January 28, 2014

Why I Don’t Like Frank Sinatra

Many’s the time I’ve been sitting in my favourite haunt, The Hungry Dog in Haebangcheon in Seoul, nursing beers, doing crosswords, playing chess and chatting music to fellow customers and staff. One tidbit I picked up there was told to me by Will, boyfriend of the owner. He’d studied German, and was, moreso than me anyway, familiar with many aspects of German culture. He told me that the song ‘Mack the Knife’, a huge hit in the late 1950s for Bobby Darin, was originally a German song, written in the 1920s called "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer" (The Ballad of Mack the Knife). You can read about it at the Wikipedia article here

This song was, originally, a sinister song, with a feel about it that would, if you like, scare children. It was dark and moody, slow and chilling, atmospheric, haunting. You can listen to it at this link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QXJ3OXWaOY It is not in any way to be considered a cheerful number. It is not, nor was it intended to be, performed or received as a jaunty, peppy or upbeat song. It’s a song about a rapist, arsonist and murderer. A song of warning.

Now listen to the Bobby Darin version, the most famous and well known version around. It has been translated into English, but that’s not why it’s different – it’s different because now the Bobby Darin version has a jolly feel to it. You can almost hear him smiling throughout his performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEllHMWkXEU

I’ve always liked a bit of Fats Waller, the guy was a genius. You’ve probably heard his superlative version of ‘I’m Gonna Sit Write Down and Write Myself a Letter’, which was the first time the song was a hit. If you haven’t, you can check it out here . Again, this is poignant, emotional song. The listener is not quite sure if the lover has left, died, is just absent, or even simply doesn’t like writing letters! Whichever it is, Fats is sad. Fats ain’t happy.  Now listen to Frank  Sinatra’s version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvAL6zIst0 You can, again, hear the smile in his rendition, the jauntiness in the song, the happiness, the ‘swing’. Sorry Frank, you’re getting it totally wrong. Can you sing? Hell yes, you’re a great singer. Can you ‘sing’? No. It hurts my brain listening to ‘Letter’ by Frank. The disparate mismatch between delivered style, and the meaning of the song is enormously confusing.

I subscribe to quite a few podcasts from back home, one of which is called ‘Soul Music’ from BBC Radio 4. It’s a fairly pleasant show, and each show’s many guests are invited to explain what that week’s piece of music means to them personally. A few weeks ago the music was ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ which I was surprised to learn was originally a slightly melancholic song, with a meaning something like ‘this year isn’t/hasn’t been great, but maybe next year eh?’. Although it was changed slightly from its original by Judy Garland et al as they thought it ‘depressing’, it was when Frank Sinatra got a hold of it that any of its former meaning was lost. From the Wiki of the song “In 1957, Frank Sinatra asked Martin to revise the line "Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow." He told Martin, "The name of my album is A Jolly Christmas. Do you think you could jolly up that line for me?" Martin's new line was "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough."

And there you go. That’s why I don’t like Frank Sinatra. He sucked the life, and original meaning, but most importantly the ‘feel’ of so many songs, he and many of his contemporaries. Songs are allowed to be sad. Songwriters are entitled to have their work remain unpoisoned. 

7 comments:

