Frankly, it's becoming

After my recent post about Frank Sinatra, the man has been present in my life not only through his music, but in words as well.


I don't have much time to read lately yet on the same day I ran into old Frank in two different books.

Mailer hanging out

The first was in Norman Mailer's Harlot's Ghost:


"Do you like Frank Sinatra?" she asked.
"Never met him."
"I mean, do you like his singing?"
"Overrated," I replied.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
- pg 688

The second was in Thaddeus Russell's The Renegade History of the United States:


When a teenaged Frank Sinatra saw Crosby perform in New Jersey, he decided to "do that". 
- pg 201


How fitting, my friends, that considering I compared him to Frank in the previous post, Johnny Hartman should happen to be singing at this very moment 'The Very Thought of You', as if reminding me that Frank may be a bigger part of our greater culture, but that Johnny Hartman has a few killer tracks of his own.

Frank & Johnny

the man could sing

It's easy to underestimate Frank Sinatra. I used to.

He's no Johnny Hartman, I used to say. I know some of you have heard me expound on this point, perhaps over espressos or iced vodka.

It's easy to focus on Frank's mob connections and to give their strong-arm tactics the credit for his success.

Friends, I am pulled from my computer to listen to him sing 'Black Magic.' The song proves the man deserves his reputation as one of the finest voices in the history of jazz.

Johnny, I'm sorry

Yes, I used to say that Frank was good, but that he was no Johnny Hartman... but lately I'm thinking that if I had to choose one over the other I just might go with Frank.

I'm sorry, Johnny! I really am. I feel just terrible. I mean, I love your Impulse! recordings but some of your other discs don't reach to those heights of quality. Perhaps if you had Nelson Riddle arrangements and the support of major label your catalogue would be as strong as his.

Johnny, you made three classic albums and how many musicians can say that?  You recorded with John Coltrane at the peak of his powers and recorded the song 'Joey' which always make my wife try to mimic your low notes. Thanks for that.

You liked Frank's music too, so you must understand. Are you angry at me for choosing him over you? Are you joining Red Norvo? Are both of you scowling at me from beyond the grave?