What people search:
 | Title : Christmas with the Rat Pack
Author : Sinatra, Frank
Release Date : 20021022
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $17.98
Amazon.com Price : $12.99
(28
%)
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Editorial Reviews :
Just as irony is being pronounced dead, along comes this boozy holiday compilation to suggest that rumors of its demise may be premature. Given the culture's simmering lounge mania, this collection (with its cheesy homage/rip-off Oceans 11 art direction) may be belated--but hey, punctuality was never these swingin' cats' bag, Jack. The novelty of having three of the 20th century's most notorious sinners belt, whoop, and sing the praises of sleigh bells, roasting chestnuts, and the virgin birth would be enough to recommend this dizzy, 21-track delight, but there's actually some rewarding pop archaeology here as well. Two of the best tracks--Sammy Davis's ring-a-ding-ding romp through 'Jingle Bells' and Dino's dreamy 'Peace on Earth/Silent Night'--hail from a vintage, ultra-rare Reprise sampler. Sammy's typically over-the-top 'Christmastime All Over the World' and Nat Cole tribute, 'The Christmas Song,' also make their CD debut. Dino's holiday TV specials yield more unreleased rarities: Sinatra-Martin duets of the loopy 'Marshmallow World' and a touchingly tipsy take on 'Auld Lang Syne' that suggests the boys have shared more than one cup of kindness.
Buyer Reviews :
I ordered this CD with great anticipation, as I have long been a fan of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis, Jr. The Christmas music of the first two gentleman always provides a lot of cheer around our house this time of year.
That being said, there is no reason to buy this CD. The great songs on it (Sinatra's 'Christmas Waltz,' Martin's 'Silver Bells,' etc.) can be found on better albums, along with other fine music.
The only thing this CD has to offer of value is that it does present on one disc a mix of some excellent songs. The stinkers on it, though, diminish that value greatly.
The contributions of Sammy are weak at best. His wonderful, swinging, jazzy style just doesn't work for these songs. His 'Christmas Song' is the only one that comes close.
The previously unreleased tracks by Frank and Dean are more goofs than real songs. (Think of the Rat Pack clowing around that typified their awesome stage shows and you'll get the picture.) They're also of very poor audio quality.
Definitely buy a Sinatra Christmas CD (or 3 or 4!). Buy Dean Martin's 'Winter Romance.' But don't bother getting this one.
(by David Montgomery, Jilly's West)
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