Sinatra - Lush Life 1958

[@ericcriteser4001]

This could have been his greatest. Glad we at least have this. The arrangement is brilliant and he was in great voice.

[@Lazarus1001]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpTGYZaFerKpptE

[@johnbuller2132]

I absolutely agree; it must have been an off day for him. Most unfortunate...

[@MegaFount]

I can’t believe I found this because it is one of my favorite songs. I heard that Sinatra never recorded it because he found it too difficult. And yet here is a recording of him attempting the song… I once heard Steven Schwartz on Sirius Radio say that he was the one playing the piano and Sinatra abandoned it. He found it to challenging. Yet…. Sinatra sounds so great and the song seems to suit him so well! Too bad he didn’t see it through. This would have been extraordinary. Nevertheless, I will treasure this recording. Thank you for posting it!

[@antonellabecci4448]

extraordinary and great..simply .the best!

[@jackhaggerty1066]

*Sinatra gave you a lifetime in a song.* Vic Damone. And what a song !

[@davidhaight5594]

A couple more times and a total masterpiece - also what an arrangement

[@jayepstein5630]

Happy Birthday, Frank! Thank you for what you gave to us.

[@doobeedoo2]

Sounds incredible to me, best version imo, I'm with those who wish he'd finished it

[@helaina400]

It is a Riddle arrangement but he wasn’t there. Felix Slatkin (the violinist that’s on all his dates) was conducting. They say that if Nelson was there Frank would have given it another try - or so I heard.

[@jayepstein5630]

Interesting tidbit, thanks!

[@BrentStuder]

Yes, that's what I was going to say. Thanks. This was Riddle's arrangement, but as concertmaster, Slatkin was conducing at this session (May 29, 1958 according to O'Brien and Sayer's book "Sinatra: The Man and His Music). The off-tempo piano intro-perhaps trying to evoke a noisy piano bar-is a bit jarring and out of character with the rest of the songs on the "Only the Lonely" sessions and this song was attempted towards the end of a long night of recording. According to the master tape numbers and session list that night, they had already recorded "Monique," "Ebb Tide," "Angel Eyes," Spring is Here," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," and "Only the Lonely"! After giving up on "Lush Life,'" they went on to record "Willow Weep For Me." Frank was a perfectionist in the studio yet I can sympathize with getting frustrating when a song isn't working, especially after already committing six songs to tape that night. I can't recall were I read it (something by Will Friedwalt or Charles Granata, most likely), but I do remember reading that Riddle was off with Nat Cole at a concert. Had he been there that night, perhaps he could have tweaked the arrangement and helped Frank and the orchestra through it.

[@nickwebb8197]

Daaaaaaaaaaaamn! He was so close to recording another classic. That vocal was on its way to being the gold standard for that Billy Strayhorn song. Johnny Hartman owns it now and in perpetuity.

[@roblewis3565]

Johnny Hartman I agree has the best version. A great singer. The other great version is by Lady Gaga. A surprise for me, but she's great.

[@nickwebb8197]

@@roblewis3565 I gave Gaga's interpretation a listen, but I still think Hartman's is still the gold standard. It's in the phrasing. It matches up perfectly with Strayhorn's lyrics. Plus, Hartman's got Coltrane and his quartet. No one'll ever match that.

[@brucescott4261]

@nickwebb8197 ...If 'Trane wasn't on that recording, you would have never known about Johnny Hartman. The late, great Nat "King" Cole recorded Billy Strayhorn's LUSH LIFE on March 29, 1949 (Capitol 57-606/54-606) with the music of Pete Rugolo. It was a hit! On April 14th, 1956, Sarah Vaughan also recorded LUSH LIFE, from the LP entitled SASSY (EmArcy MG-36089), which was released in mono on October 4th, 1956. On November 13th, 1948, vocalist Kay Davis performed the Billy Strayhorn ballad on stage at Carnegie Hall with the Duke Ellington Band. On March 29th, 1961, Nat "King" Cole recorded LUSH LIFE again, which appeared on the three-LP set with a booklet entitled THE NAT "KING" COLE STORY. It was released in mono (Capitol WCL-1613) and stereo (Capitol SWCL-1613) on July 3rd, 1961. Countless artists recorded LUSH LIFE afterwards.

[@brucescott4261]

@@roblewis3565 ...Nat "King" Cole was the very first artist to record Billy Strayhorn's LUSH LIFE on March 29th, 1949. It was a hit!

[@brucescott4261]

@nickwebb8197 ...John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman don't own LUSH LIFE, PERIOD!!!

[@freespirit21newyork]

Beautiful ❤️‍🔥 got that NEW YORK sound 🎈 🎉Mr Sinatra ❤️‍🔥 Still the King 👑🏆👑 of NYC

[@keithmerscheim1924]

This perhaps one of the most underrated songs of the Sinatra 1950s era. But still a classic.

