Music

Frank Sinatra At Capitol Studios: How The Voice Captured His Vocal Masterpieces

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2022

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the above photograph depicting Frank Sinatra during a recording session for his 1961 album Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session!!! tells a compelling story: of how the singer, in his trademark fedora hat, together with arranger Nelson Riddle and a large orchestra, combined their talents to make music for the ages. What we shouldn’t forget is the importance of the location: Capitol Studios’ Studio A facility, which brought a profound influence to bear on Sinatra’s music during the 50s and 60s.

Listen to the best of Frank Sinatra on Apple Music and Spotify.

The beating heart of Hollywood

Located in the beating heart of Hollywood, at 1750 Vine Street, and housed within a 13-story office building shaped like a tower of stacked LPs, Capitol Studios officially opened in early 1956. It contained four recording studios of various sizes, ranging from the largest, A, through to the smallest, D. Many world-famous performers have gone through its doors to record music there, but there’s one singer whose name is truly synonymous with the iconic Los Angeles recording facility: Frank Sinatra, who made history by being the first person to record there.

By the time he entered Capitol Studios, Sinatra had recorded several classic albums for the label at KHJ Studio on Melrose Avenue, Hollywood. From March 1956 to November 1961, however, he would record many of his best-loved works at Studio A, among them A Swingin’ Affair, Come Fly With Me, Frank Sinatra Sings For Only The Lonely, and Nice’n’Easy. The impeccable sound of those records, combined with Sinatra’s fame, earned Capitol Studios renown as a state-of-the-art recording facility. From 1968 onwards, when artists not signed to Capitol could use it, the place became a highly desirable recording location for those looking to follow in Frank’s footsteps.

Frank Sinatra… conducts?

Ironically, though, for his first recording session at Capitol Studios, held in February 1956, Sinatra was not booked to sing. Rather, he picked up a conductor’s baton and commanded a 60-piece symphony orchestra for an instrumental album. Comprised of compositions by leading Hollywood composers/arrangers, among them Nelson Riddle, Billy May, Gordon Jenkins, Elmer Bernstein, and Alec Wilder, the sessions took place between February 22 and March 15, and the results were released later that year as Frank Sinatra Conducts Tone Poem Of Color.

Sinatra first stood before a microphone in Capitol Studios on March 8, 1956, when he began recording material that eventually came out on the 1957 album Close To You. Low-key and devoted to mournful ballads, it is arguably the most overlooked gem in his Capitol Records discography.

Groundbreaking recording techniques

Capitol Studios distinguished itself by being one of the first US recording facilities to use magnetic tape rather than record directly to disc, a feature that helped to give Sinatra’s recordings a warmer sound. Also, very importantly, the studio used a groundbreaking Neumann U47 capacitor valve microphone that captured every nuance of Sinatra’s voice while preventing it being overpowered by the orchestras that often accompanied him. And the size of Studio A (which Sinatra used exclusively), with its 2,700 square feet of floor space, allowed him to sing alongside the orchestra, rather than in a separate vocal booth.

By the time that Sinatra recorded what would be his final album sessions at Capitol Studios, in September 1961 (for the appropriately-titled Point Of No Return), the Hoboken singer was focused on starting his own label, Reprise (which he launched with the equally appropriately-titled single, “The Second Time Around”). It started another era of successes to add to those he’d accrued over the previous half decade.

There in spirit

The singer they called The Voice may be long gone, but the long-running studio is still active today, and, amazingly, the famous Neumann microphone he sang into remains in use. Many of those that have been privileged enough to record in Studio A say they can still feel Sinatra’s presence. That’s understandable. The singer’s history is inextricably entwined with the birth, growth, and success of Capitol Studios.

As long as the facilities exist, Frank Sinatra will always be there in spirit.

Looking for more? Discover the history behind Frank Sinatra and Quincy Jones’ recordings together.

