Mark Steyn on Frank Sinatra

Steyn Online ^ | May 1998 | Mark Steyn

[Rummyfan]

In observance of the tenth anniversary of Frank Sinatra's death. As both a big Steyn and Sinatra fan, please indulge. Something a little different from The One-Man Global Content Provider!

[jaz.357]

Frankie! Pure class. Top notch.

[Past Your Eyes]

No wonder he hits it off with Laura Ingraham.
Outside of High Hopes and Something Stupid, you can have it all.

[Mr. Mojo]

Admittedly, not all aging rockers are Frank fans. I once made the mistake of mentioning Sinatra's cover of ''Mrs. Robinson" to Paul Simon. "Frank Sinatra had no business recording that song!" said Simon indignantly. "He couldn't relate to the lyrics at all, so he changed them all."

Frank's version is far superior, as is to be expected.

[perfect stranger]

Hard to believe its been 10 years. Wow does time fly.

[Skooz]

Frank rules.

Period.

Can’t believe it’s been ten years.

[Biblebelter]

I still enjoy listening to Sinatra. I still enjoy listening to Jolson as well.

[tsowellfan]

September 11th... What Would Sinatra have sung?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Jwe0zNjNQ

[Mr. Mojo]

the unpalatable truth: that Sinatra built his house upon the bedrock of great songs sung better than they've ever been.

That's it in a nutshell. Once songs got "the Sinatra treatment," the game was over.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

Mark Steyn ON Frank Sinatra? Gross!

[VR-21]

I've never been much of a Sinatra fan but for some reason I think everyone should have a favorite Sinatra song. Mine will always be The Summer Wind.

[Mr. Mojo]

I still enjoy listening to Sinatra. I still enjoy listening to Jolson as well.

And Frank's idol Bing.

Last night I listened to the Sinatra-Basie collaboration from '62. Frank walked into the studio and said "I've been wating over 20 years for this moment." And man, was it worth it. Swing city. But then again how could it not be with those two?

[Rummyfan]

Fly Me to the Moon....

[jimfree]

I've long been a fan and did a specialized recording of a Sinatra song medley shortly after his death. My song choices were:

You Make Me Feel So Young

Taking a Chance on Love

Come Fly With Me

Fly Me to the Moon

Zing Went the Strings of My Heart

There are many other songs that I am fond of but I needed to do numbers that sounded good at 128 bpm. And yes, for those of you that have guessed, it was a square dance singing call record.

[TopDog2]

XM 73...nuff said

[The KG9 Kid]

A lady never leaves her escort
It isnt fair, it isnt nice
A lady doesnt wander all over the room
And blow on some other guys dice

Lets keep this party polite
Never get out of my sight
Stick with me baby, Im the guy that you came in with
Luck be a lady tonight

[Liberty Valance]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rAsoLm1Ges
Frank Sinatra - Fly Me to the Moon

[billorites]

Basie carried Sinatra for years.

He never could sing, not really.

Just did that hand thing and bat his eyes.

Old ladies got wet when he did that. Never could understand it.

[okie01]

Unlike most critics, Steyn's tastes are exquisite -- a match for his writing.

[okie01]

Basie carried Sinatra for years.

You weren't paying attention all those years, were you?

Sinatra recorded exactly one album with Basie and his band.