Search - Bobby Darin :: The Curtain Falls: Live at the Flamingo

Only for die-hard fans

L. L. Potter | Nashville, TN | 02/21/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you don't love Bobby Darin All The Way, this is not the "live" CD for you - "Live at the Copa" is much better - this is Bobby just as he was trying some transitional music- can you imagine sitting in a club in Vegas in '63 and this dude starts with "Michael Row the Boat ..." Darin's energy was gone from his act, I think due to personal distractions and his frustration with the changing audience. For DArin die-hards like me, every note the man sang is perfect, but retrospectively this marked the beginning of a difficult period in Bobby's life."

Historic recording of Bobby Darin's "last" live performance.

Mary Whipple | New England | 09/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before this live performance--November, 1963, at the Flamingo Hotel--Bobby Darin had announced that this would be "the closing night club performance for me for quite a while." Only twenty-seven and suffering from heart problems, he was already using oxygen between sets, his high-energy live performances so draining that retirement in favor of less strenuous aspects of his career was his only option. Here he gives his all in one stupendous complete performance at the Flamingo.



A mature performer, despite his age, Darin does everything from hot rock and roll to swing, moody ballads, folk, and a bluesy spiritual. Sounding Sinatra-like on the ballads at the beginning of the show--"Ace in the Hole," which he does "dirty," and "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You"--he works the room, progressing into comedy with a "Medley of 'Ballads,'" including "Splish Splash," and "Beyond the Sea," before reverting once again to a real ballad, "My Funny Valentine," the purest and prettiest song on the CD. As soon as the audience is feeling sentimental, however, he hits them with his version of "I Walk the Line," which begins, "I keep my pants up with a piece of twine."



"Mack the Knife," his 1959 Record of the Year, may (or may not) show his failing health. Though he gradually increases the song's tempo and passion, much of the intensity at the climax comes from the band, which becomes noticeably louder, though Darin's voice does not. A ten-minute comedy routine follows, in which he plays a drunk talking with a bartender, giving impressions of Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Marlon Brando, and Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, among others. The audience participates in the folk songs, "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" and "Mary Don't You Weep," and then Darin sings the touching "I'm on My Way, Great God," a bluesy (and sadly ironic) spiritual which he composed.



On the final track, "The Curtain Falls," a song written as a farewell to performing, Darin sings "If I had this to do again, and the evening were new again, I would spend it with you again, but now the curtain falls." I'm sure there was not a dry eye in the house. (Darin felt well enough to return to the stage 2 1/2 years later but died following heart surgery at age 37.) Mary Whipple

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A golden nugget shining brightly !!!

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bobby Darin considered this to be his last "live" performance at the time this was recorded; but thank goodness he did entertain people on TV and in other appearances for a decade more. Darin was able to do anything: Booby Darin could croon, swing, do rock and roll and impressions all like the "pro's pro" he truly was. This CD proves Darin's artistry shone brilliantly when he performed in public; and it also demonstrates his ability to lead his audience wherever he wanted them to go.



The CD opens with an electric rendition of "Hello Young Lovers" and switches gears somewhat for the slower paced "Ace In The Hole." The piano arrangement accompanies Bobby flawlessly. I like the way Bobby and the band switch arrangements mid-stream as they go into what is a decidedly a much more big band style arrangement. Excellent!



"You're Nobody `Til Somebody Loves You" represents a high point in this concert as Bobby croons to perfection with his band playing so beautifully. Bobby and the band are in perfect synchronicity; as they get louder his voice raises, too. I agree with the reviewer who writes that on "Mack The Knife" Bobby's voice cannot rise in volume as much as the band does; and I also noticed that this happens a second time near the very end of "You're Nobody `Til Somebody Loves You." Unfortunately, his poor health may account for the fact that he couldn't quite get these few last notes out firmly enough.



Bobby also does a great medley of four songs with high octane energy in barely more than three minutes: he sings "Splish Splash/Beyond The Sea/Artificial Flowers/Clementine" without a superfluous note. The audience loves it as they applaud wildly and you'll love it, too! Bobby rarely performed "Splish Splash" live so this track adds great value to this CD.



Bobby's rendition of "My Funny Valentine" moves me with its beauty; and Bobby excels at comedy, too. For this concert Bobby does a nine minute comedy routine with great impressions of Jerry Lewis, James Cagney, Dean Martin and Clark Gable amongst other greats.



"Michael (Row The Boat Ashore)" gets the royal treatment from Bobby and the band; together they emphasize the spiritual beauty of this ballad. "I'm On My Way Great God" is, unfortunately, semi-autobiographical as Bobby Darin knew his life would be a short one because he was born with a rheumatic heart. The closing number, "The Curtain Falls" boasts a strikingly beautiful musical arrangement; Bobby thought he didn't want to perform live ever again and so Bobby chose "The Curtain Falls" to share his feelings with his audience about "the closing nightclub appearance for (him) for quite a while." The piano intro shines and Bobby sings this with an extra special sensitivity to end the concert precisely the way he wanted it to end. "The Curtain Falls" evokes sentimental feelings for his past triumphs and provides an ending for this concert that is as sweet as it is strong.



The liner notes have an extensive essay about Bobby's life and career written by James Ritz; and the cover art is tastefully done. Excellent!



Bobby Darin possessed such energy and strength whenever he performed that people will never forget him. His CDs are still selling to this day. I highly recommend this for Bobby Darin fans and people who enjoy classic pop vocals.

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