WE MISS YOU SAMMY!

Wow... Can't believe I almost missed this one. I'm ashamed to admit that I almost did (Thanks, Bish for reminding me). Eighteen years ago we lost Mr. Entertainment himself. No, not James Brown but in my opinion, the REAL Mr. Entertainment - Sammy Davis, Jr.

Enjoy this wonderful early '70s performance of Davis singing his classic "Mr. Bojangles." It's poignant and powerful. Sammy, always at ease onstage, was the consummate master at what he did. Take in this nuanced performance, sit back and relax. Escape the insanity of contemporary music and videos for just a brief moment.

Wherever you are Sammy, I'm pouring you one as we speak...

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MY RAT PACK TRIBUTE (video)

Using Windows Moviemaker, my collection of Rat Pack pics and vintage Vegas postcards, I concocted a doozey of a video. Grab a scotch and sit back so we can all remember what Vegas must have been like before the fanny packers took over the tourist town.

I hope you enjoy ...

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R.I.P JOEY BISHOP 1918-2007

Members of the "Rat Pack," from left, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop, perform at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas Jan. 20, 1960. Bishop, the stone-faced comedian who found success in night clubs, television and movies but became most famous as a member of Frank Sinatra's boisterous Rat Pack, has died at his home, his publicist said Thursday. Oct.. 18, 2007

It's downright scary that on the day the Sands in Atlantic City plummets to it's own death, it's announced that the last living member of the Rat Pack has passed. Here's his obit via the Associated Press.

Last 'Rat Pack' Member Joey Bishop Dies
By Jeff Wilson, Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Joey Bishop, the stone-faced comedian who found success in nightclubs, television and movies but became most famous as a member of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack, has died at 89. He was the group's last surviving member. Peter Lawford died in 1984, Sammy Davis Jr. in 1990, Dean Martin in 1995, and Sinatra in 1998.

Bishop died Wednesday night of multiple causes at his home in Newport Beach, publicist and longtime friend Warren Cowan said Thursday.

The Rat Pack became a show business sensation in the early 1960s, appearing at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas in shows that combined music and comedy in a seemingly chaotic manner.

Reviewers often claimed that Bishop played a minor role, but Sinatra knew otherwise. He termed the comedian "the Hub of the Big Wheel," with Bishop coming up with some of the best one-liners and beginning many jokes with his favorite phrase, "Son of a gun!"

"He was the perfect match for the Rat Pack. He fit right in like an old shoe," Hollywood's honorary mayor, Johnny Grant, said Thursday.

The quintet lived it up whenever members were free of their own commitments. They appeared together in such films as "Ocean's Eleven" and "Sergeants 3" and proudly gave honorary membership to a certain fun-loving politician from Massachusetts, John F. Kennedy, at whose inauguration gala Bishop served as master of ceremonies.

The Rat Pack faded after Kennedy's assassination, but the late 1990s brought a renaissance, with the group depicted in an HBO movie and portrayed by imitators in Las Vegas and elsewhere. The movie "Ocean's Eleven" was even remade in 2003 with George Clooney and Brad Pitt in the lead roles.

Bishop defended his fellow performers' rowdy reputations in a 1998 interview.

"Are we remembered as being drunk and chasing broads?" he asked. "I never saw Frank, Dean, Sammy or Peter drunk during performances. That was only a gag. And do you believe these guys had to chase broads? They had to chase 'em away."

Away from the Rat Pack, Bishop starred in two TV series, both called "The Joey Bishop Show."

The first, an NBC sitcom, got off to a rocky start in 1961. Critical and audience response was generally negative, and the second season brought a change in format. The third season brought a change in network, with the show moving to ABC, but nothing seemed to help and it was canceled in 1965.

In the first series, Bishop played a TV talk show host.

Then, he really became a TV talk show host. His program was started by ABC in 1967 as a challenge to Johnny Carson's immensely popular "The Tonight Show."

Like Carson, Bishop sat behind a desk and bantered with a sidekick, TV newcomer Regis Philbin. But despite an impressive guest list and outrageous stunts, Bishop couldn't dent Carson's ratings, and "The Joey Bishop Show" was canceled after two seasons.

