Jr. Sammy Davis - At the Cocoanut Grove

Awesome CD

I had this CD on vinyl at one time & absolutely loved it! It's even better as a CD! Sammy was an awesome performer & this CD brings that all out. Wish it was on video, it would be even better. I really miss that man. November 10, 2007

The Wham Of Sam--live in concert , Sammy gives us a golden nugget shining brightly to this day !!!

Sammy Davis, Jr. possessed a natural ability to entertain; his skills were amongst the rarest and the most divinely given to any human being. Sammy could reach out to his audience and lead them wherever he wished; no wonder Frank Sinatra often referred to Sammy as "The Leader!" This CD captures Sammy at the top of his game performing live at The Cocoanut Grove Lounge in Los Angeles in late 1962; and from start to finish the electricity in the air reflects Sammy's singular talents and his rapport with his audience.

Sammy begins with the classic "Once In A Lifetime" by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley; Sammy delivers this with strength, poise and masculine charm. His band plays an excellent musical arrangement for "Once In A Lifetime," too. "In The Still Of The Night" gets the royal treatment from Sammy and the musicians; Sammy sings this with great sensitivity and the horns complement his vocals very well. "What Kind Of Fool Am I," a song Sammy Davis, Jr. loved to perform, showcases Sammy's singularly beautiful interpretation of this ballad. Awesome!

Of course, Sammy enjoyed an excellent rapport with his audience. On this CD he tells the audience about the time he met President Kennedy after a concert appearance; and later on in the concert Sammy pokes fun at old movies to make his audience howl with laughter.

Other great numbers recorded from this concert include Sammy's medley of songs from West Side Story; and Sammy's medley of "I've Got You Under My Skin/Big Bad John/Night And Day" wows the audience.

Sammy delivers "Me And My Shadow" with panache and sensitivity; and "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With A Dixie Melody" gives Sammy the chance to perform some of his famous--and very funny--impressions of other well known performers.

The band does some awesome jamming near the end of the concert and Sammy introduces them all; and after saying a sweet parting "thank you" to his audience Sammy closes with a refrain of "The Birth Of The Blues." "The Birth Of The Blues" provides a strong ending for the concert and leaves the audience--and you--wanting much, much more.

The liner notes have incredible photos of Sammy Davis, Jr.; and you get the original liner notes for the record album written by Joey Bishop. Army Archerd also contributes a fine essay about Sammy; and you get the song credits as well.

There will never be another Sammy Davis, Jr. Sammy could sing, dance and act with the best of them; and that's something few entertainers ever achieve in their lifetimes. Sammy loved his audiences; and when they loved him back for loving them Sammy loved them even more. The love fest is evident on this recording and on all of Sammy's other live recordings, too.

I highly recommend this CD for Sammy Davis, Jr. fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals and easy listening will treasure this CD for years to come.
June 9, 2007

Finally! The Real Sammy!

Due to litigation, those without the original LP had to wait a long time for this CD's release. Finally, a real taste of the true genius of Sammy Davis Junior in an easier format. This is where he is at his best, with a live audience feeding his energy. He pulls out all the stops as an entertainer. If you have never heard him truly "live", this is an absolute must have; it is the essence of his nightclub performance and a real feel of the "Rat Pack" genre. The recording itself is a high quality, giving you the sense of actually being there. Do yourself a big favor and buy it. November 4, 2006

Rescues Sammy from Schmalz Hell

Play this CD to anyone who only knows Sammy from "Candyman" and "Cannonball Run." The West Side Story medley alone is worth the price of a CD. Utterly passionate and unforgettable. September 27, 2006

Simply the best

I first bought the 1963 double live album in 1969. I loaned it to a friend and 'lost it' many years ago. I thought I had lost this wonderful performance forever. I was so pleased to see it available on CD via your website. It is, to my mind, the best work from the greatest entertainer who ever lived. The quality of the CD [which, I guess, is 'remastered'] is truly worthy of a classic collectors item such as Sammy Davis Jr "Live At The Coconut Grove". Thank you. August 25, 2006

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