If you never considered Sammy Davis Jr a serious swinger, give this hot album a listen. He was known as “Mr. Entertainment” because he did so many thing so well; let’s not forget he could SING, and he is in the perfect environment on these early ‘60s sessions. Marty Paich, who did seminal West Coast Cool arrangements for albums by the likes of Anita O’Day, Mel Torme’, Frank Sinatra and Art Pepper, adds his magic touch to these 23 toe tappers. He brings along Hollywood session studs including Jack Sheldon/tp, Bill Perkins/ts, Red Callender/tb, Jimmy Rowles/p, Bud Shank/as, Mel Lewis/dr and Bob Cooper/ts and puts Davis in the perfect environment for ultra hip reads of “A Lot of Livin’ To Do” and “Too Close For Comfort.” There’s not a hint of Rat Pack attitude here; Davis sounds like he’s trying out for a job at the Riviera as he croons through “Something’s Coming” and out –Nathan Detroit’s Sinatra on a hepper than hip read of “Guys and Dolls.” The silky reeds fit like a shark suit on ”Make Someone Happy” and “Falling In Love With Love” as Paich paints like a French Impressionist. This one’s a keeper!
Fresh Sound Records