PopMarket Backstage

In 2010, Shout! Factory and Frank Sinatra Enterprises (FSE) released an impressive DVD box set collecting 7 discs and over 14 hours’ worth of Frank Sinatra’s television performances from the 1950s through the 1980s.  On November 13, one of those discs from The Concert Collection will be available as a standalone DVD following similar releases of other DVDs from the set.  Primetime includes three programs from 1968, 1969 and 1977, respectively, in which Sinatra welcomes a bevy of guests.

In 1968’s Francis Albert Sinatra Does His Thing, the legendary entertainer welcomes Diahann Carroll and the 5^th Dimension, celebrating the impact of black music on America.  Carroll joins Sinatra for a heartfelt medley of spirituals, and Sinatra also takes the stage with Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Ron Townson and Lamonte McLemore for a groovy version of Laura Nyro’s “Sweet Blindness” (“Please don’t tell my mother/I’m a saloon and a moonshine lover!”).

1969’s Sinatra teamed Frank with frequent arranger Don Costa and his orchestra, and features an early performance of “My Way,” with its English lyrics penned for Sinatra by his friend Paul Anka.  1977’s Sinatra and Friends featured a true all-star roster spanning various genres.  This time, Sinatra shared the screen with Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Loretta Lynn, John Denver and his longtime pally Dean Martin.  The entire cast returns for the closing performance of Paul Anka’s “Everybody Ought to Be in Love.”

If you don’t already own The Concert Collection, you can check out Primetime on November 13.  Here’s a pre-order link!

After the jump: we meet Macca and head to a famed New York cabaret with Christine Andreas!

We don’t too often get the opportunity to cover cabaret releases here at The Second Disc, but we’d like to take the opportunity to spotlight one recent reissue based on an esteemed Broadway performer’s cabaret performance at New York’s legendary Café Carlyle.  The East 76th and Madison address was the longtime home of the late Bobby Short, and since 1996 has hosted Woody Allen on clarinet for a weekly performance.  Christine Andreas (Oklahoma!, The Scarlet Pimpernel) released her Carlyle Set in 2003 on the now-defunct Fynsworth Alley label, basing the studio recording on the songs she performed at the nightspot.

Almost a decade later, PS Classics (also home to Andreas’ Here’s to the Ladies studio album) has reissued The Carlyle Set.  Andreas showcases her soprano on a blend of pop and theatre songs, including Michel Legrand and Alan and Marilyn Bergman’s “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?,” Marvin Hamlisch and Ed Kleban’s “At the Ballet” (from A Chorus Line) and Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “Show Me” from My Fair Lady.  Andreas, of course, starred in the 20th anniversary Broadway revival of the seminal musical.  She also tackles repertoire by Rodgers and Hart, Duke Ellington and others on The Carlyle Set.  The reissue is available in stores now from PS Classics and can be ordered here.

Just in time for last Valentine’s Day, Paul McCartney released Kisses on the Bottom, his first solo album under his own name since 2007’s Memory Almost Full.  Produced by Tommy LiPuma and featuring Diana Krall on piano and John Pizzarelli on guitar, among other established players, it was McCartney’s first set devoted to traditional pop standards.  The man described by Guinness as “The Most Successful Composer and Recording Artist of All Time” doffed his hat to classic composers of the Golden Age, including Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Frank Loesser and Hoagy Carmichael.  Wisely, McCartney avoided songs associated with Frank Sinatra, avoiding any potential comparisons with the Chairman, and treating the songs (many of which are controlled by McCartney’s own MPL Publishing) with utmost respect.  He even contributed two originals in a jazz style.

On November 13, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Live Kisses, capturing McCartney’s February 2012 performance at Hollywood’s Capitol Studios.  Directed by Jonas Akerlund, Live Kisses also documents the story of how McCartney worked with LiPuma, Diana Krall and her band, and guests Eric Clapton and Stevie Wonder, to create the album.

The live performance features Krall (piano), John Clayton (bass), Karriem Riggins (drums), John Pizzarelli (guitar), Anthony Wilson (guitar), Mike Mainieri (vibraphone) and conductor Alan Broadbent, plus Abe Laboriel Jr. (from McCartney’s touring band) on backing vocals and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.  The DVD also includes plentiful bonus material including six versions of the music video for the McCartney-composed “My Valentine” starring Johnny Depp and Natalie Portman.  You’ll also find a Making My Valentine short film and two more featurettes with footage filmed at Mary McCartney’s album photo shoot.  In another bonus, McCartney and producer LiPuma discuss the album.  You can order on both DVD and Blu-ray below!

Paul McCartney, Live Kisses (DVD – Eagle Rock Entertainment, 2012 – DVD / Blu-ray)

Main Program:

1. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter
2. Home (When Shadows Fall)
3. It’s Only A Paper Moon
4. The Glory Of Love
5. More I Cannot Wish You
6. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow And Me)
7. Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive
8. My Valentine
9. Always
10. My Very Good Friend The Milkman
11. Bye Bye Blackbird
12. Get Yourself Another Fool
13. My One And Only Love

Bonus Material:

1. My Valentine Video (Original Music Video, Natalie Portman One-Take, Johnny Depp One-Take, Split Screen, Portman Edit, Depp Edit)
2. Making My Valentine
3. Kisses On The Bottom Album Photo Shoot – Version One
4. Kisses On The Bottom Album Photo Shoot – Version Two
5. Kisses On The Bottom Album Interview (Paul McCartney and Tommy LiPuma interviewed by Robert Hilburn)