Frankness

Sinatra, bless his politically incorrect heart, has a lot to teach those who will listen. If you're unfamiliar with his songs, do yourself a favor and take the time to find them; you will be rewarded. The only things I couldn't listen to in the months a.d.(after divorce) were his songs of lost love. Nobody can tell those stories like he can, and they can be tough to take when you're repairing holes in your armor. The swingin' tunes, now that's a different story. Nelson Riddle's and Quincy Jones' arrangements, Basie's or Ellington's band and Ol' Blue Eyes are what cool is all about.

The other great thing Frank and his fellow rats did was celebrate life, and that's something we seem to have lost the ability to do for the most part. I'm not recommending you go out and drink and party every night; that would be foolish, and besides, I'm willing to do that for you and report back. Rather, I suggest it might not be a bad idea to just lighten up and take things as they come, pally.

This country could use a good dose of cool, and the Rat Pack has that in buckets. Nothing ever got to them, at least nothing anybody saw, but that's the sign of genuine cool. Things affect you, but you don't let on. Think about how that could make a difference in life. Gang shootings? Not gonna happen, because even though some clyde offended the banger, he will not react and show his inners. No anger, no need to defend anything, just.....coolamungo. Going to war? Nah, let's have a shot of JD and talk about things, and by the way Charley, how's your bird?

The boys were all about the fun, and I'd like to see our lawmakers get a little of that action. Yeah, I know, we've already got lots of politicians and escorts, but I'm talking about the Senate and Congress kickin' it together and dancing out all the ins and outs of legislation. "Hey, pally, wouldn't it be great if we passed this here bill and didn't worry about all the pork? I swear, sometimes you guys can be such a bunch of Harveys."

Road rage? Fugeddaboudit. It's hard to stop, get out and wave a pistol when the Chairman sings and gets us all under his skin. The dynamic between Frank, Dean and Sammy was a gas, man, absolutely. When you think about the huge talent on that stage and the lack of ego as they all shared giddily in the spotlight, well, don't you think the world would be better off with that kind of approach?
If you're thinking I've lost it here, and you wouldn't want to live in a world run by drunken, horny, permanently adolescent men well, um....
Is it just me or has that bus already sailed?

Essential Sinatra CDs

In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim
It Might As Well be Swing
Sinatra's Sinatra
Songs For Swingin' Lovers
Sinatra At The Sands
Sinatra And Strings



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