Rating: 
Summary: Reveals Sinatra as the bravest of TV performers.
Review: At first you think you're watching a film noir. A sleek black car slides through the mean streets, shot from above to a menacing jazz accompaniment. A man gets out; the shot is obscure - is he going to assassinate someone? Collect his gal? He enters an empty, blindingly white building, and begins singing 'I've got you under my skin', pointing forcefully at the audience.My point is, although this is a TV show, with much cosy banter in front of a friendly audience, Sinatra is restlessly pushing back boundaries in the most audacious ways, from the bizarre sets (the most prominent being a curious (self-revealing?) insect/crucifix hybrid), daring medleys (especially the brilliant, but rather distubing journey through his career framed by 'It was a good year'), and the astonishing singing, as we watch Sinatra frequently having to grapple with the most excitingly jarring backing ever misnamed 'easy' - my dog was startled by a particularly off-kilter bass rumble. There are more reassuring pleasures too - 'Nancy' is tremendously moving, and 'My kind of town' is the kind of singalong that has you flailing out of your seat. And it's great to actually see those music maestros Riddle and Jenkins take a bow. Fantastic stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Reveals Sinatra as the bravest of TV performers.
Review: At first you think you're watching a film noir. A sleek black car slides through the mean streets, shot from above to a menacing jazz accompaniment. A man gets out; the shot is obscure - is he going to assassinate someone? Collect his gal? He enters an empty, blindingly white building, and begins singing 'I've got you under my skin', pointing forcefully at the audience. My point is, although this is a TV show, with much cosy banter in front of a friendly audience, Sinatra is restlessly pushing back boundaries in the most audacious ways, from the bizarre sets (the most prominent being a curious (self-revealing?) insect/crucifix hybrid), daring medleys (especially the brilliant, but rather distubing journey through his career framed by 'It was a good year'), and the astonishing singing, as we watch Sinatra frequently having to grapple with the most excitingly jarring backing ever misnamed 'easy' - my dog was startled by a particularly off-kilter bass rumble. There are more reassuring pleasures too - 'Nancy' is tremendously moving, and 'My kind of town' is the kind of singalong that has you flailing out of your seat. And it's great to actually see those music maestros Riddle and Jenkins take a bow. Fantastic stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Wendy from Boston
Review: Don't waste your money. This DVD was such a disappointment. It is badly edited with limited film clips and very poor quality in most places. Move on.
Rating:
Summary: Wendy from Boston
Review: Don't waste your money. This DVD was such a disappointment. It is badly edited with limited film clips and very poor quality in most places. Move on.
Rating: 
Summary: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT !
Review: He parks his car and directly goes into the studio. And the rest is the history. History of entertainment, history of joy, history of talent. Simply put, history of Frank Sinatra Music. The performance of Frank Sinatra is just great ! No need to any other word to rate his performance. Although the picture quality is not satisfactory, the rendition of the artist balances this defect. Buy this DVD and go fly with Frank. And don't tell your mama !
Rating:
Summary: A Singer and His Swing
Review: If you fast forward to the final 15 minutes of this incredible video you can be forgiven. For upon arrival you will view what is perhaps the greatest 15 minute medley of swing/jazz singing ever recorded for the venerable tube. Frank with precision backing from Nelson Riddle and the boys, nails every selection with a zest and confidence that can only be described as breathtaking and one of the great moments in music. Highlights: "I've Got the World on a String" in which Frank soars and where you just know he is singing about his own life at the time. "You Make Feel So Young" in which Frank belts it out like he's 20, not 50. The overall feel of this set is of a masterpiece which is why one watches it over and over again seeking out the nuance and little pleasures hidden throughout. I do not mean to give short shrift to the ballad section which opens the tape but the swing set contains classic must-have renditions for the jazz/swing fan. And yes, the very opening of the tape is as startling as you have heard. The Man, heels clicking, takes a brisk walk thru a shadowy studio up to a waiting stool and mike and goes accapella with his most famous line: "I've got you Under my Skin'. Then the music kicks in and you are grabbing the rewind button to see this oh so special moment again. It all ends with Frank singing you away with the ballad; "Put Your Dreams Away." I understand this song was played at his funeral service. Here it ends a fabulous set where Frank stakes his claim to musical immortality. He will not be denied and neither should you.
Rating:
Summary: The show's great, but deserves better treatment.
Review: This DVD rates 5 stars on the exceptionally quality of Sinatra's performance and the historical value of preserving this masterful career highlight. One might have hoped, though, that some more attention could have been made to restoring some fading of the print. The sets remain beautiful but a bit muted. The sound, though mono, is terrific. Another quibble : although Sinatra fans will be familiar with all the details, there could have been more to the packaging, such as original recording and air dates, some text that puts this program into the context of Sinatra's career, anything. All one gets is a list of song titles. This performer deserves better.
Rating:
Summary: That's Entertainment
Review: This is the first and possibly the best in a line of Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music series. Watching this DVD one has to think what a groundbreaking innovator that Sinatra was. With both his music and his acting, he pushed the limit and this disc is no exception. Granted, this is from the 60's, off television, but that does not take away form how spectacular he is. Sinatra is in exceptional voice, arguably the best era of his music. He has just enough age in his voice that you can hear the heartbreak when he sings a ballad but he still can belt out the classics like Witchcraft, Come Fly With Me, and You Make Me Feel So Young. With the Nelson Riddle / Gordon Jenkins arrangements and orchestras, accompanying him, he is an unmatchable performer. I own all of the discs in this series and I would rank this, Volume II, and + Ella + Jobim all equal. This is the way that Sinatra liked it. From the very beginning, when he walks into the soundstage, sits down, and belts out I've Got You Under My Skin, to the very ending of Put Your Dreams Away (which he ended all of these special with) it's nothing but perfect. If you consider yourself a fan of Frank Sinatra then you MUST own this disc.
Rating:
Summary: That's Entertainment
Review: This is the first and possibly the best in a line of Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music series. Watching this DVD one has to think what a groundbreaking innovator that Sinatra was. With both his music and his acting, he pushed the limit and this disc is no exception. Granted, this is from the 60's, off television, but that does not take away form how spectacular he is. Sinatra is in exceptional voice, arguably the best era of his music. He has just enough age in his voice that you can hear the heartbreak when he sings a ballad but he still can belt out the classics like Witchcraft, Come Fly With Me, and You Make Me Feel So Young. With the Nelson Riddle / Gordon Jenkins arrangements and orchestras, accompanying him, he is an unmatchable performer. I own all of the discs in this series and I would rank this, Volume II, and + Ella + Jobim all equal. This is the way that Sinatra liked it. From the very beginning, when he walks into the soundstage, sits down, and belts out I've Got You Under My Skin, to the very ending of Put Your Dreams Away (which he ended all of these special with) it's nothing but perfect. If you consider yourself a fan of Frank Sinatra then you MUST own this disc.
Rating:
Summary: Frank at his absolute best! Get it!
Review: This is the first television special and in many ways it it unequalled (although I haven't seen them all yet). Sinatra is in great form, his voice powerful and playful. He appears to be having a great time and it is well communicated. The opening with "Under My Skin" is exhilirating and goes down in Television history as "one of those moments". By all means...order this DVD if you haven't seen it. Also, check out A Man and His Music +Ella +Jobim; it is just as wonderful!
|
