[sinatraphiles] February 27 - THIS DATE IN SINATRA HISTORY

From: "Scott Henderson" <scott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <sinatraphiles@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 10:43:15 -0500

Studio

1962 Los Angeles

924 Everybody's Twistin'
(Ted Koehler/Rube Bloom)
WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)
Arranged & Conducted by Neal Hefti
-11 (2:30) CD: 46013-2 The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings Disc 3
LP: FS5238 (Italy)
45: 20,063

Earlier this week, I received a query regarding this recording.
       Here is the response I sent. I think it might be of interest.

Sinatra knew Rube Bloom for many years. There are concerts where Rube is in
the audience and Frank introduces him.
Frank ran into Bloom at a bar on Broadway and West 58th Street while filming
"The Manchurian Candidate," on location
in New York. Rube was depressed because his kind of music was no longer in
demand. He invited Rube out to Palm
Springs and had "Truckin' by Bloom and Koehler revised for a song on the
twist craze. It was recorded on 2-27-62
and released as a single. The rights back then belonged to Sergeant's Music,
owned by Sinatra. The song only charted
for two weeks, reaching a peak position of #75. It is an awful recording.
The B-side "Nothing But The Best" is vastly
superior. Bloom and Koehler collaborated on the new lyrics for "Everybody's
Twistin'" Frank did 11 takes. "Truckin'"
was written in 1935 and was a #1 hit for the great Fats Waller.
Ed

925 Nothing But The Best
(Johhny Rotella)
Jay Music (ASCAP)
Arranged by Skip Martin
Conducted by Neal Hefti
-3 (3:00) CD: 46013-2 The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings Disc 3
LP: FS5238 (Italy)
45: 20,063

Ed O'Brien (2015):
When the single was released "Twistin' " got all the airplay. The picture
sleeve was all about
the Koehler-Bloom song   -- Frank knew Rube Bloom had fallen on hard times
and opted for
his melody -- but through the years "Nothin' But The Best" has not only been
recognized,
it is now a Sinatra standard. Skip Martin gave Frank a terrific chart. He
nailed it in three takes.
"Twistin" required 11 and despite Hefti's best efforts, it just lays there.

Sinatra Scholar Ed O'Brien writes that he ran out and bought this single.
It had a picture sleeve but he found "Twistin'" so atonal that he started
listening to "Nothing But the Best"
and liking it more than the A side. He got to thinking about how many times
that happened.
Here are the ones he recalls with the discovered gem listed first and then
the "A" side bringing up the rear:

1. Weep They Will (that falsetto moment is so, so exquisite) The Tender Trap
2. Sleep Warm (Lew Spence told Ed that Frank didn't get it right. Not bad
for wrong!) Mr. Success
3. All My Tomorrows (Reprise effort is even better but this ain't chopped
liver). High Hopes.
4. This Was My Love (a poem set to music). Nice 'N' Easy.
5. Name It and It's Yours (similar to "All my Tomorrows.") Pocketful of
Miracles.
6. Nothin' but the Best (The Good Life). Twistin'.
7. I Like to Lead When I Dance (Cahn thought it was like one of his very
best. Great vocal.) My Kind of Town
8. You Are There (in autumn gold or summer green gets to O'Brien.) World We
Knew. Interesting vocal gymnastics. Crappy song.
9. Cycles (Frank undersings beautifully on this one.) My Way of Life.
Unlistenable.
10. Star (Love Cahn's insider lyrics.) Rain in My Heart. Teddy Randazzo told
O'Brien that Frank thought he had another "Stranger in the Night" in this
ditty.
11. Blue Lace (O'Brien loves the imagery that evokes lovely visual moments
while listening.) My Way.

