Customer Reviews

Sounds of '66

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4 star:		(1)
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The Sounds of '66 is a recording that all Sammy Davis Jr. fans simply must have in their collections. Sammy is in perfect form, backed by world-famous drummer Buddy Rich and his orchestra live in Las Vegas. This was Sammy's natural environment, and he put on what is perhaps the show of his life that night. World-class entertainers from all over the Vegas strip packed themselves into the Sands lounge in the middle of the night, after all of the main shows were over, and reveled in a jam session the likes of which may never be seen again. Sammy bores right into Come Back to Me at fever pitch and never slows down until the show is over. This live version of Come Back to Me is the best I've ever heard. I've lost count of how many versions of What Kind of Fool Am I? are available, as Sammy never seemed to sing this song the same way twice, but this live recording features one of the better ones.

All of that being said, one of the many great things about The Sounds of `66 is the fact that a number of these tracks aren't readily available on other albums, at least not that I know of. I can't remember which female artist made I Know a Place famous, but Sammy truly brings the song to life in a wholly new form. What Did I Have That I Don't Have? is perhaps my favorite song on this CD; it starts a little slowly, but Sammy fills it with enough passion and emotion that it is all but flammable by the time he gets through with it. Once in Love With Amy and If It's the Last Thing I Do are great songs I have not heard elsewhere. I never cared for What the World Needs Now Is Love until I heard Sammy sing it; he wails, producing a much more animated song than Burt Bacharach could even conceive of. One of my all-time favorite songs is What Now My Love?, and Sammy provides a rather unique version of it here. The song starts slowly, sounding almost like uninspired lounge music, but Sammy quickly picks up the tempo and energy, eventually drawing the most vocal audience response of the night. One selection that is admittedly rather strange is Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead from The Wizard of Oz. This ain't your Munchkins' version because Sammy belts this thing out and makes it a truly hip experience. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone (which really showcases the talent of Buddy Rich on drums) closes out the set on the kind of high only Sammy could aspire to.

I actually own the album featuring bonus tracks, and you really should try and find that more complete recording. It's not clear to me if this CD includes Sammy's introduction and closing, but it obviously (if the track listing is accurate) does not include Sammy's incredible performance of Birth of the Blues - that's a Sammy staple, for goodness' sake, and he was on fire when he performed that song on this very special night. Another point I would make is that there are gaps in between most of the tracks, so I'm not sure whether or not the songs are presented in the order Sammy performed them, nor can I keep myself from wondering what other musical magic was made that night that was not released for posterity.

I absolutely love this performance by the awesome Sammy Davis Jr. backed by a swingin' band headed by Buddy Rich on drums. It's a great set that swings for the entire ~32 minutes. It's not a complete performance, there is not alot of time wasted on applause and chatter. Sammy speaks for 1 minute at the beginning and says a few words at the beginning of the last track and that's it. The rest of the time is great music performed at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in the wee hours of the morning. I just loved the 'Ding Dong the Witch is Dead' rendition. The mastering on this 2004 import cd is great. I think if you love either artist, you will love this swingin' 60's set!

Sammy sings and Buddy Rich and the band swing this album to near perfection. It is live, it is raw and it is real. It is as much a listening experience as it is a musical history lesson. From Sammy's opening narrative on what it is they are doing at 5am in the morning in Vegas, to Buddy Rich's insane drum-breaks. This is Vegas and this is swinging big band.

It is intereting to note some of the awkward musical arrangements which make this album a wonder. It is 1966 and the Beatles have landed. Big band swing and the "Rat Pack" culture are on the popular downslide and Rock is about to take over the musical landscape.

The subtle rock influence on some of the arrangements is unmistakable -- and as hard as the band tries they still swing the "2&4."

"I know a place" is the prime example. It starts off with a choppy rock-pop piano rythme, but Sammy and the boys swing the pop right out of the tune by the time it ends.

Heard of the "Cherry Poppin' Daddies"? Well, they "borrow" the entire "Come Back to Me" arrangement for their 1997 album from this 1966 album.

If you have "Sinatra and Basie Live at the Sands" this is a must companion piece -- and if you have neither, run out and get both.

