British guitarist analyses Frank Sinatra live in 1966! 

Frank could be a tough, brash, even uncouth man in real life, but as a performer he was the top of the top. His ballads were so sweet, his timing impeccable, and he never gave anything but his very best to an audience. He respected his audience and they loved him for that. What a performer, the greatest.

I was 2 years old in 1966 but when I was 16 in 1980 I went to The Royal Albert Hall to see Frank Sinatra. I’ve been to many concerts but never have enjoyed and remembered more than Frank Sinatra live. Just amazing.

The man swam and swam to get breath control and he earned it. Every breath he takes is underwater and is golden. Nobody phrased so well. I think his rhythmic competition was Peggy Lee. She had the best sense of punctuation/beat.

No phony whining and warbling like today’s talent show stars. Just raw talent and connecting with the audience.

Frank’s black satin bow tie has more class and stage presence than any male artist alive today.....he doesn’t need dancers and theatrics to absolutely nail a performance.

Sinatra was of my mother and father's era. His records were among the stack they played on weekends for parties and picknicks. And, I would have sent them to Vegas just to see him, had I had the means. But it never happened. Even in Sinatra's last performances, when his voice was waning like the little train that could, dad would say he sounded the same. Mom's gone now, and dad is 94. He's lost his hearing. But he kept the records. When we go, our times go with us. Thanks for homage, Fil.

Sinatra's voice grew on me much later in my life, probably because of my maturing. I was a teenager throughout the 60s, so Sinatra's style didn't fit my music style. I love his voice now and I consider him one of the greatest singers. Your critique was enjoyable, thank you Fil.

His diction is perfect no matter what he sings I understand every word a great story teller singer and the camera loves him.

Lovely to hear such an informed appraisal from a young musician. The unpretentious analysis helped me enormously too.

Sinatra. No one like him, back then or ever. An excellent bio on Netflix right now.

My folks saw Sinatra and mentioned how well he connected with the audience. He spoke to everyone. It was a stage presence, charisma sort of thing. A story teller for sure. Thanks Fil for detailing the nuance of Frank's style. He connected with so many people.

Time Stamps - 4:07 Song background 5:43 Freeform Phrasing 6:40 Vocal Stylisation (pitch slides) 9:15 Pitch Accuracy 10:55 Supported Sound 12:12 Theatre of Performance 13:55 Range demonstration 16:11 History

The best! I saw him in concert near the end of his life...people said he had lost a step. People were wrong...he was flawless.

He rarely, if ever did his studio recordings in one take. He was very precise and meticulous in the studio. His movies were a different story, that’s where he would do one take.

What a warm, powerful and a resonant voice. I believe he’s using his chest mix for most of it, as he speaks sings as well as slides but mostly speak singing his way through it. I enjoyed the occasional belting with vibrato. His body language was fantastic. He was really trying to demonstrate the lyrics with most of it, but sometimes even when he wasn’t demonstrating the lyrics he would move anyway, whether it made sense or not. As long as you’re moving and you’re in it and you’re Vibing with the music. Just stay in it. Fantastic. His eyes were always focused, he was always in the moment with this song and it’s message, bonding with the audience through his acting

Kind of funny. One of our cats jumped on my desk and stared at the sceeen when Sinatra started to sing.

Working through your videos is an education in understanding the technical aspects of the human singing voice in layman's terms so that we can understand it and this one is especially important because Sinatra was unique. You mention that he was a 'one take' guy, true but in an extraordinary book "Sessions With Sinatra" by Charles L. Granata which explores in detail the technical aspects of his singing and the changing recording techniques he encountered, it shows just how lavish was his commitment to laying down the perfect recording. It's as if he knew subconsciously that these recordings would become historical documents in the evolution of popular music. And he was a pioneer in establishing the album concept as an art in itself. With Sinatra it's important also to recall how his voice changed during an epic career. From the sweet low tenor crooning of his early years, through the steely self confident swagger of his middle period to the declamatory outbursts of his later career. The one consistency which never faltered in fifty five years of singing was his enunciation. Every word crystal clear to the ear. Swooping and diminuendos he embraced but never did he breath in the middle of a word or diminish the importance of the lyrics for the sake of vocal effect. Truly a poet in musical form and a giant among popular singers. History has him.

In front of an orchestra, Sinatra one of a kind power brash singer. others equal in small condo settings but Sinatra really is the guy you think of with a big band. I was fortunate to see him in 1978 and I've never seen anyone get a 15-minute ovation before he started the show. The best performer I've ever seen and I've seen a few big ones mid 70's through the '90s from rock to jazz to country to Pavarotti who was also very exciting. Trust me if you saw Sinatra live in the '60s and '70s is was something you fondly remember. I think Elvis the only other with that special presence and Michael Jackson in a slightly different but very exciting way.

