The Versatile Vaudevillian

Although he wasn’t technically a better singer than Sinatra – who himself acknowledged that he had borrowed his vocal style from the Italian bel canto style – Bobby Darin was a better performer.

Released in 1960, the "Darin at the Copa" album is one of Darin’s best live recordings.

Recorded at the standing-room-only engagement at Jules Podell's Copacabana club in New York City, Darin speak-sings his way through the set, meandering through mellow, jazzy tunes such as “Love for Sale” and seamlessly jumping to a handful of songs with a variety of influences – Dixieland, blues, even rock ‘n roll.

But even his most popular song, “Dream Lover,” is sung with the maturity of a performer who has finally understood what it is to be successful in his versatility. The tune is backed with a snappy but still loungy band full of soft horns and constant class.

"You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To” is performed uptempo, jazzier and less introspective than other contemporary renditions. It’s all about balance, and Darin has realized it fully with this performance. He is, arguably, at the peak of his career. Considering that this was a performer whose only goal was to be all things to all people, we’re also listening to a man who was at the prime of his life.

He even picks up the mallets for a hand at the vibes in “Alright, OK, You Win” and does it solo at the piano for “I Got a Woman.”

“Mack the Knife” and “I Have Dreamed” are highlights, an illustration of what made Darin such a memorable performer – soft voice with a full vibrato complemented by an approachable stage presence that allows for a seamless segue between – and even within – numbers.

The melody is a medium through which the meaning of a song is communicated, and Darin intelligently switches hats as spiritual leader, folk master, soul searcher and courtly gentleman, depending on the song.

This is a must-have of any faithful Darin fan and a gem if you're a newcomer. Either way, it's not to be missed.