Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis Jr Story [Box set]

Sammy Davis Jr. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 9, 1999)
• Original Release Date: November 9, 1999
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00002MZ1W
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,551 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #51 in Music > Pop > Oldies > Tin Pan Alley

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Smile, Darn Ya, Smile

2. Gypsy in My Soul

3. Hey There

4. Birth of the Blues

5. Easy to Love

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. A Lot of Livin' to Do

2. Begin the Beguine

3. My Romance

4. Falling in Love With Love

5. Soon

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. I've Gotta Be Me

2. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)

3. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye [With Laurindo Almeida]

4. This Was My Love

5. If I Ruled the World

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Something's Gotta Give

2. And This Is My Beloved

3. Hey There

4. It's All Right With Me

5. Ethel, Baby

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Onstage, nobody could match the wham of Sammy Davis Jr. Best known now as arguably the coolest member of the Rat Pack, Sammy Davis Jr. was one of the world's great entertainers, a guy capable of funny impersonations, heartwarming ballads, and lively jazz-inspired songs--usually in the same set. Granted, Sinatra's vocal skills overshadowed Davis on record, but what other musician has found such success as a writer, Broadway star, vocalist, dancer, and comedian (all the while helping to break down racial barriers)? With Yes I Can! The Sammy Davis Jr. Story, Rhino Records has assembled an impressive four-CD package of the crooner's greatest moments. On "Smile, Darn Ya, Smile" (a track that's been out of print for 45 years), the 23-year-old vocalist shows little of the grace, style, and vocal warmth he would bring to such classics as "Hey There," "The Candy Man," and "I've Gotta Be Me." The first three CDs feature all of Davis's hits (and a few tracks meant for completists) from his vast 1949-78 output. But the fourth disc of live performances shows Sammy in his true glory. For those of us who loved his portion of The Summit in Concert (that out-of-control relic of Rat Pack extravagance), this disc reveals the rest of the story: Sammy Davis Jr. knew how to perform like no other. Whether singing a West Side Story medley or tossing impersonations into "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby," it's clear that there will never be another performer like Sammy Davis Jr. Sure, there are single CD compilations featuring most of the singer's hits, but this package tells the whole story. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sammy Reconsidered, February 14, 2003

By 

J. D Suggs (Atlanta, Georgia United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis Jr Story (Audio CD)

This well-chosen set makes the case powerfully that Sammy was the most talented of the Rat Pack (though Frank made him regret saying so). The material here sparkles from beginning to...well, "The Candyman", anyway, and that stuff doesn't get going until pretty near the end. People who have reduced this gifted artist to the campy talk-show perennial that he chose to become are cheating themselves, but this is powerful proof that he deserves to live all that down. Even if he was guilty of not taking his gifts seriously enough, a great recorded legacy remains; highlights include his collaborations with guitarist Laurindo Almeida (yielding perhaps the definitive "Here's That Rainy Day") and arranger Marty Paich. The pipes are beyond question, but notice what a witty and intelligent performer Sammy is- his total command of the material truly rivals Sinatra's.

The fourth disc captures the live act very well, but here's a minor kvetch: with that area so well served by a number of recent Sammy releases, it would have been nice to have had more studio material, since so much is still unavailable. Anyway, this is a great set by a criminally misjudged performer, and it's nicely packaged, too. It'll make a believer out of you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sammy - The Ultimate Performer, August 11, 2000

By 

Florian Kerz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis Jr Story (Audio CD)

Well, at first I'd like to say that it was definately time to release a boxed set like this, because the numbers of CD's available of the greatest Entertainer of all times is really poor. On this boxed set you'll find some tracks of Sammy's very first recordings he did for Capitol in 1949. Although, this tracks were previous released in 1990 by Capitol "The Capitol Collectors Series". But it's still nice to have them on the boxed set. On disc one you'll also find songs from his first album "Starring Sammy Davis Jr.", for example "Easy To Love" which he in performed on the "Ultimate Event" Tour in Milan, Italy in April of 1989. Then there are several other songs from his Decca albums, "Cahnge Partners", "The Lady Is A Tramp", "But Not For Me". You'll enjoy disc one, but in many of the tracks were available on CD before. Disc 2 has many songs of Sammy's 60's reocrding period and now we have many songs from his Reprise albums "Wham Of Sam", "California Suite" "Golden Boy" and "Our Shinning Hour". There you'll see Sammy's huge repertoire of songs. Disc #3 has beside some other 60's hits like "The Shelter Of Your Arms)some songs from his later recording-career: the 70's. Of course "Candy Man" is not missing ! Never on CD available before: "I'll Begin Again", "I'm Not Anyone", "Live Is A Woman", "Lover Come Back To Me". These for tunes are more than excellent, because they're also ultra rare ! "I'll Begin Again" is from the "Now" album (4/72), "I'm Not Anyone" was issued as single (3/73), "Lover Come Back To Me" (8/74)was taken from his lat album for MGM "That's Entertainment". "Life Is A Woman" originally appears on the "Sammy Stops The World" album from 1978. Great great great. Disc #4, and maybe the best of the whole set: LIVE LIVE LIVE Here are live tracks, but ONLY from his offical albums "Sammy Davis Jr. At Town Hall" (1958), "Sammy Davis Jr. At The Cocoanut Grove" (1963), "The Sounds Of '66" (1966), "That's All" (1967) and "In Person '77". Unfortunately NO title from the "Together Again" and "Ultimate Event Tour" 1988/89. But this disc is really powerful, if you're a fan you'll like it and say "THAT'S SAMMY". Better than all the studio recordings. Sammy was always live at his peak. The set comes with a very nice book that includes a biography, many unseen pics, pics of all of his album covers and a discography which is NOT complete. An excellent collection of songs, but it doesn't feature Sammy's 70's period too much, because you won't find one of his "hippie" arrangements from his Motwon albums. It would have been also great to put some songs from his last album "Closest Of Friends" and his "Hello, Detroit" single from 1985 onto one of the CD's.

But for now, you won't a collection that's better than this one ! Buy and enjoy "Mr. Bojangles". !

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Forget this boxed set unless, December 22, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yes I Can: The Sammy Davis Jr Story (Audio CD)

you are a hard core fan of Sammy Davis, Jr. Instead, buy either the best of his work or another single that includes your favorite music by this artist. A number of Sammy's recordings in this collection do not sound like the original releases. For example, "Keep Your Eye on The Sparrow" (Baretta's Theme) is subpar to what was released for and played on the opening and closing credits of the TV serial, "Baretta." However, in contrast to some of the iffy music, the graphics, photos and other materials about Sammy, included with this anthology, are superb. If I were to do it again, it would be to buy a copy of "The Best of Sammy Davis, Jr." and save my money by leaving this boxed set on the shelf.