I was a teenager in the fifties who always listened to the Elvis and the other rockers of that era. Then one day my older brother home a record of Sinatra singing Night and Day. That was it. Every time a new Sinatra album came out, I’d buy it. Still have them.

Saw Frank in the round just him a mic a stool and a glass of water i never have seen a more relaxed performance he was in charge the whole way he was just plain cool a true Legend!!

One of my home state's, New Jersey, favorite sons, and, one of many of our contributions to music & culture.

I admit it, Frank was great. By the way, I’m addicted to this channel and so impressed by the variety of artists you present 😊👍🏻

Sinatra was a great singer and I liked his movies too. My Mom and Dad really liked him too and saw him in Vegas. Fil reminds me of a show I use to watch on PBS. The hostess was Sister Wendy who would take you along to different famous art galleries and take a well known painting and show and explain the story about it and the fine details that you would never notice. Fil shows you and explains the fine details of all the wonderful singers we were so fortunate to see and hear. Fil you are an artist in your own right.

I saw him 17 times in concert from 1977 to 1992. Brilliant! I'm a mega fan and a well-known collector of his video and music rarities. ♥

Frank is excellent. He's kind of a gold standard. I think the worst thing you can say about anybody is their timing is bad and they're off key. Frank is always on time, his phrasing and tonality are fantastic. Also he makes excellent choices in terms of the people who he performs with. Listen to the caliber of the individual musicians that play with him. He worked with the best of the best. I saw an interview with him on Johnny Carson one night and he was talking about who he liked to listen to. He had his favorites. Did anybody else see that interview and remember the names of the people that Frank Sinatra liked to listen to? He was also known as a king of professional courtesy. He complimented others and he helped others with their careers. Frank was a stand-up guy.

If Frank has issues, stage fright ain't one.

I'm 74-years old now, and I've seen just about everyone... from Elvis, to the Beatles, to Sinatra, to Jimi, to the Doors, to Cream's Farewell Performance. All were great, and all made their indelible mark on music and society. But without Frank, there would be no Harry Connick Jr., no Michael Buble, or any other popular crooner or lounge singer . All copied him, stole from him, and emulated him. Sinatra could do more with a single flick of his hand than everyone else could do with their whole bodies. There will never be another Francis Albert Sinatra. RIP.

These little town blues , Are melting away

Wow one and only "Mr. Blue Eyes" himself, what a treat! Many thanks Fil for your choice and analysis.

Hi Fil! What a wonderful analysis tonight! In the mid sixties Frank really made a comeback! Strangers in the Night...Something Stupid with Nancy...we loved him! His daughter did okay too! Thanks for this one! ✌️

When I'm feeling a bit down, tired, and hopeless, I just tune in to this and you cheer me up. I'd love to time travel to '66. Its always been a toss up for me between Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. I certainly loved his daughter Nancy in '68 when I was aged 6. I miss those days.

Hey, Fil, enjoy good ol Frank Sinatra. Simpler times. My dad loved this guy

My mom was Sicilian and LOVED her some Frankie- so do I! Thanks, Fil!!!❤

A great singer and actor. I always enjoyed his songs. I was in high school when I first saw Frank in concert in Atlantic City. I also enjoyed his movies the most when I was 11. At that age I understood what the movies were about. When I was 21 in 1980, I would go down to Atlantic City with a couple friends and see Frank, Andy Williams, and Kenny Rogers in concert.

Oh my heart, my heart!! Absolutely LOVE Frank Sinatra! When my daughter was only 3 I taught her so many of his songs, she’d just sing them word for word, lol, of course mom was so proud. Of course she’s almost 30 now and wouldn’t sing a Frank Sinatra song if I begged her to, a shame that, because THAT was real singing and talent, even before MY time. I love his music to this day. Thanks Fil.

So happy you covered "The Voice." Great insights into what makes him unique. If you've never done a Bing Crosby performance from earlier in his career, that would be fun, too!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Fil, you're amazing. What an awesome teacher you are. I'm impressed.

The Chairman of the Board! Go, Fil!

It is wonderful to recognize the genius of musicians I grew up with and pretty much accepted as the norm. Thank you for opening my eyes to the genius I once ignored.

Frank's performance here is goose-bump stuff. He nails it, and it's partly due to the synergy between band and singer. The funky, tailor-made arrangement stimulates Frank to do his thing. His trademark is variety - variety of vocal phrase. Syncopation and rubato are prominent in one phrase (for example 'this whole world keeps going around'), strict musical metre in the next ('I've been up and down and over and out' or 'I pick myself up') depending on what he wants to convey. Staccato and legato serve similar ends. The laid-back delivery belies the years of study. Yes, some musician and some story-teller . . .

