When my wife and I realized we were the last generation to see Frank perform before his passing (along with the Rat Pack), we knew we had experienced something magical those after us will never see, feel, nor understand. What a guy. What a singer. What a performer.
Sinatra was god. He felt every word he sang. He was the pipe piper for all of us. He sang the Great American songbook, and made the songs his own. He sang to our hearts. There is nobody to touch him, and nobody ever will. Today's singers are nothing compared to Sinatra.
I believed every single lyric he sung here for this rendition of See The Show Again... he truly inhabited the character for four pure minutes with every inflection and emotional delivery.
Frank......I love it that you sing the young Barry Manilow's song. Thank you so much. I loved you too. Just a generation after you. You were such a performer. I wish you would still be here so you could do a duet with Barry. He admires you so much and did a whole album. Manilow sings Sinatra. I am still looking for a CD. We all miss you Frank..................................................Betsy Basile
I often wonder how Sinatra managed to find the time to accomplish so much: motion pictures, hundreds of recordings, performances on radio and TV, world tours and multiple other appearances. And then in addition to all of that, there was also Sinatra the producer, director, businessman, etc. Simply amazing. Sinatra has been criticized for his alledged connections to the mafia, his mercurial personality, etc.,but one thing is for certain: he was the consummate performer and the best of the best. He will live forever in our hearts.
I never appreciated the older Sinatra until I became older than he is in this recording. I am more aware of the talent, the presence and the cultural significance of him. Despite all the distractions, he was very dedicated to his craft.
This isn't even fair... Sinatra is the guest host, arrives and performs this as his opening monologue and absolutely slays it... Where do any of his guests that night go from there??? Incredible and what an ovation.
I got to meet him two times when I was working with my group...He was so gracious and charming....He joined us and chatted for 10 minutes. As a singer he put me at ease. He was something beyond words.
What stage presence he had . He put all.his emotion into every song he sang.thats why he was so different and better from all other singers then and now
SINATRA - Maybe This Time (Live on Johnny Carson) Those were the days, my friend - we thought they'd never end - when Frank Sinatra would sing 'live' on 'The Tonight Show' - back when most every late night TV viewer in America (Canada too) was watching the same show! A phenomenon that united millions of us, in a special way, that's long gone with the wind. Permit an aside: I remember 'Mr. Guitar' Chet Atkins telling me, at the end of an interview in my hometown of Ottawa Canada in 1971, that most nights his wife would find him “asleep with a guitar in my lap, while watching Johnny Carson.” A rare gem of a video - shared by a favorite Facebook friend in England, Bill H. Not many of Johnny's “special guests” got a standing ovation, lasting a minute! The smile of joy that welcomes those waves of love from the studio audience: Frank - simply “happy to be me!” The opening song of a medley, MAYBE THIS TIME is one Frank loved to perform live, in Vegas. Composed by the Broadway team of “Kander & Ebb” for 'Cabaret' (the movie version) but destined for obscurity without a little help from its friends. It took fans in England to finally get a Wiki entry for the song (below). Oh yes, and one terrific arrangement - which The Tonight Show orchestra conveyed 'verbatim' as written by . . . I forget which arranger - Don Costa?. Where's a Wise Man (or Woman) when you need one? From Wikipedia "Maybe This Time" is a song written by John Kander and Fred Ebb for actress Kaye Ballard.[1][2] It was later included in the 1972 film Cabaret, where it is sung by the character Sally Bowles, played by Liza Minnelli. It had already been recorded and released twice, in similar arrangements, on Minnelli's debut studio album Liza! Liza! (1964), and subsequently New Feelin' (1970), but it turned into a traditional pop standard after its 1972 inclusion in Cabaret. Though originally written in 1964 for a different purpose, the song was put into the 1972 film version of the 1966 Cabaret musical.[3] This is one of two numbers that were added only in 1998 . . .” The Telegraph explained that the song should have an air of "desperate hope" and that Bowles should feel like "someone teetering on the edge of despair." The song has been described as a "wistful" [9] and "heartbreaking".[10] Lincolnshire Review described the song as a "soaring ballad",[11] and Peterborough Telegraph deemed it "hopeful".[12] Thanks for sharing 4andmore. Celebrated elsewhere this day [search] " Great Melody, Great Lyric, Great Rendition, Songwriting Workshop, Harmony Central "
Mr. Sinatra was at the height of his power at this time in his career. He experienced the absolute best that life has to offer. He was the best of the best and he knew how to handle it.
I appreciate the fact that I got to see Mr. Frank Sinatra three times live before he passed, and got to meet him once. Lucky me. The one and only Frank Sinatra ❤
They are far from being even close to his best tunes, but this is still utter greatness in a performance. An incomparable feel for the songs, with perfect pitch and phrasing that drew you in and held you in some kind of spell. Plus the vibrancy of the man - the subtlety and slight movements ooze class and sophistication. He took you somewhere with his performance, 'cos he made you feel he was singing just to you. It just doesn't get any better than this...….
