I'm 77 and have been singing with Frank since I was 10 years old. I lost my Mom to cancer when I was 8 and she was 34 way back in 1953. And way back then I wasn't really getting along without her very well at all. I still listen and sing along with the whole Only The Lonely album from time to time. Recently I changed some of the lyrics near the close of the song...."...What a guy, what a fool am I, to think my breaking heart could kid the moon. What's in store, I CAN'T PHONE YOU ANYMORE, no its best that I stick to my tune,,,," When he made the album, Frank was lamenting the loss of Ava...if in fact she ever really loved him as a man. He was obsessed with her and I believe it was her unrequited love and running around with bull fighters that sunk their marriage. And, Frank was no faithful husband either. I have always characterized songs about love and loss as a story about a breakup and the people involved live on. At this performance, he called her a girl "who ran away" and shrugged her off even though he was really hurting at the time In real life, many times its not a breakup...its a real loss because somebody has passed away. ...or died, not to use that euphemism. Such is real life and love and as Robert said to Francesca in paraphrase, "Change is inevitable and we have to accept it as a fact of life".

What set Frank apart was his spacing of words - impeccable. No one before or since him could deliver lyrics on his level.

Francis Albert was and is the greatest popular vocalist we ever had.

My personal favorite song and favorite version of it. No one could interpret a lyric like Sinatra. His breath control is perfection….

He sure understood the value of stillness. He really was the master.

The song and arrangement are superb, and Sinatra’s performance here illustrates how he took popular singing and made it into an art form. Just magical!

This is a favorite song of mine because I relate, sad but true. No matter, I love hearing Sinatra sing it because he KNOWS what it feels like and you can hear the emotion in his voice! He recorded it in 1955 but sang it often in his concerts and he knew what the words meant! Many of us love and lose, that's life. Whether it be a spouse, family, lover, good friend, or even a beloved pet, nothing lasts forever and it's often difficult to cope with. No one sings these "saloon songs" of love and sorrow better than Sinatra -- he knew!

For me as a Performer (and maybe it is just me), I find this one of the most Moving of songs sung by Mr. Sinatra

There's something about seeing the actual delivery. Orchestration, Poetry, Delivery, this is what music can and should be.

Let's go to Paris -- and on your magic carpet , Frank, one feels immediately among the light, the perfumes, the blossoms of Paris in the sping. The marvellous high note ("I") that starts the song is a beautiful cry of joy and Desire. Life at its fullest. Certainly NOT Cole Porter's creation. Love forever, Frank 🌹

The Nelson Riddle arrangement is heavenly.

What a singer. What a violinist.

It reminds me of the only girl I felt real love for. It sums it up perfectly, what an artist. There is only the one Sinatra

Even the players in the orchestra applauded this one!

He sings with so much feeling Sinatra's phrasing is so sensitive it's clear that this performance is being sung in a very personal way .Great stuff .

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Sinatra sings this to sheer perfection and makes my tears fall more than any other ballad ever has. Yet it also makes me happy to be alive, if only to hear Frank sing this song. xo

I can't believe how little views this video has. This is spectacular. Frank is spectacular. Everyone should listen to this

Those people who don't like franks voice needs educated, he is manic , never be another like him , xxx

Probably his finest performance. Absolutely perfect rendition.

I love this particular version of the great song by Hoagy Carmichael, recorded by so many, but none as well as Sinatra in concert here in the early '70's. I was fortunate to see FS in concert a few times (and met him and heard him record, a real privilege and he was so gracious!) -- always the consummate professional and terrific performer. I particularly liked the way he always credited the song writers, composers, arrangers and his orchestra. That's what more performers should do today. Frank often said it was the musicians who helped his astounding and long career (almost 60 years). He was a very generous person, something most people did not know about him. He donated a ton of money to those in need, from his band members, to friends, to just someone he heard about and didn't even know, but was in dire need. (He got a lot of bad rap, usually from jealous people!) He paid Ava's hospital and other bills at her end, as he did for other people also. He often said he was lucky in his career, and he certainly passed the joy and benefits of it on to others in many ways. There will never be another balladeer like Sinatra.

I would argue this is the single finest live ballad performance of his career. London, 1971.

If there ever was any question whether Frank Sinatra was THE master of his craft, all you have to do is listen to this song. He comes close to crying as he sings it. It's like he was singing it to someone personal. What genius!! Years ago I lost something very precious to me; my kitty who had been with me for 16 years. When I was driving home this song was playing. I always think of her and end up crying when I hear it...and Frank gave it just the right expression that I have always felt.

