Frank Sinatra with the Red Norvo Quintet – Live in Australia, 1959

I kind of wish I could say my grandparents had turned me on to Frank Sinatra…because that would sound kind of cool and make it seem as if I had had some kind of hipster grandparents who dug the jazz and knew all the ingredients of a good gimlet.

But, alas, neither set seemed very interested in music at all.  I’m not even sure they were aware that music existed.  My Mother’s parents owned a ranch and raised cattle and quarter horses.  My Dad’s parents…

Well, my Dad’s parents lived in Yuba City.   Google it.

In the end I discovered Frank through people my own age when my friends and I entered our “Lounge” phase in college, Sinatra became a large part of our lives very quickly.  Disgruntled by the fact that no one in our group was in a fraternity, and we weren’t invited to any of the formal parties, we began to throw our own “Lounge Parties.”  And they were a huge hit.

This was nice because the ladies enjoyed the suave atmosphere, music and drinks…and we

enjoyed the ladies.  That and we hired doormen to keep the Greeks out.But regardless of your affiliation or age group, Frank Sinatra is a man whose music has sort of a universal appeal.  This is due not only to the fact that Frank was an amazing badass, but more from his incredibly great taste in producers and musicians.  Frank knew who to pick and when and it served him well. This is what set him apart from his Rat Pack compatriots, and kept his career strong for as long as it lasted. 

When I started listening to Frank, I was a huge fan of his live 1966 album “Sinatra at the Sands.” Here you find Frank in full Vegas mode backed by none other than the Count Basie Orchestra with Quincy Jones producing.  It’s an excellent time capsule for the period, and full of great music…but I wanted more.

More of the more pensive Frank who cut the concept album with Jobim. More of a jazzier Frank.

And in 1997 I got my wish when Blue Note records released the recording of “Frank Sinatra with the Red Norvo Quintet, Live in Australia, 1959 ” It’s quite a mouthful for a title, and as far as I know the only Sinatra recording Blue Note has released, but it ranks up there as one of the best live recordings of the man I’ve ever heard. 

The sound quality is far from stellar…but it was 1959, and despite of the lack of high quality recording equipment, the absolutely stunning energy of the performance lifts this album higher than it might otherwise be. Have a listen to the curtain dropping version of ‘Night and Day’ above.  So stylized by Red Norvo’s Quintet as to be unrecognizable at first, the crowd gives an audible gasp when Frank transitions right into it…smooth as silk.  

Any question that Frank was only as good as his backing band dissipates with the first listen, although that is no swipe at Norvo and his group.  Quite the contrary, it’s Norvo’s sparse arrangements and shimmering vibe work that allow Sinatra the freedom to really stretch his voice on this recording.  And that feeling of relaxed enjoyment from Frank that pushes the envelope here, as is evident on this recording of ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ where he takes a dig at some guy in the front row. 

It’s a feeling of real joy and enjoyment that seems to seep from every nook of this record…right down to Frank’s banter with the obviously enraptured audience.  And after a listen you may count yourself among their number.

Neil Diamond – Hot August Night

Although it was not an event that was repeated at any other time in my youth, in 1979 my parents took me to my first concert. 

It was Neil Diamond on The Jazz Singer tour. 

While I don’t remember much of the concert itself, I do remember forcing my Mom to play the cassette over and over again whenever she drove me someplace. So I guess you could say I’ve been a Neil Diamond fan for most of my life…minus those four Diamond-less years at the very beginning.

Neil began his career in the early sixties, but found no real success until his compositions (I’m a Believer, Love to Love) were picked up and recorded by The Monkees.  Contrary to popular belief, Diamond did not write the songs for The Monkees, but their versions were released before his own.  This deal did begin to get him recognized as a songwriter as well as a singer and musician.

After a few years with the Bang label, honing his skills on tunes like ‘Cherry Cherry’ and ‘Kentucky Woman,’ Neil wanted to branch off and do something new.  After finding a loophole in his contract he tried to jump ship only to get tied up for a few years in the ensuing legal troubles that would not be fully resolved until 1977.

He signed with MCA in 1969 and moved to Los Angeles where his sound changed.  He began cranking out new hits after his year or so off the radar…hit’s like ‘Cracklin Rosie,’ the ode to Caroline Kennedy ‘Sweet Caroline’ and the country tinged ‘Song Sung Blue.’ 

Neil was on a roll.

Then, in 1972, he played a string of ten sold out shows at the Los Angeles Greek Theatre.

TEN SOLD OUT SHOWS!

