Pioneers–Exactly, Sinatra

If this works, this should be the second song on Wednesday.

This time we are going to listen to a clip from a radio broadcast that most likely was recorded in the 1940’s. It features the Nat King Cole Trio, with an introduction by Frank Sinatra. The sponsor was Old Gold cigarettes.

In Frank’s introduction, you will hear him say the all Hollywood was pleased about the success of the Trio. In order to ensure that you understand the true meaning of this remark, it is necessary to recall that Nat King Cole was not welcome in all parts of LA; that he was subjected to verbal and physical abuse, including the burning of a cross on his front lawn. In essence, Frank Sinatra was telling Nat King Cole that Nat had friends in Hollywood and to hang in there. And given his gentlemanly nature, Nat ignored the meaning of the comment and merely replied that he was happy for the success, too.

The two men then turn the song into a duet. Note the tempo is pretty much the same as with Louis Armstrong.