Younger people, and when I say younger I mean those of us born after the fifties, are not necessarily familiar with the great Frank Sinatra. The man was an icon, and some may say the first real star to capture the hearts of an entire nation. He began singing on a bar stool in a saloon, and finished as the greatest singer ever to walk the earth, as well as a movie star with a great deal of credits under his belt. One thing all will agree on, though, is that Ol' Blue Eyes was a man's man.
Robert Davi is a man's man, as well. The tall, Italian actor began his career starring in a film with Frank Sinatra, "Contract on Cherry Street." He often plays the tough guy, but in Davi's roles the soft heart of his soul always seems to resonate to the surface just enough for the viewer to catch a fleeting glimpse. Davi is an actor that ranks among the best, but Davi's first love was always singing.
His acting career has been more than most actors could dream for, having roles in over 100 movies, including the James Bond film "Licence to Kill," the original Die Hard, and The Goonies. His role as drug lord Franz Sanchez has elevated him as being voted among the top three Bond Villains of all time.
Davi's true love of singing, however, never left his side, and now his remarkable "Davi Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance" tour, and CD, reveals to America what a fantastic entertainer Davi truly is. Like Sinatra, though an exceptional actor, Davi is truly an incredible entertainer under the spotlight.
My experience began in the back of the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on March 23, 2013, a few weeks after Robert Davi graced my radio program with his presence. I sat with my friend in anticipation, not realizing the entertaining, emotional, and powerful production I was about to witness. Robert Davi's concert filled me with a new appreciation for Frank Sinatra's music, while adding a touch of his own personal journey that I did not expect. Between sets Davi spoke of his opportunities to spend time with Sinatra, gave us insights into the life of Ol' Blue Eyes, and also insights into Davi's own musical soul, not only as one that sings Sinatra, but of one who is an immense fan of Sinatra's music.
Davi studied opera in his early years, as well as acting, in New York. His love for Sinatra's music led him to put together his Davi Sings Sinatra production for the stage, and with a big band orchestra accompanying him, the experience is nothing less than incredible.
The concert, however, is not merely a man on stage singing Sinatra tunes, and performing them very well. The show is a tribute to Sinatra, reminding us of the greatness of the man, the singer, the actor, and the patriot who had an immense love for America.
The combination of famous songs, and not so well known ones, creates a blend of depth and scope that keeps the audience entertained, while also eliciting an involvement by the audience seldom experienced at musical productions.
The combination of famous songs, and not so well known ones, creates a blend of depth and scope that keeps the audience entertained, while also eliciting an involvement by the audience seldom experienced at musical productions.
The concert experience at a Davi Sings Sinatra production is remarkable, because not only does Davi bring the music of Sinatra to the stage in such an entertaining, and engrossing, manner, but Davi also possesses a voice that would truly make Sinatra proud. Davis ability to reach the vocal tone necessary to sing the tunes of Sinatra produces an emotional experience that draws the audience in, caresses the soul of the listener, and then vaults to artistic standards that only a dark baritone voice like his could achieve.
The best part of all is after you realize this is not a Sinatra interpreter, but an artist that brings the music to you with his own voice, a voice backed by his love of Sinatra's music, and a love of performing on stage, you also realize that indeed this tribute is not just something you will hold dear to your heart for the rest of your life in the memories of the experience, but that the CD is also as rich as the music you heard in the auditorium. Each time I play the CD in my music player, it launches me back to that auditorium, with Davi on stage, his band playing, and an audience mesmerized by the whole production.
Frank Sinatra himself would have walked out of that auditorium with tears in his eyes because of the moving experience one is involved in while witnessing Davi Sings Sinatra. The experience was nothing less remarkable. Davi Sings Sinatra will be something I will be telling my grandchildren about, as they wrestle with the changing times, and yearn for a simpler time, like the America Sinatra once graced with his presence.
Douglas V. Gibbs
Constitution Radio, KCAA AM 1050
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
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