Sinatra or Martin?

Notice how there's not a "neither one" option. There's a very good reason for that.

Dean Martin has always been an underappreciated singer. People mostly remember him because of Martin and Lewis and the "Dean Martin and the Golddiggers" stuff on television. Martin was a fine singer in his own right.

...all the Dean Martin I can get my hands on over the past few months. I like Sinatra, but I really love Martin's voice and style. I only listed Sinatra first on the poll so as to not push my preference.

I went to a Rat Pack lounge act Saturday night and never laughed so hard. These guts were not only good singers but comedians too.

Tony Bennett. DUH!

Far and away the most influential vocalist of the 20th century.

Flame away when ready.....

Even though I prefer Martin, there's no contest when it comes to Sinatra's influence. He single-handedly defined the LP. Before Sinatra, LPs were nothing but collections of previously-released singles.

of any singer that ever lived. He was a genius at timing. I don't understand how this poll is even close.

...even as one who prefers Martin. But while Sinatra's popularity continued to grow steadily throughout the '80s and '90s, there's been a huge revival in Martin's music over the past ten years.

nuf said

I cannot listen to Frank. I can appreciate his accomplishments and contributions to his craft, but I could never understand how people consider him one of the greats.
I can listen to Dean for hours. And Bing too...

I've always heard how Sinatra was the master of phrasing, the Maximum Leader of this-and-that, but I've never heard it in his singing. I don't especially like his voice -- it's okay, but it pushes zero buttons in me.

Dean Martin, however, has always seemed to bring a touch more character and feeling to his singing and it seems a lot more informed by something approaching 'soul,' or whatever you want to call it. Of the two I don't know which would be considered by vocal gurus the more technically superior singer, but I do know that I like the Deanster's voice a lot more. Sinatra's always seemed horrendously overrated, as a singer, to me.

And no, I'm not letting my percetion be colored by the strong likelihood that Sinatra was a complete a**hole.

...but the best live Dean Martin I've heard is on "The Rat Pack Live At The Sands" (as opposed to the two separate Dean Martin 'Live At The Sands' CDs -- both different -- same titles, different labels).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RGHW/qid%3D1084329806/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-6722809-5941708

The CD has, among others, a couple of classic Martin performances: "I Love Vegas" and "June In January" -- both funny, dynamic and crystal clear quality.

"Spend too much time staring into that ugly little reflection and you lose sight of the road ahead. Regrets? The Pack had a few, but apparently too few to mention in their collected interviews. Best to just twist that mirror until your gorgeous mug is smiling right back at you. Now, isn’t that a better view?"

He had blackjack dealers in Vegas fired for dealing from a shoe when that was the house rules. Sinatra was a dickwad.

I love both guys, but I have a special place in my heart for Dean. Personally, I think he was a better singer insofar as he avoided what I think of as "shiny tricks" that Sinatra used. But that's very, very subjective.

He has a real singing voice.. not that half talking stuff.


though I do like Sinatra too.

:-)

... can hold a candle to the inimitable Mr. Joey Bishop.

They were his boot-licking lackeys, and he very cleverly never let the secret out. Mr. Bishop OWNED those guys. The truth will be revealed, when Mr. Bishop SAYS it will be revealed.

...Joey Bishop was not a member of the Rat Pack. He didn't even meet Sinatra for the first time until 1966, after the Pack had disbanded.

x(

... you poor misguided simpleton cretinous mouth-breathing troglodytic ignorant slut.

That is EXACTLY what Mr. Bishop WANTS you to think!

Mr. Bishop will let the truth be known, at a time and a place of his choosing.

VIVA BISHOP!

I was just kicking the post up.

But I've been trying very hard lately to remember to breathe through my nose.

... them other two assholes never worked with an all-around entertainer like Mr. Regis PHILBIN, did they? NO, I don't THINK so.

Mr. Bishop worked with Mr. Philbin for SEVERAL WEEKS. They were on the TELEVISION together. I think you see my point.

I voted for Sinatra! :shrug:

you people suck. This shouldn't even be CLOSE!

Sinatra all the way!

I love Dean Martin - really I do. But Sinatra fucking DEFINED pop singing for the 20th Century.

the greatest lounge singer who ever lived

I have to go with Dean. He just seemed like a nicer guy, more fun, and I like his voice better. Sinatra seemed almost dour at times and appeared to take himself VERY seriously. So great singer or not, Sinatra is trumped by Dean, in my estimation.
:D

Dean had the much better voice, wider range, better control. All Frank had was phrasing. Plus, Frank was a major major major asshole.

Bake

Love him! My mother tells me I could recognize his voice (when his songs came on the radio) when I was 3 years old! Back in her younger days, she went to see him sing, you know, when he was that skinny young singer. I must also comment that I like Dean as well, but not in the same way as Frank. I can remember the song "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime" from when I was little.

His voice and phrasing had so much more depth and meaning-- romantic, sexy, melancholy, yearning, joyful, jaunty-- No one like him, before or since--He is irreplaceable.