The Art of Live Performance with The Greats!

Tony Bennett:

I have had the honor and privilege of seeing Mr. Bennett twice in the past two years. Both times were incredible experiences. Not only is he the last of the living legends in regards to interpreters of the Great American Songbook but he is a true master of performance and a joy to watch.

Both times accompanied by a rhythm section of piano, bass, drums, and guitar, he sang with the same vigor and excitement that is present on his recordings. "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", "Maybe This Time", "How Do You Keep The Music Playing", and his powerhouse rendition of Stevie Wonder's "For Once In My Life" were among the many tunes he performed. At 83 years old, he performed for a straight hour and a half, controlling the room with every snap of his finger and grinning chuckle. As he sang, it was as though he looked into every single audience member's eyes, making an unbreakable connection that would hold their attention until he released you from his spell.

Every moment of the concert was unforgettable, but none of those moments compared with what happened next. He instructed the sound man, in back, to turn off all of the equipment including his microphone. He then proceeded to sing an acapella version of "Fly Me To The Moon", and without any amplifiers, microphones, or any other technology, we heard him. He could project as well as any Broadway or opera star! It was incredible! Every nuance of this sweet rendition was heard in every seat in the theater. Need I say more?

Bobby Darin:

If you've seen Kevin Spacey's Bobby Darin biopic "Beyond The Sea", then you already know how incredible Bobby Darin was. Sammy Davis Jr. said that Bobby Darin was "the only person I never wanted to follow" after seeing him live. He recorded in a variety of genres of music from Pop to Jazz to Folk/Country. And in his live performances such as Live At the Desert Inn, he blended them all together singing "Mack The Knife", James Taylor's "Fire And Rain", and a Medley of Beatles tunes all in the same show.

In every case, he is the king of building a song up to its' peak. Take "Mack The Knife", he starts off small and builds it up until it's a massive swingin' tune that no one can resist singing along or tapping their feet to. It is the same with "Simple Song of Freedom", the "Beatles Medley", and nearly every other song he performs!

Sammy Davis Jr:

Considered by many to be the Greatest Entertainer of All Time: Sammy Davis Jr. was a man of all talents. Raised in the Vaudevillian performance technique, he travelled with his family's group, The Will Mastin Trio. After touring many years with his father and uncle, joining the army, and touring on and off Broadway, he joined a group headed by Frank Sinatra, "The Rat Pack".

Live shows recorded by "The Rat Pack" such as Live At the Sands and Live And Swingin were my first introduction to Sammy Davis Jr. and it was his unique voice, hilarious banter, and knack for impersonations that drew me to him. He would do everyone that I listened to: Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Deano, and Sinatra, among many more. He would impersonate them in a way where you knew he was impersonating them, but at the same time highlighting humorous elements in their voices or attitudes to a ridiculous level.

If you're interested in checking out a great live concert by Sammy, check out Sammy Davis Jr: At The Cocoanut Grove. It was not only his impersonations but his arrangements and performances of such songs as the "West Side Story Medley" performed with Johnny Mendoza. The whole medley is performed with just a conga drum! It's incredible! And in his banter, you will find such humility, always able to poke fun at himself. He was a real showman and if you aren't familiar with his live performances, they are definitely worth checking out.