Fantastic! Sounds of '66 is the essence of Sammy Davis Jr. I have many of his records, but this one captures him better than any other I have heard. Sammy's having a blast, and Buddy Rich's band is absolutely kicking. It shows Davis as the great, dynamic front man that he was and substantiates all claims that he was way up there among the best and brightest America has produced. He makes every song here swing, his favorite thing. The controversial Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead cover just amplifies the swing theme- Sammy and the band make that song SWING with capital letters. The recording would not be complete without it. Overall, I'd take this CD to the deserted island, or put it into the cultural time capsule for other civilizations to dig. Both. Play it loud and often.

Great album;
I actually own the version with "Birth of the Blues" and Sammy's introduction and short farewell before the final blast in "Please don't talk about me when I'm gone", but the rest of the music is the same, so I feel free to recomend this CD to all the Sammy Davis fans as well as to the swing fans.
I even like the slightly bizarre "Ding dong the wich is dead" (it is more swinging than some other tunes on this CD), but it is the chemistry between the singer and the drum-propelled big band that commands most attention.
I'm not really familiar with Rich's big band opus, but this is a true gem; pity that the time is short (without "Birth of the Blues" it clocks around 30 minutes) and that the booklet in the edition I own does not list the fine musicians of Rich's band. The drummer is obviously the star, but still...
As I write this comment, I'm actually listening to a CD of a nice batch of Croatian post-bop musician (Dubravko Vorih Quintet with Sasa Nestorovic on tenor sax) and tonight I'm attending the Wayne Shorter quartet concert at a jazz festival in my town. So, although my heart is indubitably with classical and mainstream jazz (from New Orleans to Verve style jam sessions), you might pay attention to me even if you're not of same inclinations: I really think all sorts of jazz fans should check out albums such as this one.

Finally, in order to compare this CD with similar products (which is the best way to evaluate anything), I must say that Davis' album with Basie "Our Shining Hour" pales in comparisson with Davis' and Rich's "The Sounds of 66"

This collection of tunes recorded at one of Sammy's Vegas shows is simply amazing. He is backed up by Buddy Rich (a legend himself) and his band. This set is swingin from start to finish. If you are a fan of Sammy Davis Jr or a fan of Swing, this CD is a must have for your collection. You will not be disappointed.

Sammy decided to do a show at about 4:00 AM in Las Vegas and sent out invitations to all his entertainer friends on the Strip. The crowd, therefore, is very responsive. Very hard driving, compelling arrangements and Buddy Rich's band is explosive. Sammy is absolutley fervent in his singing. He puts everything he's got into every number. You also get a feel for Sammy's demeanor in Rat Pack era with his "hep cat" banter at the start and end of the record. "Well, we're running out of wax, end tape, all that jazz..." etc. etc. This is straightforward showcasing of the serious singing talent this man had. No celebrity impressions or clowning for Frank and Dean on this recording. He plays second fiddle to no one in this performance. All eyes & ears are fixed on Sam and he WOWs the crowd. Sammy was at his best live and this is the best recording of him live. Too bad it's out of stock. Find it used. A must.

Despite being one of the greatest multi-skilled entertainers ever, Davis is vastly underrated as a singer. A major part of it, in my eyes, is that his attention span was short, he did so many things so well that he could not concentrate solely on his singing and his music for any length of time. Another is that his studio records were awful and his live recordings often contain so much shtick (see his Coconut Grove CD) that they become sickening.

That said, this CD is incredible. From Come Back To Me on the first track to Please Don't Talk About Me on the last, it is 100% swinging all the way. Don't expect quiet or variety or ballads on this CD, for that, listen to his duet CD with Laurindo Almeida, if you can find it.

But if you want shrieking horns and 9 straight killer-dillers (as Benny Goodman called them), buy this CD and listen to it often.

Buddy Rich's band is fantastic, nobody powered a big band like Buddy Rich.

I own this album as an LP since 1966 and it is truely one of the best for both Buddy and Sammy!!! I don't think i have to say much more. But, I would love to have a CD of this album and wish that whoever makes the CD remakes would wake up and smell the coffee!! Thanks.........Steve

A really awesome CD, but the Track featured on Live365.com should be Track #2 "Come Back to Me"

A hard driving song and Buddy has some awesome fills and Buddy and Sammy really seem to play off of each other.

It cooks!