When Sinatraphile Rich Rosenberg asked, "Hey, what's wrong with "The Tender
Trap, It's a sort of generic uptempo Sinatra single with a big ending!
O'Brien comments that nothing is wrong with "The Tender Trap."  He simply
prefers "Weep They Will."  He thinks it a fabulous recording by Sinatra.
When Frank was recording "Trap" he complained about the high F note that Van
Heusen had written. Chester shot back that he shouldn't be in the business
if that was a problem. Frank didn't say a word but he hit the note perfectly
and held it.

Sinatraphile Ed Spiegel pointed out that another single where the "B" side
is way ahead of the plug side is "Forget to Remember" with some of Sinatra's
best and most controlled incredible singing. The "A" side, "Goin' Out of my
Head" is a good record, but "B" has it beat.

Spiegel also commends O'Brien for his fine book, SINATRA 101, and suggests
that it may well be due for a reissue. Fine book and there are too few
Sinatra books that are about the music, Spiefel emphasizes.

O'Brien then thanks Spiegel. He observes that through the years he has
received numerous letters and e-mails regarding my books. The number of
people who thanked me for including "Forget to Remember" in 101 easily
outdistances any other comments in the selections,

Radio

1941 Fame And Fortune - Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
Network: NBC - Blue Network
Location: New York City
Show #22
Sponsor: Nature's Remedy
Time: 8:30PM - 9:00PM (EST) Thursdays
Orchestra Conducted By: Tommy Dorsey
Arrangements By: Axel Stordahl (Sinatra)
Announcer: Fred Beutel
Musicians: Ziggy Elman, Bob Alexy, Lee Castle, Jimmy Blake (trumpet); George
Arus, Les Jenkins, Dave Jacobs (trombone); Johnny Mince (clarinet, alto
sax); Fred Stulce, Heinie Beau (alto sax); Don Lodice, Paul Mason (tenor
sax); Joe Bushkin (piano); Clark Youcum (guitar); Sid Weiss (bass); Buddy
Rich (drums).
Vocals: Frank Sinatra, Connie Haines, Pied Pipers
1. opening theme: Anything - TD & Orchestra
2. So You're The One - Pied Pipers
3. Everything Happens To Me - Frank Sinatra
4. commercial
5. Chinese Rye - Pied Pipers
6. I Saw Your Face In A Cloud - Sinatra, Connie Haines & P. Pipers
7. commercial
8. I Love You So - Pied Pipers
9.. Evening Star - Tommy Dorsey & orchestra
10. commercial
11. When Sleepy Stars Begin To Fall - Sinatra, Connie Haines & Pipers
12. closing theme: Anything - TD & Orchestra
Notes: Confirmed airing on WJZ

("When Sleepy Stars Begin To Fall" appears on Masters of Jazz Volume 10 &
the RCA CD Box Set - The Song Is You)

Emacs!

1943 Your Hit Parade
Network: CBS
Program #406
Time: 9:00-9:45 P.M. (Rebroadcast February 21, 1943 12:00-12:45 A.M.)
Sponsor: Lucky Strike
Arranged by: Axel Stordahl
Conducted by: Mark Warnow
1. Why Don't You Fall In Love With Me (8) - Hit Paraders
2. Moonlight Becomes You (4) - Sinatra
3. Brazil (6) - Edwards & Hit Paraders
4. Just One Of Those Things - Ethel Smith
5. commercial
6. For Me And My Gal (7) - Sinatra
7. Moonlight Mood (6) Edwards
8. Begin The Beguine - Ethel Smith
9. I Had The Craziest Dream (9) - Hit Paraders
10. Black Magic (10) - Sinatra
11. station break
12. Medley: Somebody Loves Me / S'Wonderful /
Embraceable You - Ethel Smith
13. commercial
14. I've Heard That Song Before (3) - Sinatra
15. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (2) - Hit Paraders
16. There Are Such Things (1) - Edwards

Ed O'Brien notes:
Somewhere along the way Sinatra sang every song
listed above except "Why Don't You Fall In Love With
Me."

