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Back in 1985 or so, I got comps to a concert in LA. I'm not sure I knew who it was because if I did I might not have gone.
Confession #1: It was Pia Zadora.
The musicians were something like 30 minutes late so 2 local TV personalities were on-stage filling time as best they could, which included comments about how once her singing was heard Zadora could take her place “up there where she belongs.” Sheesh.
Confession #2: I liked the concert.
Zadora sang standards with really great lighting.
Confession #3: I bought both the cd’s she did of standards.
These days, her vocals aren’t seeming so great (not to mention the hairdo she got from the legendary Jose Eber for the album cover:
http://991.com/newGallery/Pia-Zadora-Pia--Phil-306014.jpg
but the arrangements are still FABULOUS. Robert Farnon did them and I can’t wait until I can hear the recordings he did with Frank Sinatra called GREAT SONGS FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
Has anyone heard the recording Farnon and Sinatra did together?
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I liked the concert.
Zadora sang standards with really great lighting.
I bought both the cd’s she did of standards.
These days, her vocals aren’t seeming so great (not to mention the hairdo she got from the legendary Jose Eber for the album cover:
http://991.com/newGallery/Pia-Zadora-Pia--Phil-306014.jpg
but the arrangements are still FABULOUS. Robert Farnon did them and I can’t wait until I can hear the recordings he did with Frank Sinatra called GREAT SONGS FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
Has anyone heard the recording Farnon and Sinatra did together?
The vocals probably suffer the most because the lighting isn't there.
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Posted: |
Feb 4, 2008 - 11:37 PM
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By: |
Essankay
(Member)
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...the arrangements are still FABULOUS. Robert Farnon did them and I can’t wait until I can hear the recordings he did with Frank Sinatra called GREAT SONGS FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
Has anyone heard the recording Farnon and Sinatra did together?
I have the album and I rather like it. It's certainly not the misfire some describe. Sinatra was coming off a world tour when he recorded it and his voice is, admittedly, a touch ragged. He refused to allow the album to be released in the US because he felt his performance wasn't up to par, but this is, after all, Sinatra when he was still at his peak and a even a ragged Sinatra is still pretty damned good in '62.
Farnon's arrangements, which are excellent, leave his voice a bit more exposed than some of the the lush accompaniments he was used to at the time (Gordon Jenkins, in particular), and that may also account for some of Sinatra's unhappiness with the project, but it's fascinating to hear him perform during this period in a musical setting not arranged by either Jenkins, Riddle, or May.
Maybe it's just that my expectations were low before I heard the album that I find it so appealing, but whatever the reason, I enjoy it. It's definitely worth a listen.
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Thanks, MusicMad and Essankay, for the divergent opinions. I got a good picture of what I will be getting from hearing both sides of your nicely-considered opinions.
I'm still keen to hear it and will someday (the last time I looked it was hard to get and pretty expensive).
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The vocals probably suffer the most because the lighting isn't there.
Possibly true. But at home, with the hairdo out of the picture, it was easier to take as well.
I did forget to mention the wacko moment on stage as Zadora tried to "engage" with the musicians and chatted up Don Costa for a moment.
He wisely said nothing and just shrugged. She commented on the shrug, asking, "Oh, is that what you guys do in front of the grand jury?"
Oh, dear.
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Given Mr. Costa died 19 Jan 83, I wonder if you have the wrong conductor ... or are you a little awry on your dates?
You're a genius! It was Vince Falcone the pianist/conductor. I was thinking "Italian" and remembered first the Costa credit from the album. (He arranged "The Man That Got Away")
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Dudes, according to the Robert Farnon website discography, there are UNISSUED tracks that Farnon did with Zadora in 1990. I would LOVE to hear them, since they did such a good job before.
UNISSUED
Andantino In D Flat (Moonlight And Roses) (Lemare) Recorded by RF for Decca 2/7/56 (DR22136 3'25")
April Showers (De Sylva/Silvers) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Autumn Leaves (Kosma/Mercer) Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
But Beautiful (Van Heusen/Burke) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Catana (Alfred Newman) Recorded by Robert Farnon Orchestra, 30th May 1986, CTS, Wembley
Claire De Lune (Suite Bergamasque) (Claude Debussy) Recorded by RF for Decca 2/7/56 (DR 22139 2'05")
Country Girl (Farnon/Raskin) Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
Cradle Song, Op.49 No.4 (Lullaby) (Johannes Brahms) Recorded by RF for Decca 2/7/56 (DR22133 2'07")
Cycles (Gayle Caldwell) Recorded by Lena Horne with Robert Farnon Orchestra May 1976.