I can't even breathe right listening to this. Hoagy Carmichael's genius for composing, Nelson Riddle's genius for arranging, and the only and only Sinatra.

Frank was at the perfect age here.

I absolutely Adore This Song & Blue Eyes Performance is Perfection! Truly Beautiful! The Master will Never be Beaten! ❤

This song fits like a glove for the CHAIRMAN. Beautiful.

That's one of my favorite Frank Sinatra songs of all time. It's so moving and poignant.

The all-time master. Others may try but in the end there is only one Sinatra. Bravissimo.

My favorite Sinatra sad song. Thats as good as it gets!

Well before my time, my older sisters heart throb, however, I grew up in a musical household & there's very songs even in my parent's era I haven't forgotten. So thankful I have an ear for music. Frank sings so smoothly, his emphasis on certain words & lingers on that note brings the very romantic side out of one. So beautiful I can hear Michael Buble' singing this & I wish he would. Frank, Dean & Elvis great mentors for Michael & Harry Connick Jnr.

Just to chime in here, this song is the perfect example of Frank's ability to read and interpret a lyric. Pay attention how he sings "Of course I do"....it's almost defiant, as if the poor sap in the song is trying to convince himself that he doesn't need the girl, he's over her, etc., and then he gets softly sentimental with the ".....but" part afterwards ("except perhaps in spring", etc).

Sheer perfection! No one before or since Sinatra has made an impact on the audience like he did! Truly "The Voice" of the 20th Century! Absolutely NO one sings ballads as well. Nancy Wilson is a close second. Both are gone now, sadly, but we have their recordings that will carry us on!

This version is more touching than the great "Wee Small Hours" studio recording of 1955. Great breath control and he really feels it. Ava broke his heart and made him the king of saloon songs...

The orchestra are applauding.

I come here to soothe my own heart against Frank's voice. It's all I can do, now that my love has said goodbye...i feel so despondent and the torment never let's up, it never ends...thank goodness Sinatra is here for us in good times, and also the seemingly unbearable times...when we are nursing deep wounds that never seem to heal...but it one day, maybe I'll wake up and it all won't hurt as much. Till then, and long after, I'll rest in the shelter of Sinatra's voice. xo

Oh, I love your observation. Ava broke his heart and made him the greatest saloon singer, EVER!

Brought me to tears, lovely piece of music by Frank

When I bought the album" In The Wee Small Hours of The Morning" by Frank in the 1950s This was one of my favorites. But couldn't find who wrote the lyrics. Then I got a computer. It's based on a poem by Jane Brown Thomson who died the night before it was introduced by Dick Powell in 1938. Hogy Carmichael composed the music.

"The Voice".

The key change at 1.48 is absolutely orgasmic.

I get along without you very well Of course I do Except when soft rains fall And drip from leaves, then I recall The thrill of being sheltered in your arms Of course I do But I get along without you very well I've forgotten you just like I should Of course I have Except to hear your name or someone's laugh That sounds the same But I've forgotten you just like I should What a guy, what a fool am I To think my breaking heart could kid the moon What's in store, shall I phone once more? No, it's best that I stick to my tune I get along without you very well Of course I do Except perhaps in spring, but I should Never think of spring For that would surely break my heart in two

You can see how much he loved Hogie’s music...a joy thanks...

Totally relating to this right now, broke up with my greatest love three days ago knowing we are both in love still but knowing we just aren’t suited for each other. Frank has a song for every occasion and if my heart could sing out it would sound just like this.

There will NEVER be another Sinatra...

He holds one note an impossibly long time but it completes there perfection of the line.

frank you will be missed for ever

I know what it's like to love and lose also, it's a very tough go, you grieve, you suffer, you analyze, but life goes on. I relate to many of Sinatra's "saloon songs" which show his intense feelings, because he too, knew what loss was like, you can hear it in his voice. He was especially adept in delivering what he called "saloon songs" with all the emotion they required to make you feel what he felt. To be able to portray what the song's lyrics are saying and not cry is difficult! I sing and play my piano at home and by myself, I really feel the words. Sometimes these tear-jerker songs make my throat tightens up and tears fill my eyes and I stop singing but continue to play the song. That is so unlike when I performed, I just thought of the next lyrics and the audience and my job so that was much different; that's when rote memory takes hold with the lyrics! I read about once when Sinatra was in the studio singing a certain song, I won't say what it was, but it was during his woes over Ava. He was singing and choked up at the lyrics, stopped, then turned and walked out of the studio. He came back the next day and finished it. So when you are in the throes of your own feelings, you MUST think about performing and doing the job, there is no room for emotion. I sometimes wonder how Sinatra did it, but the answer is, he was a true, dedicated, polished, professional performer! That's how he did it!

