WHAT’S NEXT

In 1969, the music business that Frank Sinatra knew was in the midst of a generational evolution.  His next theme album was a reflection of that evolution.

Watertown plays like the movie or, more specifically, like the one-man television special it was intended to be.  That project never materialized.

What survives is a theme album unlike any before or since.   It is a demonstration of Frank’s musical search for continued relevance in this period of cultural change.

Sinatra fans often overlook Watertown.  The promotion guys at Reprise all but ignored the project.  Most unfortunate.  Let’s change that.

This is a timeless story, told with sensitivity and intelligence.  As it’s creators were a generation younger than Frank Sinatra, their perspective offered the singer a chance to deliver dramatic themes he understood so well to a younger market.

From the creative team of Bob Gaudio and Jake Holmes, Watertown, heard in its entirety when we open Chapter Fifteen of The Sinatra Songbook.

This album generates more mail than just about anything we play.  Find out why,  Saturday, May 25 at 6pm and Sunday, May 26 at 8am (both Eastern time) on Metromedia Radio.

EXCLUSIVELY ON METROMEDIA RADIO

June is Nelson Riddle Month on Metromedia Radio.

To celebrate the June 1 birthday of the legendary arranger, Metromedia Radio will present Nelson Riddle: in his Own Words.

The three-hour documentary features first person perspectives from Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Linda Ronstadt and, of course, Nelson Riddle.

First broadcast in 1985, the documentary has been out of circulation for nearly thirty years!

Our on-air promos have suggested that this special will get you closer to Riddle than you ever imagined.  At this, producer Stephen Paley succeeded mightily.

Nelson Riddle: in his Own Words premieres Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 11:00 AM Eastern.  Encore performances are scheduled across that month.

I’ll keep you posted.

to be continued…

This image was captured at the completion of Frank’s 1951 recording of I’m a Fool to Want You.

According to jazz promoter, author and Sinatra historian, Peter Levinson, Frank’s relationship with Ava Gardner had come to an end.

With arranger-conductor, Axel Stordahl at his side, Levinson reveals that Frank recorded Fool… in one take.  Then, out the door.  Not another word spoken.

Peter shares this story and more when we open Chapter Fourteen of The Sinatra Songbook, Saturday, May 18 at 6pm and Sunday, May 19 at 8am (those are Eastern Times) on Metromedia Radio.

Peter Levinson

Levinson was enthusiastic about jazz in general, the music of Sinatra and, in particular, The Sinatra Songbook.

He left us in 2008.  I miss him so.  Enjoy the visit.  Then share your impressions with me, please.  Meantime…

EXPANDING YOUR SINATRA LIBRARY

I cannot recommend Peter’s volume highly enough.  September in the Rain: the Life of Nelson Riddle is a detailed portrait of a complex man.  And who better to write this book?

Levinson knew Riddle for more than 23 years.  Some 200 personal interviews with Riddle’s family, friends and colleagues support this inside look into Riddle’s inspirations, career, and creative genius.

A great read for fans of jazz, swing, or traditional pop music and, of course, Sinatra.  An excerpt is available at Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/September-Rain-Life-Nelson-Riddle/dp/B006G8CK3K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368374457&sr=8-1&keywords=September+in+the+Rain%3A+the+Life+of+Nelson+Riddle#reader_B006G8CK3K

 CONSIDER THIS

I’ll bet in any given hour of Metromedia Radio listening, Riddle remains a constant presence.  Think about it.  Sinatra, Ella, Nat Cole, Keely Smith, Rosemary Clooney, Linda Ronstadt, Judy Garland and who knows how many more, collaborated with Nelson Riddle.  No other arranger has influenced the American Popular Songbook to so great an extent.

Nelson Riddle and Sinatra

That’s why, in June, the month of his birth, Metromedia Radio will present the intimate documentary, Nelson Riddle: In is Own Words.  As the on-air promos guarantee, you will get closer to Nelson Riddle than you ever imagined possible.

