by Moe Zilla

Created on: February 19, 2008

In 2004, Rhino re-released "When the Feeling Hits You!" a great treasure from Sammy Davis Junior. Billed as "Sammy Davis meets Sam Butera and the Witnesses," the famous Vegas headliner sings with the six-man band better known for accompanying wild-man Louis Prima.

But the album "captures the feel and ambience of a smoky, late-night visit to one of Sin City's many hotel lounges," according to its new liner notes, which also suggest that while Sammy playfully savors his vocals, the band may be improvising. That seems clear from the enthusiastically rowdy drums and cymbals that open "Do Nothing 'Til You Hear From Me," and simmer in the background of Butera's expert saxophone solo during a surprisingly fast version of "I Should Care." The original cover described Butera's band as delivering "a raunchy, punched-up sound...they're pros at making mayhem," and there's definitely a loose feel to the opening track's ragged rhythm. It's the title song, in which Sammy eventually leads the band in a call-and-response, and as the song fades out, it's clear that a historic session is underway.

Even the slow numbers are unusually effective. The flashy orchestras that usually accompanied Sammy are replaced with the remarkable intimacy of Butera's soft saxophone behind emotional ballads like "These Foolish Things (remind me of you)," "This is Always," and "Don't Cry Joe." The songs were recorded at 4 a.m., if you believe the album's original cover (which also promises the album was recorded "wild in Las Vegas.") But there's an even more important recording note. Sammy recorded this album for Frank Sinatra's own Reprise records in 1965, at the height of the Rat Pack's glory days. It's almost as though the album captures a moment in time, offering its own snapshot of one night in the life of a legend.

The album's cover captures Sammy and the band behind him with an impressionistic watercolor. It's a great summation of what the album offers - music that's sophisticated, mysterious, and richly expressive. Even trapped in a recording studio, Sammy's personality and talent find their way into every note - substituting his own rhythms, shouts, and swinging improvisations. It rewards multiple listens, offering a fascinating new perspective on Sammy and his talent. What secret does this album ultimately reveal about Sammy?

"You're gonna know...when the feeling hits you."

Learn more about this author, Moe Zilla.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.