I defy you to find another artist that will play ten shows in a row, let alone sell them all out. So, on Thursday August 24th they recorded the show that would become “Hot August Nights.”  Coming to the stage with a renewed energy and showmanship, Diamond is at his peak here as he runs through his new material and his back catalogue.  All in a denim jumpsuit.  (I’ve never personally worn a jumpsuit…but I feel safe in assuming they don’t breath too well.)  The album did really well here in the states, but amazingly well in Australia where it was a top twenty chart hit all the way into the 80’s.

Filled withsuperb sound quality and a song selection that starts withone of the best orchestral intros ever and ends with a massive ‘Soolaimon’ that jams into “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,’ (hear it below!)it’s a collection that just doesn’t miss.  They have a new extended version out now with even more hits on it as well, but the older version holds up just fine.

Neil later recorded a follow up in 1977 called “Love at The Greek,” but it’s not as good and he sing’s a duet with the Fonz (I shit you not.)

Best Live Album ever?  Maybe. 

Best Live Neil Diamond album…definitely!

 

Bill Withers – Live at Carnegie Hall

There was a time, not too long ago when I was hunting down samples like a mad man, and I bought any compilation of such on sight.  It was during  one of these episodes that I picked up a gem called “A Break From the Norm: The Norman Cook Collection.”  Every song on the album had been sampled by Norman AKA Fatboy Slim…and amongst these tracks was one by Bill Withers called ‘I Can’t Write Left Handed;’ which if you’ve never heard it, is gorgeous and just devastating.

I owned a Bill Withers Greatest Hits CD at the time, but it had nothing like this on it, so I had to check the liner notes to find out that it was from the “Live at Carnegie Hall” album.  Out of print for some odd years it had luckily been recently reissued (thank you reissue gods!) and I snatched it up in my greedy little hands and laughed that maniacal laugh that I do when I know I’ve struck gold.

“Mmwwaaa ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!”

Or something like that.

For months after that I did nothing but burn copies of this for my friends and force people to listen to it at parties.  I recently invested my money in a local bar, whose patrons are now treated to random bursts of my music whenever the mood strikes me to take over the booth.  This album now gets requested quite a bit.

Not a song, mind you, but the whole album.

It’s kind of like a Greatest Hits album…but live…and better.  Sure it’s got the classics like ‘Use Me’ and ‘Lean on Me,’  but also deeper cuts like ‘Better Off Dead’ and ‘Harlem/Cold Baloney’ as well.  It’ll live in your car or iPod for a while if you get it, believe me.

Born in 1938, Withers wrote and sang his songs from the 60’s all the way through the mid eighties before he retired.  I was looking him up on line the other day (read: Stalking) and found out that he mostly gardens nowadays.  An artist like this is gardening instead of playing??? Seriously, WTF Bill?

Like who wouldn’t drop a C Note to catch him live today?

Word on the streets is that he’s got a stock of unreleased material lying around that my soon be made into an album.  One can only hope.

But, seriously…can I get a tour?

BONUS!!! I couldn’t find any footage of this show, but here’s some rare footage from the Brothers and Sisters Live benefit show in 1973. Enjoy!

Elvis – Memories: The ‘68 Comeback Special

Fuck yeah!

This is the way I want to remember the King! If you only own one Elvis CD in your collection, then you need to buy this one too.  Screw the greatest hits.  This is prime Elvis.  And you know what?  If I ever have to make a comeback, I hope to do it in a black leather jumpsuit too.

The sixties were not so kind to Mr Presley. The times had changed, the music had changed, America had changed…just not Elvis.  On the verge of dropping off into obscurity, he set up this special for NBC.  A two hour extravaganza featuring a Broadway opening, and a then an intimate sit down session that put everyone on notice that there was only one King.

The first half runs very smoothly, based around the songs ‘Trouble’ and ‘Guitar Man’ before sliding into hits like ’Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Hound Dog.’  I think the Gospel Medley may be the high point here, it truly makes me want to raise my hands and get all Jesus’ed up (note: I’m pretty sure Jesus’ed up isn’t grammatically correct, but I don’t care).  If you get the chance to see the original video I highly recommend it.  Elvis goes from city to city…always seeming to end up in a whore house. 

Then then comes the kung-fu.  (I shit you not!)

The second disc has Elvis performing before a select audience.  It’s a loose set, sloppy, staggered…and absolutely electric.  This was the world’s last chance to see Elvis as he was meant to be seen: washing away the memories of his awful movies, but before fat Vegas Elvis moved in.