Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Lance ·
Apr 21, 2011 at 1:07pm
It really wasn't until college that I came to know Mr. Sinatra. And I have Bono of all people to thank. This duet of his with the Chairman, and the stories going around the press at the time of the two hanging out, encouraged me to explore Sinatra's library. While there are so many great recordings of his, this remains my favorite out of pure nostalgia and appreciation for the wonderful world it opened up to me.
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Aug '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
That's one of the great popular songs of all time, and my favorite Sinatra performance. But the two of them don't mesh. I would much prefer to hear Bono do his own version.
Aug '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Sinatra was arguably the best pop singer of the 20th century. The arrangement of this song is from the pen of another musical giant - Nelson Riddle. And the song was written by the great Cole Porter. With all due respect to Bono, a very talented musician, he is out of his element here. I much prefer Sinatra's solo take on the song.
On the other hand, I probably wouldn't want to hear the Chairman of the Board singing "I Still haven't Found What I'm Looking For."
Feb '11
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Sinatra-Bono is like Crosby-Bowie pairing of years past for Christmas. (Sorry, couldn't find a clean version without the commercial at the beginning.) I'm not sure how well either works.
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Yes, Sinatra was great - but - he learned from the master.
When Crosby and Sinatra worked together Frank was always deferential. Bing literally redefined singing into a standard that more or less still is with us. (Art Garfunkel once said, "You see, I love to hold my notes… To me, it’s a very soothing thing to do in a tense world. Show that you can be supremely easy about your delivery. I’m a child of Bing Crosby in that way.")
During rehearsals for Robin and the Seven Hoods Sammy Davis Jr kept missing his cues. Sinatra whacked him and asked him what was wrong. "Nothing," said Sammy, "I'm just listening to Bing Crosby!"
But if you want to talk dream duets, try this.
Edited on Apr 21, 2011 at 2:15pmFeb '11
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Well, Bing had his master as well.
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Hang On - Gary Giddens, the long-time jazz critic of the Village Voice, summed it up well when he said that Louis taught Bing to scat and and Bing taught Louis how to croon, (As much as he could with that much gravel in his throat!)
But Bing's biggest influence was probably Al Jolson. Jolie was the country's first superstar, bridging the era from minstrel shows to Broadway. He was an oversized personality. His voice filled the theater and was excellent for early acoustic recordings. But this strength became his weakness with the introduction of the microphone and by 1935 his career was in shambles and would remain that way until his big comeback as Larry Parks.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Fantastic feedback! Like I said, I came at Sinatra by way of Bono. The same can be said of Crosby via Bowie. And I really love the modernity they bring to the songs. By no means, though, am I arguing that they make them better. I just really enjoy that which makes them different. I do plan on celebrating the originals much more going forward. In that regard, I chose this as a natural segue to that effort. It really is the Great American music. And everything that's followed since is in no way better, its just different.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
With both Sinatra and Crosby being mentioned in the same thread, how about a little High Society mix of the two...
Edit...UMMMM...I didn't realize that one of my betters linked to this same clip while I was typing away. Its worth the double shot.
Edited on Apr 21, 2011 at 7:46amFeb '11
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
EJHill,
Didn't know that about Crosby and Jolson. I'm a huge Louis Armstrong fan (and the gravel in his throat is part of it). I've always thought the pairing of Armstrong and Crosby was kind of strange because they were so different musically, but it always seemed to work. I've heard recordings of Bing talking about how much he owed to working with Louis.
Feb '11
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Lance,
I really appreciate your morning musical numbers. Looking forward to twists and turns it might take.
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Crosby was an early civil rights leader and his private crusade was centered around Armstrong. Bing had the right in his movie contract that allowed him to produce and star in one outside project for (I believe) every four Paramount pictures. One of those was Pennies for Heaven for Columbia. He not only put Armstrong in the picture he gave him third billing above the title, a first for a black man in a "white" picture. He also refused to tailor Louis' part so that it could be excised during Southern showings.
When Louis said something about racism in America, CBS tried to have him removed from a special Crosby was doing for Ford. The answer? "No Louis, no Bing." Armstrong and Crosby opened the show with Now You Has Jazz.
Nov '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Hang On: Lance,
I really appreciate your morning musical numbers. Looking forward to twists and turns it might take. · Apr 21 at 7:55am
Thanks! While I intend to stay true to my own creative impulses, I would be a liar if I didn't admit that those impulses are informed by the enthusiasm with which the selections are received. It definitely helps generate an exciting roadmap.
Feb '11
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
EJHill,
Can't find a Youtube version of Crosby and Armstrong doing "Pennies from Heaven" together, but I have it on a CD and it is brilliant. I must say though my favorite version of the song is by Billie Holiday. Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, and Teddy Wilson together.
Jun '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Love, love, love Frank Sinatra & Bing & Ella & Louis & Nelson Riddle & Cole Porter.....
Even though I don't think the Bono/Sinatra or Crosby/Bowie pairings are the best choices, I love knowing that the modern day stars tip their hats to the old timers.
I think Summer Wind is my favorite Sinatra song. And I had no idea that Crosby was an early civil rights promoter! So cool......
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
It's here. A commercial release of giants - Bing, Louis, Frances Langford and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.
JD handled the house band at the Kraft Music Hall for a couple of seasons before Bing hooked up with John Scott Trotter.
Jun '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
My Pandora just got a new station. It's wonderful! Thanks for the re-introduction to Frank Sinatra.
May '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
One day I walked into my 16-year-old's room. She was studying AP Chemistry while listening to her iPod. "Whatcha listening to?" "Francis Albert." She's a dork. I love her. We are raising her right. My, husband, a dedicated Deadhead taper, taped Sinatra at Carnegie Hall. There's all kinds of interesting music in the S house.
Also: the Sirius Sinatra station is really good.
Edited on Apr 21, 2011 at 1:38pmJun '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
Lest anyone wax too eloquent on this version of Under My Skin and now that this post has been moved to the public forum, I will add that it is a Milli Vanilli (remember them, I' didn't think so) computer remix, and has nothing to do with "real" music. There was an outcry when this CD was released, because some buyers felt they were scammed. As a true test of vocal prowess, I would suggest a YouTube vid of Bono doing a solo of this very song. Alas, such an animal doesn't exist. I wonder why?
Jun '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
For any who might misinterpret my post above, I'm calling [expletive deleted] on this version of Under My Skin.
Edited on Apr 21, 2011 at 2:05pmMay '10
Re: Today's Song of the Day: Frank Sinatra and Bono- "I've Got You Under My Skin"
That was one major difference between Sinatra and Crosby.
Ken Barnes, Bing's last record producer, took him into his London Studio and showed him around. "Here is the main studio where we'll place the orchestra and over there is the isolation booth where we will record your vocals."
"Oh, no," said Crosby, "I sing with the band."
Barnes tried to talk him out of it. "If you're in the booth then we can make sure everything is just right and we can make sure that the orchestra doesn't overpower you."
Bing gave him the famous Crosby fish-eye cold blue stare. "Then I'll sing louder."
And he never brought it up again.
Edited on Apr 21, 2011 at 2:38pm