Essential Rat Pack music

The silky-smooth voices of Frankie, Deano, Sammy et al have crooned down on us for over fifty years now — and we still can’t get enough of them. Here, we cast our music net wide, and haul in the ultimate music purchases for fans of their — and other artists - suave stylings.

On Their Own
Any discerning fan of the Rat Packer's music should own at least one album recorded by them solo — a good launching point would be with Dino: The Essential Dean Martin. With his unmistakeable tones and a string of classics, like Ain't That a Kick in the Head, That's Amore and Mambo Italiano to name a few, this is a must-own CD. Add to this The Very Best of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr's Mr Bojangles and you’re all set for music heaven.

Cool Compilations
There's nothing quite like those lustrous voices wafting over you as you roast chesnuts over an open fire this Xmas (or stuff yourself with Celebrations in front of Noel Edmonds, we don't care), in which case you should grab yourself a copy of Christmas with the Rat Pack. If you'd prefer not to seasonalise your CD collection, the Live and Swingin': The Ultimate Rat Pack Collection should do it.

Young Pretenders
Stoke's celebrated son, Robbie Williams, scored a worldwide hit a couple of years ago with his retroactive longplayer Swing When You’re Winning, which is surprisingly un-squeamish, given the Robster's penchant for over-egging the pudding somewhat. If you can't get enough of Mr Williams, then he pops up again on the De-Lovely sountrack, taken from the recent Cole Porter flick. With songs re-recorded by Alanis Morrissette, Lemar, Sheryl Crow and Mick Hucknall (yikes) to name a few, it's a smart updating of some timeless tracks. And if you're even considering parting with your money for Westlife's seasonal aberration, Allow Us To Be Frank then we suggest you leave quietly and shut the door behind you.