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Where Knowledge Junkies Get Their Fix
The Turnip is back! And with a new look, no less. If you’re new to the Turnip, it’s the feature wherein I type a random phrase and we see what kind of interesting factoids “turn-up.”
Today I typed in “Sinatra” + “famous for” unearthing the following:
- Sinatra was famous for nailing songs on the first take
- Frank Sinatra was famous for his Vegas parties.
- A lot of singers move around the beat, Frank Sinatra was famous for singing behind the beat.
- Sinatra was famous for his short temper; his friend Humphrey Bogart characterized him as ’tilting at windmills, fighting people who don’t want to fight’.
- Sinatra was famous for doing one take on a scene and absolutely hated to do multiple takes.
- Almost as famous for his run-ins with the press and as leader of the Rat Pack, Sinatra supposedly kept the company of organized criminals and presidents, both Democratic and Republican, through his eventful life.
- Unfairly panned by critics who objected to the synthetic manner in which the songs were recorded, Duets is an easy way to get acquainted with some of the tunes Sinatra is famous for.
Comments (3)
Comment
In The Magazine
Moving around the beat suggests stylistic effects. Singing behind the beat reeks of incompetence.
“Nailing songs on the first take” makes one question who defined “nailing” - especially when you add that he was famous for doing one take on a scene, hating to do multiple takes. Maybe he was just lazy.
Gee, I thought I *liked* his music, but by the time I got to the last item, I wondered if he was unfairly panned by critics - or if the pans were justified. Is Duets an especially easy way to get acquainted because half the singing was done by someone competent?
Now, in reading my comments, you should note that this is a first draft, because I’m too lazy to edit my own work, that I am friends with idiots and warmongers, and that I’ll punch out the lights of anyone who is critical of what I say.
Jeeze, if I’d only had a perforated eardrum, I coulda been a big time singer, too!
posted by Paul Ding on 7-10-2007 at 9:13 am
Singing/playing behind the beat is an essential technique in jazz. Sinatra learned it from listening to Billie Holliday, Dorsey and others!
posted by Lauren on 7-10-2007 at 9:34 am
Don’t know why Ding was so incredibly negative about this talented and wonderful singer. I am a huge Sinatra buff. The fact that he can nail a song in one take shows his impressive ability to get it right the first time unlike current musicians who have mulitple takes and synthesizers used on their voice to get it right. And any one who listens to his music can testify that he did get it right the first time. His voice is classic.
posted by Peggy on 7-10-2007 at 3:23 pm