When you think about it, it's pretty astonishing how many songs solidly in the top tier of popular standards are uniquely identified with Frank Sinatra. And you certainly can't help but think about it when you visit the Delaware Symphony Pops series at the Grand Opera House, which this weekend features guest conductor Michael Berkowitz leading the Orchestra in a tribute to Old Blue Eyes.
Berkowitz favors Nelson Riddle's arrangments of Sinatra's tunes, which is a pretty safe bet on the face of it since Riddle's arrangements are almost as readily identifiable with Sinatra's music as Frank is. Which is not to say making these arrangements really hum is a piece of cake, even though Berkowitz makes it look easy. He has lots of help, particularly from his guest vocalist Tom Postilo, who does justice and then some to a whole slew of Sinatra standards. The best part is that he does it with a style niquely his own. He's not a Sinatra clone, yet he's faithful to the style and energy Sinatra brought to his songs - back in the days when Sinatra was still singing with lots of energy.
Berkowitz kicks off the proceedings with a couple of instrumental numbers, the first a dozen-or-so song medley that combines favorites from Nat King Cole as well as Frank Sinatra. They followed up with "Lisbon Antigua." Berkowitz joked that if you had spent time in an elevator lately, you would recognize the tune. But if elevator music was that rich and rewarding, you would see folks ducking into high rises just for the ride. These numbers gave the orchestra a chance to shine. For good measure, they helped Berkowitz spotlight the musicians he brought along with him, at least two of whom - Keith O'Quinn on trombone and Tony Kadlick on trumpet - are veterans of bands that backed Sinatra. Then it was Postilo's time to turn it on, and he did it as effortlessly as Sinatra once made it look. He barely had to walk on stage to pull the crowd into the palm of his hand, which is where they stayed as he brought song after song to life.
Sinatra fans have a lot to like in this presentation, but there's enough outstanding music on tap that everyone should find something to like in this sparkling tribute to Old Blue Eyes.
Leo Irwin, The News Journal
