This collection of 18 essays (including a 1945 plea for racial
harmony by Sinatra himself), 13 of them new, is a mixed bag of
superb musical and technical insight, interesting cultural studies
analysis, and pure blather. In his concise and well-judged
introduction, Mustazza (English and American Studies/Penn. State
Univ.), the author of two previous books on the Chairman, makes a
case for Sinatra as "an iconic hero" and promises a volume that
will explore "the factors that led to the sculpting of the iconic
Sinatra, and the nature of the changing culture that fashioned it."
The best (and longest) essay in the collection, written by Sinatra
archivist Charles L. Granata, is a fascinating detailed recounting
of Sinatra's recording history, showing how he developed his
mastery of song and the studio; rather than an academic analysis of
pop culture, this is music history at its most sophisticated and,
unlike most of the other contributions here, genuinely illuminates
the art on which Sinatra's reputation is based. By comparison,
everything else in the book pales, but there are some notable
offerings. Perhaps the most convincing and offbeat is Roger
Gilbert's essay placing Sinatra in the context of other '50s icons
of troubled masculinity, Marlon Brando, Jackson Pollack, Robert
Lowell, and Miles Davis. Although he has too little space here to
completely develop the notion, Gilbert makes an interesting case
for Sinatra as "the classic embodiment of fifties culture [who]
fully articulated [the] contradictions, anxieties and ambivalences"
of maleness in that decade. Those contributors who focus directly
on the music - Will Friedwald and Richard Iaconelli among them -
have the most to offer. Other essays border on the embarrassing;
the worst is a stunning piece of self-aggrandizement by
psychiatrist Lloyd L. Spencer. The Granata essay is almost worth
the price of this volume. If he ever writes a Sinatra book, it will
be one to look for. (Kirkus Reviews)
Frank Sinatra's influence on American popular culture has been wide
reaching and long lasting. This diverse collection of essays
written by historians, music critics, and popular culture
personalities offers a myriad of perspectives and commentaries on
this multitalented legend. The essays attest to the interest in
Sinatra that has spanned six decades and shows no sign of
diminishing--even after his death. From singer to actor, from mass
media personality to humanitarian and cultural trendsetter, the
many contributions of Frank Sinatra are brought to life in this
entertaining volume. Written to appeal to Sinatra fans, these
unique essays, including one by Frank Sinatra himself, are
organized into three sections. The first examines Sinatra's fame
and the ways in which his image was formed, the second looks at his
music, and the final group of essays are personal reminiscences by
the people who knew him. Together these essays will provide new
material for the ever-growing dialogue about Frank Sinatra's place
in and influence over twentieth-century American popular culture.
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