What a coincidence you choose this FS performance to review. I happened to see it on RU-vid a couple weeks ago, and thought, wow. This is what “The Voice” is all about. Everything is there, in that one performance. 👍

Terrific analysis as usual. As you pointed out, he brought Oscar award- winning acting ability to his stage performances.Indeed, you had to see him in concert to really appreciate how good he was. I saw him in his final years at a stadium here in Australia. I was close to the stage , sitting in an aisle seat and Frank walked by, literally a few feet away. Interesting to see him so close up. Also worth mentioning that he was a fine radio actor. Check out the drama series that he starred in called "Rocky Fortune".You'll find it here on You Tube.

Fil, great review of Frank. Always enjoy your thoughts especially with a singer like Frank.

Frank had such a talented ear. He could listen to the arrangement in rehearsal, remove say the second trumpet, and make the recording better. And the arrangements in general were heavenly.

There is always music of every variety playing in my home. It’s a lifelong love affair with all things music and my cat listened, too, in a resigned way until? Frank Sinatra came on. Then my beloved cat would actually swoon and embarrassingly drape himself over the speakers, roll all around the floor in a “come hither” way every single time. He actually made love to those speakers, I guess you could say. What a performance! Says everything about Sinatra and my red tabby’s good taste in music. 🩷 🐱 🎤 😊

There are many singing styles, and then there's Frank Sinatra. A brilliant vocal musician singer who really did do it his way. I thoroughly enjoyed your expert observations. Many thanks.

hands down, sinatra greatest singer with great phrasing. loved his mannerisms and hand gestures too. i collect all his music including all his capitol albums and reprise albums. so many singers tried to sing like him but there was only one frank sinatra. amazing analyst with all this coming from the top of your head. great job you are doing analysing these great artists!

FS was in fact a jazz musician, he had great ears and heard everything. I prefer his recordings in the '40 and '50ths. I was born in 1950, so do the math.

WOW Fil 😊 What a great video this is !! And love your short bio . TY ✌🏼🌟

I love the stories in the comments. I also really appreciate efforts by you to provide the background on Frank's career progression.

Brilliant singer, excellent analysis. Thanks, Fil.

Frank Sinatra was my dad's favorite singer. And I remember at about 3 years old seeing Frank Sinatra on television. My dad was also professional musician until he cut his finger working in a cabinet shop and couldn't play professionally any longer. Thanks again for all your hard work and presenting these videos. And thanks again for doing this Frank Sinatra video.Fil, have you ever done a video about sister Rosetta tharpe? Gospel and probably the first rock and roll guitarist in America. She was absolutely phenomenal. And Elvis loved her. I think Frank Sinatra was voted the performer of the century in America. I got to see Frank in 1980. I got to see two shows. It was absolutely amazing. Well thanks again, your analysis and hard work shine through as always. God bless.

Still my favorite singer xxx Great analysis of his style, voice and appeal.

Fil your perspective is always insightful

From the same TV special, he did a wonderful performance of Moonlight in Vermont.

Was fortunate to see Frank in concert in Worcester, MA in the early 80's. He really did do music 'his way'!!

Oh Fil you are one kookie hip dude... Can you dig it baby ✌😎 Love frank and his style of singing....... Always entertaining Fil,nice work 😆🎸

I was waiting for the harp, denied! What a band! What a class act! Thanks again Fil for featuring classic big band tunes!

Hey. Just some corrections... Sinatra was more a one-take guy on film than he was in studio. I actually have a lot of studio sessions of his... He almost always did multiple takes. So it isn't true he was a one-take recording artist. Also, on "That's Life", he originally recorded it in April '66; but wasn't happy & then re-recorded it. That's the version we know today. Also, it was done in more than 2 takes.

I have learned so much about singing and music from your videos. Your enthusiasm for all genres of music is wonderful! Who would have thought that a metalhead (and I mean that in the best way) would every praise Frank Sinatra. Thank you!

Great Information & voice presentation on Frank Sinatra ! Frank would also start his own record label called Reprise Records after he left Capitol records. Reprise records would later on end up as Reprise/Warner Bros records, Kind Regards, Marc Jones, Australian Vocalist - Pop/Jazz/Ballads & Original Songs in Los Angeles, U.S.A From Sydney, Australia. : )

He definitely has mannerisms like a conductor... Thanks professor...

Frank had THE swing! Non-pareil...Brilliantly analysed, Fil. As always... 👌

The most beautiful voice ever... I am a fan of him.

