The Rat Pack - Boys Night Out

Boys Night Out suggests the accompaniment to a PG-13-rated bachelor party, with an implied narrative arc and a stack of appreciative tunes about, er, dames. Frank, Dean and Sammy are heard mostly in solo settings, but the upbeat mood and brassy arrangements make for a cohesive Three Musketeers atmosphere. The 19-track disc offers some real nuggets for Sinatra fans (the little-heard near-title track, two visits to Guys and Dolls from the Reprise Repertory Theater set on which the Rat Pack's leader took the Nathan Detroit role he'd lost to Marlon Brando on film), while bearing reminders of how one-of-a-kind each of his two pals sounded. Listeners who are planning on staying in for the evening will also dig this thoughtfully compiled album. --Rickey Wright Amazon.com

Fun, Upbeat, Good Time, just like a Boys Night Out.

Yeah it is not their most famous songs, but the songs are all great. This disc is just a fun disc. The songs are upbeat and well done. I have Live at the Sands and EEE-O-11 which are both live and fantastic but this one is my personal favorite. July 10, 2007

Sammy, Frank and Dean could REALLY sell a song--and that's no small feat !!!

This CD gives us a great collection of classic pop standards performed by three of the greatest entertainers of the twentieth century: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Dean Martin. Their performances on this CD are remarkably well polished; and every moment of this CD proves it.

The CD track set opens with the peppy "Here Goes" performed by Frank Sinatra. The arrangement moves at a great tempo and the horns are well used for "Here Goes." Frank's breezy and flashy delivery sparkles like gold and his voice is in excellent form, too. Sammy Davis also performs one of his signature songs entitled "Yes I Can." "Yes I Can" is semi-autobiographical; Sammy sings of how he believes that he can "go all the way" in his career as a professional entertainer. The piano, horns and drums help the melody move along with drama and flair; and Sammy plays with the tempo of his vocals to accomplish some great vocal gymnastics.

"We Open In Venice" is a playful tune about Frank, Dean and Sammy embarking on a tour of Italy; they harmonize well and their verbal interjections create a sense that they improvised this number although they probably practiced "We Open In Venice" until they got it just right. Another playful tune is Frank Sinatra's rendition of "Ol' MacDonald." Frank changes most of the nursery rhyme lyrics to make it a song about how he loves his woman; and this approach works very well. Love those chimes on "Ol' MacDonald," too!

Sammy Davis, Jr. comes back to sing a more traditional ballad with "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame" from South Pacific. Sammy sings this to perfection and the musical arrangement uses the horns and percussion well. Sammy, being Sammy, just can't resist playing with some of the lyrics and the tempo--and this boosts the quality of "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame."

Other gems on this CD include "Guys And Dolls" sung by Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra; they deliver this number with panache and masculine sensitivity. "Something's Gotta Give" features Sammy Davis, Jr. outdoing even himself as he delivers this without a superfluous note. His masculine warmth and energy render "Something's Gotta Give" an infectiously catchy number. Great! Frank performs "Just One Of Those Things" with passion, sensitivity and a worship of a love affair that stuns me with its high quality control.

The CD ends with a reprise of "Guys And Dolls" sung by Frank and Dean once again. Although many years have passed since this recording was made, the lyrics about men doing things to impress their women remain completely true to this day. Awesome!

The liner notes feature photos of Sammy, Frank and Dean with a blue hue to them; and there are a few quotes each provided about themselves and their work together. It's very sweet; but I would have liked an essay to be included in the liner notes. However, this is a minor disappointment.

Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin will remain three of the greatest entertainers that ever lived; and I doubt we'll ever see another group quite like them. They sang their hearts out, all the while making it seem so easy although we know it really wasn't. I highly recommend this CD for their fans; and fans of "The Rat Pack" will love this CD forever!

Enjoy!
June 19, 2007

Oceans 11

No doubt the experience to hear the collaboration of the original Players of Las Vegas- The Rat Pack. Pure enjoyment of a time gone past. May 16, 2007

Fabulous CD

This is the cd to have if you love oldies. It is a must have if you are a rat pack fan. They did a great job on the remix. March 22, 2007

Good stuff

This CD has titles that are not available anywhere else - a perfect addition to any collection. August 29, 2006

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