This review is from:
Frank Sinatra: Concert for the Americas (DVD)
Frank was a little past his prime when this live concert was performed,
but he was in terrific form in this early 80s show. His bluesy rendition
of "Come Rain or Shine" takes Don Costa's great chart and makes it
grittier, sans the massive string section.
"Best Is Yet to Come" is as solid a rendition of the Cy Coleman song
as I've ever seen or heard. "I Won't Dance" swings, and Franks's
drummer Irv Cottler places the perfect, powerful accents to kick Sinatra
higher.
Speaking of Cottler, you won't see Buddy Rich behind Sinatra, but that's
fine. Cottler knew every nook and cranny of Sinatra's rhythmic phrasing
and knew how to fire up his boss. It's Buddy's band, augmented by french
horns and virtuoso Tony Mottola, along with a couple of other Sinatra
regulars.
There is a break in which Buddy comes out and does his classic
"West Side Story", with a typically explosive drum solo. I have a friend
who attended this concert in the Dominican Republic who told me Buddy
collapsed after his performance from the stifling heat & humidity.
You'll note he didn't even wear a hairpiece...somehow, Sinatra looked
comfortable.
No, it's not HD, the audio is okay but not up to the best technologies of
today...but this is one of the best Sinatra live concerts you'll find.
It's Wonderful.
