The Frank Sinatra way

Press, 17 July 1980, Page 12

The Frank Sinatra way

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RECORD REVIEWS

Nevin Topp

FRANK SINATRA “Trilogy” (Reprise 3FS 2300). ” Probably many people who see the above words “Frank Sinatra,” will believe that it is a technical aberration and that normal transmission will be resumed as soon as possible. Others will believe it is a miracle, a bit like the Monty Python skit, ‘‘Four Yorkshiremen’ (Who would have believed we would be sitting here today . . .). T As it is, when I say Im reviewing an album • by “01’ Blue Eyes,” there are long periods of silence,' or sniggers, sometimes both at once, from friends and colleagues. But not; .to worry, they happened before the imported Sinatra triple album arrived. Also, there is a precedent. The June 12 issue of “Rolling Stone” leads off with a review of Sinatra’s album alongside that of another popular American stalwart, Smokey Robinson. “Trilogy” is a- huge work, divided into three sections, “Past,” “Present,” and “Future. Right from the moment the stylus touches- the record the Sinatra album, the first in five years, comes alive, showing he is no MOR man as his television shows often portray, but a real artist. On the . ‘‘Past,’-’ Sinatra

has recorded only four of the songs before, and in this new effort of his old songs not only does he sound different but he is enjoying it. This quality, plus the superb sound, is transmitted on to the tracks. The interpretation of Cole Porter’s “All Of You” is excellent, and together with the Gersh“But Not For Me” and “They All Laughed,” plus Irving Berlin’s “Let’s, Face The Music and Dance,” the backing orchestra is marvellously reverberent. “The Present” has Sinatra in a dilemma.. This is the age of rock’n’ roll, so how. does the street tough' of the e a rly 50s face up to the new music. , Because Sinatra has had to head for the MOR in the 70s, his- caution is apparent. However,. Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” gets 5 the upterijpo treatment, enough to wish he had been as , daring on the other tracks. The George Harrison tune, “Something,” is hesitant, made worse, for "Stick Around Jack,” is brought into the song. But he is back on his home turf on : “Theme from New York, New York,” the title of the Martin Scorsese film, in a fast moving rendition that takes, away all the pain

that the picture portrayed, “The Future” has Sinatra starring as Iris legend, an attempt to do something new, and only his distinctive voice saves, this part of “Trilogy from being the fall-guy of the year. At 64, Sinatra is trying to show the knockers that he is not down. paul McCartney “McCartney II” (Parlophone PCTC 258).

The latest issue of “Rolling Stone” headlined its review of the new McCartney album as “Paul McCartney hits a new low again.” Underneath that there was another headline, “Goo-goo, da-da.” In essence, McCartney is making silly love songs again. But what must puzzle the critics, including myself, is how, come • he keeps bouncing out > with songs which - people buy? McCartney is- a one-fnan hit-machine, a Clint Eastwood on record. Instead of a Magnum .44 we have a 16-track tape machine plugged in at home, a kind of instant - hit home*, movie, * - .

Another puzzle is that many critics dislike McCartney on his own, among the Beatles nothing was wrong. For all that McCartney is now turning out harmless - little ditties

that don’t really mean anything to anyone. The whole album is based on synthesized rhythm, the hit single. “Coming Up” being a case in point. . Its bounce is . irresistible. You are liable to be. drowning in the bath and all of a sudden this silly tune pops into your head “You want a friend • you -- can rely : on/One who' .Will never fade away.” The song title “Temporary Secretary” is repeated over and ? over’.for its • phonetic value, while both “Bogey Music" and “Darkroom” have been done before as on the “Purple People Eater” (Sheb Wooley) and “The Chipmunk S °Tle electronic hooks are catchy, but the album , does not really add up to much. Trouble is I like "Coming Up.” I think I’m drowning.