that much later.
So glad I got to see him.

[newfreep]

I've been very fortunate that a friend (who began as a partner on a few of his projects) is an acclaimed re-mastering engineer who always goes back to the true, original master tapes for his remastering projects.

He has gifted me with many, many tracks burned direct from the studio master tapes - some "dry" before the dreaded reverb was added and some with unreleased studio chatter. The sound quality of these direct burns from the studio tapes is quite exceptional. The "dry" very version of "The Best Is Yet to Come" is extraordinarily lifelike.

Sinatra's voice & phrasing remains the gold standard.

IMO, his best (recorded) live performance is "Live At The Sands" with Count Basie and a young Quincy Jones...except on "One For My Baby and One more For The Road" when he is joined by his personal pianist, Bill Miller. Arguably, it is THE best version of his signature song.