Monday 29 February 2016

At The Cocoanut Grove – SAMMY DAVIS JR****

Once In A Lifetime/In The Still Of The Night/What Kind Of Fool Am I/Falling In Love Again/I’ve Got You Under My Skin-Big Bad John-Night & Day(Medley)/West Side Story Medley/River Stay Away From My Door/Me & My Shadow/Hound Dog-What I’d Say (Medley)/Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody/Finale Jam Session/Birth Of The Blues

Multi-talented entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. scored his only UK top twenty album with this live set from the Los Angeles Cocoanut Grove nightspot. The amount of banter from Sammy included on the album may not be to everyone's taste. (US: 96 UK:19)

"Sammy swung 'The Grove' on this night with long time arranger/conductor George Rhodes. He sang, joked, danced, and did his famous impersonations of singers and actors alike."

"It's a wonder the joint didn't implode back then due to the sheer force of Sammy's talent."

"Awesome demonstration of Sammy's multi-talented prowess."

"His West Side Story medley with just bongo accompaniment is breathtaking, and his swinging of Falling In Love Again is crisp."

"If you want to enjoy Sammy Davis Jnr. at his best, this is the album for you. Live, with his powerful voice and banter with the crowd."

"Of special interest is to listen to him sing the classics, In The Still Of The Night and What Kind Of Fool Am I? You can't get better than that. A piece of musical history."

"A must-own for Sammy lovers. Reminds me of just why so many of us enjoyed him and miss him so much."

"Captures Sammy at the top of his game performing live at the Cocoanut Grove Lounge in Los Angeles in late 1962. From start to finish the electricity in the air reflects Sammy's singular talents and his rapport with his audience."

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