Bobby Darin CD Profile: Two of a Kind

Bobby Darin & Johnny Mercer: Two of a Kind (Atco 33-126, February 1961)
CD Release: Atlantic 90484, 9/21/1990
Recording Dates: August 13, 14, 17, 1960, Los Angeles, CA
Producer: Ahmet Ertegun
Engineer: Bill Putnam
Arrangements: Billy May
Musicians: Billy May (cond)
AUG 13, 14-John Best, Dick Cathcart, Manny Klein (tp); Ed Kusby, Bill Schaefer, Elmer Schneider (tb); Chuck Gentry, Skeets Herfurt, Eddie Miller, Wilbur Schwartz (sax); Milton Raskin (p); George Van Eps (g); Morty Corb (b); Ronnie Zito (d).

AUG 17-Same personnel except: Conrad Gozzo replaces Manny Klein on trumpet.

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
Two of a Kind (Bobby Darin/Johnny Mercer) (August 17)
Indiana (Ballard MacDonald/James F. Hanley) (August 17)
Bob White (Johnny Mercer/Bernie Hanighen) (August 13)
Ace in the Hole (James Dempsey/George Mitchell) (August 17)
East of the Rockies (Sid Robin/Lou Singer) (August 13)
If I Had a Druthers (Johnny Mercer/Gene DePaul) (August 14)

Side 2:
I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None of My Jellyroll (Spencer Williams/Clarence Williams) (August 14)
Lonesome Polecat (Johnny Mercer/Gene DePaul) (August 14)
My Cutey's Due at Two-to-Two Today (Al Von Tilzer/Irving Bibo/Leo Robin) (August 13)
Medley: Paddlin' Madelin' Home (Harry Woods), Row Row Row (Jimmy Monaco/William Jerome) (August 17)
Who Takes Care of the Caretaker's Daughter (Chick Endor/Paul Specht) (August 14)
Mississippi Mud (James Cavanaugh/Harry Barris) (August 13)
Two of a Kind (Bobby Darin/Johnny Mercer) (August 17)

FROM THE LINER NOTES: "This album is based on an idea by J. Steve Blauner & Marshall Robbins."

Comments: Rarely has a record been more perfectly titled. Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer are indeed "Two of a Kind", a fact made delightfully evident by their incredible chemistry on every one of these tracks. Trading quips, ad-libbing and generally cracking each other up, they sound like a couple of old friends kicking back on a sunny afternoon. The pairing of Bobby and Johnny was the brainchild of Darin's manager Steve Blauner, and the world owes Mr. Blauner a great debt, for bringing these kindred spirits together.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: The Curtain Falls, Live at the Flamingo

Bobby Darin: The Curtain Falls, Live at the Flamingo [CD] (Collectors Choice CCM-171, April 10, 2001)
Recording Dates: November 9, 1963
Arrangers: Bob Florence*, Billy May**

1. *Intro/Hello Young Lovers (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II)
2. **Ace In The Hole (James Dempsey/George Mitchell)
3. You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You
4. Hits Medley: Splish Splash (Bobby Darin/Jean Murray)/Beyond The Sea (Charles Trenet/Jack Lawrence)/Artificial Flowers (Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick)/Clementine (Woody Harris)
5. My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart)
6. I Walk The Line (Parody) (John R. Cash)
7. 18 Yellow Roses (Bobby Darin)
8. Mack The Knife (Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein)
9. Comedy Routine
10. Work Song (Nat Adderley/Oscar Brown, Jr.)
11. Michael (Row The Boat Ashore) (Traditional)
12. Mary Don't You Weep (Traditional)
13. I'm On My Way Great God (Traditional)
14. The Curtain Falls (Sol Weinstein)

NOTE: This album was re-issued in 2005 as "Live From Las Vegas", on the Capitol label. Both CDs contain exactly the same 14 tracks.

Comments: Bobby Darin could electrify an audience like no other performer, and this November 1963 engagement at the Flamingo shows him at the height of his considerable powers. Darin comes charging out with a high-energy rendition of "Hello Young Lovers", follows it up with a sly and funny reading of "Ace in the Hole" (from his "Two of a Kind" collaboration with the legendary Johnny Mercer), then slides deftly into the more gentle and romantic "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You". Other highlights include the Darin-penned tune "18 Yellow Roses" (this live version is considered by many to be superior to the studio cut), an amazing performance of Nat Adderley and Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Work Song", and of course, the show-stopping title tune, "The Curtain Falls". Peppered throughout is Darin's easygoing stage banter and legendary sense of humor. This is not just a gem--it's a gem of blinding brilliance.