Chairman Wow

Regarding “Yes, It’s His Way--but With a Twist,” by Robert Hilburn (Oct. 31):

I’m 32 and have been listening to Sinatra all my life--my dad always had Ol’ Blue Eyes on the hi-fi--so I’ve not just jumped on the bandwagon. I bought the new Sinatra “Duets” CD, and anything the man does is worth buying. The idea of him re-recording his old standards with various pop singers mostly works well.

A few years ago Sinatra was playing in Vegas. It had really bothered me that he’d been absent from the charts for so long. So I decided to write him a letter and send him a tape and the lyrics to what I felt was a contemporary saloon song, Mick Jagger & Keith Richards’ “Waiting on a Friend.” I went on to say that I thought it would be the perfect duet for Sinatra and Dean Martin.

A week later I received a signed photo of the Chairman and the tape and lyric sheet--who knows if he ever heard the song? But to this day, I can just imagine the two weathered icons crooning: “Ooh, making love and breaking hearts / It is a game for youth / But I’m not waiting on a lady / I’m just waiting on a friend.” Maybe for “Duets II”?

RAY RAMOS

Venice

*

Your Calendar article on Sinatra was swell . The music on his new album is spectacular. The duet pairings made for him are the most politically correct on Earth. Sinatra will always be the Chairman of the Board.

Were I helping with this wonderful project from the onset, I might have suggested Phil Woods instead of Kenny G or maybe (instead of Bono) Robin Kenyatta chanting something. But I’m a retired vicar and enjoy listening to most everyone.

FATHER TOM VAUGHN

Northridge

*

Concerning your coverage of “Duets,” the best duet isn’t even on the new album. It’s on one Hilburn reviewed earlier, “Elvis: From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential ‘60s Masters.”

The “Love Me Tender”/”Witchcraft” combo demonstrates the charisma and exceptional talent of these two legends.

MIKE SWASEY

Los Angeles