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Known by the public as the "Rat Pack" - but called "the Clan" or "the Summit" by the members - the group captured the pop culture cool in Las Vegas and Hollywood, with the central figures in the 1960s being Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.
This recording is from a week-long appearance - November 26 to December 2, 1962 - at the infamous Villa Venice nightclub in suburban Chicago. There are a variety of albums that have been issued over the many years with tracks from the shows, with this release being a 1999 import that focuses more on the music than the comedic bits that kept the atmosphere extremely light.
Martin opens the album with a set that features his barroom twists of lyrics, while things are played straight in the sets by Sinatra and Davis, Jr., with the latter in amazing form on "What Kind of Fool Am I?". Sinatra pushes the performance to new heights on "Nancy" and the shtick is shoved aside for a neat rendition of "Me and My Shadow" by Sinatra and Davis, Jr., with the latter and Martin having fun on "Sam's Song."
The musicians are simply the best in the business and the audience packs a punch with world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston, but the energy under the spotlight is from the incredible performers who were riding the crest of their entertainment powers as a trio that would only abate at the end of the decade.
