The Rat Pack Revue

My dad Rocco has THE best taste in music. Thanks to him, I have now developed a wonderful and eclectic taste in music because I grew up listening to cool musos like The Wrights, Daddy Cool, The Beatles and of course the music of the Rat Pack.

Most of these bands I grew to love, ended long ago, and there will never be a chance for me to see and experience their wonder live. So when I sat down to eat a scrumptious 3 course dinner at Saldechin on King William Street I only had one thought “this is as close to the golden age of Hollywood as I’m going to get” and boy was it magical.

Saldechin proved a spectacular setting for this Vegas style show with beautiful candle light, a pre-show act, amazing eats

and drinks and of course some amazing singers.

Pre-show act Ziggy, while a little ‘old school’ with his jokes and magic, was a perfect fit for a crowd whose average age was probably around 50, but he was only the warm up for the main act of Leo Capruso and Bob Foley, performing Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra’s biggest hits. 

Accompanied by their 5 piece band, and playing all the favourites like New York, New York, You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You, That’s Amore, Come Fly with Me and Volare, the boys had the entire crowd singing and cheering along, and definitely did not disappoint.

While the tribute to Sammy Davis Jr, by Bob Johnson, didn’t involve any singing at all, Johnson’s personal stories of his time as part of the Sammy Davis Jr band and the re-telling of Sammy’s own Rat Pack stories, was moving and had everyone in awe.

Sure this show might have a bit of a “seniors” vibe to it, but it’s a fitting tribute to a bygone era where the music was inspirational and positive…they just don’t make them like they used to.

#adelaidefringe #adelaidefringe2012 #theratpack #deanmartin #franksinatra #sammydavisjnr

– Suzanna Parisi

Originally published in DB Magazine issue number unknown and in print only (street mag no longer exists - link no longer available)