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Music

Singer-Actor FKA branches & & Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl Supporter for Voice & & Similarity Defenses at Senate Judiciary Hearing

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2024

[[{“value”:”Federal Guardrails Against Deceptive AI-Generated Deepfakes and Voice Clones Gains Momentum in Key Senate Subcommittee
The post Singer-Actor FKA twigs & Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl Advocate for Voice & Likeness Protections at Senate Judiciary Hearing appeared first on RIAA.”}]]

Federal Guardrails Versus Misleading AI-Generated Deepfakes and Voice Clones Gains Momentum in Secret Senate Subcommittee

Visualized (L-R): Warner CEO Robert Kyncl & & FKA branches share impactful individual testament

FKA branches affirms on behalf of voice and similarity approval relating to AI

Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl uses viewpoint to Senate Committee

WASHINGTON, DC ( April 30, 2024) — Vocalist, songwriter, manufacturer, dancer & & star Tahliah Debrett Barnett (“ FKA branches“) and Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl shared effective testament throughout a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Copyright hearing previously today in the country’s capital about the significance of guardrails to safeguard a person’s voice and similarity along with the obligation of tech platforms as expert system (AI) quickly develops. The conversation concentrated on the bipartisan Support Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Home Entertainment Safe (NO PHONIES) Act — a proposition presented by Senators Chris Coons, Marsha Blackburn, Amy Klobuchar, and Thom Tillis that would provide federal securities versus using non-consensual digital duplications in audiovisual works or sound recordings for all Americans.

Multi-hyphenate skill, FKA branches throughout acknowledged the significance of approval from the specific whose being is the really essence of this innovation. ” The reality that someone might take my voice, modification lyrics, modification messaging or deal with an artist that I didn’t, it actually leaves me really susceptible. If legislation isn’t put in location to safeguard artists, not just will we let artists who actually appreciate what we do– that have actually invested a very long time establishing themselves– however it would likewise indicate that fans would not have the ability to rely on individuals that they have actually invested a lot of years purchasing.”

In reaction to claims that deepfakes of living or departed individuals are required for filmmaking, FKA branches described, ” I believe the issue is, if you have the ability to utilize an artist’s voice and similarity without approval about their life story, you’re offering the impression that it’s the equivalent of an autobiography, rather a bio … which’s a confusion. If you have the ability to utilize my voice and my precise face, [then] a group of authors in Hollywood that wish to over dramatize things and make it more awful or fantastical, that’s what makes me actually worried, uneasy and susceptible. If it’s a star, we understand to take it with a pinch of salt. If it is the individual themself, then it simply feels too clear and unfair.”

Notified by his previous experience as a magnate at YouTube and Netflix, Kyncl spoke from deep understanding and regard for both innovation and developers and required clear guardrails for AI. “ Through AI, it is really simple for somebody to impersonate me and trigger all way of havoc. They might talk to an artist in a manner that might damage our relationship or state incorrect things that would harm our service.”

Kyncl summarized, “the fact is, everybody is susceptible.”

In a watershed minute, in reaction to questioning from Senator Mazie Hirono, all witnesses present consisting of those requiring modifications or limitations to the proposed legislation concurred that Congress must enact brand-new securities for people’ voices and images.

Attending to complimentary expression issues, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & & Chief Mediator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland included, ” I am worried that we are just taking a look at one side of the First Modification factor to consider here. The opposite is the right that each people needs to our own flexibility of speech to be able to interact our concepts, to associate ourselves with concepts that we wish to so and not be related to concepts we disagree with– that is being actually stomped on by this unconfined capability of individuals without a federal right.”

Senator Tillis stated, “ I’m pleased that we’re using up this costs. I do feel highly we ought to do whatever we can to attempt and move it in this Congress.”

RIAA Chairman & & CEO Mitch Glazie r praised the Committee’s thoughtful evaluation of the NO FAKES Act conversation draft. “ Today’s hearing sets the table for swift and strong action by Congress to safeguard every American from unconsented deepfakes and voice clones. Engaging, individual testament from both FKA branches, Warner CEO Robert Kyncl, and SAG-AFTRA National Director & & Chief Mediator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland made a frustrating case for brand-new legislation safeguarding developers’ incomes and tradition and offering all of us the power to stop bad stars from utilizing our voices and images to create violent deepfakes.”

At today’s hearing, Chairman Coons revealed strategies to complete and officially present the NO FAKES Act this summertime. Together with your home No AI Scams Act, both chambers are now progressing with nationwide steps to safeguard people’ voice and similarity rights.

Kyncl’s op-ed released today in The Hill, entitled 4 Guidelines To Make Expert System Work For People even more set out the significance of Authorization, Money Making, Attribution and Provenance as AI is established. He revealed, ” These propositions would develop clear guideline, assisting to avoid a world where AI can proper an individual’s identity without their approval. This would likewise have a ‘halo impact,’ assisting to suppress false information, identity theft, and hate-fueled material.”