"That's Life" was a big record, but Sinatra's biggest and most enduring hit from that era came just before that: "Strangers in the Night," which went to #1 in the U.S. and U.K.

Born in 66. I really like your reaction videos. You have a wonderful way of giving very technical analysis of songs you listen to.

Bold and smooth, just like his favorite drink.

Again, Thank you for this on Frank. you are always on point! Added bonus, hear great music, blast from the past! Your insight sopt on.

The slide: brilliant metaphor Fil. His voice definitely takes you on a nice easy ride that you just don’t want to end. I was mesmerized, what a great performance. Love seeing him act out the lyrics also.

The Chairman of the Board.

Some performers just had IT - they stepped on a stage and OWNED the whole damned building.

You must do him signing Ole Man River, it’s beyond fabulous ❤❤

You are so well studied on the subject. Kudos.

Very nice Fil. I haven't seen any of your videos for a couple of months but I chose a good one to start up again! Glad you picked The Chairman of the Board!! Keep up the great analysis!!

First time I've ever heard Sinatra doing R&B! Of course he did it "his way"... and rather well.

A Performer who always gave 100% and studied and praticed His Craft, it's what helped make Him a Great Entertainerand Singer.

This came out the year I was born and he's who I'm named after. Not only was his phrasing remarkable but his timing as well. He could leave you hanging on the edge of your seat and then ease you right back in again in just a bar or two.

That's Life. One of my favorite Frank Sinatra song. Thank for showing this clip. If I want to be cheered up, I would play this video and sometime I would bring out my guitar and play it. Thanks Fil.

Never go wrong with Old Blue Eyes. Frank Sinatra was an entertainment pioneer.

Thank you for this. MY favorite is Frank Sinatra and I was born in 1966.

Looove your analysis! Thank you! There could never be another Sinatra! The best!

He makes it look so effortless. What astonishing talent this man had.

Netflix doc is great. Covers how Frank took Glenn Miller’s trombone playing/breathing technique and put that into his singing. Really incredible!

WOW!!!!!🎼🎼🎵🎶♩🎙🎤🎙🎤The voice ..... the greatest singer in the world the best of the 20th century selling millions of more albums of Frank Albert Sinatra's versatility is great from his first recordings with Tommy Dorsey to his last recordings; singin with great interpreters and composers ... Tom Jobim, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Harry James, Ray Charles, Barbra Straisand, Louis Armstrong to name a few the choice of the very good song allowed you to do a wonderful analysis could be talk a lot like the musical movies in which I act and others, anyway hopefully in the future you can analyze another Frank Sinatra song I congratulate you for this magnificent analysis and the recording of Frank Sinatra....👏👏👌👌👌👌💛💛💛🖒🖒🖒

Thanks for yet another enjoyable and insightful analysis. I learn so much from your videos - All the very best to you ✨

I can never get over the difference in Frank’s voice in the early years compared to the mature voice we hear here. This is the version of Frank that I heard first. Swingy, punchy and he almost spat out the words… and it’s great. Then one day, I heard an early album of Frank’s and I actually kept checking the liner notes in order to check that it was in fact, him. He was so lyrical and smooth in the early years, and to me sounds like another artist. As an example, watch the Star Dust video (1943). I know that voices change over time, but Frank just sounds the complete opposite… not only vocally, but his total approach to the song. I love this song btw. I also love Bassey’s version.

A man who has greatly touched my life

Wonderful stuff! I'm so glad you did a video on Frank... I asked a couple of months ago. I really enjoyed the analysis.

Many years ago first listening to his "Pocketful of Miracles" and the line "Smack in the middle of May" the use of the slight emphasis on the word 'smack' convinced me that we would never hear his like again.

Lovely analysis as always. Thank you, Fil. Excellent!

The one person I would like to have dinner with and party! Class!

Frank it’s almost like he’s talking. His voice was all his own, he knew exactly were it was and were to put it.

After listening to your analysis of Bing and Dean Martin I'm having a understanding of their music so thanks for demystifying it for me.

Love your smile. Frank did it all effortlessly.

Great video with an easy to follow tech vocal analysis.thank you

I've been so used to hearing this song over the years with background singers... strange not to hear them on this version.

Omg I Love this!!!!! Saw him in concert in the 80's. Love Frank

wow i learned a lot today. thanks

We just watched the two part documentary on Sinatra, so your analysis was so timely! I haven’t scrolled through all your videos, but I haven’t seen Linda Ronstadt. Her voice, I my opinion, was incredible and the breadth of her music unmatched.

Omg one of favorite songs! Fraaaaaaankie! “Out of the tree of life, I just picked me a plum.” (The best is yet to come) is possible my favorite opening lyric. 😀