[@jayepstein5630]

Really!

[@ddkoda7412]

Not the easiest song to sing but I thought Frank did very well for his first effort at this piece. He probably could have done very well with it if he gave it another chance.

[@jayepstein5630]

Exactly what I felt.

[@jackiewright4438]

@@jayepstein5630 It was good for me, but obviously not good enough for Frank. A wonderful but difficult song.

[@donna7507]

Even in the background he's sort of rehearsing to himself and even that is amazing

[@jerrylanglois7892]

Frank didn't have the ear to handle this song.

[@woodscw50]

brother 74 my tours Veitnam our familys thank you

[@jimshelton115]

Singing in a show or concert there are no second takes Frank usually does everything right the first time . Like his scene in From Here To Eternity

[@hremdldw]

Frank should have completed it , a master of the composition for the lovelorn

[@claudpiro6469]

Ok... migliaia di pezzi magnifici... uno più uno meno...

[@bobwatson1162]

A few years later Johnny Hartman made this one of his best with John Coltrane..

[@dariomulonia3480]

thanks for this video

[@markomark76]

Blue eyes was awesome the same he could be sweet and warm like Butter in bread in breakfast and also strong as a closed fist kicking on adversary face

[@NickTelesca]

Even the Master had to step back on occasion He wanted to stay within himself musically while singing brilliantly This was not the vehicle for that purpose in his view It’s the vocal artist’s call As Sinatra would say, “My name is on the record!”

[@mr.aldini6801]

The arrangement seems odd to me, but I enjoy hearing Frank make an attempt at it.

[@jadezee6316]

Sinatra was the greatest interpreter of pop music who ever lived....this "bootleg"....tape was done more on a whim since it was not part of his schedule to sing this song....what you are hearing is the actual first attempts he ever made at singing this...which is actually very good and had Nelson been there Sinatra might have chosen to record this song ... kidding about putting it aside...should not be interrupted as Sinatra saying it was to hard a song to sing...you would need to be a clown to think that Reply

[@brucescott4261]

@jadezee6316 ...One of the greatest!

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

that's right. Aretha Franklin maybe. Sarah Vaughn. Ella. @@brucescott4261

[@sgchastain]

It’s a hard song and I’ve only heard Johnny Hartman sing it. Sinatra does it wonderfully to that point.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

A number of singers can do the song.

[@sgchastain]

@@jerrylanglois7892 actually, on KZbin, you can see and hear Queen Latifah doing it and she’s perfect. It’s a hard song.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

@@sgchastain When did I say it wasn't a hard song and queen latifah couldn't sing it ?

[@franciscomarcocivera7368]

Sinatra hasta haciendo gárgaras eres el mejor cantante del mundo

[@monacojerry]

Everybody should listen to Johnny Hartman’s version of this great Billy Strayhorn classic. Sinatra couldn’t get his tonsils around the curves here. I think the arrangement was the real problem.

[@320achacin]

Thanks beautiful My baby Ⓜ️🎙️

[@whenmullet2674]

When he says "alrighty now" at the end, it sound like he's imitating Dean Martin.

[@clarkeonenil3252]

I had read that Sinatra was defeated by this song, couldn't master it, gave up etc. But hearing this now ... of course he could have mastered it. It's a pity.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

If he could've mastered it he would've mastered it.

[@johnnyonenote376]

I've always thought that the piano intro here is messy and superfluous. It is certainly a very difficult song to nail, but as others have commented, I too think this would have been a great song for Sinatra to record and perform in concert...

[@qwj68boots]

If he'd only been a bit more patient. But, you know one take Frank...

[@johnnyonenote376]

@@qwj68boots I think it was 'one take Crosby' more often than not. Sinatra was certainly impatient on a film set and was one take in that regard, but in the liner notes to the LP 'Some Nice Things I've Missed' I think it is mentioned that he took about 16 or more takes on (again from memory) 'The Summer Knows' and they said it was the most they had seen him do since 'September of My Years' on the album of the same name in the Sixties. You can see from a lot of the outtakes here on YT that he was meticulous in getting it right over a number of takes on the music. I agree he could have been a bit more patient here though, but probably wasn't in the mood ! Apparently several decades later, Jonathan Schwartz played the outtake of Sinatra storming off and slamming the studio door on the way out on this one. Sinatra was furious and said 'Get him off the air !' or words to that effect...

[@jerrylanglois7892]

@@qwj68boots Frank knew he didn't have the ear to handle such a piece.

[@drsvs]

I think this was supposed to be on the Only the Lonely album. Too bad he didn’t finish it.

[@lisamcmahon1462]

My favorite part is when and what he says about basically giving up. Smart guy.

