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Music
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If you’ve watched the 1968 TV special titled “Francis Albert Sinatra Does His Thing”, you’ll know this medley. It’s my personal favorite of the 1965-1969 medleys, and that’s saying quite a lot. I find that his ability to add even more hurt and cynicism on three tracks. Additionally, the added chorus for “Gone With The Wind” elevates the song to a new level.
Songs: “Glad To Be Unhappy”, “It Never Entered My Mind”, “Gone With The Wind”, and a soul crushing ending of “Here’s That Rainy Day” that can be watched here: https://youtu.be/4CcrYhPeZ48?si=xMkE7RyJJdD1xFs6
2) This TV special was a very interesting project, even for its time. If the original “A Man And His Music” special was Frank finally reaching the summit of his powers, this second special from which this medley was taken was more or less a victory lap. This medley from “A Man And His Music Part II” in particular is more focused on telling a love story gone awry, told through the perspective of a man who usually gets (and had) everything he ever wanted. A very interesting listen.
Songs: “Just One Of Those Things”, “My Heart Stood Still”, “But Beautiful”, “When Your Lover Has Gone”.
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Q&A
I’ve always loved the ‘68 medley. Great combo, lovely Costa chart. And clearly a re-recording of But Beautiful was a missed opportunity.
But ‘65 as the summit of his powers? What do you mean?
Turning 50, had everyone who ever heard his name at least checking in on him, the successful domestic Basie tour just three years after a successful international tour. His “Me And My Music” essay in LIFE Magazine, his success in making Reprise a viable label for Warner Bros., his fortune being as high as ever, Gay Talese making him the subject of one of the greatest celebrity pieces ever written. What I find truly important from ‘65 especially was “September Of My Years” completing Frank’s artistic journey as an artist. He tackled love, loss, joy, sadness, was already experimenting with closing different age gaps. However, “September” finally tackled the frontier no other popular singer managed: time. I think he became a complete artist that very year. And he had the world watching.
Edit: I think the “Rat Pack” broadcast from St. Louis being as successful as it was is also proof. They used the same twenty jokes for four years and still were a hit. That, and a compilation album of his undeservedly winning a Grammy the next year. He couldn’t miss.