Re: Sinatra

[Lori Cahan-Simon <l_cahan...>]

I remember reading/hearing somewhere that Frank patterned his singing
after the saxophonist's style whom he worked with.  This could account
for some of his "off pitch" notes as an echo of the subtleties of the
instrument.  I know that when I sing I make use of microtonal increments
in many styles.  I believe that some of what we perceive as "off" is
intentional and blends well with the character of the music being
played.  Let us think back to the time when the klavier, for example,
was not well-tempered.

Then again, we all sing and play "clams" every now and again.  ;-)

Lorele


Lionel Mrocki & Karen Amos wrote:

> David Baron wrote:
>
>> The whole point is that the human voice is not a digitally
>> controlled
>> synthesizer doing Sinatra samples. There is expression, quaver,
>> etc., and
>> this is what makes singing interesting (at least more so that
>> hitting MIDI
>> controller keys playing voice samples).
>>
>> Sinatra, even in later years, was, well .... a performer who
>> satisfied
>> several generations. He was a stylist. The arrangements, as opposed
>> to those
>> immitating swing and big band today (including those of Moshe
>> Lauffer, et
>> all), were impecable, never overpowering the singer. I am sick of
>> complaining to the sound man to turn down the band, cut the echo, so
>> I can
>> HEAR Mordechai Ben David or Avraham Fried. Such never happened with
>> Frankie!
>
> I agree.  I'm no passionate follower of Frankie's, but he had
> something magnetic about him personally and there was a romance and
> charm in his presentation that is the envy of many.
>
> There are countless recordings of artists where every line or every
> second word has had pitch correction treatment, disguising the
> deficiencies of the artist.  Somehow, when Frankie does it (misses
> pitch), he gets away with it almost like his voice is on a different
> plane to the accompaniment and he certainly doesn't "hold back" or
> lose confidence on the next line.
>
> I've listened to recordings of myself, and been a little surprised at
> the odd "off note". Sometimes its problems with foldback, sometimes
> too much mashke.
>
> Yes, we can point the finger at Frankie, but what's the motive?
>
> I wish I had half his natural talent!
>
>
>
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Lionel Mrocki
>
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