For air times, check back and keep listening to Metromedia Radio (metromediaradio.net).

to be continued…

Hi everyone.  Last week, Chapter Eleven.  Next week, we file Chapter Thirteen!  And again, it’s a good thing, because it’s Chapter Thirteen of The Sinatra Songbook.

Peter Levinson

For this Chapter, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to jazz promoter, Sinatra scholar and the author of September in the Rain: the Life of Nelson Riddle, Peter Levinson.

Get set for two enlightening and engaging hours.  Can’t wait to share the visit with you.  Hour one airs this Saturday, May 11 at 6pm and Sunday, May 12 at 8am (those are Eastern Times) on Metromedia Radio.

CELEBRATING NELS

Nelson Riddle

Speaking of Nelson, we’re putting the finishing touches on a very special tribute.  To celebrate the June first birthday of this legendary arranger, Metromedia Radio will present Nelson Riddle: in his Own Words.  The three-hour documentary features the first person perspectives of Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Linda Ronstadt and, of course, Nelson Riddle.  First broadcast in 1985, this documentary has been out of circulation for nearly thirty years!

As the on-air promos affirm, you’ll get closer to Riddle than you ever imagined possible.  Mark your calendars.  Pass the word.  Saturday June 1st at 11:00 am and Sunday at 4 PM June 2nd (those are Eastern times) on Metromedia Radio.

RECCOMENDED READING

A select group of prolific authors have gifted us with their examinations of Frank Sinatra.  Wanna be a fly on Frank’s recording studio wall?  Here is a must-read.

SINATRA! THE SONG IS YOU (A Singer’s Art)

Will Freewald (Da Capo Press)

Sinatra! The Song Is You is the first full-length work to document the musical life of Frank Sinatra.

Drawing upon interviews with Sinatra collaborators, arrangers, and musicians – as well as previously unpublished conversations with The Voice himself – author Will Friedwald chronicles Sinatra’s career, tracing the evolution of his vocal style.  An amazing resource volume.

to be continued…

WELCOME BACK

 
Emil Richards

What could be better than hearing the first-hand recollections of the artists who contributed to the Sinatra legacy?   Thank you, Emil, for sharing your memories with us.

Do yourself a favor.  Add Emil’s music to your library.  Calamari: Live Jazz at Rocco’s is a personal favorite.  Find it at emilrichards.com and at Amazon.

WHAT’S NEXT

Frank’s prowess as an actor inspired interpretations that simply went deeper than the efforts of his peers.  Sinatra remains the best friend a lyric ever had.

I have selected titles that eloquently make the point.   The sharing begins when we open Chapter Twelve of The Sinatra Songbook, Saturday, May 4 at 6pm and May 5 at 8m (Eastern time) on Metromedia Radio.

BUILDING YOUR COLLECTION

We continue our review of boxed sets that belong in your Sinatra collection?  Here’s the next one on my list.

The Reprise Collection  This four-disc compilation was released to celebrate Frank Sinatra’s 75th birthday.  The set brings us the best of Sinatra’s diverse recording period of the sixties forward.

The companion volume provides interesting perspectives from a variety of writers.

Price-wise, The Reprise Collection is far more accessible than the Complete Studio Sessions collection examined here recently.   A very good overview, indeed.

Beginning with next week’s blog, we’ll shift our focus to significant books on Sinatra.

SHARING THE FORUM

Have you looked around the Metromedia Radio schedule lately?

Nelson with FS

Two new series and a string of specials including our June 1st birthday tribute to Nelson Riddle that will knock your socks off.

2013’s turning out to be everything we imagined.  And believe me when I tell you that we’re just getting started.

And please believe me as I press this point.  Word of mouth matters!   Recommend Metromedia Radio to your friends, encourage them to listen and to visit metromediaradio.net.

When you visit our site, click on CONTACT at the upper-right and check-in.  I’m all for enriching this forum with your thoughts about the music we play.  I look forward to hearing from you.

to be continued…