julius wrote:
...I really do love his voice, but to be honest sometimes the way he plays with time really annoys me. Sometimes the melody is so beautiful that you should just sing it straight.
I so agree with you, Julius. I know its part of the jazz vocal tradition to do that sometimes, but when its done all the time I just find it annoying.
I've mined Sinatra a little, and I play "Luck Be a Lady", the brassy version with Basie, I think, a fair amount. and "I've Got You Under My Skin". In fact, here's my review from my website of the Sinatra at the Sands CD:
Frank Sinatra with Count Basie Orchestra - Sinatra at the Sands (Reprise - 1998)
Reviewed: 26 April 2003. Ratings: ****, LLL See CD at Amazon.com »
First released in 1966, this captures Sinatra at his finest, live in Vegas, backed by one of the finest bands in the land. DJ Jesse Miner has recommended this CD, and I'm glad I finally gave in and bought it. I'm not a huge Sinatra fan, but damn, I find myself enjoying this despite myself. Sinatra is such an excellent performer, and combined with the band, they are electric in songs like "I've Got You Under My Skin" (130 BPM). Basie's band provides a lovely swinging feel and a great energy to this songs. There's a number of songs I could play for dancers that aren't on the above Sinatra Reprise best-of CD. Like "Where or When" (128 BPM). There's some banter that's forgettable, but listening to it, you almost feel like you are actually in Vegas listening to him.