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Here
are some of pitfalls and what to expect when you hire a Frank Sinatra
Impersonator or imitator
There was only one
"Chairman of the Board". Most of the pop and jazz music authorities
agree that Frank Sinatra was an innovator, a stylistic genius, a musical
communicator, and hundreds of other "things". There is no shortage of
essays and texts written about Sinatra, perhaps the most influential singer of
the twentieth century. There is also no shortage of Frank Sinatra imitators and
impersonators. It would seem obvious why so many would seek to emulate Frank
Sinatra. Certainly it comes from the pure awe and respect of his legend,
artistry and musical legacy, that they so frequently don the tux and fedora. It
probably also doesn’t hurt that being in costume aides in masking the
musical shortcomings and inadequacies that most of the karaoke Sinatra’s
possess. To be Sinatra for even a minute is an impossible undertaking!
Amateurish at its most profound!
Live Music Is The Only Way!
People in professional music circles understand the concept of creation and
improvisation. A virtuoso pianist or any artist for that matter would probably
not perform a note for note solo at the same musical passage, during every
performance. It would become tiresome and after all, an artist needs to
continue the creative process. An artist, worth his salt, must improve on his
works by phrasing something slightly different or at times completely
recreating the composition. This is the nature and definition of an artist and
is especially relevant to the jazz musician. This is one of the reasons why
jazz and music played in this vein (when played right) is special. It’s the
unknown, the uncharted, the original, the moment. This is not possible by any
means other than spontaneous performance (as opposed to prerecorded
backgrounds). Anything else is imitation. The magic in Frank Sinatra’s choice
recordings is there in the recordings. There were at times, numerous takes of a
particular song, before the right combination of factors presented themselves.
When, they all came together, a great recording was made. They never sounded
quite the same when he sang them at his live performances. They weren’t
supposed to. Not that there was anything wrong with the live versions (in fact
some live performances undoubtedly superseded the studio versions of the same
songs) they were simply different versions.
Frank Sinatra Imitators by
the Dozens
The web is filled with men who think they can fill the shoes of Frank Sinatra
by singing the songs to identical arrangements that Sinatra used (and in the
identical manner). First of all, you'll agree that about 3 in 1000 have the
voice. Therefore, 997 in 1000 do not. Second, they are using prerecorded tracks
(no band or orchestra). These tracks are often made with electronic instruments
that don’t even come close to sounding like the instruments they were
intended to substitute. How uninspiring and unexciting! There can be
little spontaneity by the vocalist when he is locked into this framework.
Lastly, there are few professionals out there. One becomes a professional with
intensive study and from working regularly at his chosen profession. There are
truly few performing opportunities for a singer to become proficient at
commanding a band or a crowd of attentive listeners, aside from the karaoke
bars that now dominate the landscape. And "that don't cut it!"
The Bottom Line
If you hire a Frank
Sinatra impersonator you generally wind up with a not-too-talented individual
copying Sinatra's precise arrangements (however never equaling or superseding
them) who does his best to exactly copy Frank Sinatra's phrasing,
intentionally changed lyrics (as in "...That's why this chick
is a champ"), hand gestures, and out of date humor (broads,
ring a ding ding) etc... But the voice? What about the quality of the
voice? More often than not, it’s mediocre to "under any
circumstances, don't quit your day job!"
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