In the early 1960’s the Rat Pack, ala Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis and Dean Martin, proved that you can still be a swinging cat well into middle age. Their legendary Las Vegas stage shows were more like a social gathering of old friends with an audience watching on. They drank, told politically incorrect jokes, laughed hysterically and in between delivered some of the finest jazz, swing and adult contemporary music available on the planet.

Live and Swinging

This new double disc release from the Rat Pack archives is a value for money affair that documents performances by the trio at an engagement at the Venice Night Club, Chicago in late 1962 (CD) and at a charity concert at the Kiel Opera House, St. Louis in 1965 (DVD). According to the liner notes, the Chicago engagement was performed without fee as a return favour to a gangster boss who helped JFK (at Frank’s request) to get into the Oval Office. The Venice Night Club was a front incidentally for a well-known illegal casino operation (of which Frank Sinatra openly discusses in his performance).

Both the CD and DVD commence with a solo set from Dino. At this time in his career Dean’s drunken stage act was still an act and he was at the top of his vocal powers and wit. Highlights include magnificent covers of the easy listening classics “I and Left My Heart in San Francisco”, and “King of the Road”, plus his own hits “Everybody Loves Somebody” (1964: US #1), “Volare” (1958: US #28), “Send me the Pillow That You Dream on” (1965: US #22) and “On an Evening in Roma” (1959: US #59).

Throughout his performance Dino does everything in his power to convince the listener that his crooning talents are an effortless gift and really no big deal (at one point he asks the audience to stop clapping as its giving him a headache!). His sense of timing and focused baritone skills, however, refutes this notion and it is evident that he is an artist who has worked hard to perfect his craft.

Sammy Davis also gives a terrific performance on his solo sets on both discs. If criticism is to be made it is with Frank and Dean who on the CD overly interject (albeit at times most humorously) in his part of the show. In the middle of Sam’s rendition of his first US hit “Hey There”, for example, Dean steps in to ask if anyone knows where the toilet is. Frank then proceeds to give Dean directions. Sammy laughs this and many other jibes off and on more than one occasion delivers his own amusing retort. Notwithstanding these interferences, Sammy still manages to deliver some great performances including a dramatic rendition of his signature ballad “What Kind of Fool Am I” (1962: US#17).

On the DVD recorded set, Sammy is given complete free reign to shine. The highlight of is without doubt his medley of sixties dance styles with luminary titles like “the Jerk”, “the Shimmy” and “the Swim”. These are appropriately performed with all the grace of a human elastic band, with the only backing being a traditional African drum rhythm.

As for Frank Sinatra, the velvet in his voice had started to desert him by the early sixties. This seems to really affect the Chicago solo performances with only his rousing renditions of “Chicago” and “You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You” befitting an artist of his stature.

Fortunately, the same cannot be said for the St. Louis show where Frank absolutely cooks. His choice of jazz based material with a distinct swing is impeccable as it perfectly suits his raspier singing range and shoulder-twitching finger-snapping delivery. When combined with his sense of showmanship, timing and surprising sense of rhythm, this segment of the show is easily one of the best live Sinatra performance ever recorded. Highlights include “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, “You Make Me Feel So Very Young” and “Fly Me to the Moon”.

In terms of duets, these can only be found on the CD. Two centerpiece tracks involve Frank and Dean performing together on a series of extended medleys of finger snapping swing standards and an amusing bawdy comedy routine where they cleverly manipulate the words to various ballads made popular in the pre-rock era. The best performances in this mold, however, are Sammy’s duets with Frank and Dean respectively on the vaudeville novelty style numbers “Me and My Shadow” and the 1962 minor hit “Sam’s Song” (US #94). In both of these fun-filled performances the artists bounce and feed off each other’s energy and in doing so bring out the finest in their own vocal and comedic talents.

The three legends only sing together once as a group on each disc – the song in question on both occasions being Sammy’s classic “Birth of the Blues”. This great song is more a rollicking jazz-swing than a blues song. Frank and Sammy use the opportunity to vocally let fly and really get into it. In contrast, Dean uses the opportunity to turn his drunk persona on full throttle. He most amusingly prances around on one leg, falls over on the stage, uncharacteristically growls his brief input and generally acts like a total dipstick.

Quincy Jones, Johnny Carson and the Band

A very young Quincy Jones and Johnny Carson appear on the DVD. Quincy is conducting the orchestra and by all accounts he and the band do an excellent job in keeping up with these most diverse performers (particularly Sammy). Johnny Carson performs a kind of MC role. He does, however, get the opportunity to demonstrate his country style wailing on a verse of “Birth of the Blues”.

Audio and DVD Quality

The CD is in stereo and the sound quality is overall very good for a live recording. Notwithstanding its age, there is not a hint of tape hiss. The only negative is that at times the rattling of cutlery can be heard in some of the quieter numbers.

The DVD is shot in black and white and although every effort has been made to digitally enhance it, the quality is a bit grainy and showing its age. Further, at times the camera shots are all over the place and seem unable to keep up with the action. That being said it still makes for very entertaining and compelling viewing. The sound quality is excellent.

Liner Notes

The set comes with 14 pages of liner notes in a black white format. They contain extensive background information about the engagements and include photos of the clan on stage, behind the scenes and in the recording studio.

Chart Success

“Live and Swinging” made the outer regions of the top 40 on the Billboard Album Chart in October 2003. At the time of writing, it ranked #14 on the UK Top 20 Compilation Album Chart.

My Rating

This CD/DVD set is comfortably worth 4.5 stars. Frank, Dean and Sammy were legends in their fields of endeavor and by all accounts were live performers par excellence. These qualities are beautifully captured on both discs. Be warned, however, the collection is definitely not for those who take issue with lapses in politically correct behaviour or are in any way offended by random risqué, religious, pro-drinking or otherwise tasteless jokes.

If you liked this what else would I recommend?

Greatest Songs - Sammy Davis Jr. (Review Link)
Dean Martin – Live at the Sands (Not Reviewed on Epinions)


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Cleaning the House

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