[donaldo]

I agree about Sinatra. How anyone could think he’s overrated is incredible. He was always selected by his peers as an artist of the very top chop. In my book he was the greatest crooner ever. The only people who even come close would be Patsy Cline, Matt Monro, and a much younger Tony Bennett. Check out the Chairman in the link below at the top of his game. Believe me, Sinatra could sing a semicolon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_W2xO6kxAY

Now Matt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx_ktGU3-tQ

Patsy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCCKFmdNvRg

[Fiji Hill]

Those are all excellent choices.

I once heard that in his 1960's recordings, Frank Sinatra would always record with his instrumentalists rather than making a vocal track and then mixing it with an instrumental track, as many recording artists did.

I had never before heard Matt Monro's "Softly as I Leave You" (1962). That song didn't chart in the US.

I also had never before heard the Patsy Cline opus until you posted it. Her voice was quite unique.