At the Cocoanut Grove (Dlx)

Sammy Davis Jr. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1963
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00005JGAL
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,561 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Introduction

2. Once in a Lifetime

3. In the Still of the Night

4. What Kind of Fool Am I?

5. Talk

6. Falling in Love Again

7. Medley: I've Got You Under My Skin/Big Bad John/Night and Day

8. Meeting the President

9. West Side Story Medley: Jet Song/Something's Coming/Cool/Tonight/A ...

10. Frank Talk

11. River, Stay 'Way from My Door

12. Me and My Shadow

13. Medley: Hound Dog/What'd I Say

14. Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody

15. Sammy Looks at Old Movies

16. Finale: Jam Session (Sam, by George)

17. Sammy Says Goodnight

18. Birth of the Blues

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: DAVIS,SAMMY JR.
Title: AT THE COCOANUT GROVE
Street Release Date: 06/19/2001
Domestic
Genre: VOCAL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ABOUT TIME!, June 27, 2001

By 

Giovanni (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At the Cocoanut Grove (Dlx) (Audio CD)

I start this review by expressing my gratitude to Altovise Davis, who bravely hung in there and cleared Sammy's estate with the IRS and, teaming with the good people at Rhino Records, is giving us wonderful recordings like this one (and a spectacular box set of a few years ago) of one of this world's truly greatest entertainers on CD format. While Sammy could sing, dance, act, and play any number of instruments, many agree his forte was found in his live performances. Here is a prime example.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. To truly understand this man's uncanny talent, never mind all that; you need only listen to the tracks he does with drummer Michael Silva (a medley of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Night And Day" and a tune of the day (back then) "Big Bad John"...some combination huh?) and the "West Side Story" Medley he did with Michael's cousin, bongo player Johnny Mendoza. To never miss a beat, to stay in tune and tempo with just percussion, is mind boggling. The remastering is second to none (as is the case with everything Rhino does) and the liner notes, both original and new are the finishing touch on this great re-issue. After enduring years of meager offerings of Sammy's work, this is one helluva payoff. As my fellow reviewers have mentioned, please also buy (and thoroughly enjoy) the corresponding release of Sammy's "THAT'S ALL" album, comprised of two fantastic discs, recorded live in Vegas. Keep up the good work Rhino!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sammy swings the Grove!, June 20, 2001

By 

Tom Cohen (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At the Cocoanut Grove (Dlx) (Audio CD)

It is so fantastic that Rhino & Warner Bros. have resissued this classic live recording on CD, complete with original artwork, liner notes and even the original Reprise Steamboat logo as it appeared on the vinyl. The re-mastered recording sounds great and it is an awesome document of Sammy's multi-talented prowess. There's even a plug for the Southern Poverty Law Center in the booklet, so you can help make a difference as well as be entertained. Also check out "That's All," which was released in conjunction with this CD and features Sammy live at the Sands Hotel a.k.a. the House That Frank Built. It's a wonder the joint didn't implode back then due to the sheer force of Sammy's talent. One request for Rhino: please, please, please re-issue "When the Feeling Hits You," which features Sammy live with Sam Butera & the Witnesses at the Sands.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wham Of Sam--live in concert , Sammy gives us a golden nugget shining brightly to this day !!!, June 9, 2007

By 

Matthew G. Sherwin (last seen screaming at Amazon customer service) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: At the Cocoanut Grove (Dlx) (Audio CD)

Sammy Davis, Jr. possessed a natural ability to entertain; his skills were amongst the rarest and the most divinely given to any human being. Sammy could reach out to his audience and lead them wherever he wished; no wonder Frank Sinatra often referred to Sammy as "The Leader!" This CD captures Sammy at the top of his game performing live at The Cocoanut Grove Lounge in Los Angeles in late 1962; and from start to finish the electricity in the air reflects Sammy's singular talents and his rapport with his audience.

Sammy begins with the classic "Once In A Lifetime" by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley; Sammy delivers this with strength, poise and masculine charm. His band plays an excellent musical arrangement for "Once In A Lifetime," too. "In The Still Of The Night" gets the royal treatment from Sammy and the musicians; Sammy sings this with great sensitivity and the horns complement his vocals very well. "What Kind Of Fool Am I," a song Sammy Davis, Jr. loved to perform, showcases Sammy's singularly beautiful interpretation of this ballad. Awesome!

Of course, Sammy enjoyed an excellent rapport with his audience. On this CD he tells the audience about the time he met President Kennedy after a concert appearance; and later on in the concert Sammy pokes fun at old movies to make his audience howl with laughter.

Other great numbers recorded from this concert include Sammy's medley of songs from West Side Story; and Sammy's medley of "I've Got You Under My Skin/Big Bad John/Night And Day" wows the audience.

Sammy delivers "Me And My Shadow" with panache and sensitivity; and "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" gives Sammy the chance to perform some of his famous--and very funny--impressions of other well known performers.

The band does some awesome jamming near the end of the concert and Sammy introduces them all; and after saying a sweet parting "thank you" to his audience Sammy closes with a refrain of "The Birth Of The Blues." "The Birth Of The Blues" provides a strong ending for the concert and leaves the audience--and you--wanting much, much more.

The liner notes have incredible photos of Sammy Davis, Jr.; and you get the original liner notes for the record album written by Joey Bishop. Army Archerd also contributes a fine essay about Sammy; and you get the song credits as well.

There will never be another Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy could sing, dance and act with the best of them; and that's something few entertainers ever achieve in their lifetimes. Sammy loved his audiences; and when they loved him back for loving them Sammy loved them even more. The love fest is evident on this recording and on all of Sammy's other live recordings, too.

I highly recommend this CD for Sammy Davis, Jr. fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals and easy listening will treasure this CD for years to come.