1945 The Bob Hope Show
NBC & AFRS rebroadcast
Sponsor: Pepsodent
Performers: Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Frank Sinatra. Wendell Niles
(announcer), Jerry Colonna, Barbara Jo Allen (as "Vera Vague").
1. I'm Beginning To See The Light
Note: Sinatra appears in a western skit. LOC has 10-inch NBC sound reel,
30mins. Complete.
A 7.17mins recording appears as part of the show "To The Rear March" AFRS
#82

1946 Songs By Sinatra
Network: CBS
Location: Hollywood
Show #25
Sponsor: Old Gold Cigarettes
Time: 9:00PM - 9:30PM (EST) Wednesday
Orchestra Conducted By: Axel Stordahl
Arrangements By: Axel Stordahl
Announcer: Marvin Miller
Writer: Glenn Wheaton
Directed By: Mann Holiner
Performers: The Pied Pipers
Guest: Jimmy Durante
CBS Broadcast:
1. opening theme: Night And Day
2. Sweet Lorraine  w/Pied Pipers
3. All Through The Day    last song written by Jerome Kern
4. Should I - The Pied Pipers
5. The Strutaway - Jimmy Durante
6. Umbriago      Frank and Jimmy
7. Who Will Be With You When I'm Far Away (comedy) w/Jimmy Durante
8. Day By Day
9. closing theme: Put Your Dreams Away       Jimmy Durante
10. Put Your Dreams Away  Frank Sinatra

Notes: Confirmed airing on WABC. AFRS version added "I Fall In Love Too
Easily" from the September 19, 1945 broadcast..

1950 Light Up Time
Sponsor: Lucky Strike Cigarettes
Network: NBC
Show #126
Broadcast: 4:00-4:15 PM PST (Repeat: 8:00-8:15 PM PST)
Starring: Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten
Jeff Alexander And The Orchestra
1. opening
2. Lover - Frank Sinatra
3. commercial
4. Be Mine - Dorothy Kirsten
5. Sorry - Frank Sinatra
6. commercial
7. Don't Worry 'bout Me - Frank Sinatra
8. I'm In Love - Frank Sinatra & Dorothy Kirsten
9. closing
Notes: "Don't Worry 'bout Me" was added to the script.

Ed O'Brien:
"I Don't Know Whether To Laugh Or Cry," from the
2-15-50 Light-Up Time, was the AFRS choice for
the Lite-Up Time version of this show. It followed
"Sorry" in the song l

Television

NONE

Concerts

1940 Meadowbrook, Cedar Grove , New Jersey (February 20 - March 11)
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

1942 Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco, California (Feb. 25 - Mar. 3)
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra
Sold Out One Week Engagement

1946 Canoga Park High School, Los Angeles, Ca
Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Jerry Colona, and others
Sinatra sang 3 songs:
"Aren't You Glad You're You"
"Oh, What It Seemed To Be"
"The House I Live In"

1948 Rogers' Ranch, "The Stables", Palm Springs, CA
First Annual Gala Dinner Dance by Jewish Community Centre of Palm Springs

1951 Club Morocco, Miami, FL (February 25-February 28)
Marty Grossman and his Band
Also:  Ted & Phyllis Rodriguez - Dance Team
Songs performed during this engagement:
Sweet Lorraine
Body and Soul
I Hear Music
April In Paris
Stella By Starlight
Nevertheless
All The Things You Are
Paper Moon
If
The September Song
You're The One
I've Got A Crush On You

1965 Sands, Las Vegas , Nevada ( February 17 - March 2)
w/Joe E. Lewis

1966 Fontainebleau , Miami Beach , Florida (February 24 - March 10)
Sinatra was out with the flu February 26-28

1967 Fontainebleau , Miami Beach , Florida (February 16 - March 1)

1970 White House, Washington DC
Tribute to Senator Everett Dirksen
Among the songs sung by Frank
was a Dirksen favorite, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes."
--Ed & Fred

1976 Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, (Feb 26--March 9)
(2 shows a night)

