The Sinatra Imperative

Each generation must deal with Sinatra. For us Boomers, Sinatra represented the older, unhip music that was to be swept aside by rock and roll, psychedelia, sensitive singer-songwriters, and all-purpose rebellion. Yet, anyone interested in music as music, as opposed to a tribal signifier, will get past the labels and understand that Sinatra was the interpreter par excellence of the Great American Songbook. It's all about tone and phrasing and confidence, as well as an actorly ability to convey the meaning of the lyrics.

In the last couple weeks I've been listening to the Sinatra-Jobim album, Come Dance With Me, and Songs for Swingin' Lovers. The Jobim disc is cool because Sinatra clearly has worked to adapt his style to samba and boss nova. He sings in a softer and flatter, i.e., more even tone, and carries it off pretty well. I love this record.

Back in the 60s, it was almost a matter of betraying your own "side" to listen to Sinatra. But then came the big lounge revival in the 90s, and the massive popularity today of people like Michael Buble'. So I don't know what young people today think. Maybe just indifference? At any rate, do your homework and study Sinatra.

Sinatra fun fact: Frank said to always wear your hat at an angle, thus anticipating hip hop nation by a few decades.