It’s been a tough year without Vegas shows. And as the pandemic rages on, it’s unclear when the city’s wonderful entertainers will make their long-awaited return. In the meantime, however, there’s an entire recorded history of Vegas entertainment, all of which can be accessed with a quick YouTube or Spotify search (and if you can find these performances on vinyl, bonus). Not only can you reminisce on concerts you may have seen in the past, such as Celine Dion or Diana Ross, but you can take a nostalgic trip back to the classic days of Vegas when the Rat Pack and the world’s most popular lounge singers reigned.
Sinatra at the Sands by Frank Sinatra (1966) It’s hard to argue that this isn’t the quintessential Vegas concert album. Not only is it the legendary collaboration between Sinatra, the Count Basie Orchestra and Quincy Jones, but it’s a musical time machine that transports listeners to the zenith of Vegas entertainment.
Live at the Sands (Before Frank) by the Count Basie Orchestra (1966) A great companion to Sinatra at the Sands, this album showcases the legendary big band that backed Frank. Play the two albums one after another, and you’ll know what an evening at the Sands during the ’60s felt like.
Elvis In Person and On Stage (1969 & 1970, International Hotel) For any fan of The King, these two albums are required listening. In Person is the familiar Elvis, with lively versions of songs like “Blue Suede Shoes,” while On Stage is the Elvis in transformation, singing unfamiliar tunes that would become signature songs, like “See See Rider.”
A New Day… Live in Las Vegas by Celine Dion (2003, Caesars Palace) Dion helped usher Vegas into a new era of entertainment, and A New Day… was the show that started it all (inspiring entertainers like Elton John and Rod Stewart to try out Vegas reseidencies of their own). If you saw those concerts, this album is a memento, but if you did not, this is your way to experience the legendary residency.
Live in Las Vegas by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds (2009, Planet Hollywood) People either love or hate Dave Matthews’ music, but this concert features such masterful guitar playing and singing, one would be stubborn not to appreciate the musicianship on display between this duo.
Las Vegas Prima Style by Louis Prima and Keely Smith (1958, Sahara) No one embodied the word “fun” more than Prima. Here, he, singer Keely Smith and saxophonist Sam Butera go full throttle, creating a lively atmosphere that makes it impossible to sit still.
Farewell by Diana Ross & the Supremes (1970, New Frontier) In a goodbye to lead singer Diana Ross, who later embarked on a successful solo career, the Supremes run through all their biggest hits and enjoy banter with several celebrities in attendance, such as Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye.
Vider Las Vegas by Gary Vider (2019, Rio) Recorded at the Las Vegas outpost of New York City’s Comedy Cellar, Vider’s debut comedy album showcases the distinctive low-energy, deadpan style that found him modest success on America’s Got Talent. His jokes are punchy, well-written and deserve to be heard above ground.
At the Sands by Nat King Cole (1960) “Cool” accurately describes the vibe of Las Vegas in the late ’50s and early ’60s, and no singer was cooler than Cole. In this album, which is Cole’s only official live recording, his voice is mesmerizing, tender, vibrant and, well, undeniably cool.
The Rat Pack: Live at the Sands (1963) In this compilation, you get a taste of the Rat Pack everyone remembers, with performances from Dean, Frank and Sammy, as well as several exchanges between all three where they schmooze, sing and joke with each other and the audience.
Tom Jones Live in Las Vegas (1969, Flamingo) It’s Jones’ highest-charting album in the U.S., and the reasons why are not unusual—he’s in top form in this recording, singing energetic renditions of “Turn On Your Love Light,” “Hard to Handle,” “Hey Jude” and other popular songs of the day, including his own big hit, “It’s Not Unusual.”
Live at the House of Blues by Jethro Tull (1999) Within the first few minutes of this concert, it’s not clear if it’s a rock show or a renaissance fair, but this album helps exhibit Vegas’ musical paradigm shift from aging lounge acts to aging rock stars.
Live! at the Desert Inn by Bobby Darin (1971) Darin was a consummate entertainer, and his stage presence is palpable in this recording. Here, he gives the goods like “Mack the Knife” and “If I Were a Carpenter,” as well as politically charged songs like Laura Nyro’s “Save the Country.”
House of Yes: Live from House of Blues by Yes (1999) Even if you’re not a fan of the prog-rockers, this album is difficult to turn off. The recording quality is superb, there’s an unmistakable energy between band and audience, and the group is in tip-top musical shape.
Noël Coward at Las Vegas (1955, Desert Inn) Whimsical, surreal and irreverent, the legendary playwright masterfully showcases his biting English wit while singing his own show tunes. He also throws in a truly hilarious version of Cole Porter’s “Let’s Do It.”
Lena at the Sands by Lena Horne (1960) The beauty of listening to this album is it reminds you of the days when great singers were great interpreters of songs, and not just pretty pop stars to ogle. Horne wasn’t really known for these tunes, but she makes them her own, singing with elegance and grace.
One Night Only by Bee Gees (1997, MGM Grand) Although it was the farewell show that eventually became a see-you-later concert, the group performed like it was the end, throwing everything they could at the audience, singing hit songs from every decade during their career, such as “To Love Somebody,” “I Started a Joke” and “Stayin’ Alive.”
Jackpot! by Dave Brubeck (1968, Tropicana) Brubeck’s Vegas set really plays up the gambling theme (“Ace in the Hole,” “Jackpot,” “Win a Few, Lose a Few”), but hey, when in Rome, right? The record is hard to find, but for audiophiles who love the Dave Brubeck Quartet’s classic lineup and Vegas, it’s definitely worth tracking down.
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