Customer Reviews

Our Shining Hour

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4 star:		(2)
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Sammy Davis, Jr., singing songs arranged by Quincy Jones to the accompaniment of Count Basie and his orchestra - this recording could not possibly be anything but fantastic. I prefer Sammy's finger-snapping, toe-tapping showstoppers, but every so often it's nice to sit down and listen to the world's greatest entertainer relax and sing some slow jazz songs. The musical accompaniment here is, in a word, excellent; rather than overshadow Sammy's singing, it actually heightens the amazing effect of his singular vocal stylings (although Count Basie gives us a "blow, man, blow" moment in The Girl From Ipanema). Of course, these aren't all slow and tender vocal musings; a listen to Work Song or the sizzling She's a Woman (W-O-M-A-N) proves that. Several of these songs were quite unknown to me up until now, but among those I am familiar with are the golden oldie classic Teach Me Tonight, the swinging New York City Blues, and Keepin' Out of Mischief Now, which appears here in a much smoother, slower version than I have heard Sammy sing elsewhere. Of course, Dean Martin's You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You is no stranger to my ears, but Sammy really brings a fresh new interpretation to this classic Dino hit. The other songs included here are all fantastic, but the final track is especially interesting. Sammy requests a little Buck dance (also known as Buck and Wing) music in honor of his dad and uncle and then tap dances his way through Bill Basie Won't You Please Come Home. When Our Shining Hour is over, Count Basie says something to the effect of "It can't get no better than that." That statement sums this album up perfectly.

If you love Sammy, or have ever argued with some one about where he sits in the rat pack pecking ordrer, you have to hear this cd. Sammy and The Count lay down some of the best most intense studio tracks I have ever heard. This cd swings like all get out, one of the best singers their ever was with one of the worlds legendary musicans and his band. You also get some of Sammy's harder to find tunes and some clasic lounge the way only Sammy could do it. A must if your a real fan.

The combination of these two music greats on one cd is a treasure. "April in Paris" is a real blockbuster. The entire cd is top shelf. Even the cover is classic Sammy. If you don't have any Sammy in your collection, this is a good one to start with!!

Sammy Davis, Jr. and Count Basie make a formidable team: they work well together on this album to produce a great performance. Quincy Jones wrote the musical arrangements on this album and the quality of Quincy's work is abundantly clear. Terrific!

The CD starts with the track "My Shining Hour" as Sammy emotes the way only Sammy could. The jazzy musical arrangement is beautiful. The next song is the romantic ballad "Teach Me Tonight" which is performed flawlessly. It also boasts another killer musical arrangement! SMILES Other classic ballads on this CD include a jazzy rendition of "April In Paris" and the incredibly romantic "You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You." There is the sizzling hot "She's A Woman (W-O-M-A-N);" "The Girl From Ipanema;" and the playful yet very romantic song "Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now."

But there's more. "Work Song" is completely new to me; it is a song about a man who is serving time for a crime he committed. The musical arrangement is beautiful; and the story touches me as well. "Why Try To Change Me Now" is a soulful, slower paced ballad. "New York City Blues" pays tribute to New York City; Sammy sings beautifully and the Count Basie touch enhances the beauty of the song all the more.

The last track offers us something unusual and very pleasant. Sammy asks Basie to play "a little of that buck dance music." Sammy proceeds to tap dance his way through "Bill Basie Won't You Please Come Home" in honor of his father and uncle. Awesome! It works very well. At the end of this number Basie says "It Can't Get No Better Than That." Basie was never more truthful!

The liner notes offer a wonderful essay about Sammy Davis, Jr. written by Quincy Jones shortly after Davis passed away in 1990.

Overall, this CD demonstrates how quality classic jazz should sound. Sammy Davis Jr., Count Basie and Quincy Jones labored long and hard to make this album a reality; and all of us are better off because they shared their talents with us.

This is the TRUE Wham of Sam! Sammy goes through the cheesiest songs on earth like a hot knife through butter. Then, on "Bill Basie", we just hear Sammy tap dancing, which is about as about as surreal as ventriloquist Edger Bergin and Charlie McCarthy's successful career on radio. "It don't get any better than THAT!," says Basie at the end. INDEED!

Both were excellent musicians, what more can be said? Except that they work perfectly together in these songs.

Bassie's more-complicated kinds of jazz are a perfect background (but not a boring background-simply-as-background) for Davis' energetic and stylized vocals. I cannot stop picturing Davis dancing around the stage singing these songs, and cannot stop picturing myself in the audience being perfectly entertained.

I only recently came across this record, and when I first listened to it my day became brighter, my step a little lighter, and I felt good about the world.

It's a magnificent snapshot of a time of big jazz bands and showy jazz vocals of the old school, performed by two of its true masters.

Davis is probably one of the most talented singers in American popular music, quite often showing significant influence of jazz, just like his pal Sinatra (although I like Sinatra more, Davis is obviously a far better singer).
However this teaming up with Basie's band didn't amount to as much excitement and pleasure: Basie's band is being used as an ordinary back-up orchestra...
This is still great popular music with strong jazz overtones, a real bonanza for Davis fans, but this allbum could have been much better... Frankly, I believe the arranger Quincy Jones is the one most responsible for this sort of concept, with Basie (and, presumably, his band) being quite happy to earn some money without much effort.

allright here you have three of the absolute best in their field!
SAMMY DAVIS JR-the best vocalist from that area!
COUNT BASIE-need i explain...
QUINCY JONES-the hottest arranger around!

So this album really holds up to it's promise,sammy is great as allways,count swings as allways and it's beautifully arranged by quincy.

i've written enough this is pure JOY!!

If you enjoy the sound of either you will like this CD. I like it and listen often to it often.

I remember this album being part of my father's collection as a child back in the 1960's. I first listened to it as a teenager in the early 70's. What can be said about these two that hasn't already been said! My favorite selection is "Bill Basie Won't You Please Come Home". You get to hear some of Sammy's fancy foot work along with Count's solo piano. The band come's in with a roar at the end. "One take! Can't get no better!", say's Count afterwards. He's right. If you like the big band sound and standard tune's this is a good choice. Try it!