  1. And he was a horrible little thug who used his mobster connections to get his way. But your point is also valid.

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  2. Frank Sinatra & John Roselli Friarclub & Sam Giancana.Jeanne Carmen met John Roselli in Florida then she left husband for the Hoodlum ?Since Judith & Jeanne lived Newport Beach orange Co Calif same city Joe Bishop of rat pack lived so is that a coincidence? Judith Campbell Exner was still with John Roselli after Marilyn Monroe demise aug5,1962 as well as JFK demise11-22-63. Would it be coincidence that Jeanne Carmen was mole just like Judith Campbell Exner in that she was pass around hoodlums and Rat pack etc. Sure Seems quite funny that Judith Campbell Exner got to stay with john Roselli in Hollywood but Jeanne Carmen was instructed to leave Hollywood to go to Scottsdale Arizona ? That Mort Friedman & John Roselli Nov 18 -1963 spent Few days Scottsdale Arizona ?That 1975 John Roselli called Jeanne Carmen to come to Las Vegas claim he whack SamGiancana over Marilyn Monroe ?Roselli said to her always knew where she was -because help put here there & Roselli always fond of her or they both had hand in crimes? That John Roselli went missing july28,(say month day Marilyn went CalNeva Lodge) got whacked put in oil drum Sometime July28-aug8,1976? Rumor of Dr*gs that Roselli pass around- that Dean Martin & Frank Sinatra & rat pack &celebrities ?That Jeanne Carmen claiim she was on Drugs in Hollywood that nite of Marilyn demise She party that nite of her bday that Marilyn Monroe called her for some Dr*gs so is it farfetched that Carmen sent John Roselli over to give Marilyn Monroe some Dr*gs was it pretense to get in her residence could carmen been cospirator to do away with Marilyn Monroe? Since Jeanne Carmen claim that Marilyn Monroe didn't have all her faciliites wore dirty white robe that she deserved what she got mess around men powerful standing ?Since Jeanne Carmen claim she lived at 882 N Doheny Drive that George Jacobs Sinatra chauffeur valet lived at as well as other Sinatra friends and infact that Frank Sinatra had lived as well ?Wasn't til towards end Jeanne Carmen life did she come out with her part of the conspiracy of Jfk & MM for her benefit /gain or to relieve her guilt?

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  3. Is it a coincidence that Milton Rudin was brother in law Ralph Greenson (Dr. Hyman Engelberg )he was among the first on the scene when the star died of a drug overdose in 1962 ?Was it Mr. Rudin who handled Sinatra's divorce from Mia Farrow, told the singer's disapproving mother, Dolly, that Sinatra was marrying his fourth wife, Barbara Marx, and informed Sinatra of the death of his second wife, Ava Gardner and told Sinatra not to marry MMonroe?Didn't Sinatra give MM dog to his Secretary Lovell and later Muf tragically run over ?Whats up with the stuffed Maf that was thrown on MM driveway?Is it coincidence that Rudin went Joe Dimaggio to do MM funeral?Is it a coincidence that Joe Dimaggio gave MM money for brentwood home 12305 Fifth Helena Drive & gave $$ go Mexico for shopping for home ? June DiMaggio claim they made pizza then went marilyn home get pan back & that JoeDimaggio marry her Aug5 &Her mother and father, Tom and Louise (Lee) DiMaggio owned and operated DiMaggio's Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf that MM called nite the intruders came in MM told Louise their names and so why did June wait til after Joe Dimaggio demise to tell this story& joe last words on his lips i gonna see Marilyn?Joe was quiet -moody -private - DiMaggio’s passion turned into obsession and jealousy?Not to mention 1954 wrongdoor raid stalk MM and wasn't Joe that went crazy beat MM up over the subway grate blow up dress on 7year itch at motel MM dev Joe ?Joe Dimaggio good friends Skinny Paul A'amato (500club atlantic city NJ)manager Cal Neva Lodge for Frank Sinatra and Sam Giancana?When Joe Dimaggio was ask why he golf with Giancana he answered _ ?/bernard Toots Shor his bar as well Skinny Paul Amato 500club bar was hoodlum hang out as well celebrites came went there &joe went there to sign autograph for$$? Peter Lawford friends with Rat pack -Sinatra and Hoodlums and the Kennedys?

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  4. Sinatra was a gimmick. He could barley sing and his physical appearance was downright laughable. The music company and Hollywood "told" people he was talented and the people were dumb enough to believe them. Sinatra is the type of pu$$y guy who avoid an @ss kicking his entire life and used goons to do his dirty work after his mouth wrote checks his tiny petite body couldn't cash. He was a loud mouth and a punk. He was an Italian version of Justin Bieber. Only difference is Bieber can sing better.... Barley.