UNISSUED (Contd.)
End Of A Love Affair/How About Me (Edward Redding + I Berlin) Rec by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15/11/90, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Godfather II (Nino Rota) Recorded by Robert Farnon Orchestra, 30th May 1986, CTS, Wembley
Here's That Rainy Day (Van Heusen/Burke) Recorded by Jerry Lewis with RF Orch CTS London July 1969.
I Should Care (Stordahl/Cahn/Weston) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Let It Be (Lennon/McCartney) Recorded by Lena Horne with Robert Farnon Orchestra May 1976.
Like Someone In Love (Burke/Van Heusen) Recorded by Jerry Lewis with RF Orch CTS London July 1969.
Little Girl Blue (Rodgers/Hart) Recorded by Jerry Lewis with RF Orch CTS London July 1969.
Little Girl Blue (Rodgers/Hart) Recorded by Pia Zadora and London Philharmonic at 'Pia And Phil' album sessions.
Love Is Blue (A Popp/P Cour) Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
Love Is Here To Stay (George Gershwin) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
The Man I Love (George Gershwin) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Melody In F, Op.3 No.1 (Rubinstein) Recorded by RF Decca 2nd July 1956.
Moonlight And Roses (Andantino) (Lemare) Recorded by RF for Decca 2nd July 1956.
The More I See You (Harry Warren/Mack Gordon) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
My Romance (Rodgers/Hart) Recorded by Jerry Lewis with RF Orch CTS London July 1969.
My Romance (Rodgers/Hart) Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
My Prayer (Kennedy/Boulanger) Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
Nocturne In E Flat (Frederic Chopin) Recorded by RF for Decca 2/7/56 (DR 22132 4'25")
One Goodbye Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
Soliloquy Recorded by Jerry Lewis with RF Orch CTS London July 1969.
Stormy Weather (Ted Koehler/Harold Arlen) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Suite Bergamasque : Claire De Lune (Debussy) Recorded by RF for Decca 2/7/56 (DR 22139 3'55")
These Foolish Things (Strachey) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
The Very Thought Of You (Ray Noble) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Wait Till You See Her (Richard Rodgers) Recorded by Jerry Lewis with RF Orch CTS London July 1969.
When Your Lover Has Gone (E A Swan) Recorded by Pia Zadora with RF Orchestra 13-15th November 1990, CTS Studios, Wembley.
Wiegenlied Op. 49 No. 4 (Brahms) Recorded by RF for Decca 2/7/56 (DR 22134 3'10")
Yesterday (Lennon/McCartney) Recorded by George Benson with RF Orchestra, November 1988, CTS, Wembley
I am so getting out my pen and writing to somebody about this..... 
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Noticed, too, that there are unissued sessions with Jerry Lewis.
I'll petition to get THOSE kept under wraps. 
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I have mentioned before on another thread somewhere on this board that I attended a summer stock production of Damn Yankees back in the late 1970s. Applegate was played by the great Vincent Price. Lola was none other than Pia Zadora. I have the program signed by both in my collection. She did a fine job as Lola, btw.
Interesting. I guess she would have been in her early 20's then.
So then we'll petition "them" together. 
Whoever "them" is...
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I have mentioned before on another thread somewhere on this board that I attended a summer stock production of Damn Yankees back in the late 1970s. Applegate was played by the great Vincent Price. Lola was none other than Pia Zadora. I have the program signed by both in my collection. She did a fine job as Lola, btw.
Interesting. I guess she would have been in her early 20's then.
So then we'll petition "them" together.
Whoever "them" is...
I'm in.
Her website says her PR people can be reached at: fmarseille@lcoonline.com
http://www.piazadora.com/contact/
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Dudes, according to the Robert Farnon website discography, there are UNISSUED tracks that Farnon did with Zadora in 1990. I would LOVE to hear them, since they did such a good job before.
According to Wikipedia: "Another CD of standards, Only for Romantics, was also recorded, but as May 2012 came to a close, it was very scarce and only promotional copies were available."
I just found a copy in the used bin!
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