What Kind of Fool Am I and Other Show-Stoppers

Sammy Davis Jr. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 10, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Collector's Choice
• ASIN: B00020P82S
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,845 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. What Kind Of Fool Am I

2. A Lot Of Livin' To Do

3. Can't We Be Friends

4. Gonna Build A Mountain

5. Too Close For Comfort

6. Thou Swell

7. Once In A Lifetime

8. Begin The Beguine

9. Something's Coming

10. Someone Nice Like You

11. My Romance

12. Lost In The Stars

Editorial Reviews

After scoring some significant notice on Sammy Belts the Best of Broadway (1962), Sammy Davis, Jr. (vocals) returns to the Great White Way for inspiration and material. Containing a dozen show tunes, What Kind of Fool Am I (1962) would go on to become one of Davis' most revered and highest-charting long-players during the 1960s. Under the direction of Marty Paich (arranger/conductor), Davis practically redefines himself as a decidedly hip and modern interpreter of American popular song. This in itself is notable, as rock & roll had all but relegated singers of his caliber to becoming dinosaurs. Nothing could be further from the truth, as many of the melodies gathered here remained essential entries in Davis' performance repertoire for the rest of his career. One particular case in point is the quartet of Anthony Newley/Leslie Bricusse selections from the play Stop the World I Want to Get Off (1961) -- which Davis would revive on Broadway nearly two decades later. "What Kind of Fool Am I"commences the effort and has been given suitable ornamental orchestration that Davis turns into his own minor masterpiece. The emotive vocals build from an understated plea into a powerful and virtually unforgettable crescendo. Similarly, the languid and moody introduction to "Once in a Lifetime" is cast off for a rousing energetic reading that, in a word, sparkles. However, it is the soulful and gospel-infused "Gonna Build a Mountain" that became one of the artist's calling cards. From Bye Bye Birdie (1960) comes "A Lot of Livin' to Do," and Paich's brass-happy arrangement certainly fits the bill as Davis punctuates the cut with his own definitive buoyant syncopated interjections. Another memorable selection is the reworking of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine," swinging hard as Davis provides an emphatic lead over top of the tropically-flavored instrumentation. The outing spawned the additional classics "Something Coming," "Thou Swell," and "Lost in the Stars," all immeasurably contributing to the LP landing at the number 14 spot and further accentuating the singer's undeniable talent and presence. In 2004 What Kind of Fool Am I was issued on compact disc by Collectors' Choice Music as part of their extensive re-evaluation of Sammy Davis, Jr.'s 1960s Reprise Records catalog. ~ Lindsay Planer, Rovi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Sammy's First Reprise Recording, April 4, 2006

By 

Brad Hoffman - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Kind of Fool Am I and Other Show-Stoppers (Audio CD)

As stated in the liner notes of this CD, there were two albums prior to this: "The Wham Of Sam", and "Sammy Davis Belts Out the Best Of Broadway", both from 1961. However this was the first commercially successful album that Davis had while at Reprise. Since the first two albums were virtually invisible to the record buying public by this time, they were quickly phased out of print, and the tracks (minus a few) were redistributed as filler in several later Sammy albums. This one was obviously a hasty attempt to cash in on the '62 hit "What Kind Of Fool Am I". The rest of the tracks are a 50/50 split of the previously mentioned albums. Because of this, Collector's Choice felt that Wham Of Sam, and Best Of Broadway weren't integral in representing Sammy's recording career at Reprise. Also missing from the CCM series is the "Golden Treasury Of Hits" from 1963, and "Sammy Steps Out" from 1970.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some voice, August 12, 2006

By 

Ronald P. Shears - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Kind of Fool Am I and Other Show-Stoppers (Audio CD)

Few singers can match this man's voice. You can count 'em on two hands. This man is on the first set of five fingers. I regret never going to see him at The Palladium. But thank you Mr. Davis for recordings that are up there with the best in the business. Ron Shears.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sammy Davis Album, March 7, 2011

By 

Fancy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Kind of Fool Am I and Other Show-Stoppers (Audio CD)

We had heard selections from this album on the radio and just had to track it down. The music selection is great and sound is fine...we use mostly in the car. Felt the Amazon price was quite fair.