This live album captures Frank Sinatra at the peak of his Rat Pack years. Recorded in 1966 at the Sands hotel in Las Vegas, crammed full of Sinatra standards and littered with musical legends, this album has become the de facto standard for arranging big band brass. Frank is backed by the Count Basie Orchestra, which at the time was the best big band in the world. The orchestra is arranged and conducted by the youthful but already accomplished Quincy Jones. From the moment drummer Sonny Payne strikes up the band, the excitement never stops. The sheer power of the playing, from sight-read parts, puts many rock bands to shame. A master wrote each note and each song is crafted to perfection. This CD also captures Sinatra's stage banter. --"F.B. Hawkes"