[@jadezee6316]

if he wanted to record this song..which he didnt he would have ... the greatest pop singer who ever lived...Sinatra didn't give up...

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

The melody and harmonies are very complex. Even a great singer with a good ear is likely to miss a few notes, until he sings it many many times. If you sang and played piano, pop and jazz, professionally, like I do, you would realize this. Sinatra had too much respect for the composer, the song, for music, and for his profession to do a half assed version. So yes, he gave up, for the moment, he put it aside. He sounds great, but he couldn't nail the melody. And btw the greatest pop singer who ever lived is Aretha Franklin. @@jadezee6316

[@hansteeuwen3967]

Frank could be a little impatient at times

[@silvinaprioris5207]

Love u FAS....

[@kathyyansick5382]

Really something, great for me" "gray for me" lol gray faces bella la gos

[@jerrylanglois7892]

A difficult song to sing. I respect frank for admitting he couldn't quite do it.

[@mga2899]

Voice was in transition, but still great.

[@woodscw50]

our family Marines the walk home a war a song my units a one a brother of my wars

[@champagnemls]

So interesting. A couple of days ago, I dreamt of myself in 1960s hairstyle. I had a salmon dress. I had it made from silk crepe. All fine. I loved that period. It is nice to visit the period ( speaking as a person who used to work in fashion) but I did not feel comfortable because I felt that my hair was toooo perfect and my eye makeup was too heavy compare to real 60s as if it was made by a random makeup artist. It happens these days. Let's say there is a fashion editorial covering 60s. If the makeup or hair artist does not have the talent to enter the period with her soul into the 60s, you end up with a horrible exaggerated hairstyle or makeup ruining the whole photoshoot labeling it as a bad copy of the 60s or 70s ...My eye makeup was too heavy ruining my dress and spirit. I had those huge bangs but I did not like how the vintage hairpin was placed on my hair.It was a beautiful vintage piece but I had to disguise it and show only a cm of it. Summary: the hair , accessoires, and make up styling was horrible ruining my evening 😂. And it was just a dream. I like the period but I love Jean Shrimpton, Bardot..Interesting is; youtube a couple of days started proposing the Saturday Night Fever and than Elvis Presley. Yess, well that period is OK but never been too much into Rock&Roll Elvis Presley period except sometimes the t-shirts, some leather jacket ( not very fancy ones) and shoes ( once in a while)Now , KZbin started proposing the 1950s..... Soon, we will go to 40s I guess???

[@humblecharlie4383]

the arrangement is too busy (he had a hard time finding his entrances and his pitches). i don't blame his for dropping it for awhile. too bad he dropped it forever.

[@egee.sheeva6672]

Too bad time marked it: intangible; he had it in the palm of his hand but rough bird, she flew out of grasp!

[@benjaminhogan3157]

Billy Strayhorn was replaced by Billy May on the Reprise album --- if Strayhorn didn't pass away --- who knows.....

[@donna7507]

Is there a complete version anywhere of him singing this song? 🥺

[@jayepstein5630]

Not that I know of, unfortunately.

[@chrissaenz6213]

@@jayepstein5630 Say hi to your brother Jeff.

[@nadyarossi5102]

Oh, Frank! I wish you hadn't thrown in the towel!

[@jerrylanglois7892]

He did the right thing. If he couldn't sing it in practice how would he'd of done in concert ?

[@larry1824]

It's said this really frustrated him Gaga of all people did a superb version

[@benjaminhogan3157]

Too bad it wasn't included in the Reprise Sinatra-Ellington album.

[@Kent-qo6xp]

Jay,hope all is well. My dad sat in at Capitol where they scrapped the whole session. Is Jimmy Litwin still alive? Kent Vogel A.S.C.A.P (50 + hits) WBD

[@jayepstein5630]

I was with Litwin at his Birthday party at Joe Pulice's house a couple months ago. He's doing well. What a unique character.

[@roblewis3565]

Frank didn't like that flat note in Lush Life . A rough spot in the lyric for a singer. He stopped abruptly. He didn't like Sabia for the same reason, but fortunately recorded it.

[@beforeourveryeyes]

Which note are you referring to in each song? Thanks.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

How come other singers weren't bothered by the '' flat note ''.

[@nealm1814]

He's forcing it. Probably best he gave up. Linda Ronstadt nailed it though. Lady Gaga sang the shit out of it as well. Yes Lady Gaga I kid you not.

[@qwj68boots]

Johnny Hartman with John Coltrane's quartet own this. Even Sweet Pea's (Billy Strayhorn) version is good because it doesn't take itself too seriously which is what was meant to be, according to Strayhorn himself.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

He was forcing it because he was nervous...knew he was in over his head.

[@LeeBlaske]

Maybe now, it could be finished with AI.

[@jayepstein5630]

Yes, Artificial Frank!

