SINATRA The Life

A gossipy, sometimes florid, but always fascinating journey details the life of the legendary singer. Tony Roberts travels from Sinatra's childhood in Hoboken, New Jersey, to his early one-night stands, Mafia connections, stardom, and passionate romances, including a lifelong obsession with Ava Gardner. Roberts, wisely, manages to portray the famous and infamous in Sinatra's life by a change of tone, pitch, and accent without seeming to do imitations, with the exception of his perfect Bogart, which was obviously irresistible. The story drags at times, but Roberts senses it and picks up the tempo for a satisfying finish. M.T.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]