Bishop then became a familiar guest figure in TV variety shows and as sub for vacationing talk show hosts, filling in for Carson 205 times.

He also played character roles in such movies as "The Naked and the Dead" ("I played both roles"), "Onion-head," "Johnny Cool," "Texas Across the River," "Who's Minding the Mint?" "Valley of the Dolls" and "The Delta Force."

His comedic schooling came from vaudeville, burlesque and nightclubs.

Skipping his last high school semester in Philadelphia, he formed a music and comedy act with two other boys, and they played clubs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They called themselves the Bishop Brothers, borrowing the name from their driver, Glenn Bishop.

Joseph Abraham Gottlieb would eventually adopt Joey Bishop as his stage name.

When his partners got drafted, Bishop went to work as a single, playing his first solo date in Cleveland at the well-named El Dumpo.

During these early years he developed his style: laid-back drollery, with surprise throwaway lines.

After 3 1/2 years in the Army, Bishop resumed his career in 1945. Within five years he was earning $1,000 a week at New York's Latin Quarter. Sinatra saw him there one night and hired him as opening act.

While most members of the Sinatra entourage treated the great man gingerly, Bishop had no inhibitions. He would tell audiences that the group's leader hadn't ignored him: "He spoke to me backstage; he told me `Get out of the way.'"

When Sinatra almost drowned filming a movie scene in Hawaii, Bishop wired him: "I thought you could walk on water."

Born in New York's borough of the Bronx, Bishop was the youngest of five children of two immigrants from Eastern Europe.

When he was 3 months old the family moved to South Philadelphia, where he attended public schools. He recalled being an indifferent student, once remarking, "In kindergarten, I flunked sand pile."

In 1941 Bishop married Sylvia Ruzga and, despite the rigors of a show business career, the marriage survived until her death in 1999.

Bishop, who spent his retirement years on the upscale Lido Isle in Southern California's Newport Bay, is survived by son Larry Bishop; grandchildren Scott and Kirk Bishop; and longtime companion Nora Garabotti.

Associated Press Writer Bob Thomas contributed to this report.

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UP & COMER COURTS POSSIBLE SAMMY ROLE

It's reported that "Hairspray" star Elijah Kelley is a front-runner in playing a young Sammy Davis, Jr. in an upcoming big screen biopic.

As he sings and dances in the upcoming musical (also starring John Travolta), he'll stars as black teen trying to overcome racism. But it won't be hard imagining him as a young Sammy.

“I want to play a certain gentleman that preceded myself in entertainment and music,” the actor - who until now is probably best known for last year’s Antonio Banderas flick “Take the Lead” - told MTV Movies.

Kelly hinted that he is competing with several other actors, reportedly including Andre 3000 of Outkast.

“There’s talks about it,” he said and alluded to a film race reminiscent of the recent Truman Capote biopic onslaught. “There are a couple projects going on right now.”

Click here for the full scoop on the projects.

In actuality, Hollywood is currently kicking around at least three different scripts, all revolving around Sammy. Denzel Washington and Brian Grazer are behind “In Black and White,” a film based on a 2003 biography; the Outkast singer is working on “Sammy and Kim,” about Davis’ controversial relationship with caucasian beauty Kim Novak; and “Hairspray” producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are working on a deal to land the rights for Davis’ 1965 biography “Yes, I Can.”

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THE FAMED VEGAS IMPLOSIONS

"OCEAN'S THIRTEEN" WEEK CONCLUDES

"Ocean's Thirteen" week concludes appropriately with an ode to the grand Vegas landmarks of yore. The carpet joints that went to the big casino in the sky, making way for the billion-dollar monoliths that pepper the modern Vegas skyline.

We can almost see the boutique resorts in their heyday -- the swankified lounges; the legends in their prime performing in intimate showrooms, crisp suits were the di rigeur; skinny ties and cocktail dresses were the rage not exposed thongs and Red Bull. The casino was smoke-filled and bourban-drenched.

So, here's our ode to kitschy post-war America and, for one last time, let's say goodbye to that atomic age utopia that we'll never see again.

