Ol’ Blue Eyes

“Sinatra” by Gino Savarino

(Originally posted here June 2013)
 

fluid gold baritone

born in dim

wide-lapelled bandstands

poured quicksilver smooth through

harsh swing-era mikes

in that heady transition

depression to war

swooning bobby-sox hormones

and radio ears

 

virtuoso with high-polished craft

impeccable phrasing

deliberate diction marked

sensual ballads or double-bass jive

but the tone

man that tone

came of fine burnished age

in the whiskey and cigarette fifties

eclipsing all comers

 

so good was that seemingly effortless sound

every man boy and broomstick

believed he could sing the same way

only to die in the trying

like poor skinny kids the world over

his rampaging passions ran hot

off a short angry fuse

but such consummate talent

bought loads of redemption

 

 

(With all due respect to superb contemporary vocalists like Harry Connick Jr and Michael Buble, there will never be another Francis Albert, in my music loving opinion.)