“FROM HOBOKEN N.J. TO THE WHITE HOUSE” (BOOTLEG RECORDING, FREMUS, 1994)
By Mahnuel Muñoz
Oh, how I long for the time when I would make the rounds of record stores looking for treasures! I remember days when I went to renowned stores in Madrid and, without complexes, to the record sections of supermarkets… and I must say that some of the greatest rarities in my collection were found in supermarket bargains, mixed with CDs of relaxing instrumental music and nostalgic compilations that did not cost more than five hundred pesetas (3 euros).
I want to introducd one of my oldest companions: an album called “From Hoboken N.J. To The White House”, published in 1994 by the Italian label Fremus. It contains two historic concerts: the one on April 17, 1973 at the White House and the one on July 5, 1974 at the Yokosuka Naval Base (Japan), aboard the historic aircraft carrier USS Midway.
FRANK IN THE WHITE HOUSE
On April 17, 1973, Frank Sinatra, backed by the President’s Marine Orchestra, conducted by Nelson Riddle, gave one of his most historically significant concerts at a White House dinner held in honor of Giulio Andreotti, Italian Prime Minister.
Just two years earlier, Sinatra, artistically dislocated and physically and emotionally exhausted, announced his retirement from show business, with an emotional benefit concert in Los Angeles.
Luckily for all of us who love his art, the retirement had been little more than an act brought about by his impulsive and passionate temperament. Sinatra was born to sing and only death would silence his voice. Five months after his retirement, Frank returned to the stage to raise funds for the Italian American Civil Rights League. Shortly after, more events and recitals would come, mainly focused on showing his support for Richard Nixon’s Republican Party. This transitional stage culminated in the revealing, almost miraculous concert within the walls of the White House.
The Voice gave a magical, eclectic, reflective, honest recital. It is amazing how, in just ten songs, he was able to summarize in such a brilliant and forceful way four decades of career and his purest vital essence. This concert recording says much more about Frank Sinatra than any traditional greatest hits compilation you can find on the market.
She began the recital with “You make me feel so young” and concluded with his powerful plea for equality “The House I Live in.” Throughout the repertoire, there was room for fragments of fiery swing from his glory years, the “saloon songs” that exorcised his ghosts and several vocal “tour de force” that showed that the old blue eyes was not so old, and that his message was relevant, even necessary.
After the magnificent performance, President Richard Nixon stood up and asked him, “Why have you retired? You should keep singing!”
Sinatra had to agree with him. Shortly after, he returned to the recording studios and prepared to start his particular “Never Ending Tour.”
During the White House concert, Sinatra said: “In New Jersey, when I was a child, I thought that seeing a few seconds of the mayor of Hoboken in a parade would be a wonderful thing. To be here tonight is an honor and a privilege for me. Today , during the rehearsal, I have looked at the portraits of President Washington and his wife and I have meditated on the modest and magnificent dignity of the Presidency from its beginnings until now, with our current president. That makes me very proud of my country. Thank you. for having invited me, Mr. President.”
That moment, without a doubt, must have had great meaning for him. There had been many years of work, joy and inspiration, also of setbacks, of confrontations with the press, of defending himself from the constant rumors of his connections with organized crime while he was forced to give his all in concerts, recordings and filming. The last few years had been especially complicated for him on a personal level: the kidnapping of his son Frank Junior, the assassination of the Kennedy brothers, his divorce from Mia Farrow, the death of his father… those words of gratitude, together with The ten songs of the concert marked a stage and created some wounds.
Nixon responded:
“Magic rarely enters a room, but sometimes it happens, when a great performer, singer and artist manages to capture the attention of everyone present. That’s what Frank Sinatra did tonight.”
“Your words from him have been very kind, Mr. President, we will see each other soon,” replied Frank with tears in his eyes amidst the applause of the audience.
ANCHORS AWEIGH…AGAIN.
The USS Midway is an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy. It is named in honor of the Battle of Midway (1942). The Midway was the largest ship in the world until 1955. She was in service for 47 years, participated in Vietnam and was the flagship in the Persian Gulf in 1991 during Operation Desert Storm. She was decommissioned in 1992 and is currently a museum ship in San Diego, California.
On July 4, 1974, while the ship was docked in the port of Yokosuka, Japan, Frank performed for the 3,000 crew of the Midway and offered them a unique mini-concert; He recovered the format of his legendary 1962 world tour and was accompanied by a septet composed of Bill Miller (Piano), Al Viola (Guitar), Irv Cottler (Drums), Billy Byers (Trombone), Gene Cherico (Bass), Marvin Stamm (Trumpet) and Bud Shank (Saxophone). Anecdotally, the informal attire with which he gave the concert stands out.
WHITE HOUSE REPERTOIRE
1 You Make Me Feel So Young
2 Moonlight In Vermont
3 One For My Baby (arranged by Gordon Jenkins)
4 I’ve Got You Under My Skin
5 I Have Dreamed
6 Fly Me To The Moon
7 Try A Little Tenderness
8 Ol’ Man River
9 I’ve Got The World On A String
10 The House I Live In
MIDWAY REPERTOIRE
1 You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
2 Sweet Caroline
3 I Get A Kick Out Of You
4 Bad Bad Leroy Brown
5 If
6 I’ve Got You Under My Skin
7 The Lady Is A Tramp
8 Nancy
9 My Way
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