THE SANDS


THE STARDUST


THE ALADDIN


THE DESERT INN


THE BOARDWALK HOTEL


THE CASTAWAYS


THE LANDMARK


THE HACIENDA


THE DESERT INN GARAGE


THE TOP 10 IMPLOSIONS


and as a joke ... THE MONTECITO of NBC's "Las Vegas"


VIVA LAS VEGAS!!

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THE VEGAS THROWBACK: BOBBY BARRETT

'OCEAN'S THIRTEEN' WEEK CONTINUES!

Almost 10 years ago I stumbled upon an awesome crooner at The Brown Derby in Vegas named Bobby Barrett. It was after a show and we were looking for something to do. Eventually, my chick found a listing touting a 'Sinatra Singer' in a local entertainment mag. While I'm not down with Sinatra-esque singers on the whole, this guy was different and the Derby bar was right out of Hollywood in the '30s. I entered a time capsule. Tiled floor, wood as far as the eye can see, caricatures all over the wall, circular red leather booths. The whole bit.

And then there was Bobby Barrett. What struck me most about him were his mannerisms, which these so-called Sinatra Singers never quite get. It takes alot more than throwing a trenchcoat over your shoulder. You either have it or you don't. Bobby had it.

In between songs, he'd light a cigarette, chat with people in the Derby lounge and really sound like Sinatra. Sinatra talking! You see, Bobby was from Boston and he had that that hard-edged city voice full of smoke and bourbon. Sinatra had that same gruff sound to his voice. And the fact that Bobby knew the entire Chairman catalog was just plain icing.

Here's an interview I did with him a few years back. Last I heard he was in Phoenix, giving his throat and voice a much-needed rest.

Here's to you Bobby!

-- Enjoy
___________________

The Throwback: Bobby Barrett

The Sands and its swingin’ Copa Room may be long gone, but its legacy of Frank Sinatra is more than alive and well thanks to crooner Bobby Barrett. The 41 year-old stylist is on a mission to keep the coo-coo days of the Rat Pack alive and well thanks to his a reverent Sinatra tribute show at Casa di Amore in Las Vegas that packs them in weekly. Discovered singing karaoke at a bar in his native Boston, he arrived in Vegas in 1997 for a local production of "Joey and Maria's Italian Wedding" and hasn’t left since. As for his Sinatra? His mannerisms suggest the cool tuxedoed Frank of the early JFK ‘60s and as he croons half-way through “Witchcraft,” there’s damn charisma and swagger in the room to match the chairman broad-for-broad. We recently caught up with Barrett after his show and over a Jack Daniels discussed old Vegas, lounge culture and P. Diddy.

Chillingly enough, the night you started your first big casino gig at the Brown Derby (in the MGM Grand) Sinatra had died.
My first night on the strip... I called them to cancel and they said that there were tons of calls to see if I was going on. Most of them were actually coming from friends of Frank who were in town for his celebrity golf fundraiser. When he died, it sort of turned into a memorial.

So were you nervous at that point?
You kiddin' me? Sure, I was. Guys like Hal Linden and Robert Goulet and Gregory Peck were all around.

What's the most requested Sinatra tune?
It's got to be "My Way." It's a great tune because it has so many memories for people and evokes so many feelings that there's no way I could ever dread doing that song night after night.

To that effect, what do you dread doing?
"New York, New York" another gigantic request.

It’s obvious that you know tons about Sinatra since you often tell great anecdotes about the tunes and the man. How big a Sinatraphile are you?
Huge. It’s been avid ever since I was a little kid. My mom was into all the old-standbys like Frank, Jimmy Roselli, Dino. The Italian side of my family dug that stuff.

You have quite a following on the Vegas circuit virtually through word-of-mouth. You can't visit a chat board and not see a mention of Bobby Barrett. Just today, I found a web page of someone describing their Sin City excursion mentioning you in what seemed to be German?
Really? That's unbelievable. But on the flipside, I guess I can believe it because when we were at the Derby we had regulars from all over. Scotland was also huge and of course Britain and Australia.

Are there any Bobby Barrett groupies or bobby soxers out there?
I hate to call them that but yeah, they've become friends, actually. They're certainly loyal and if I do four nights straight, some of them are usually there. I think the reason why they dig the act so much is that they've said that I remind them of Old Vegas.

