topic Re: The Rat Pack in Community Chat

The Rat Pack

Coquille — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 01:47:30 GMT

I've been watching a lot of the Rat Pack videos on YouTube lately. I love them all but I think one of my favorites is The Rat Pack Dean Martin King Of Cool. I think he's best when he is live and not scripted. Watching all of them together and watching Dean Martin as a solo, always makes me smile. If you like them or him alone, look up some of the videos.

Re: The Rat Pack

DiAnne — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 01:59:30 GMT

I have seen them a couple of times years and years ago in Vegas. One time when we went to see Sammy Davis, Jr and they all showed up and another time when we went to see Sinatra.

Re: The Rat Pack

roeroe1005 — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 02:24:42 GMT

Wow DiAnne - lucky you!

Re: The Rat Pack

NorthernLights — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 02:48:32 GMT

I can't even imagine being lucky enough to see them live, that's amazing! I have to console myself with the video I can find. I have to say I love Dean, he's hilarious. I really enjoyed the Frank Sinatra Spectacular they filmed at the Kiel Opera House as a fundraiser for Dismas House. Absolute best dvd I've ever bought in my life. Magic.

Re: The Rat Pack

Lindsays Grandma — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 04:00:49 GMT

@Coquille wrote:
I've been watching a lot of the Rat Pack videos on YouTube lately. I love them all but I think one of my favorites is The Rat Pack Dean Martin King Of Cool. I think he's best when he is live and not scripted. Watching all of them together and watching Dean Martin as a solo, always makes me smile. If you like them or him alone, look up some of the videos.

Oh gosh, they were the best...Dean was so relaxed, no effort at all, Sammy Davis, Jr., what a talent. I loved the Rat Pack. One of my favorite comedians was Buddy Hackett, saw him in Vegas, laughed so hard my face hurt. Right now with the world in such a mess we can all use some laughter, time to go see a good comedian or a funny movie.

Re: The Rat Pack

Witchy Woman — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 11:29:58 GMT

@Coquille

I have several CDs by Dean and Frank that are favorites of mine.

There is a relatively unknown jazz singer that does Dino/Sinatra songs as part of his act that DH and I have seen many times.

If you enjoy that kind of music, Slim Man has a CD of ratpack music. We are going to see him (again) at Rams Head Tavern in Annapolis in November.

Re: The Rat Pack

Shelbelle — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 13:44:42 GMT

I even liked Joey Bishop, stone faced, but he could be funny, loved his sitcom.

Re: The Rat Pack

golding76 — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:28:26 GMT

What a fabulous experience, DiAnne. My one opportunity to see Sinatra, I blew. It was in the very early '70s when I worked in Washington, D.C. At that time -- and I don't know if you recall this -- Sinatra's star was not that high. It happens to the best of them, although it is hard to believe this now after Sinatra was returned to the pantheon of artists. So, I guess I wasn't that hot to see him.

He was coming to a large area arena, and some in my office were giddy to go to see him. We were going as a group, which is a fun thing when you're young. I paused. As I recall, the one wildest to see him was a woman, a bit older than I, who was originally from Scotland. As I learned later, British fans really are the best. (Mean this sincerely.) So I, having seen Tony Bennett at the Kennedy Center the previous Fall, I believe, decided against seeing Sinatra because I felt comfortable with having seen someone similar (up to debate, of course). Been kicking myself ever since my missed opportunity.

But lucky you!

[The Beatles, Boy Dylan et al. really kicked old favorites to the curb in the late '60s and early '70s. All the older singers and groups struggled mightily, including Elvis and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, etc. There had been a sea change in music.]

Re: The Rat Pack

stuyvesant — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:23:19 GMT

I saw Sinatra three times, at Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Meadowlands. I love his voice.

Re: The Rat Pack

golding76 — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:37:21 GMT

stuyvesant,

Lucky, lucky, lucky YOU! Talk about knowing to see the best.

Re: The Rat Pack

SilleeMee — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:44:18 GMT

There's a good show on the Reelz channel called The Kitty Kelley Files. She did the show about Frank Sinatra that I found very interesting. This is one of several of her 'unauthorized biography' series on the Reelz channel. Very fascinating series.

Re: The Rat Pack

stuyvesant — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 15:13:11 GMT

@golding76, when I was at the Meadowlands, Liza Minnelli sang New York, New York.

Re: The Rat Pack

golding76 — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:02:02 GMT

stuyvesant,

I saw Joel Grey at a nightclub in Miami. Once again, I saw the lesser star. LOL

When Liza sang "New York, New York," did you get up and sing and dance? I would not have been able to hold myself back. (Loads of laughs...)

While in Miami, I enjoyed Tom Jones and Ann Margret at clubs. At the Miami Auditorium, I was privileged to hear the great soprano Maria Callas, but she was at the end of her career and had lost her precious and incomparable voice by that time.

Miami was a good environment to catch acts.

Re: The Rat Pack

Coquille — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:53:52 GMT

@Witchy Woman That's so funny. Someone mentioned Slim Man and I forgot about him.Thanks you for the suggestion.

Re: The Rat Pack

Witchy Woman — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:15:42 GMT

@Coquille

He has a website and videos on YouTube.

He talks about having performed for Sinatra's wife and getting her stamp of approval.

I do not have the newest CD, because he just released it. Was going to wait and buy it at the concert in December.

Re: The Rat Pack

beach-mom — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:26:30 GMT

I listened to Sinatra records every night growing up. My dad got home late, so Mom would feed us earlier, then she and Dad ate later by candlelight and Sinatra. I loved his music. My favorite album of his was the songs by Cole Porter. When I was a teenager, I researched Cole Porter and was enchanted by the story. He is still my favorite composer.

I tried to see Sinatra every time he was on TV, and those of you who saw him in concert are really lucky. I'm definitely going to look up Slim Man.

Maybe someone who comes close to his style of singing is Harry Connick, Jr. What do you think?

I love learning about "Old Hollywood." That interests me much more than what is going on today. I don't know much about the Kardashians and others, and I like it that way! They made a movie about the Rat Pack. I never saw the whole thing, but I'd like to now!

Re: The Rat Pack

sommertime — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:28:35 GMT

@Coquille @golding76 @stuyvesant I was never able to see Sinatra performing in person. But in the early 80's I was able to see Liza with Joel Gray as the opening act. That had to be one of the best concerts ever !

Re: The Rat Pack

Lucky Charm — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:01:52 GMT

The only person we've seen remotely connected to the Rat Pack was Don Rickles. No, not a singer, but he was of that genre. Good friends with Frank Sinatra et al. I wasn't wild about their music then, but now am really liking music that was 'before my time'. 50's music and 50's music and 60's music that I was too young to remember. Last month, we had tix to see Tom Jones in LA. Wasn't wild about his music as a teenager, but thought it would be nice to see him. Before, well, before he no longer performs. Unfortunately, the concert was cancelled/postponed till next May as he fell ill.....So, I'll see him then. Great seats!

Re: The Rat Pack

just bee — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 19:11:52 GMT

If you haven't seen Robin and the 7 Hoods, it's a real treat.

Re: The Rat Pack

corita — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 20:57:18 GMT

I also grew up hearing Dean's, Bing's, Frank's music. I loved the Dean Martin TV Hour! He was the King of Cool,

and yet so funny! Handsome and had that silky voice!! Also loved Frank's voice and still listen to several tapes of his music. I am green with envy at you all who were able to see them in person!!

Have to say though, I did get to see my Johnny Mathis

in person as well as Elvis.....