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  5. I'm wondering why/how I don't like Sinatra if I love swing so much. I think it's that he can't swing (he exaggerates the rhythm but doesn't feel it), and his act is all about his person. Also he's not a musician, he can't scat. He's not the only one, since he's been emulated in his time. To me Sinatra is to swing what Trump is to politics.

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  6. Marilyn Monroe Last Week to Last Days:1.) spent july28-29 at calneva lodge rumored Sam giancana/John Roselli there ? Remenber Frank Sinatra got Roselli in friar club?Sinatra upset Jack didn't fly to his pad but end up at Bing's? 2.) Rumor that MM saw Joe near Cal-Neva that joe friends Paul skinny D'amato and Joe DiMaggio had people spy on MM(joe pal HarryHall said MM often broke dates with joe) &Joe July1962 resign job Monette Co & that he move La take care MM & Joe did not let Hollywood's & kennedy's attend MM funeral as Joe blamed them infact Joe mad at Sinatra blame him also Joe claim he wed MM 2nd time aug8,1962 his neice claim went MM deliver/pickup pizza pan that MM called her mother 8-4 also records indicate Joe repaid from MM estate??3.)Jeanne Carmen claim she lived MM /Jacobs apt 882 N Doheny Dr.that MM call her on bday 8-4 that MM want drugs & next day aug5 Johnny Roselli told jeanne to leave los angeles?4.)MM neighbors saw ambulance/Lapd car?5.)Dr Ralph Greenson brotherinlaw Milton A (Mickey) Rudin married sister Eliz Greenson and Rudin Sinatra lawyer & Sinatra pass Rudin (friends)around his celebrity friends & Milton pickup Maf dog gave Sinatra who gave to his secretary also mike shore friend Sam's work Reprise who got call from Ruby friend ruby bro?6.)Chuck/Sam Giancana book claim SamSr order hit his maf-team carried out whack job on MM?7.)Eunice murray called doc 12 midnite he lived nearby arrived in min's broke window & Doc Greenson called Engelberg&didn't call Lapd for 4hrs doc said were talkin?later Eunice told Sommers that MM still alive Greenson &ambulance came& ask her why didn't she say this b4 told whatever thought good to tell ? 8.)Ambulance Story: James Hall came forward story He & M Liebowitz arrived MM's she still alive resuscitation that doc inject MM in heart soon after MM expired?Hall claim pat Newcomb/Peter Lawford /Doc Greenson there&even LAPD sign paper?9.)Sinatra upset kennedys/tired MM/as he was womanizer&friends with wizeguys?10.) Fred Otash claim hired jimmy Hoffa & Spindel & MM?11.)george jacobs & buddy Greco claim MM at cal Neva july27-28-1962 weekend that Sinatra bouncer kick MM out ?12.)coverup in action -who all involved from low to top -all had sinned so who wants throw 1st stone?

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  7. Jeannie Carmen knew Johnny Roselli 1948-9?She came to LasVegas/Calif shortly thereafter?Roselli introduce Ratpack&celebrities &got Carmen into B~movies Studios?Soon after Sinatra Doheny complex gave Carmen apt there?Johnny Roselli knew both Fred Otash and John Danoff?John Danoff claim he met with Joe Dimaggio,Mickey Cohen,Johnny Roselli & Sam Giancana while work for Fred Otash? Fred Otash said Bernie Spindel came out LA hollywood to tell him to wire Marilyn monroe home(spindell associate Jimmy Hoffa)?Remenber wrong door Raid 11-5-1954 with Frank Sinatra/Joe DiMaggio left Villa Capri catch marilyn along come Phil Irwin,Barney Ruditsky,Patsky D'Amore &John Seminola maybe Otash? So Joe Dimaggio&Frank Sinatra used eaves drop devices & detectives to do dirty work?Jeannie Carmen slept with celebrities,ratpack &Roselli&mobsters?Fred Otash claim he heard everything aug4~5,1962in MM home &telephone wires but Otash story is he benefiting mobsters /Kennedys?

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