That said, do you think Frank would've liked modern day Sin City?
Hmmm ... that's a tough question but ... (emphatically) no. It's just too family-oriented. Essentially I think Old Vegas was a place for Sinatra to go with his friends and sin for a couple of days.

When you were at the Brown Derby at the MGM it was like gangbusters every night. They even had you up on the jumbotron outside and you're packing them in. One night, Frank Sinatra, Jr. shows up.
It's funny that I remember this but I was singing "It Was a Very Good Year" and one of the Derby managers whispers in my ear that Frank Jr. is on the way down.

Are you kidding? As you were singing he tells you this?
Yeah... It was like telling your pitcher he's got a no-hitter going. So here I am all anxious and Junior comes walking in with his wife. Behind him is Bill Miller (Sinatra's accompanist) as well as an entourage of around 20 people including David Arquette and some other celebs I probably didn't recognize --

-- I'm sorry, did you just say David Arquette was in Frank Sinatra Jr's entourage?
Yeah. Can you imagine that?

It's just an odd combo wouldn't you say?
Incongruous...

Did Junior have an opinion of the act?
Well, he didn't talk to me or anything but I the maitre d' said, "I hope the music is to your liking..." and Junior answered, "Well, that Bobby does a fine job" or something to that effect...

Well that's sort of bland, huh?
Of course, I can't quote him directly but that's what I was told.

After your gig at MGM, you landed in many lavish strip lounges (from Bally's to Treasure Island). But it seems that these days that old school casino lounge is a dying breed.
It almost seems that lounges are an afterthought now. When they were more prominent, they were actually one of the big draws of a casino -- the lounge and its entertainment. It's unfortunate. Many of the people that are doing the hiring now are very young and don't understand that.

These days, turntables seem to be more important than a great crooner.
Yeah, everything changes. Way back, every hotel had their own house band.

Red Norvo at the Sands, Louie Prima at the Stardust…
Exactly. You just don't have that any more. It mostly boils down to technology, price and feasibility. If they (execs) think they can save a few thousand bucks or whatever [by hiring a deejay] than that's what they'll do.

Hip Hop mogul P. Diddy and actor Ashton Kutcher have recently styled themselves in the vein of the Rat Pack and actually going as far as tagging themselves that.
-- Are they really doing that?

Yep. The fact that they're friends I’d say is odd enough.
I guess when they accomplish the things that those guys have, maybe they'll have a right to say that. Personally, I don't think they've remotely touched on the caliber of anything they've done in terms of music or even movies.

So is Frankie somewhere rolling over in his grave?
Rolling over? Nah. He's probably laughing somewhere saying, "What are they nuts?!"

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MULTIPLE SAMMY DAVIS, JR. PROJECTS PLANNED

'OCEAN'S THIRTEEN' WEEK CONTINUES!

Studios always have dueling film projects. Look up Truman Capote, Alexander the Great and Christopher Columbus at imdb and you'll see. The New York Times reports that there's four separate features in the works based on the life of Sammy Davis, Jr. - the REAL hardest workin' man in showbiz.

I've always said that the life of Sammy Davis, Jr. was worthy of a film or TV mini-series. I mean, the guy did it all - a child performer/hoofer; a teenage crooner; perfected talents in the Will Mastin Trio as a young adult before going into the army (where he was confronted by strong racial prejudice); endured an awful car crash in 1954 that took his eye; became a charter member of Sinatra's Rat Pack; married white actress May Britt to the disdain of a racially-divided nation; famously supported Republican President Richard M. Nixon and endured lung cancer, passing away in 1990. What more he danced his booty off, did awesome impressions, churned out tune after swingin' tune. And sang 'em right up until the day he got sick.

I've always said that The Rat Pack guys are the hardest to capture on screen. They embodied an effortless swagger that just can't be reproduced. If, by chance, someone can duplicate it, they usually look nothing like them. It's a tough sell. Need proof? The HBO biopic "The Rat Pack" seemed like such a farce because everyone was so woefully miscast.

Ray Liotta as Frank Sinatra was laughable and Joe Mantegna's Dino bordered on pantomime. While the always-dependable Don Cheadle's award-winning turn as Sammy Davis was the best aspect of the so-so film, his frame was all wrong. Sammy was a little little dude. I didn't buy it.