[@AndreasDelleske]

He unnecessarily rushes through it at first, doesn't lead the orchestra. Maybe the conductor insisted to pace it, no wonder he hated that part. Then later I think there are even some false notes even for the orchestra ("washed away") and Frank had not figured them out yet. Normal for a new piece! Many Real books are full of these glitches. I would never even have started a tape in that stage and I'd try not to waste the effort of the orchestra, dammit!

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

Yeah, the cost for messing about in the studio on a tune you're not ready to record. Studio time, paid by the hour union scale for the union musicians and conductors and engineers. In today's dollars, probably at least several thousand an hour or more.

[@AndreasDelleske]

@@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out The Union is not the problem here.

[@elementrypenguin3116]

They just couldn’t get it right. It’s got a very strange melody and seemed difficult to vocalize

[@brucescott4261]

Most of you weren't even born, including Lady Gaga.

[@elainemarks167]

Frank was his Best Critic This is awful Cannot hold notes and sounds flat on others. I was privileged to see Frank in London He was and remains the Governor. Johnny Hartman's version is superb.

[@prof.t.c.pfeiler1280]

In my opinion genius Billy Strayhorn´s masterpiece was simply too much for him. I am sure he never was able to perform "Lush Life" intoned cleanly live in concert. Note: there is no second chance live on stage! Ella Fitzgerald and some others did it.

[@jadezee6316]

only a fool thinks this.....Sinatra was the greatest interpreter of pop music who ever lived....this "bootleg"....tape was done more on a whim since it was not part of his schedule to sing this song....what you are hearing is the actual first attempts he ever made at singing this...which is actually very good and had Nelson been there Sinatra might have chosen to record this song ...

[@prof.t.c.pfeiler1280]

@@jadezee6316 Very good, ha! Who the hell are you to call me, a composer of 10.000+ pieces of music a "fool"? During the last 45 years I worked with some of the greatest names in jazz history live on stage and in studios all over the world! Can you offering near something like this, eh? Before you call a pro like me a fool you better learn the difference between good entertainment and clean intonation. For example: Mel Torme´, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis jr. and Matt Monro had both! But there are a lot of records with the man from Hoboken that I never would give free as a producer. Facts are facts, dot!

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

she's very good at stepping way out of her lane, beyond the purview of her acumen, ain' t she? @@prof.t.c.pfeiler1280​

[@jerrylanglois7892]

@@jadezee6316 How do you know this was '' done on a whim '' and were the '' first attempts '' and '' if nelson had been there sinatra might have chosen to record that song '' ? Did you know sinatra ? Were you there in the studio ? Sinatra knew with this song he was in over his head, otherwise he could've sung it to completion and would've recorded it.

[@cfbswami]

Nat King Cole did it great - no problem ....

[@waldolydecker8118]

he sure did....had forgot about that one

[@joen3992]

Frank visited Gay places? Who knew.....lol

[@mikemmikem2758]

I love Frank but the very best version of this is from Johnny Hartman. Riddle's orchestration is awful, perhaps that was why Sinatra didn't care too much for it.

[@MS-it4gb]

This is a complete red meat tune. Difficult to sing.

[@donaldauguston9740]

This is not great. He hits all kinds of bad notes.

[@cate4890]

I don’t like any of the lyrics. Don’t blame him for not completing it.

[@monacojerry]

You should listen to Johnny Hartman’s version of this great Billy Strayhorn classic. Sinatra couldn’t get his tonsils around the curves here. I think the arrangement was the real problem.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

Frank didn't dislike the lyrics, he just didn't have the talent to sing it.

[@VillagerExpat]

I agree with Sinatra. It's awful.

[@AndreasDelleske]

Please listen to Lady Gaga's version before giving up on it..

[@waldolydecker8118]

Sinatra was talking about HIS performance, not the song. The song, difficult as it may be to execute, is widely recognized as a masterpiece American standard. Sinatra merely did not have a penchant for the Ellington songbook...of all the major singers (male or female), he surprisingly recorded the least number of Ellington tunes - less than 5 over his 55 year recording career. He didn't perform Ellington songs in live performances either. Even when he later recorded an album with Ellington in 1967, he only sang one Ellington tune. Sinatra was clearly not comfortable as an interpreter of the Ellington songbook - something that distinguishes him from all the other major American singers. Nevertheless, Sinatra's recording of Ellington's 'Mood Indigo' on the "Wee Small Hours" album and "I've Got it Bad and That Ain't Good" on the "Swingin' Affair" album are among the best of those interpretations. Why he choose not to perform or record more Ellington remains a researcher's curiosity.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

@@waldolydecker8118 Frank knew his limitations on those difficult pieces, the public did not.

[@jerrylanglois7892]

@@AndreasDelleske Yes, no excuses sinatra fans, lady gaga and others did and can sing this song.