Michael_Elliott
Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music + Ella + Jobim (1967) *** (out of 4)This is the third concert special the superstar did in three consecutive years. This time out he's joined by Ella Fitzgerald and Antonio Carlos Jobim and the overall show is really punched over over the previous two, although the second one is still my favorite. This time out the music has more of a Jazz sound to it and Sinatra plays it up loud and really fast. Jobim only plays on one song and I think this is the weakest part of the show as it appears this scene was just thrown in at the last second. The performance between the two isn't really bad but it does stop the show in its tracks. Sinatra performs "What Now My Love", "Old Man River", "Change Partners", "Quiet Nights" and a few more. Ella gets to sing a rousing version of "Body and Soul" and also joins Sinatra on duets of "They Can't Take That Away from Me" and "The Lady is a Tramp". The highlight actually isn't the music but the kidding between Sinatra and Ella in between the music. The way Sinatra is able to joke on himself and poke fun of a few of his films is very funny and charming.
edwagreen
Not only did Frank Sinatra have a great singing voice, the guy knew how to put over a song. His dancing, and other movements around the stage are just a joy to watch. Why he had to smoke while singing The Girl from Ipanema was beyond me. Poor Antonio Carlos Jobim had to be subjected to second hand smoke.Ella Fitzgerald was absolutely fabulous here but why did she have to sing with those eyes wide shut during her first and second numbers?It's really a shame that all 3 major talents are gone now. We need more of this type of singing. These 3 artists represented fine class in the musical world. Nice to see Nelson Riddle get the necessary recognition that he so richly deserved for arranging the music of The Great Chairman of the Board.
Neil Doyle
FRANK SINATRA should dispense with the banter between him and guest stars like ELLA FITZGERALD and just concentrate on the music. When he does, the show is a pure pleasure to watch and listen to.His pure enjoyment of being a performer is reflected here, at his best when just doing his thing on standards like WHAT NOW MY LOVE and Kern's OLD MAN RIVER, or simply doing slow ballads to a Bossa Nova beat, like QUIET NIGHTS, CHANGE PARTNERS, I CONCENTRATE ON YOU and THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA accompanied by ANTONIO CARLOS JOBIM on the guitar.ELLA FITZGERALD gets a lot of time to do her special brand of singing and is especially good on BODY AND SOUL, DON'T BE THAT WAY and STOMPIN' AT THE SAVOY.The finale is a rousing duet by Sinatra and Fitzgerald on THE LADY IS A TRAMP backed by the wonderful Nelson Riddle Orchestra.Pure gold for Sinatra fans. Only drawback is the rather awkward staging, which has a partial audience visible throughout on platform seats behind the singers.
lzf0
Sinatra is at his best. While the previous "Man and His Music" specials are masterful, this one is the best of them all. Nelson Riddle conducts the orchestra and the arrangements are by Riddle and Gordon Jenkins. Ella's "Body and Soul" is stunning. Jobim makes a rare US TV appearance and does some numbers from his album with Sinatra. Even though Sinatra and Ella's "Goin' Out of My Head" is a bit silly, they perform a wonderful medley towards the end of the show. Why didn't they record together? While Sinatra is the king of cool and a fine jazz singer, Ella sings circles around him. The only flaw in the show is a long dramatic scene with Sinatra singing to a Jenkins string laden arrangement.
AD
