The John Wilson Orchestra Celebrating Frank Sinatra (DVD)

The John Wilson Orchestra is joined on stage by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane to perform some of Sinatra's most memorable songs
The Voice’ … ‘Ol’ Blue Eyes’ … ‘The Sultan of Swoon’: the mythology surrounding Frank Sinatra is overwhelming. A gifted entertainer, screen actor and ubiquitous personality, his real legacy as a pioneer of popular song can sometimes get lost in the clamour. This year the John Wilson Orchestra returns to the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall with a special Late Night Prom celebrating the centenary of this musical icon born 100 years ago in a concert that brings together some of the great voices of our own time. Led by the multitalented Seth MacFarlane, The John Wilson Orchestra’s celebration of Frank Sinatra will be broadcast live on British television (Friday, August 7th BBC Four – 10.15pm) and released on a DVD for Warner Classics in October.
“It is an honour for the John Wilson Orchestra to be returning to the BBC Proms to perform a special late night Prom marking the centenary of Frank Sinatra’s birth and celebrating his legacy” says John Wilson, “The concert focuses on the most important part of his career - the middle years, mainly at Capitol Records, and in particular his collaboration with Nelson Riddle, although other arrangers are represented. Almost all of the songs are taken from his famous concept albums; Sinatra was one of the first singers to package songs into the new album format and was certainly the most important and influential. He single-handedly brought the singer and the song in to the foreground where previously bandleaders had always been in the spotlight. As Benny Goodman had made the general public orchestra-conscious, so Sinatra made them singer-conscious. By the time he was on contract at Capitol Records he was rigorous with his selection of material and choice of orchestras and arrangers.