Those Danny Ocean boys are back! In the upcoming "Ocean's 13," the hipster thieves have forsaken Europe and are now back in Las Vegas (thank the Lord). This time out, they plan to fix all the games in Al Pacino's new casino. Should be a hoot...
If you're like us, salivating at the very notion of a fun Sin City film, you'll want to get into the mood. So tunes are essential. So break out your Mary Janes, prep the cuff links and order a bottle of Jack because I compiled a collection of swingin' tunes to get you cool casino cats in the mood for sippin' martinis, throwing dice and smelling perfume well into the wee hours.
“Sinatra at the Sands” (Reprise) - What better way to kick off "Ocean's 13" week than spinnin' THE swinginest disc of them all? There are more than a few discs of The Chairman
doing his thing in Sin City, but this is the only one you'll need. Backed up by Count Basie and his orchestra with a young bandleader named Quincy Jones, the 16-track disc perfectly captures Sinatra’s swagger during his heyday in the Sands Copa Room. Recently remastered with “Luck
be a Lady,” it’s the epitome of casino-era Sinatra. Time capsule stuff...
“Dean Martin Live at the Sands Hotel” (Prism) - Capturing much of his loose, easygoing and impromptu sense of humor seen in earlier Rat Pack shows, this is the only live disc of Dean Martin’s casino act from the ‘60s. Hits include “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” and the staple “That’s Amore.” Available via Amazon.
“Sammy Davis — That’s All!” (Rhino) - This definitive two-disc live recording taped at the Las Vegas Sands in 1967, captures not only the singer within Sammy Davis, but also the mimic, comic and musician. A jam session with Buddy Rich on drums and Sammy on vibes is worth the price of the disc alone. If anything, Sammy really gets to seriously shine in his own spotlight without Frank or Dean chiming in from backstage. Includes a previously unreleased live version of “My Mother The Car.”
“The Rat Pack Live at the Sands” (Capital) - A tad before cameras rolled for "Robin and the Seven Hoods" in September 1963, Frank, Dino and Sammy had a powwow at the Sands. Much of what will sound familiar from other Pack shows is here in all it's off-color glory. The real
key, of course, is the trio's camaraderie, which remains a delight. And the fact they were playin' the Sands is just plain icing.
“Sinatra: ‘57 In Concert” (Artanis) - Even though they were a great team on many of their landmark albums, Sinatra and longtime arranger-bandleader Nelson Riddle rarely performed together. This disc captures one of those rare occasions with classic cuts like “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “‘The Lady Is a Tramp,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”
“Frank Sinatra with the Red Norvo Quintet” (Blue Note) - While listening to vibraphonist Norvo perform in the Sands’ lounge, the Chairman got the idea to wax a disc for his own stripped-down jazz performance. Unreleased until 1997, these tapes were recorded during Sinatra’s brief Australian tour of 1959 and proves his musicianship has no equal. Perfect for hipsters with that European flair.
“The Summit: In Concert” (Artanis) - Taped in November 1962 at Chicago’s Villa Venice, this 79-minute supper-club show isn’t for the politically correct. Performing much of the same off-color humor Frank, Dean and Sammy perfected in Vegas, it’s more a document of the day than a true representation of their collective work. Still, though, it’s a must.
“Late at Night with Dean Martin,” (Capital) - Although the accompaniment ranges from small jazz combo to a large orchestra with strings, the emphasis here is Martin’s hypnotic and whispery magic. The result is a sexy cocktail collection that includes such staples as “Everybody
Loves Somebody” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” Keep this one in the stereo for those of you looking to make a little hey-hey the second you arrive.
“Sammy and Friends,” (Rhino) - Buddies Frank, Dean, Bing Crosby Count Basie and drummer Buddy Rich are all featured on this swinging’ 20-track disc. Contains “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” and “Ee-O-Eleven” from “Oceans 11” as well as “Salt and Pepper” from the film of the same name.
“The Capitol Years: The Best of Frank Sinatra”
“Capitol Collectors Series: Dean Martin” (Capital) - Both Sinatra and Martin will be forever remembered for the tunes they recorded under Capital. All of Sinatra’s brassy standards and bittersweet saloon pop is here from “Witchcraft” to “Three Coins in the Fountain.” The primo Dino collection spans from 1948-1960, compiling 20 of his best cuts from “That’s Amore” to “Sway.” Both artists moved to Sinatra’s Reprise label by 1961.
“Ring-a-Ding Ding” (Reprise) - Sinatra’s first album at his Reprise label is perhaps one of his best. Released in 1961 and capturing the flippant swagger of the era, Sinatra was obviously happy to be out from Capital’s clutches.
“Tom Jones Live at Caesars Palace" (BMG International) - Amidst the glitz and glam of the deliciously gaudy Vegas strip in 1971, this lacquer cracker captures the sheer power and eroticism of the sexy Brit baritone. Very much at the top of his game and at his bawdy best, be sure to crank up the volume for Jones standards like "She's a Lady" and "It's Not Unusual." An essential set.
"Engelbert Humperdinck Live at the Riviera, Las Vegas" (Varese) - Originally released in 1972, this reissued collection captures the smooth-crooning Humperdinck at the peak of his popularity. With soulful vocal backing provided by the Three Degrees, the often billed "King of Romance" turns up the ballad quotient and delivers with assurance on such tunes as "My Prayer," "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and a strident "You'll Never Walk Alone."
"Paul Anka Live in Las Vegas" (Varese) - The bulk of this set contains pretty much what you'd expect from an Anka casino show circa mid-seventies — a healthy mixture of Anka originals, a medley of fifties hits and covers of smashes like "Gentle on My Mind," "Games People Play" and "For Once in My Life." Needless to say, there's also "My Way," and "She's a Lady," which are not covers per se since Anka wrote them.
Those Danny Ocean boys are back! In the upcoming "Ocean's 13," the hipster thieves have forsaken Europe and are now back in Las Vegas (thank the Lord). This time out, they plan to fix all the games in Al Pacino's new casino. Should be a hoot...
doing his thing in Sin City, but this is the only one you'll need. Backed up by Count Basie and his orchestra with a young bandleader named Quincy Jones, the 16-track disc perfectly captures Sinatra’s swagger during his heyday in the Sands Copa Room. Recently remastered with “Luck be a Lady,” it’s the epitome of casino-era Sinatra. Time capsule stuff...
