I wish I hadn't watched this documentary because I've always thought that Sinatra was a fantastic talent, but this film reveals him to be a nasty, manipulative, self-serving person. Hearing his words of disrespect about every talented person he encountered -- every extraordinary singer or band leader of the time -- diminished my opinion of the man.
He wasn't "the best singer of his time," he was one of many, especially Bing Crosby or Peggy Lee. The bands who backed him up were extraordinary. The music and lyrics of the songs he got hold of (not written by him) were some of the best songs ever -- certainly better than the hyper-sound-manipulated songs of today.
My recommendation is that you just listen to Sinatra's music. Getting to know him (through this illuminating documentary) will disappoint you. The music is wonderful; the man was not.
He wasn't "the best singer of his time," he was one of many, especially Bing Crosby or Peggy Lee. The bands who backed him up were extraordinary. The music and lyrics of the songs he got hold of (not written by him) were some of the best songs ever -- certainly better than the hyper-sound-manipulated songs of today.
My recommendation is that you just listen to Sinatra's music. Getting to know him (through this illuminating documentary) will disappoint you. The music is wonderful; the man was not.