Customer Reviews

In Concert at the Royal Festival Hall [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In 1994, before leaving for school, I caught the last fifteen minutes of this 1971 TV special and was really amazed of what I had heard. The memory was then tucked away until recently when I bought this DVD.

This might not be Sinatra at his best, but he opens with his standard trademarks (with the exception of George Harrison's "Something," sings some sad tunes, tries out some unusual or new songs, and finishes off with both an timeless and modern trademark of his.

His first six numbers were his trademark songs, plus the Beatles "Something." It was all good, with "I Got You Under My Skin" being his weakest of the night when he almost messes up the timing. He does mess up lines of a few songs, but as a first time listener, I really didn't notice it that much and the guy quickly jokes out of it. Not perfect, but I've seen worse from other performers.

The second half of his show was called "Songs for Losers" and the only one I really enjoyed of those three was "One for my Baby." "Didn't We" was okay, but I couldn't stand "I Get Along Without You Very Well" at all.

The final half of the show has Sinatra doing a new number called "I'll Drink The Wine." Since I didn't have time to just transcribe the "true meaning" of the song, I just enjoyed it for the tune. It was a very good tune. The song "I Have Dreamed" only brought back memories of me as a teenager turning on A&E in 1994 and seeing Sinatra singing this. The ending is pretty cool.

Then Sinatra does "My Kind of Town" and finishes off with a cool version of "My Way." It isn't perfect, but Sinatra doesn't joke his way out of this song, as he had done with the others. Instead he makes some great covers that a first time listener would accept as the true lyrics. For example, "make it clear" actually sounds better than "say it clear" and "I grew tall, through it all" just sounded so cool to me. Like it was meant to be sung that way. Another performer had the same way about him when he changed the words to "I stood tall, when I went bald."

This might not be Sinatra at his best, but if you can accept a guy that has a great talent, that goofs off a little bit, then this should be part of your collection, even if you are a first time Sinatra-fan.

This is a recording of the second show in the presence of HRH Princess Margaret at London's Royal Festival Hall. Preceding Mr Sinatra's appearance was Bob Hope. These two giants of American entertainment and culture were to have been introduced by Sir Noel Coward who was taken ill and died shortly after the performances.

At short notice, HSH the late Princess Grace of Monaco graciously substituted as compere for the evening billed as "Night of Nights." The (charity) event was in aid of the National Association For The Prevention of Cruelty to Children to whom the proceeds and Television fees were paid; HSH Princess Grace and Messrs Hope and Sinatra meeting all of their own costs and in Mr Sinatra's case those of his musicians.

It is especially notable for Mr Sinatra's performance of the rare Lenny Hayton arrangement of George Harrison's "Something" and of course the beautiful Nelson Riddle arrangement of "I Get Along Without You Very Well" which is performed incomparably and last but not least, the rare Gordon Jenkins arrangement of "One For My Baby."

"I Will Drink The Wine" written by the son of accomplished Anglo-Canadian singer Marion Ryan was a new Sinatra "pop single" and like present day "pop" pales by comparison with that of Rogers & Hart, Cole Porter etc. It is notable merely that it reflects the post "flower power / love child" influences which had such a dibilitating effect upon Western civilised countries.

Accompanied by accomplished jazz musicians and LSO string section, Sinatra is in fine "Basie" form and brings a "looseness/improvisation" and humour to his readings which sets them apart from those in the recording studio.

In his 50's the voice may not have been as sweet as it was in his 20's but the depth of his readings of the ballads make these performances far superior. The key change in "I have Dreamed" proved, if proof were needed that "retirement" the following year should never have been a consideration.

In a word this concert is "incomparable."

Don't get me wrong I am a huge Sinatra fan....but....the quality of the video and audio were poor at best for today's technology. I found the video equivalant to copying an old VCR tape to DVD and the Audio was simulated stereo. I also bought a second one and the quality is the same. I definately do not recommend this if you are looking for a concert experience.

Since there is so little official video footage of Frank Sinatra live in concert, a dvd like "In Concert At The Royal Festival Hall" is a welcome treat for fans. Recorded in 1971, this show was filmed not long before Frank retired later that year (of course, it didn't last long).

This is not a perfect show. Frank at times seems a bit lost and disconnected, and even flubs his line quite a few times (a trait that would plague Sinatra frequently in his final years), though it may or not have been in jest. Also, the sound quality and visual quality borh could've used some much needed sprucing up.

These minor quibbles aside, this is a fantastic show. It starts off with an introduction from Princess Grace Of Monaco (formerly screen legend Grace Kelly) before Ol' Blues Eyes comes out with a swinging new arrangement of "You Make Me Feel So Young". Next comes a tight, energetic version of "Pennies From Heaven".

