Before excess and vulgarity turned the desert city into a tasteless tourist trap, Las Vegas was the epitome of sophisticated cool, thanks in no small measure to the greatest American singer who ever lived. Vegas was Sinatra’s home away from home, and this splendid album pays him four visits over a period of 25 years.
Our first table reservation is at The Sands in 1961, with Ol’ Blue Eyes ripping up a storm with Antonio Morelli’s orchestra on an impossibly swingin’ The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else and a more mannered Moonlight In Vermont. Fast-forward to ’66, and Count Basie is holding the baton at the same venue for I’ve Got You Under My Skin and Fly Me To The Moon.
In truth, the next two shows, from ’82 and ’87, lack the spark of the earlier performances, Sinatra’s voice – though still undeniably impressive – less flexible on I Can’t Get Started and All Or Nothing At All. He does manage to capture the laconic genius of old on Witchcraft, courtesy of a fluid band including pianist Vincent Falcone and guitarist Tony Mottola.
