Mood to Be Wooed
Sammy Davis Jr. · 1958
12 tracks · blues
Smooth orchestral arrangements blend with Davis's rich vocals, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for romantic reflections.
Top tracks — play these first
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What Is There to Say Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Bewitched — This track highlights Davis's ability to convey deep emotion through subtle phrasing and dynamic vocal delivery, making it a standout on the album.
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Try a Little Tenderness — Davis infuses this classic with infectious energy and warmth, showcasing his skill in transforming well-known songs into personal interpretations.
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I Could Have Told You — The song's introspective lyrics paired with Davis's smooth vocals create a poignant moment that encapsulates the album's romantic theme.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid craftsmanship but lacks standout compositions that would elevate its distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush orchestral arrangements that complement Davis's vocal delivery throughout.
- Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.
- Davis employs a conversational style in his phrasing, often emphasizing certain words for emotional effect.
- The final track ends with a soft fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of nostalgia.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- romantic atmosphere for intimate evenings
- sophisticated charm for dinner parties
- smooth vocals for relaxed moments
- gentle pacing for winding down
- timeless melodies that evoke nostalgia
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Follow-up to a successful album, contributing to Davis's rise as a prominent entertainer.
- Themes
- romantic reflections· smooth jazz lounges· 1950s love ballads
- Career context
- Released in 1958, Mood to Be Wooed was Sammy Davis Jr.'s follow-up to his successful album Just for Lovers. At this point in his career, he was establishing himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, straddling music, film, and television. The album showcases his growing prowess as a vocalist capable of captivating audiences with both jazz standards and traditional pop tunes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Frank Sinatra· Nat King Cole· Tony Bennett
Tracklist
- 1 What Is There to Say Start here
- 2 Why Shouldn't I?
- 3 Love Me
- 4 Bewitched
- 5 I Could Have Told You
- 6 For All We Know
- 7 Deep in a Dream
- 8 I Get Along Without You Very Well
- 9 Mam' Selle
- 10 Try a Little Tenderness
- 11 This Love of Mine
- 12 I've Got a Crush on You
What to play next
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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