Amazon.com: In Concert at Royal Festival Hall [VHS]: Frank Sinatra: Video

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.

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars That means go baby!, August 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Frank Sinatra - In Concert at Royal Festival Hall (DVD)

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.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Premium Sinatra, September 5, 2002

By	S. Edgar (Stratford-upon-Avon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Frank Sinatra - In Concert at Royal Festival Hall (DVD)

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."