Sinatra & Sextet: Live in Paris | ||||
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Live album by Frank Sinatra | ||||
Released | March 22, 1994 | |||
Recorded | June 5, 1962 | |||
Genre | Vocal jazz, classic pop | |||
Length | 71:18 | |||
Label | Reprise | |||
Frank Sinatra chronology | ||||
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Allmusic |
Sinatra & Sextet: Live in Paris is a live album by American singer Frank Sinatra, recorded in 1962 but not released until 1994. The album was released by Reprise Records.
An earlier, non-commercial edition of this concert was released in late 1992, albeit with two fewer songs than the twenty five in this set. It was only the third live album ever officially released of Sinatra, after 1966's Sinatra at the Sands and 1974's The Main Event – Live.
It was his first concert he ever performed in Paris, France. The album is unique in that it is an entire unedited concert of Sinatra.
That spring Sinatra was on a World Tour for Children, playing benefit concerts that would raise money for handicapped children in Europe and Asia. It eventually extended to thirty dates in two months, starting on April 15 in Mexico City and ending June 17 in Monte Carlo. The concert which makes up the album was recorded on June 5, towards the end of the tour.
Guitarist Al Viola stated in the liner notes of the album that, since the band was gathered on such short notice, they never rehearsed with Sinatra for the tour. Much of the band had already performed with him on previous albums with the same arrangements, so he never felt rehearsals were necessary.
The performance was introduced by Charles Aznavour, who declares in French, Frank Sinatra, Paris belongs to you!
During the concert, the singer makes some risque remarks. His spoken introduction to "One for My Baby" is an example. Of the song's protagonist, Sinatra had this to say:
Following his performance of "Ol' Man River", the singer states: "That song is about Sammy Davis's people. And 'dis is a song about my people," moving into "The Lady Is A Tramp".
Sinatra jokes through some of his vocal difficulties, commenting at one point that he should "avoid the pre-show onion soup", and that he's "gotta stop sleepin' in the park."