[Dixielandjazz] Sinatra in old age

[Stephen G Barbone]

Harry and Bob:

I think Maybe This Time, from Sinatra's 80th Birthday Album was  
recorded in 1987 or 1988, though the album was release in 1995. It  
gets 4 out of 5 stars among the Amazon reviews. One reviewer even says  
"with Sinatra in magnificent voice throughout all the tracks." Another  
syas his intonation is not what it once was, but his stage presence is  
superb.

To those who feel sorry for, or felt that Sinatra should not have kept  
performing as he aged I suggest you read the comments on the following  
Sinatra family forum. See Nancy Sinatra's comment on why he kept  
performing, she said:  "I asked him why he was still working when he  
was obviously weary of it all and he said:" "I have to keep trying to  
get to my supporters to thank them for being there for me all these  
years."  IMO that says it all folks. As do the comments by his FANS on  
the family forum.

http://www.sinatrafamily.com/forum/showthread.php?p=383215

As for me, I am a huge Sinatra fan. Saw him many times in Vegas during  
my day gig years. Last time I saw him live was in 1994 in Atlantic  
City at the Sands. I was gigging at the Showboat and got a sub for me  
one night so I could see him perform. I watched from the wings. The  
stage manager was our bass player's son and the room had been sold out  
for months.

He was not as great as he used to be, BUT, that performance sent  
chills up my spine. It was wonderful. Perhaps those who feel he should  
not have kept going, have no soul?

I'd go to see him if only for that wonderful stage presence and how he  
connected with the audience. Sure, he had some brain farts as he aged,  
but then, who among us old guys hasn't been there on stage? The trick  
is to make those lapses connect with the audience and he did that.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband