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Ring-A-Ding-Ding, everybody!
Here at TCOTS, we’re celebrating Frank Sinatra’s 100th Birthday by counting down what I think are his 100 best performances on Vinyl and CD. All of the songs on the List have been released on either one or both mediums. Interspersed with the countdown will be Honorable Mentions that didn’t make the List and a countdown of what I think are his best albums.
Francis Albert will be your pilot and Bobby Bell your navigator.
So sit back easy in your easy chair, fasten your seatbelts, and let’s take off in the blue…
85 — Ol’ MacDonald
Music & Lyrics: Traditional with new lyrics by Lew Spence, Marilyn and Alan Bergman
Recorded: 01 September 1960
Released as a Single; included in the compilation albums All The Way and The Complete Capitol Singles Collection
My kind of nursery rhyme! This is the way to do it, all there is to it. Frank and the band are having a ball — and so will you…
84 — That’s Life
Music & Lyrics: Dean Kay, Kelly Gordon
Recorded: 18 October 1966
From the album That’s Life
Frank knows. Frank knows about Life. Been there, he’s done that — he’s done it all — and he gonna take you by the hand and tell you all about it. Braggadocio in spades, but Frank can back it all up with witnesses…
83 — Oh! Look At Me Now
Music & Lyrics: Joe Bushkin, John De Vries
Recorded: 28 November 1956
From the album A Swingin’ Affair
Frank recorded this tune twice in his career and this is the lesser version. Don’t get me wrong: it’s got to be damn good to have made the Top 100 out of 1,400-plus possible Sinatra recordings, but it doesn’t work as well as the other, which will be swingin’ lightly-on down this here lane a little later on. FYI: This is the version of the song I chose to do the dance with my Mother at my Wedding, so that tells you exactly how good I think this recording is. My first exposure to Francis Albert I owe to my parents, especially, my Mater, who is an old bobby-soxer.
See you next Friday as we head-off again to Bobsville.
Don’t forget to also keep checking out
Pundette’s Sinatra 100 countdown
& Mark Steyn’s Sinatra Songs Of The Century.
It’s a swingin’ world.
If you’re having trouble tracking down any of the performances on this List, contact me at Robert[dot]Belvedere[at]gmail[dot]com and I might be able to help you.
