Customer Reviews

Greatest Songs

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I don't consider this the best collection of Sammy Davis Jr. live performances, but it does contain a number of nice performances alongside the original studio recording of The Candy Man. Several of these live songs are available on other Sammy recordings: Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With a Dixie Melody) which features Sammy's show-stopping impersonations of Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney, Cary Grant, Marlon Brando, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis; Mr. Bojangles; the highly energetic I've Gotta Be Me and The Birth of the Blues; and Talk to the Animals. What Kind of Fool Am I? is one of my all-time favorite songs, but I consider the version on this CD to be Sammy's least effective; this is largely because he forgoes the dramatic high notes of the climax and chooses to whisper the closing words in a low voice. When comparing this set of live songs to those available on other albums such as Greatest Hits, Live, the remaining three songs should assume the most critical importance in your decision (unless you are like me and just buy whatever Sammy Davis Jr. album you can get your hands on, regardless of whether you already own all of the songs or not). Gonna Build a Mountain is a good song, but it's never knocked me over with its energy or power. Bye Bye Blackbird is very good, as Sammy has a little fun with the audience in addition to singing what is a very good song. Lady Is a Tramp is a Sammy classic and guaranteed show-stopper. Bye Bye Blackbird and Lady is a Tramp make this an album well worth owning, even if you already have several of the other performances on another CD such as Greatest Hits, Live. If you only want one of these two CDs, though, Greatest Songs has less to offer than its aforementioned counterpart.

The album was not what I had hoped for. The songs appeared to be recorded in a night club or similar atmosphere. The songs were not done the way the writer of the songs intended they be performed. They are Sammy's version for a night club crowd. I did not like what I received.

Sammy does not merely sing: He entertains. This CD, containing live recordings of several classic numbers, is not simply background music. You'll want to take the time to sit down and listen and have fun.

The main reason I purchased this is that I heard one day Sammy singing Talk to the Animals, and was enchanted by it, and so far this is the only available recording I can find. He fills Leslie Bricusse's song with vivacity, playfulness and energy.

Other highlights are Candyman (the only original studio track on the disc), Mr Bojangles (moving as ever) and Gonna Build a Mountain. Sit back, get those toes a-tapping and enjoy.

This is a fun album. All of the songs except THE CANDY MAN were recorded live. That is OK too I just wish they would have put that on the cover of the CD!

Sammy is in GREAT form - he WAS the greatest ALL AROUND live entertainer that ever lived. Noone could do it all: Act, comedy, impersonations, singing, dance.

The only criticism I have regarding this CD is the orchestra: It sounds small especially the string sections when you compare them to the studio versions bands.

But you will be hard pressed to find a CD with the studio versions of all these songs on it. Try GARLAND RECORDS Sammy Davis Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2.

Love ya Sammy!

People can agree or disagree on whether or not the songs on this CD are really his very best; but there's no disagreement on this: this is a whopper of a CD! Each and every song packs a punch as only Sammy could sing them; and this CD proves it.

The CD begins with what was probably his best selling single ever: "The Candy Man." Sammy is ably assisted with backups by the wonderful Mike Curb Congregation choir. This song has a universal appeal to the child in all of us; we all want to be treated well and to have some kindly grown up hand out candy--just because!

Other songs that thrilled me were "Bye Bye Blackbird;" the show stopping classic "Lady Is A Tramp;" "Mr. Bojangles;" and "The Birth Of The Blues." The last song, "Talk To The Animals" brings us back full circle to the child-like awe and amazement from a wonderful fantasy life where we can not only enjoy playing with friendly animals but even talk with them, too!

A great treat on this CD is "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby (With A Dixie Melody.)" At first looking at the track listing I couldn't figure out why this song (which I know so well) came in at a little over eight minutes. I listened and I was delighted! Sammy has a lot of fun with this song by doing impersonations of famous actors belting out verses of the song: Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Jimmy Cagney, Cary Grant--and more! The audience laughed as this was recorded live; and you'll laugh, too.

The liner notes are sparse. You get a great black and white photo on the front cover of Sammy singing. He seems to be really enjoying himself as he performs. Otherwise, besides songs credits you get little else.

The CD could have added a song or two; it weighs in at only about 40 minutes. However, it's still a very good deal--at this price it's worth every minute of it!

I highly recommend this CD for fans of classic pop vocals, Sammy Davis, Jr. fans (obviously), and fans of the great musical standards of the 20th century. Enjoy! SMILES

I dig Sammy Davis Jr.He had a Aura about Him.this is a cool collection.I got this as a gift a few years back& I still enjoy it.Sammy was a One of a Kind Entertainer.

If you want to capture the ULTIMATE Sammy go and buy GREATEST HITS VOLUMES 1 and 2.

... this is a fine, fine recording of Sammy Davis, Jr. Some people don't like this recording because it seems to be recoded in a club or concert hall. But, you have to take into consideration that this is what makes this a terrific album. Let me explain. Sammy was a peformer. Probably the greatest this world has ever, or will ever see. His studio albums are phenominal (I suggest you check out, "The Decca Years"), But, being such a versatile performer as he was, singer, dancer, impressionist, actor, he thrived in the lights of the stage, and the air of a night club or concert halls. The sound of applause at the end of every song, except "What Kind Of Fool Am I?" which sounds like a studio recording, reminds us of how much the world loved and admired Sammy Davis, Jr. The tremendous applause is what Sammy adored. Performers revel in the spotlight, at least most do, and for most it is where they perform the best. Although studio albums are terrific, nothing takes the place of live albums, because that's where Sam was most at home. Where he was free to do his dancing, impressions and crack jokes at his own free will and was not confined to a small studio. This album reflects the exciement that Sammy ignited in an audience. And is probably one of his greatest because it displays who Sammy really was as an entertainer. Studio albums are carefully coreographed and mostly perfect, live albums on the other hand are more natual and you can tell how talented someone is in live albums. And Sammy was a talent the world will recognize for years to come. This is a must for any Sammy fan. Four stars!

Sammy is wonderful, and this captures him completely. Check out his live performance on the Ratpack Uncensored CD (not available here.. you gotta find it elsewhere)! What an entertainer. No one tops him.

I got this album over ten years ago and it has never been out of my rotation of music. For me and anyone who is uninitiated, it is a great introduction to the magic of Sammy Davis, Jr. Birth of the Blues and Talk to the Animals are full of such raw emotion that I actually study those recordings when I hear them. I had no idea that Sammy could belt it out like that! The other tunes round out the list with aplomb and provide a great jumping off point if someone wants to explore this great entertainer's music further. It's not his definitive collection and true fans have probably heard a lot of these songs in possibly better performances. But, again, the album does its job of introducing you to his music and piquing your interests for more.