Search - Sammy Davis Jr :: 20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection

MORE FROM MISTER ENTERTAINMENT

Giovanni | Chicago, IL | 10/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This grab bag of Sammy's later recordings is a welcome complement to the few CDs of his available to us. Culled from Sammy's MGM recordings of the early 70's, this CD is a little skimpy (only 11 tracks) where there is much else to be enjoyed from that era (the masses, this music lover included, have clamored for Sammy's "NOW" and "SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE" albums from this era to be reissued for years) but will find great readings here from Sammy the Leslie Bricusse gem "I'LL BEGIN AGAIN" and the Paul Anka theme "I'M NOT ANYONE". Funkier grooves can be had as well here, with the theme from JOHN SHAFT and THE PEOPLE TREE, delivered as only Sammy Davis Jr. could.
The particular standouts here are one of Sammy's attempts at country music (which just goes to show how he was constantly on the prowl for, and usually conquered with a vengeance, new musical challenges and territories) in "I'D BE A LEGEND IN MY TIME", a fantastic reading from an otherwise obscure album Sammy did of other C&W tunes. The arrangement really supports Sammy well. And speaking of arrangements, get a load of the spectacular mini-masterpiece Sammy makes of the PORGY AND BESS MEDLEY. Being recorded for an album of songs from a TV Special Sammy did in 1973, you can see he still had a set of pipes on him at that time. Also from that LP included here is Sammy's version of the big Stevie Wonder hit (and later,adult contemporized flawlessly by Tony Bennett), "FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE". These two tracks were recorded as the special was being taped, but you'd never know it until the last minute when the audience comes in. One can only come to one conclusion for this: The audience was so mesmerized by Davis that they kept remarkably silent until the end. And knowing and appreciating Sammy's music as I do, that's my spin on it. You can't credit it to recording standards, for back in '73, who would have guessed these songs would ever see light of day via compact disc? Just my opinion though...We Sammy Davis Jr. fans can only hope that more of his music becomes available after all these years, but in the meantime, this CD, while not "essential" per se, will definitely give you the opportunity to hear some sides you haven't been able to (on compact disc) Enjoy it!"