Sir, - Nuala O'Faolain's perceptive piece on Frank Sinatra (February 3rd) pointed to the sociological phenomenon of the influence of popular singers and particularly of the cinema on the moulding of the ethos of the day. It was more powerful than television. "Going to the pictures" was a pivot in social life and, when achieved, was accepted as a hurdle crossed in the mating game.
Mike Murphy in his Arts programme (RTE) approached the subject on the same day from a more frivolous angle, until it suddenly dawned on him that inexorable time had also caught up with him and that the tide had marooned him, too, as a part of that scene. He had gone back to Rudy Vallee for a laugh and found Bing Crosby's whistling efforts a giggle. Nat King Cole of course is timeless. Only a Philistine would have to work up a snigger at him.
Frank Sinatra was a whipper snapper on the heels of the greatest crooner of them all, "the Groaner", Bing Crosby. Perry Como, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong and the rest were in the wings. They are all immortal. Their soulful melodies linger on. The song writers of the day of course were pure poets for tuneful phrasing and apt touches: Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Sammy Kahn, Hoagy Carmichael; the list is long.
It would be hard to beat the evocatory power of Frank Sinatra singing New York, New York or of Ella Fitzgerald delivering Manhattan. As they all say, they don't write songs like that any more. It was timely of Nuala to tee in to thank Frank and to wish him well. She spoke for a lot of us. - Yours, etc.,
Claremount Rd,
Mount Merrion, Co Dublin.