ABOUT THE 2-CD SET
In 2007, Sammy celebrated 30 years as a nightclub entertainer. And, to mark the occasion, he created this collection of songs that represents his years in music and performing.
With this 2-CD set, Sammy has chosen the songs that he performs every night -- classic Broadway showtunes and songs from the masters of the Great American Songbook (including the Gershwins, Cole Porter and Irving Berlin). He has also included several comedy songs that are audience favorites. And, to make this collection complete, he has reissued seven songs from his 1997 CD and one song from his 2001 CD -- songs that he didn´t want to "leave behind." Aside from the reissued songs, however, there are 14 BRAND NEW recordings on "Disk #1: The Studio Recordings." And, on "Disk #2: Sammy Live!," Sammy has chosen highlights from various cabaret shows and concerts that he performed over the last four years, focusing mostly on Broadway showstoppers and interspersed with fun-filled stories and ad-lib humor. And, even though the sound on this live CD is very ambient, we’re sure you’ll agree that the excitement of the live performances and audience interaction can’t be beat!
PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
"Watching Sammy Goldstein perform is to witness a consummate entertainer…he was born to be on stage. His show, a delightful blend of ballads, show tunes, and his forte - musical comedy, should not be missed."
- ELECTRONIC LINK JOURNEY, New York
"...a born-to-entertain performer who has found his metier. Sammy Goldstein wove his up-from-the-South anecdotes into a seamless vocal tapestry with a variety of fresh and relevant songs. Establishing an almost instant intimacy with his audience, he had them down to the wire…his comedic singing talent lifts him far above the crowd…one of the most charming, and funniest, shows around town."
- CABARET SCENES MAGAZINE, New Jersey
"Sammy Goldstein's show was as carefully crafted as it was winning. Flawlessly directed by Barry Kleinbort, Goldstein slid into each tune with a natural ease that gave the show a graceful fluidity. Goldstein's a natural at musical comedy…he captured an undertone of melancholy that helped give his humor an additional edge and the show a richer resonance. Goldstein triumphs!"
- IN THEATER MAGAZINE, New York
"...with this show, Sammy has grown from a piano-lounge entertainer to a serious artist, performing ballads with considerable depth and sensitivity, and humorous material with great comic flair. And his voice has a rich, warm resonance."
- BACK STAGE WEEKLY, New York
"He's Outrageous, He's Fun, a Musical and Comedic powerhouse!"
- THE GENTRY, Chicago
CD REVIEWS AND QUOTES
"...a winner...This CD captures the essence of what makes Goldstein such a compelling performer...the kind of excellent programming to which other singers should aspire. Highlights include a lovely and hushed “Pieces of Dreams." Expertly accompanied...the arrangements are superb, but I can't wait to hear Goldstein's masculine, powerful voice soaring above an orchestra with strings where it belongs."
- SHOW BUSINESS WEEKLY, New York
"This CD is intriguing...While he can sing standards as well as any, Sammy truly shines on the humorous numbers...displaying the full force of his personality and talents."
- WWW.TALKINBROADWAY.COM, New York
“...a Rising Star of New York Cabaret! In this collection, Sammy maintains the energy and intimacy of his live performances with the same intoxicating humor and charm, and it doesn't hurt that he is just adorable!!!"
-FOOTLIGHT RECORDS, London
"Extraordinary depth and artistry...I could write glowingly about each of the numbers. Just as Goldstein's ballads are compelling, his up numbers have enormous bounce and appeal. And, every song has the stamp of his full commitment."
- BACK STAGE WEEKLY, New York
"...a gift of infusing a song with clarity...honest and feeling...as natural as breathing."
- ERVIN DRAKE, Songwriter ("It Was A Very Good Year" and "I Believe")
BIOGRAPHY
Over the years, Sammy's nightclub work as an entertainer/singer/pianist has taken him to Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Memphis, Chicago, Washington D.C., New York, Norway and Greece, and on several cruise lines around the world (including Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and American/Hawaii Cruises).
In New York and Los Angeles, Sammy has performed at several private affairs for Barbara Walters with guests-of-honor including Henry Kissinger, Mrs. Anwar Sadat, Donald Trump, Carol Channing, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, and the former King Constantine of Greece.
In addition to performing at numerous private affairs for NBC-TV in Los Angeles and New York, Sammy's private party client list includes Miramax Films, the Friar's Club, David Geffen of Geffen Records, Marvin Hamlisch, Kelly Lange (KNBC Newscaster), Mike Medavoy (former Chairman, TriStar Pictures), Wink Martindale, actor Gene Barry, U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler and others. For several years, Sammy was a regular entertainer at Chasen's Restaurant in Beverly Hills for private parties catering to celebrities, film studios and corporations, and in New York he has performed at private parties in such landmarks as Sardi's, Tavern on the Green, and Rainbow and Stars.
As an actor, he has co-starred on "Murder, She Wrote," a "Columbo" movie-of-the-week and "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill," as well as appearances on "Magnum, P.I." and in such films as "Xanadu" and "Ghostbusters."
His debut CD recording, "I'm Glad There Is You," was released in January, 1998, and appeared on the first-round ballot for the 1999 Grammy Awards for "Traditional Pop Vocal Performance." His second CD recording, "So Far It's Wonderful," was released in October, 2001.
OTHER PERFORMANCE REVIEWS
"...wit and urbanity. At every turn his phrasing is creamy and his repartee buzzes with dizzily droll comedy."
- HX MAGAZINE, New York
"Affable and funny, he's just one of those guys you like the minute he steps self-effacingly to the mic. Lots of special material that clicks."
- VILLAGE VOICE, New York
"Sammy has made a career being very much in demand as a singer/pianist playing the best clubs and celebrity private parties all over the world. This time, he opted to be a stand-up singer for half of the show...with David Brunetti on piano and Jered Egan on bass. The relationship between the singer and the duo was just grand...a seamless musical partnership. Sammy is a charmer...with a thousand watt smile. I could go hear him over and over again in this delightful show."
- APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!, New York
"...one of cabaret's brightest talents."
- AFTER DARK - Chicago
"He's a riot! A captivating entertainer."
WSBC RADIO, Chicago
"He is a wonderful entertainer, has wonderful vocals, and is an audience's delight…cabaret at its best!"
- CABARET HOTLINE ONLINE, New York
"…[his performance] showcases Goldstein's comedic flair to convivial perfection…seductive casualness…comedic and vocal ease."
- METROLAND, Albany
"Sammy Goldstein delivered a carefully constructed show that took excellent advantage of this engaging singer's comedic gifts. As a balladeer...he found a well of feeling...With a cherubic smile and a charming way, Goldstein is a musical-comedy natural."
- IN THEATER MAGAZINE, New York
"He brings a touch of class and a dramatic flair to standards...He pumps passion into ballads...infuses comedy into light-hearted songs. And, each song is a gem."
- ELECTRONIC LINK JOURNEY, New York
"Sammy Goldstein has uncanny way of going from ballads to showtunes to comedy songs, both with his wonderful voice and his sensitive and versatile piano playing...a delightful entertainer, who makes his audiences feel totally at home."
- JOHN ROHRBECK, former President, NBC Daytime TV- New York
"Sammy's music can make any party come alive."
- BARBARA WALTERS, ABC
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