With tracks ranging from "The Candy Man" and "Talk to the Animals, through to jazz, rock Gospel, swing and big voiced ballads, this CD affectionately captures the diverse musical talents of one of the great musical personalities of yesteryear – Mr Sammy Davis Junior.
The tracks With the exception of "Hey There", all of Sammy's hits and better-known material are accounted for on this collection, with a few pleasant surprises thrown in for good measure. Recorded at various dates in the 1970's, the performances are a combination of studio and in-concert performances. Notwithstanding the diversity of recording times, all tracks are of the highest quality (including the live performances) and are in stereo. The backing in every case is a full orchestra.
The Candy Man The original version of the well-known classic "The Candy Man" kicks off this collection in great style. Taken from the children's film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory", Sammy's rendition of this number topped Billboard's pop and adult contemporary charts in 1972.
Despites the song's well-known origins, Sammy received significant criticism at the time of the single release following accusations that the song promoted drug use. All such trivia aside, however, the track is one of the great feel-good cheesy white-bread numbers of our time and will undoubtedly ensure that Sammy Davis Junior is still being played on radio stations a hundred years from now.
Talk to the Animals "Talk to the Animals" is the last track on the CD and, like "The Candy Man", is another nonsensical sing-along feel-good number with irresistible charm. "Talk to the Animals' won an Oscar at the 1967 Academy Award. Sammy's association with the song stems from the fact that he sang it at the Awards and accepted the Oscar on behalf of its writer, Lesley Bricusse.
Though the version on this CD is a live performance, the magic of this cleverly worded, tongue-twisting tune still shines through. In addition to being one of the greatest toe tapping numbers of the twentieth Century, I suspect it also holds the record for mentioning the most animals in a song. My favorite line – "I would converse in polar bear and python, and curse in perfect kangaroo!"
Mr Bojangles (live) Sammy gives a moving personalized performance of this classic folk style number about the legendary tap dancer, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson. The reason for the sentiment is that Sammy not only knew Bill Robinson, but was personally coached by Bojangles in the early parts of his career. Sammy, who is an impressionist of great talent, even includes an affectionate impersonation of Bojangles as part of the performance. In short, a sad with a sentimental smile performance that makes for great listening.
Rock a Bye Baby Your Baby with a Dixie Melody (plus celebrity guest voices) As mentioned above, Sammy Davis Junior was a fantastic impressionist. His unusual talent in this regard is put to hysterical use on this live rendition of the standard "Rock a Bye Baby Your Baby with a Dixie Melody". After sincerely singing the first verse and chorus, Sammy comments that many singers have sung the song, but he thought it might be interesting to hear some people who did not. He then does incredibly realistic and unmerciful send up impressions of Bogie, Brando, Cagney, Carey Grant, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin each singing a verse of the song. It is impossible to do this live performance justice on paper, other that to say that the CD is worth the price of purchase for this 6-minute track alone.
Gonna Build A Mountain When it comes to inspiration, there is nothing like a revivalist back to basics African American Rock Gospel number, and the performance here of the traditional "Gonna Build A Mountain" is no exception. Backed by a truly rocking female choir singing with wild abandon, Sammy gives one of his finest ever performances. The continuing change in tempo from blues Gospel to revivalist rock throughout the number is electrifying. To my knowledge, Sammy never did a Gospel album. If the performance here is anything to go by, then this omission is a great loss to lovers of this style of music.
"What Kind of Fool am I (Live) One of the saddest songs about loneliness ever written, the big voiced ballad "What Kind of Fool am I" (1962: US#17) is given a disturbing almost autobiographical treatment. I make this comment because of the way Sammy includes on this later version the following spoken line:
"Perhaps I wasn't cut out to be a husband or a father, come to think of it I didn't exactly stop the world as human being either" .
The dramatic operatic ending is also given a twist in this in-concert recording as instead of singing the last line, Sammy whispers (as if chocked up with emotion) the last two words – "(what I kind of fool)… I am".
Bye Bye Blackbird and the Lady is a Tramp (Live) Though far from tragic, these two numbers are the least impressive on the collection. The well-known standard "Bye Bye Blackbird" is given a Peggy Lee "You give me fever" style delivery. Unfortunately, the song is not up to such treatment and does not quite come off. Also, in "Lady is a Tramp", Sammy fails to eclipse Frank Sinatra's version (who could?) and seems content for the most part to follow old blue eyes' live arrangement (including the reprise). That being said judging from the audience reaction at the end of each number, they clearly both went over very well in a live forum.
Birth of the Blues (Live) This Sammy Davis Junior classic is given a tremendous performance on this CD. More a rollicking jazz-swing than a blues song, very few singers have the vocal power and sense of rhythm to pull the song off effectively. Fortunately, Sammy is one that does. On this rendition Sammy even goes one step further and throws in more than a hint of James Brown (complete with screams) in the delivery. The result, one of the finest versions of this song ever put to disc.
I've Gotta Be Me (Live) "I've Gotta Be Me" is an inspirational anthem for all those committed to individualism and/or following a dream and never giving up. From the immortal opening line "Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong" through to the magnificent "I've Gotta be me" operatic conclusion, Sammy's interpretation of this great song immediately grabs hold of the listener's soul and never lets go until the very last note. The only song that I can think of that even comes close in terms of cherishing the human spirit is the show tune "The Impossible Dream". In terms of the quality of the live recording on this CD, if anything its more powerful than the 1969 single release (US#11).
Rating 4 stars
Final Comment The last time Sammy Davis Junior performed before an audience was at a celebrity TV tribute show in his honor. Cancer had robbed him of his ability to use his voice, but this did not stop him from getting up and giving us one last dance for the road. Bojangles would have been proud. Of course you would not expect anything less from a guy who sang – "
I want to live, not merely survive and I won't give up this dream of life that keeps me alive, I gotta be me". Is it any surprise that "I've Gotta Be Me" was chosen as the swansong to be played at Sammy's funeral?
I recommend this CD to anyone who wants to see a genuine American talent strut his stuff doing the songs he's known best for. Be warned, however, the CD is a no frills effort (not a liner note in sight) and the cover is just tolerable. In short, the success of the release relies totally on Sammy's musical abilities to carry it. Fortunately, the talented Mr Sammy Davis Junior is more than up to the job.
Finally, I would like to thank all of those persons who have read my Epinions over the last 2 years and the many kind comments I have received. Epinions is a great community and here's hoping it will be around for many years to come.
Cheers
Ian
If you liked this what else would I recommend? Ultimate Rat Pack - Live and Swinging 
