Sammy Davis, Jr At The Cocoanut Grove CD

Recorded live at The Cocoanut Grove Lounge, Los Angeles, California.

This recording featuring Sammy Davis, Jr. captured on stage at the Cocoanut Grove Lounge of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles heralds the end of an era for Davis Jr. After his unparalleled success on Broadway in Golden Boy, no longer would he be relegated to nightclubs and Vegas showcases. At the Cocoanut Grove is a timepiece lauding the versatility of Davis Jr. as a nightclub entertainer. While most evident in the humor and spoken word monologues that are peppered throughout the set, the musical numbers and extended medleys are also geared toward a more mature sensibility. The dramatic qualities that Davis Jr. brings to his performance, coupled with his inimitable repartee with the audience, are honed with an assuredness that where ever you have been in life, Sammy has been right there along for the ride. This "everyman" trait is likewise shared by Frank Sinatra and, to a certain tragic extent, the later performances of Judy Garland. The musical punctuation provided by Dick Stable and orchestra contributes immensely in creating open soundscapes. They allow Davis Jr. enough room to utilize his immense talents while never overpowering him. Their contributions to the "West Side Story Medley" in particular are as much a highlight as is Davis Jr.' s show-stopping performance. This display is proof that he was more than ready for the Broadway stage. One key element in Davis Jr.'s success as an entertainer is his uncanny ability to cross into any given musical genre -- usually within a couple of introductory bars. The seemingly effortless flow between rock standards such as "Hound Dog" with rhythm & blues on "What'd I Say" should not be discounted as novelty. At the Cocoanut Grove harks back to the decidedly more genteel days of pre-British Invasion pop music entertainment. ~ Lindsay Planer

Digitally remastered by Lee Herschberg.

Reissue producer: Gregg Geller.

Personnel: Sammy Davis, Jr. (vocals); Reunald Jones (trumpet); George Rhodes (piano); Michael Silva (drums).

Liner Note Author: Joey Bishop.

Recording information: Cocoanut Grove Lounge, Los Angeles, CA (1962).

Personnel includes: Sammy Davis Jr. (vocals); Terry Rosen (guitar); Reunald Jones (trumpet); George Rhodes (piano); Michael Silva (drums); Johnny Mendoza (bongos); The Dick Stabile Orchestra.

Producer: Chuck Sagle.

Q (9/01, p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Songs are interspersed with lite audience banter, and he never could resist the kind of cheesy medley that comprised the countless variations on popular hits of the day. But it remains delightful listening..."
Uncut (11/01, p.122) - 3 1/2 stars out of 5 - "...He had a fine, flexible voice..."
Mojo (Publisher) (10/01, p.134) - "...Nothing lit Sammy's fire like an audience, so when he rips into a West Side Story medley accompanied only by bongos - all open-throat, perfect pitch and thrilling presence - you're convinced he's the greatest pop singer of the 20th century..."