There is NO ONE, living or dead, who could deliver that song the way Sinatra just did. Even some members of the wonderful orchestra applauded at the end of the song. When he sang, his heart was in the song, and one could feel all of it. He was a great singer and a wonderful actor. The best!

He was in great form that night.

This is one of his best imo

Love the line " of course i do"

And that's why I love Frank Sinatra's music and singing ... wasn't that just too touching a song for words? ... Thank you for the post!

There will never be another Frank Sinatra

Absolutely beautiful...💔

Magic right there..🧡

I love the lyrics!!

Beautiful.

The Greatest Singer of the American Standards

Happy Birthday to the greatest American singer.

Frank was probably the greatest entertainer we've ever had His version and Matt Monro's version run as probably the best interpretation of this Hoagy classic

FAS you're the best !!!!❤❤❤❤

A true legend

Thanks for sharing with us. Lovable voice!

He always had Ava on his mind.

Wow....A top of the line performance by Frank here , don't miss it.......D.

This is really on a magical level, song, voice and orchestration at a particular period in popular culture that can never be repeated. It really touches the heart as only the above combination of factors could do.

A perfect performance

Wonderful ! A perfect version of that song! Only Frank can do it !!

"shall i phone once more?" - Modern: "should i slip into those DMs onceee moreeeeee?"

A wonderful song !

Absolutely beautiful

So much feeling .....so much soul......your phrasing so, so heart felt & personal. ❤️

Great sound, good clear volume, much better than most music, so thank you for your efforts!

Fantastic interpretation 👍🤩Francis is the best🤗🤗

P.S. When people me how I learned to sing and breath when I do, I tell them I've been singing along with Frank since 1955 a year after I lost my Mom in 1954 when I was almost 9.

Great!

THE BOSS

Hey I hear John, very touching brother !

I want to share something with all of you die hard Sinatra fans I had to do to find the full version of when Frank produced the 1981 Inaugural Ball for Ronald Reagan soon after Reagan and Nancy won the White House in 1980. There's a partial clip on KZfaq of Frank signing his lyric changed version of "Nancy With The Laughing Face" to "Nancy With The Reagan Face" tribute to Nancy. It cuts off abruptly. However, If you want to hear/get the whole recording of the Ball as it was presented on ABC Television back in 1981, you must contact the archivist at The Reagan Library in California. The full recording is in 2 parts and will cost you $50. The archivist will take your CC payment over the phone and email you the 2 parts/files. You will also get to see Debbie Boone, Rich Little, and Bob Hope among the many other entertainers Frank lined up to salute Reagan, Nancy, Bush and Barbara waaaay back in 1981. You can easily get the Reagan Library phone # with a Google search. Good Luck!

When only the best will do.

This one's for Ava

Think franks 55 here still in great voice

Such a voice...thanks for sharing!

Unbelievably expressive and soulful.

Frank at his best at 56.

the best performance of the best ltics and music by the best

MASTERFUL

What a rendition of Hoagy's tone poem,backed by Nelson's chart!....have this disc in my library...thanks for uploading...some tin eared oaf gave this a thumbs down...guess because it could...there's a pretty good artist on yt that does this one,many others...if interested,check him out...name's Nat King Currie....thanks again! NKC

The best ever

The Voice

superbly delivered, as always. ..truly the master...nuff sed!

Frank and nelson... How i love them....

I love you, Dad. : ) Hope you love this as much as I do.

Cuando la ausencia se hace ternura, todo está muy bien.

perfection.

Música linda liinda *-* Frank Sinatra e suas músicas perfeitas!

Since Frank Sinatra rarely sang this in concert, I've always thought this version from his concert in London in 1970 was a tribute to British singer Matt Monro's astonishing version of the song on his superb album "Matt Monro Sings Hoagy Carmichael" from 1962, which I think is one of the few examples where another singer did a better job on a song than Sinatra. Sinatra had earlier recorded a version on his "In the Wee Small Hours" Album. But I think this live version actually matches or even tops Monro's version, and I would not have thought that possible.

Absolutely the Best!!!!!

he may have had his faults,as we all have,but that voice came straight from god.buble @co,jog on

Ava was under his skin till the very end.