In a rare occurence, "I've Got You Under My Skin" is one of the lower poitn s of the show. This version lacks energy and Sinatra messes up his timing and he really phones it in here. Things continue to slag a bit with his rendition of The Beatles' "Something", a song thast 8 years later that receive a much better treatment from Frank that rivaled the original.

Things begin to pick up with a fun version of "The Lady Is A Tramp". Frank flubs a line ("Anyone else?", he asks, questioning his faux pas), but he still owns the song. Next comes the arguable highlight of the show, as Frank sings his songs for losers.

First is "I Get Along Without You Very Well", which Frank does beautifully. Franks draws just the right emotion and gives the song his all. Jimmy Webb's "Didn't We" is next. A second-rate composition it is, but Frank makes it work.

Next comes a true classic, as Frank sings the "Daddy Of These Types Of Songs", and sinks into a moving "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)". The show, however, falters with the next number, as the pompous "I Will Drink The Wine" has Frank attempting to connect with the young "flower child" crownd and failing.

Things pick up with a gorgeous rendition of "I Have Dreamed" from "The King And I". Frank sings this one perfectly. "My Kind Of Town" and "My Way" finish things off on a high note.

Overall, this is not a perfect show, but a great show that is owrth having in your collection. Hopefully, many more great Siantra concerts (such as 1982's wonderful "Concert For The Americas") will find their way to dvd.

I became a Sinatra fan since I heard "My Way" being very young. Since then I learned to appreciate his way of phrasing, as unique in the musiccal world. As time passed and the voice faded gradually, he compensated that with a more dramatic, full of feeling manner of saying every word.

As a paradox, one of the more interesting things about this video, at least for me, was the story that HRH Grace Kelly told at the beginning, that shows what kind of human being Sinatra was. You can also find stories like this in the book that his daughter wrote some 3 or 4 years ago.

So, if you are a Sinatra fan, don`t miss this video.

If you're a Sinatra fan, you'll probably enjoy this performance, but there is absolutely no doubt that Frank is *not* in his best voice here. He doesn't sustain notes, hit the high notes and doesn't sing with much enthusiasm here. He truly does seem like he's got a bus to catch, a girl to chase or a Jack Daniels to drain backstage. In any case, he's not terribly focused here, and it shows. I was quite disappointed in the rendition of his greatest vocal, "I've Got You Under My Skin." It's really a throw-away performance which is peculiarly disappointing. It can't hold a candle to his performance on the same song in "Sinatra at the Sands."

Similarly, his vocal on "My Way" leaves much to be desired. Sinatra never liked this song or singing it live, so he sort of sleepwalks through this encore. The inclusion of "Pennies From Heaven" and "I Drink the Wine" is curious and both of these songs are clunkers, at least as sung by Sinatra on this evening.

However (and this is an enormous "but...") there is one magnificent moment in this performance, and makes the purhcase justified. Frank delivers a beautiful rendition of one of his most under-rated and exquisite songs, "I Have Dreamed." He pulls out the stops here and finally reaches the high notes and sustains the notes to their proper place. He also seems out of breath at the conclusion, which is humorous to see. Check out also during "I've Got Your Under My Skin" where he audibly hushes down the string section in an irritable way.

Finally, Grace Kelly does the introduction and looks stunningly beautiful. To sum up, this is an average performance by Sinatra in poor form, but hey... he's still the one and only VOICE.

While this isn't the best Sinatra concert around, it's still very, very good. Frnakie mostly croons his standard playlist, which is a good thing, but I also enjoyed his rendition of what he called the greatest love song ever written -- "Something". Also, his tribute to Dino Martin was sincere and a pretty darn good song. On top of that, he's introduced by Princess Grace, the classiest and loveiest woman in Hollywood history (you can't get a better intro than that.) All in all, this wasn't Sinatra at his peak, both in voice and appearance. But considering what he's singing and how he's singing, this is still an essential DVD for any Sinatra fan or fan of popular music.

This show really surprised me. I thought he had lost it a bit more by 1970, However, unlike later concert videos where Sintra comes off a bit stiff on stage, here he really loosens up and his wonderful personality is in full display. A must-have for any Sinatra fan. He's in very good voice, as well. I'm 36 and dig punk rock, but this rocks!

Ths concert is one of Sinatras best for the time it was done. He was at the height of his power and popularity in Europe. The only thing I found wrong with it was the song , and the introduction of the song, " I will drink the wine ". I could not understand why a man with such an impeccable repertoire could record such a ridiculous song. His delivery of" I get along without you very well " was wonderful. He had the hall at his feet and you could hear the proverbial pin drop. Even though he fluffed the lyrics slightly he turned that beautiful song into the poem that it is.
The concert was spontaneous bright and classic Sinatra. I watch it very often,

I really enjoyed this performance. It doesn't have a lot of pinache and energy, but it oozes warm sentimentality and a mellow mood. Frank appears to have had something or someone on his mind that night. You will sense that he is feeling low. The rendition of the Beatles' tune Something is simply beautiful.