When Michael Jackson died in 2009, everyone gave tribute to him, calling him “Mr. Entertainment”. All that meant is that these fans never heard, saw or appreciated Sammy Davis Jr (1925-1990), who sang better, danced better (yes!), acted better and was just overall hipper than The Gloved One.
He never had a “classic” or “hit” album (although The Wham of Sam and his duet with Carmen McRae are pretty near essential), he was excellent at putting out a string of hits, as this 3 disc, 78 song box set attests.
Known best as a “team player”, Davis tends to shine sharing the spotlight, and yes, there are a couple of his teamings with McRae, as on the glorious “A Fine Romance”. He’s also joined with fellow Rat Packers Frank Sinatra on “Me and My Shadow” and Dean Martin for “Sam’s Song” with both sounding like a night out on Vegas. With Bing’s son Gary Crosby, he is delightful on “Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar” and “Ac-Cen-Tchu-Ate The Positive”.
On his own, he is riveting on the dark “The Man With The Golden Arm” and beguililng on “Glad TO Be Unhappy” and “All Of You”. He’s perfect as a crooner on “ That Old Black Magic” and he goes bel canto on “Laura”. His range is impressive, able to go R&B on “Mess Around” and ‘Hallelujah I Love Her So” while hitting the spotlight on stage for “Song and Dance Man”, convincing in every role.
Few pop artists have stood the test of time, but Sammy sounds timeless even today.