It felt like a bit of a marathon stint in the kitchen this Saturday so I needed someone with enough quality recordings to keep me entertained! Step forward Sammy Davis, Jr.
The best track for me is undoubtedly “The Birth of the Blues” – it’s a great song anyway but Sammy’s recordings of it, whether in the studio or live, just seem to ignite my stereo speakers!
I always think you can hear the quality of a singer when the arrangement is stripped bare – there’s nowhere to hide and no depth of sound to cover any vocal wobbles or flaws. Sammy’s album with guitarist Laurindo Almeida, called “Sammy Davis, Jr sings and Laurindo Almeida plays” – it must’ve taken hours to come up with the title! – is a masterpiece. The entire album is Sammy singing with a gentle guitar backing. There’s no showing off or big finishes but there’s plenty of heart and singing that is as near to perfection as it gets.
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