This ‘bonus’ show to the previous ‘Sinatra: Raw’, focuses more musically on Frank Sinatra and his ties to the performer on stage, Richard Shelton. This late night crooning show is a low key way to spend the night listening to Shelton’s soulful renditions of Sinatra.
Shelton has always been a fan of Sinatra from a young age, even pointing out to his mother that they resembled one another after Sinatra’s face was in a newspaper. It’s from then on, Sinatra becomes an uncanny reoccurrence in Shelton’s life.
When Shelton first moves to LA, he attends a party where someone offers him Sinatra’s actual suit, which Shelton wears on stage to this day, as they match each other’s measurements exactly. When recording his new album, he performs with Sinatra’s old bandmates, as well as the same studio in Capitol Studios with the same microphone.
Shelton’s spooky synchronicity to Sinatra for all these years is a sign to him that he has to go for his dreams. This was important to Shelton, as he joined show business late in life as his family didn’t approve of such a frivolous career compared to his lucrative hotel job.
Along with his talented piano player Campbell Normand, he and Shelton transport the audience to a cigar smoked lounge in 1960’s LA. There’s no doubt that this is what Shelton is meant to do as the similarities will astound you.
Sinatra & Me, C ARTS – Main House, 22:30, Aug 18-25
