RING A DING DING TIME
COME FLY WITH ME by Frank Sinatra (Capitol, 1958)
This is my 100th episode, and it seems appropriate to end the Captain Billy series here with Frank Sinatra. The practice of going through my 8 track collection and luxuriating in the music of my youth has been a tonic, getting me through a season of grief and isolation. And, now, as I pack up my house of 26 years, parsing through and divesting myself of some weighty possessions, I sense that it may also be time to move on to other occupations.
My partner, Richie B, has always been a devotee of Blue Eyes, - (he’s been lobbying for Frank’s induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame for years) - and when I started collecting 8 tracks by amassing large lots of unidentified carts, there were more Sinatra tapes appearing at my door than by any other artist. This album is from the jazzy, Rat-Pack period Frank, my favorite Sinatra era by far. The early, crooning, Bobby-Soxer’s Dreamboat never did it for me. But these piquant Capitol recordings have it all: the swing, the manly heartbreak, and winking sexy fun of America’s all time greatest male interpreter of popular song, during the time that that form dominated American culture.
Arranged by the jaunty Billy May, everything about this “concept” album - (a musical trip around the world) - shows The Chairman of the Board at his ring a ding ding best. Dig those syncopated horn pops and flirty flutes as they insinuate themselves around Frank’s relaxed articulations. Here, Sinatra is perfecting his ability to mine deeper layers of meaning from lyrical phrases by stopping and bending time. It is an art exhibition, by a master of communication, at the pinnacle of his craft.
One more thing - For the past 20 years I have been fortunate to have worked at an Acting school situated directly across the street from the iconic Capitol Records building - the edifice that Frank built, and I have some wonderful memories of teaching in a classroom of windows, with blinds raised, so we could watch that cylindrical building of legend be bathed in a rosy Hollywood sunset. So, I salute you, home of my heroes, the Beatles, and of Richie’s - Frank Sinatra. That’s all, folks.
