VERY RARE Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis

$

150

This is a very rare recording that's a must for any Rat Pack collector. It belonged to my Grandparents, who received it one night while dining at Rodstein's restaurant in Philly. It probably hasn't been played since the 60's.

Some background on the recording:

The notorious "Summit Meeting" album, featuring (according to the label) Frankie (Frank Sinatra), Dino (Dean Martin) and Sammy (Sammy Davis, Jr.).This is not an officially released album, but I'm not exactly sure it's a "bootleg" as that term became to be understood in the late '60s and '70s. The album was put out by Bill Rodstein, who ran the Latimer Cafe in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The cafe was known as the "Sinatrama Room." A quote by Earl Wilson on the cover describes it as "A shrine to the life and works of Frank Sinatra."

Rodstein obtained a tape of a show featuring Frankie, Dino and Sammy, dubbed it a "Summit Meeting" and released it on the Latimer label. There are plenty of disclaimers: "Restricted collectors item," "Non published album," "Souvenir," "Not available anywhere else," "Offered as a gift," "Not for sale or resale." The album was distributed with a number of different covers. The picture covers were just pasted over other album covers. The glue seeping through the thin paper is clearly visible in the scan.

On to the "Summit Meeting." Rodstein introduces the album as having been recorded at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, NJ, August 15th, 1962, the 4 a.m. (!) show. It starts with an emcee's introduction of Dino "direct from the bar." Dino croons his way through "I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," "Volare" and "An Evening in Roma(?)." Dino sounds a little drunk, but with him it's hard to tell. Suddenly there are loud female screams from the audience. Frankie takes the mike: "While they sober up the drunk, I'll sing a few songs" he croaks. Frankie is definitely drunk. He staggers through "Goody Goody," "At Long Last Love" and "I Get a Kick Out of You." Next up is Sammy, who starts off with "The Lady is Tramp." His voice is very hoarse (Frank at one point interjects "I think you're blowing your reed"). Sammy stops after a verse and starts complaining about how he can't sing "The Lady is a Tramp" because it's a Frankie song. But hey, wouldn't it be neat to hear how other people might interpret the song? Sammy proceeds to do imitations of Jimmy Cagney, Marlon Brando, Edward G. Robinson, Lionel Barrymore and George "Kingfish" Stevens doing "their" versions of "The Lady is a Tramp." Besides his hoarse voice he's pretty good.

The LP is in what I would consider fair condition. I have not attempted to clean it. My understanding of these albums is that the quality of the vinyl is fair, so this is probably in average condition given it's origins and age. There are a few scuffs, but should clean up to be OK. The jacket has split roughly 35% across the bottom and 10% across the top.

I ship in custom LP sized boxes (13x1x1) which are brand new...with bubble wrap jackets. Look at prior feedback if you have any concerns. If you need more detail on the condition, send me an email.