Frank back to his best
FRANK SINATRA floated down from music heaven to give his fans a blissful evening at the Brighton Centre
The former Rat Packer materialised from top left, top right, and just about every other direction as 21st century technology came as close as you can to bringing him back to life.
These weren't just a few hurried film clips on screens. You saw the man singing the songs in his own off-the-beat style backed by a live band with perfect timing.
And what a band. The finest compliment I can pay them is that the ultra-perfectionist Sinatra would have loved fronting this marvellous group of musicians.
What a treat it was to hear the vibrancy of That's Life and New York ringing across the Centre, with the wonderful slightly steely edge that Sinatra's voice developed in the early 60s matching the blast of the brass. Absolutely exhilarating and I would have danced but I can't.
The older bits of film show that Sinatra was fortunate that he got better looking as he got older, shedding his rather weasely young face for one that reflected so well the songs of love and loss he sang so beautifully.
Looks aside, some of the early material that I hadn't much cared for was given a huge lift performed live.
And at the other end of Sinatra's career his incredible version of Send in The Clowns, sung to a political backdrop of the Vietnam war and protest movements, was one of the most impressive moments of a magical evening.
There's also a wonderful and emotional twist when the time comes for My Way (by far my least loved Sinatra hit) to be played, but I won't spoil the party.
Captivating is too mediocre a word to describe this treat for Sinatra fans.
If you like Frank, you will adore this show. If you don't dig him, just buy a ticket to hear the band.
SINATRA is at the Brighton Centre until Sunday, March 16
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Weather for Haywards Heath
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -8 C to 2 C
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