“What are your thoughts on exceptionally vocally talented artists such as Sinatra?”
Ah! Another very good question!
I like Sinatra. Dean Martin even more, but I think a lot of that was because of his delightful personality. I’m a huge Mill’s Brothers fan. But that era of music was a bit different. Although the musical arrangements may have seemed sometimes complex, they really weren’t. The arrangements were designed to put the vocalist WAY out front. I grew up listening to these guys. Sinatra’s phrasing, and interesting voice, Dean’s just plain fun approach, and the Mills Bros harmony. But I was a piano Boogie Woogie baby! My Mom would put me in the playpen, and I would shake the bars and scream “Music, Music”. My Mom told me that was the third word that I learned after Mamma and Dadda. The only way she could shut me up was to put on a stack of Boogie Woogie 78s by Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, and Meade Lux Lewis. She’d just keep turning the stack over to keep me quiet and entertained. Musical mind. Can’t explain it, though I try. It’s funny,,,, as a guitarist, people ask me who my favorite musician is, and when I tell them Albert Ammons, they’re clueless!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcvvUWhckww
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zOoAPn3OjQ
I will certainly check those out. I grew up with a father into Sinatra, Nat Cole and the Mills Brothers. My mother loved/loves Dean Martin. Looking forward to checking out your links.