Klarinet Archive - Posting 000043.txt from 2004/07

From: <tony-w@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Lilliebolero
Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 04:52:07 -0400

> >It's easy to forget how well Sinatra sang, by the way.
>
> He was the best in his prime. He always said he learned to breathe and
> phrase from listening to Tommy Dorsey's trombone playing while he was with
> Tommy's band.

Yes, Sinatra had excellent phrasing, but so did/has Bennett, and I do
believe that on occasions, Sinatra`s intonation let him down somewhat. Not
much wrong with Bennett`s tho`.
Sinatra conducted on one or two of his sessions also. I`m not sure whether
he did on his live concerts. And Bennett`s paintings will possible deliver
much more in future, after he departs.
In today`s round of speculative talent, I can`t see anything at all in Nora
Jones, but I heard the most big band swingiest version of 'Beyond the Sea' I
have come across the other day. S.& B. do just not figure. I recommend
acquiring the George Benson disc. His voice is a *voice* man! He bends his
notes and twists your 'own' mind into being personally in front of the
orchestra on stage. Well he did to me, and no, I didn`t crash the car!

I haven`t heard the Sinatra version of Lillie Bolero, so whether this has
Italian origins because it`s a different melody line than the
English/Irish(?) 'Lilliburlero' I couldn`t say. Lilliburlero first appeared
in print in 1686 in a book of 'lessons' for the flute, where it is styled
merely a Quickstep. Shortly after, it became popular set to some grotesque
and satirical verses with the mock Irish word 'Lilliburlero' as a refrain,
and it remains a tune of the Orange party to this day. Purcell put his name
to it (thief) as in 1689 he titled it 'A new Irish Tune', and because there
is an alleged Dutch origin for the tune a century and a half earlier.
I would hazard a guess that Sinatra didn`t sing it in 6/8 time!
Tony W.

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