Sorry I've been so quiet recently, gang. For some reason or another, I just seem to have lost my writing mojo for the time being . . . I can't explain it any other way. There are several music features and stories that are in various stages of completion, but due to a combination of several unrelated (or possibly interrelated) factors (including lack of time, general malaise, and other things I need not go into here), I just can't seem to bring them to a finish. When I do, I'll probably be backfilling a lot of the weeks since my last post in mid-November. So check the monthly indexes to the right from time to time, to see if there's anything there that hasn't been there before.
So again, sorry. I get this way from time to time - the words don't flow the way I'd like, and so I just shut down for a bit. But not to worry - I'll be back at it again soon, with more tunes for you to enjoy, coupled with my rambling, interminable stories that you all have learned to tolerate(!). See you all in 2012. Until then, when I get my act together . . .
Here's a holiday offering for you all - Christmas With The Rat Pack, featuring Yuletide favorites from Dino, Sammy and Frank (apparently, Joey Bishop can't sing, and Peter Lawford was too drunk to participate). I got this for Christmas in 2002, and initially didn't think much of it, since I didn't have a great affinity for the whole "Ring-A-Ding-Ding" era and its trappings. But I must say that over the years, this album has grown on me, and I play it quite a bit over the holidays. Here's the song lineup:
1. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Dean Martin
2. Mistletoe And Holly - Frank Sinatra
3. Christmas Time All Over The World - Sammy Davis, Jr.
4. The First Noel - Frank Sinatra
5. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Dean Martin
6. I Believe - Frank Sinatra
7. Silver Bells - Dean Martin
8. The Christmas Song - Sammy Davis, Jr.
9. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Frank Sinatra
10. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Dean Martin
11. The Christmas Waltz - Frank Sinatra
12. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin)
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra)
14. Peace On Earth/Silent Night - Dean Martin
15. Jingle Bells - Sammy Davis, Jr.
16. White Christmas (Reprise) - Dean Martin
17. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Frank Sinatra
18. Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin
19. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Frank Sinatra
20. Marshmallow World - Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
21. Auld Lang Syne - Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
Say what you want about The Rat Pack and their hokey '60s Vegas trappings - these guys could SING. Hope this CD grows on you all as well. Enjoy, and thanks again. See ya next year!
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Very much looking forward to listening to this around Christmas! While I may disagree with you about all of these guys being able to "SING", they certainly do all have that great aura to their music.
ReplyDeleteWow, really? You're ripping into Sammy, and Deano, and Sinatra, one of the great song stylists/interpreters of the latter part of the 20th century? Well, let's just say I beg to differ . . . True, their singing style is no longer considered in the mainstream of popular music, but in terms of the so-called "Great American Songbook", these guys (particularly Sinatra) practically WROTE it. Either way - enjoy, and thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mr. H! I love the Rat Pack. All these great entertainers make for a great Christmas album and a very Merry Christmas. I miss watching Sammy Davis, Jr. during Jerry Lewis MDA telethons during Labor Day weekends when I was a kid. I also remember trying to forget that going back to school was just around the corner!
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