Best Jazz Book of All Time #1

Yes friends, I know I have mocked list-makers over the years, but when it comes to jazz I like to be organized. Like many of you, jazz isn't just something to be listened to; it's something to absorb, to live, to wrap around you like James Cameron's new deep water sub to protect you from the drudgery of day to day living. (Okay, there's no drudgery here, but it was a nice turn of a phrase so how could I resist?)

I wish I had written this book.

I recently picked up a great book that has me thinking of jazz in a new way. Gary Giddins, Visions of Jazz: The First Century.

You know that for me jazz became interesting in the 1950s (with Louis Armstrojng being the god-like exception to this and every other rule) yet this book has me rethinking some of the oldies. I mean, how many of you have an understanding of Irving Berlin? I didn't. Sure, we all know his classic songs ('Cheek to Cheek', 'Puttin on the Ritz', 'Blue Skies', 'White Christmas', 'God Bless America', 'I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm' and on and on...) but did you know he and his parents escaped Russia in order to avoid a pogrom? Did you know that his life was full of tragedy and heartbreak? If I dwelled on the sadness in jazz I could tell you about the tragedy that befell his lovely wife during their honeymoon in Cuba and how the sad song he wrote about it ('When I Lost You') sold a million copies.

I downloaded Ella Fitzgerald's The Complete Irving Berlin Songbooks upon completing the chapter on this icon (see how quickly Giddins has brought me around to his way of thinking?) and I recommend you do the same.

I have little doubt this book will continue to inspire me as I chip away at its riches in the weeks to come so I will keep you posted, alright?  For now, have a listen to this lovely number. Frank Sinatra singing 'When I Lost You'. He brings out that sadness Irving was feeling in those dark times.

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?