[Greg Wayne]

I'm not trying to be negative here, but I don't know if I am going to purchase this cd or not. Since I have all these songs, is there anything extra special about this collection that I can't live without?

[Dougjr]

Originally Posted by Greg Wayne

I'm not trying to be negative here, but I don't know if I am going to purchase this cd or not. Since I have all these songs, is there anything extra special about this collection that I can't live without?

Not really. With all the collections out there, there really isn't much need for this one except for somebody who might be curious.

The Capitol collections are a bit better, though some are out of print.

When one thinks of the Rat Pack (and I still can't stand that phrase), they usually think of the immortal personal appearances, not necessarily the studio recordings included. If you don't have the live albums, I'd go for them. Especially "Live and Swingin'" which really kicks it.

[Nancy]

When one thinks of the Rat Pack (and I still can't stand that phrase)

[David M Bond]

I am interested it getting this. Like most of us I supsect we have most of the songs but nice to have all done for you anyway in a shiney box.

Listening to the previews on Amazon it sounds like Me and My Shadow is the mono one again, used on the Sammy with Friends CD a while back, I thought they could have used the Stereo one on the complete box.

To finish off the CD it would have been nice to have four from Robin and the 7 hoods.

My Kind of Town
Bang Bang
Style
Don't Be a Do Badder

Course this would include Bing Crosby then and maybe it couldn't be called the Rat Pack anymore. I guess Bang Bang is not the best song to promote in modern times, so that leaves My Kind of Town.

Still nice collection anyway, tempted...

[Bob in Boston]

Originally Posted by David M Bond

Listening to the previews on Amazon it sounds like Me and My Shadow is the mono one again

Confirmed. "Me and My Shadow" is perfect mono.

[Dougjr]

Originally Posted by Bob in Boston

Confirmed. "Me and My Shadow" is perfect mono.

Perfect mono indeed. I hadn't thought of that.

Since the release of the Beatles and Bob Dylan mono boxes, I have fallen in love again with mono and that sound.
Listening to the Dylan albums in mono is a cathartic experience.

[Francisx]

I really like the "slower" tempo to "I'm gonna live till I die". Frank sounds more relaxed with the slower tempo. That alone is worth getting the cd for. It really is a good collection at a nice price.

[Bob in Boston]

Originally Posted by Francisx

I really like the "slower" tempo to "I'm gonna live till I die".

It's deceiving, Francis. The two versions (original and alternate) are precisely the same length. When playing them simultaneously, there are sections where one lags the other slightly and vice versa. The overall tempos are the same. I think there is more "punch" to Ray Anthony's trumpet part in the original, and that's what gives the impression that it is faster.

[Bob in Boston]

Originally Posted by Dougjr

Perfect mono indeed. I hadn't thought of that.

Actually, I should have said "near perfect." Inverting one channel and summing to mono produces a nearly flat waveform, but there is an imperceptible amount of visible noise. It's probably the result of transferring the mono source tape from a stereo tape machine.

(Truly perfect mono tracks produce an absolutely straight line, i.e. zero difference between channels. In this case, there is a difference, but it's inaudible.)

[Francisx]

Good point Bob. It is deceiving without that "blairing" trumpet. I also noticed that the percussion ( conga/bongo) on the Capital issue is more up front that give the impression of a faster beat. You're on it Bob!

[Bob in Boston]

Originally Posted by David M Bond

Me and My Shadow is the mono one again, used on the Sammy with Friends CD a while back, I thought they could have used the Stereo one on the complete box.

I agree. A stereo reissue of this track is overdue. David's comment prompted me to examine all the CD versions of the studio duet of "Me and My Shadow":

1. 1990: The Reprise Collection (Disc 2 of 4) - Stereo
2. 1995: The Complete Reprise Studio Recordings (Disc 5 of 20) - Stereo
3. 1999: Yes I Can! The Sammy Davis, Jr. Story (Disc 2 of 4) - Stereo
4. 2000: Sammy & Friends - Mono
5. 2001: Eee-O 11: The Best of the Rat Pack - Mono
6. 2011: The Very Best of the Rat Pack - Mono

OTOH, the latter CD issues are true to the original 1962 Reprise release, which was a (mono) single:

(Note: The Dean-Sammy duet "Sam's Song" on this CD is stereo.)

[Bob in Boston]

Originally Posted by Bob in Boston

The Dean-Sammy duet "Sam's Song" on this CD is stereo.

Incidentally, "Me and My Shadow" is the ONLY track in PURE mono on this CD. Dean's "Volare" and Sammy's "Birth of the Blues" also appear to be mono recordings, but both of those tracks have been processed artificially to present a pseudo-stereo effect. The other 15 tracks on the new CD are in stereo.

[Bob in Boston]

Promo video:

Source: YouTube

[Bob in Boston]

Recent Tina Sinatra Interview, in conjunction with this release:

Tina Sinatra Laments the Loss of Her Dad Frank and the Death of Rat Pack Cool - Spinner

I found the following of particular interest:

This new CD collection includes a never-before-released alternate take of your dad singing 'I'm Gonna Live Till I Die.' What light can you shed on that take?

It was deep down in the recesses of our vault. It was just tucked away. I can't tell you how many we have. We bring them out sparingly, but they seem to make a bit of a bonus track and it's something extra.... There's always great stuff to find.

[Bob in Boston]

For those who might want to buy this CD, I notice that Amazon currently offers an attractive promotional price. It has dropped more than a dollar below the lowest pre-release price, a savings of almost 60% off retail:

Amazon.com: The Very Best Of The Rat Pack

[voice1]

Thanks for that, Bob.

[Bob in Boston]

Originally Posted by Bob in Boston

For those who might want to buy this CD, I notice that Amazon currently offers an attractive promotional price. It has dropped more than a dollar below the lowest pre-release price, a savings of almost 60% off retail

That was yesterday. You have to be quick to catch these Amazon deals. I notice today that they've raised the price 4 bucks.

[Nick_Bradley78]

Just listening to the TV version of "Live Till I die" on this CD, I quite like the new orchestration, and Frank sings it alright. I wouldn't object if they did a whole set of the TV songs in this way as long as Franks vocals weren't tampered with too much, conversely when this CD goes back on the shelf, I wonder how many more times I'll play that song? Either way an interesting addition to this set.

[Markus]

I've just ordered this album. Can't wait to hear the alternate version. I got the other tracks anyway, but it's a nice addition to my collection.

[Markus]

I've heard the "new/alternate" version. A great album.