1983 20th Century Fox Studio, Los Angeles, California
In Honor of Queen Elizabeth
Orchestra Conducted By: Joe Parnello
Other Performers: George Burns, Perry Como, Dionne Warwick

note: Frank's segment was an abbreviated version of the show
he did with Perry Como at The White House, 3-25-82. Perry and
Frank opened with "Sitting On Top Of The World" and they closed
the long medley with "When You're Smiling." They would
repeat the act again in Durham, N,C. 5-21-83 at the Duke
Children's Classic.
Dionne Warwick opened the entertainment segment, then
George Burns with Frank and Perry as the closing act. According
to the news reports, the Queen was very pleased with the show.
--Ed

---------------------------------------

Extra

1945 The Bob Hope Show
NBC & AFRS rebroadcast
Sponsor: Pepsodent
Performers: Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Frank Sinatra. Wendell Niles
(announcer), Jerry Colonna, Barbara Jo Allen (as "Vera Vague").
1. I'm Beginning To See The Light
Note: Sinatra appears in a western skit. LOC has 10-inch NBC sound reel,
30mins. Complete.
A 7.17mins recording appears as part of the show "To The Rear March" AFRS
#82

Emacs!

---------------------------------------

1946 Canoga Park High School, Los Angeles, Ca
Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Frances Langford, Jerry Colona, and others
Sinatra sang 3 songs:
"Aren't You Glad You're You"
"Oh, What It Seemed To Be"
"The House I Live In"

[]

[]

Feb 27, 1946 - HOLLYWOOD LEGENDS BOB HOPE AND FRANK SINATRA VISITED CANOGA.
"Lending their talents to the betterment of racial and religious
understanding, the Hollywood Caravan, headed by Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope,
made Canoga Park High School Auditorium the scene of the first high school
gathering on tolerance in the Valley schools..." (Hunters' Call, 3-8-1946)
The show was a reward for Canoga's award winning efforts selling Bonds and
collecting scrap material during WW2. Frank Sinatra sang, "Aren't You Glad
You're You."

[]

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1948, Rogers' Ranch, "The Stables", Palm Springs, CA
First Annual Gala Dinner Dance by Jewish Community Centre of Palm Springs

Emacs!

Emacs!

Emacs!

Emacs!

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Everybody's Twistin'

Emacs!

Emacs!

Emacs!

Emacs!

Emacs!
     Reprise released this single during the second week of March in 1962.
The A-side
     was the "Twistin' " song. It peaked at #75 on Billboard and  charted
for two weeks.
     Here is something I have never seen before. Billboard, in their review
of the single,
       ignored the preferred preference of the record label. The magazine
spotlighted
     "Nothing 'But The Best" and gave it a higher rating.

      FRANK SINATRA * * ** Nothing But the Best -REPRISE 20063 -Tasteful
warbling stint by
      Sinatra on smart, lightly swinging theme with strong backing by Neal
Hefti. Could grab a
      lot of exposure. (Barton, ASCAP) (3:00) * ** Ev'rybody'a Twistin' -
(Mills, ASCAP) (2:30)
      Billboard
      3-17-62
      note: Skip Martin, who did wonderful charts on "Well, Did You Evah!,"
"Be Careful It's My
           Heart," "I Got A Right To Sing The Blues," does not receive
credit for his arrangement
           of "Nothing But The Best." Typical behavior of a record company
back then.

       45cat - Frank Sinatra - Everybody's Twistin' / Nothing But The
Ed

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1970 White House, Washington DC
Tribute to Senator Everett Dirksen
Among the songs sung by Frank
was a Dirksen favorite, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes."

Emacs!

-----------------------------------------------------

1983 20th Century Fox Studio, Los Angeles, California
In Honor of Queen Elizabeth
Orchestra Conducted By: Joe Parnello
Other Performers: George Burns, Perry Como, Dionne Warwick
Emacs!

Emacs!

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