Topic: Sinatra -the world's greatest voice?

[Rik]

I was watching the Arena documentary recently, and it prompted me to think about the quality of Sinatra's voice, perhaps, more accurately, his ability to deliver a lyric which sucked you into the song he was singing. He was an influence on me from my childhood, but I really came to appreciate him most as I grew older.

Was he the world's greatest singer? In the 20th century, I think the answer is yes. (Though it would be hard to compare him with Pavarotti, say, who had more power and a purer quality, but who sang notes, not words.)

What do you think?

[Simon]

I like Sinatra, but perhaps for the songs and arrangements, rather than the voice.  Sure, he did have a great voice, and the power and delivery of the songs couldn't be disputed, but coming from a later era, I would have to submit Freddie Mercury as a challenge.  I certainly think Mercury had a greater range than Sinatra, and I can't help but think of Sinatra as a mobster, rather than a singer!

[Rik]

Mercury was different, as good in many ways, but without the full emotional range of Sinatra, imo. I'd not kick either out of my collection, though.

[Simon]

I've probably only ever heard a dozen or so Sinatra tracks - a drop in the ocean, I expect.  I've looked at compilation CDs, but a lot of them seem to contain loads of tracks I don't know, and can also be of questionable audio quality, due to the age of the material.  I suspect, also, as with Eva Cassidy, a lot of 'demo' type material emerged after his death.

[Rik]

Not so much with Sinatra, Simon. Look at his albums with Nelson Riddle, they were some of his best work.

This is a good intro set:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Platinum-Collection-3CD-Frank-Sinatra/dp/tracks/B0002LGUWE/ref=dp_tracks_all_1#disc_1

This is a great single album:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wee-Small-Hours-Frank-Sinatra/dp/B00000DRCZ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1270895897&sr=1-4

As is this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Frank-Sinatra-Sings-Only-Lonely/dp/B00000DQXA/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1270895897&sr=1-6

[Simon]

The Platinum Collection looks tempting, but why miss out My Way and New York New York, surely two of his most popular tracks?  I like the great sounding big band stuff (like NYNY), so not sure if I'd go for the Only the Lonely set.

[Rik]

It's wee small hours music. Very introverted.

[Clive]

My favourite Sinatra song is Strangers in the Night.  But he always sings slightly off key so I cannot see how he could take the title Rik.  Crosby or Presley are better singers but Presley is more my era.

[Rik]

Are you judging the musical performance or the emotional effect, Clive? If the former, then I'd probably agree, but there was little depth to the latter two. A bit like Pavarotti vs Domingo. I prefer the former's voice, but the latter has the greater ability to express emotion.

[Clive]

Musical performance Rik.  Don't misunderstand me, I thoroughly enjoy listening to Sinatra.   

[Rik]

Songs for Swinger Sheep? 

[Clive]