Yes, I totally agree. Frank was in good voice that night and performed just the way you said he did - and indeed, he was everything you said he was. Everyone in the audience was fully aware, because it was Frank, this would be a night they would never forget. And he didn't disappoint them. FS was the very best of the very best.
Une étoile a traversé notre ciel et s'en est allée . Loin , très loin de nous à tout jamais et c'est une des plus grandes pertes que le monde de la chanson ait jamais connu . Que dire de plus ....que dire de mieux ? Frank Sinatra , mon vieil ami de jamais et de toujours , tu me manques énormément et comme d'habitude , à te revoir et à t'entendre , les larmes me viennent aux yeux ....Et aujourd'hui , à 80 ans , je peux te dire avec certitude que tu as été le responsable , tout au long de ma vie d'innombrables moments les plus inoubliables que l'ai vécu ! Et certainement , une des plus grandes tristesses que j'éprouverai quand viendra mon tour de quitter la scène d'un monde qui ne m'a jamais beaucoup enchanté , sera de savoir que je ne pourrai plus t'entendre chanter ........ Merci Frank , pour les milles cadeaux que tu m'as apportés .
I imagine they arrived at the studio for tickets for that night's show (or signed up in advance) and had no idea who the guests would be. They clearly won the Tonight Show lottery that day as evidenced by that ovation. So sweet!
From time to time I get a mad rush of blood and I think maybe there are other singers as good as Sinatra then i see him in performance and i know that there's no one anywhere near him. He internalizes the lyrics and tells you a story just one on one. then of course there is his sublime musicianship to round it all off.
Two wonderful songs. The first foreshadowing the smash “New York, New York” by the same writers just two years later, while the second is deeply emotional and lovely-a real time capsule of feelings.
One of the few singers of that time (including those now) to give credit to composers, arrangers and musicians. In all his concerts he always mentioned most of them. That is humility and gratitude, gestures very rarely seen in legends.
Frank.....I just love this one. You are so great and the Barry Manilow sounds like a page out of both your stories. Sometimes you both probably get weary and would love to have a rest. Frank I loved you and I was too young to see your early career, but I saw you twice in Philadelphia and I loved you.........................Really do miss you. Wish there were more of these videos.........Betsy B.
Frank...Love this video. The song from "Caberet" was great and I thank you for singing Barry's song. It is quite the compliment for you to say that about him. He always loved you, Frank and this song of yours sounds like one of the " Saloon Songs" Frank used to love so much. We all miss you Frank but still our love for you goes on..........................Betsy Basile
I was fortunate in that my father met Frank and his agent while he was visiting his aunt and uncle in North Jersey. They all met together probably in the 1940`s. That must be why I have his music in my blood. Its my way of life.
This was November 14, 1977 when Sinatra was Guest Host on The Tonight Show. George Burns, Angie Dickinson, Carroll O'Connor, Don Rickles appeared and Sinatra was plugging his television movie Contract on Cherry Street
Frank...This Tonight Show is probably one of my favorites. You sing one of Barry Manilow's songs and I think you would be proud of him now as he was young then, but he has become a star in his own right. He took many of your things that you do and never wears anything but a black suit or tux after six. Thanks Frank. Wish you were still here with us. We miss you.......Betsy Basile
Wow, what a treat to see Sinatra performing at a level that is seldom reached. This is not his best material, but he brings an authenticity and power to the songs that nobody else approaches, imho. Put simply, he is authentic, and although a flawed man, he was a magnificent artist and one of the finest singers who ever sang. Too bad Sinatra never recorded with Severinsen. Now that would have been a record!!
I don't know who owns the rights to the actual recording in the NBC vaults, but some entity should re-master this beautiful performance for release on an album--both songs. Beautifully done.
The instrumentals in See The Show Again are so different and yet awesome. Frank was so fantastic in this appearance. Sometimes you forget about these gems in the later part of his career.
I hear he was offered “I Left my Heart in San Francisco” and when he heard it he thought it was better suited for Tony Bennett. A top hit and he gave it to another performer. Do t see much if that… and he was right - it was perfect for Tony…
There are sev songs from Sinatra's original album, WATERTOWN , esp "I'd be in love, anyhow" -- I'd love to hear Kody Lee put up an arrangement. Lee has the ability to change a great if song to his own. Frank had the ability to take ANY piece of music and make it memorable; priceless.
Frank......These two songs are really wonderful. You are so super and I loved you but I was a little too young to see you at the beginning. I wish you were still here with us as I would like to know , to me it sounds a bit like the Saloon songs you love to do. I am a really devoted a fan of Barry Manilow's. He loved you so much....................Love..............Betsy Basile
Like the finest bourbon, great aged wine, Michaelangelos and the likes you can’t get any better. He became the orchestra and the music and took you to a place you can’t go any other time.
Frank......Thank you for this song by Barry Manilow. He loved you so much as I do. I think this song sounds like one of your saloon songs that you love to do. Wish you were here so I could tell you in person....................God Bless You.......................Betsy Basile
Frank.......I wish you could be here so I could say, "Thank you so much for singing Barry's song. It does kind of sound like those saloon songs you sang. Love you, Frank...Betsy Basile
