My Father, Frank Sinatra: Book Review
Ol' Blue Eyes Biography by Daughter Nancy Sinatra
Aug 20, 2008
Francis Albert Sinatra (Frank Sinatra), a.k.a., "Ol' Blue Eyes," a.k.a., "Chairman of the Board," vowed not to become another Bing Crosby, the idol singer of the day. He wanted to stand apart. According to Nancy Sinatra's biography of her dad, he did, indeed, stand apart.
Sinatra's Style of Singing
Sinatra was noted for his ability to sing a number of stanzas (bars)/lyrical phrases, without apparently breathing. A perfectionist, Sinatra worked at his intonation, voice and breath control. He loved violins, particularly the violin music of Jascha Heifetz. Sinatra focused upon the smooth phrasing of this master violinist.
Another influence was the musicality of Tommy Dorsey, the trombone player and leader of the Tommy Dorsey Band. Sinatra was mesmerized by the length of time Dorsey could play a musical phrase without taking a breath--Dorsey had a secret.
To increase his own lung capacity, Sinatra practiced swimming under water holding his breath while focusing upon lyrics. This was painful due to a punctured eardrum he obtained at birth.
Frank Sinatra's Difficult Birth
Forceps pulled the would-be singer into the world of the living. Francis Albert Sinatra almost did not live during the birth process to become a musical legend. He was a 13.5 pound baby housed within the womb of a petite mother. The use of the instrument damaged his ear, cheek and neck--wounds which left scars for his lifetime.
Frank wasn't breathing at birth. Considered dead, the doctor ignored him and continued to care for his mother.
Grandmother, however, was resolute that the boy should live. She held him, ...under cold running water. The rest is history.
Frank was the son of Anthony Martin Sinatra, from Agrigento, Sicily and Natalie Catherine Garavente from Genoa, however, residents of Hoboken, New Jersey at the time of his birth.
Tone of the Book
Clearly, Nancy Sinatra portrays her famous father with great love and adoration. Her account of her father's life is vivid, interesting reading. There are fantastic color and black and white photos throughout the book highlighting the epochal moments of her father's life and career.
This is a great book for music history buffs, and Sinatra fans. Even if the reader is not a Sinatra fan, the music and general history contained between the pages is well worth the read. Although Frank is the focus of the book, since his life touched many other famous lives within the music and film genres, there are many amusing anecdotes.
Unfortunately, Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack, May 15, 1998. Nonetheless, his music and legend lives on.
Author Nancy Sinatra
The oldest of the Sinatra children, Nancy's memory of her dad was, ...of a young man in a black bow tie and black patent leather shoes who was always going away.
Nancy has had her own career in music and film. She leads an active life.
Source
Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra My Father, Doubleday & Company, Inc. Garden City, New York, NY, 1985. ISBN 0-385-18294-5.
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