Watch The NO FAKES Act: Safeguarding Americans from Unauthorized Digital Replicas hearing here

The post Singer-Actor FKA branches & & Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl Supporter for Voice & & Similarity Defenses at Senate Judiciary Hearing appeared initially on RIAA

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Music

RIAA Addresses IP Protections in USTR’S 2024 Unique 301 Report

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2024

[[{“value”:”“The 2024 Special 301 Report provides a vital snapshot of the environment for music creators globally as well as a critical blueprint for US engagement with countries around the world to support them,” commented RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier.
The post RIAA Addresses IP Protections in USTR’S 2024 Special 301 Report appeared first on RIAA.”}]]

WASHINGTON, DC ( April 25, 2024) — Today, the United States Trade Agent (USTR) provided its yearly Unique 301 Report relating to deficiencies of copyright and other kinds of copyright (IP) securities in specific nations. The Report examines the existing legal, regulative, judicial, and enforcement actions on IP in those nations and recognizes the effect on United States music developers while likewise highlighting systemic concerns for United States federal government engagement to advance imagination worldwide. Amongst the cross-cutting concerns that show the music neighborhood’s input into the Unique 301 procedure, USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai acknowledged the important value of American developers’ contributions to United States tasks and financial development, keeping in mind “ Stakeholders from both unions and business in the imaginative sectors have actually highlighted the value of copyright defense and enforcement to their incomes and companies.”

” The 2024 Unique 301 Report offers an essential photo of the environment for music developers worldwide in addition to a vital plan for United States engagement with nations around the globe to support them,“ commented RIAA Chairman && CEO Mitch Glazier ” We value acknowledgment of uncomfortable patterns in many areas that would hurt the American music neighborhood, consisting of constraints on streaming rights, inadequate enforcement, and stream-ripping piracy, and the recognition of favorable advancements relating to copyright defense and enforcement. We motivate the United States Federal government in future Reports to resolve appropriate copyright defense in the context of AI as dedicated to by President Biden in the G7, and to oppose broad exceptions consisting of text and information mining. We likewise advise the United States Federal government to engage with nations based on continuous trade examinations, and to resolve deeply bothersome propositions on copyright and agreement matters, especially in South Africa.”

” We thank Ambassador Tai and the whole interagency group for their vigorous deal with this essential procedure. RIAA highly supports the United States Federal government’s extensive technique to promoting American developers globally, consisting of through existing and future IP discussions with the European Union, India and the UK.”

The post RIAA Addresses IP Protections in USTR’S 2024 Unique 301 Report appeared initially on RIAA

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Music

Year-End 2023 RIAA U.S. Latin Music Income Report/ Informe de Fin del Año 2023 de RIAA Sobre Ingresos de Música Latina en Estados Unidos

Published

4 weeks ago

April 23, 2024

[[{“value”:”Latin music in the U.S. has increased in popularity and value over the last eight years, outpacing overall recorded music… Read More »
The post Year-End 2023 RIAA U.S. Latin Music Revenue Report / Informe de Fin del Año 2023 de RIAA Sobre Ingresos de Música Latina en Estados Unidos appeared first on RIAA.”}]]

Latin music in the U.S. has actually increased in appeal and worth over the last 8 years, outmatching general documented music each year throughout this duration of strong development. In 2023, the category struck its greatest mark yet at $1.4 billion, representing 16% development over 2022. Changed for inflation, Latin music market profits in 2023 are now 14% above the previous peak in 2005.

LINK TO FULL ENGLISH REPORT HERE

INFORME DE FIN DE AÑO 2023 DE RIAA SOBRE INGRESOS DE MÚSICA LATINA EN ESTADOS UNIDOS

La música latina en los EE. UU. creció en cuanto a su popularidad y valor durante los últimos ocho años, superando a la música grabada en basic cada año durante este período de fuerte crecimiento. En 2023, el género alcanzó su marca más alta con $1400 millones, que representa un crecimiento del 16 % con respecto a 2022. Ajustados por la inflación, los ingresos del mercado de la música latina en 2023 ahora están un 14 % por encima del pico previo en 2005.

ENLACE AL INFORME COMPLETO EN ESPAÑOL AQUÍ

The post Year-End 2023 RIAA U.S. Latin Music Income Report/ Informe de Fin del Año 2023 de RIAA Sobre Ingresos de Música Latina en Estados Unidos appeared initially on RIAA

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