In any case, the four Davis projects consist of:

"In Black and White" - Denzel Washington stars in and may direct Wil Haywood's biography for Universal. NO! Washington, while a top thesp, is NOT Sammy.

"Sammy and Kim" - Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000) stars in the film which deals with Davis's affair with actress Kim Novak in the '50s. If Andre is up for the challenge and I believe he may be, he'll snag an Oscar nod for sure. Not only do they sort of look the same, but he's got natural dance talent. Sammy was a hoofer of the highest order. My money's on this project.

"Yes, I Can" - Based on Davis 1965 autobiography, this is the project that Davis's widow has endorsed. The source material here is perhaps the best, but they REALLY REALLY need to get someone to fill the shoes. I nominate Tommy Davidson who can prove that Jamie Foxx ain't the only one with acting chops from "In Living Color."

"Yes, I Can" Documentary - A documentary also based on the 1965 autobiography and Burt Boyar's filmed interviews with Davis.

Now sit back and enjoy some of the WHAM of SAM ...

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OLD SCHOOL VEGAS HAUNTS (CHECK 'EM OUT)

It's "Ocean's Thirteen" week. Can you tell we're stoked?

Ah, but not so stoked about the current state of the modern Sin City. These days it seems that Vegas caters to an odd mix of the MTV, Hollywood brat, rodeo and fanny pack crowd. How'd that happen?

There was a time when a trip to Sin City screamed “jet set.” Men packed their suits and the dolls who came along for the ride knew her cocktail dress would be in constant use. Cigarette girls were everywhere. Zippos, too. Even though those days are long gone, The Lounge suggests a few old-school Vegas haunts that, if you look hard enough, you just may see Frankie’s fingerprints all over them.

AJ'S STEAKHOUSE (at The Hard Rock)
Let's just say there ain't a better place to start an evening of Rat Packin' than at AJ's. It's mammoth leather door is the portal to a vintage Vegas steakhouse circa 1960 where hipsters break out the cuff links, eat bloody-red meat, drink Jack straight and smoke unfiltered Camels. As for the room itself? We dig those gigantic antique postcards that adorn the walls. Gives us chills.

CAPOZOLLI'S
Located off the strip on Maryland Parkway, this is the only place we think 'Ol Blue Eyes would've chowed down on veal marsala at 2 a.m. if he were alive. In addition to a kickin' bar and solid eats, this very old-school haunt features kitschy jazz and lounge tunes nightly. In fact, many of their coo-coo jam sessions have been recorded and released in a series of CDs under the title "Live at Capozzoli's." Artists featured in the series include Carl Fontana, Jack Nimitz and Bill Perkins.

PEPPERMILL'S FIRESIDE LOUNGE (smack dab on the strip)
So you finally nabbed your slinky little armpiece from her one-armed bandit and want some quality time to make a little hey-hey? Before you do, head for the Peppermill on the strip because there's no better place to get your kitten all revved up. The intimate (and very dark) lounge features plush booths, dark corners and gaudy brass accents with a giant circular fireplace inside a bubbling pool of water. Somewhere upstairs, the ghosts of Frank and Ava are looking down in acceptance. A personal favorite.

THE CASBAR and ALGIERS LOUNGES
It don't get any more old school than these two. The Algiers Lounge is a gin joint of the highest order, renowned above all for its stiff drinks. Before heading to the Palms to smell perfume, any self-respecting swinger-in-training should trek there for at least one round just to soak up the lingering boozy vibe and wear it like a badge. The Casbar Lounge, located in the Sahara, is where Don Rickles made his bones and even though these days the entertainment may be a bit modern, the room is still a legendary pioneer and well worth spending the night in. Even though it's been renovated since its Sin City heyday, have no illusions, this joint survives as premiere holy ground where Vegas lounge royalty swung into the wee hours. Sipping your Manhattan, you can just picture Frank, Dean and Sammy slipping in at 3 a.m. to catch their overnight show.

THEN THERE’S ...Pin Ups Lounge at the Cannery Casino with classic Vargas girl pinups surrounding the place; Pogo's Tavern on N. Decatur Blvd. for its cool and cozy booths and slamming big bands on Fridays; Champagnes Cafe for its red velvet wallpaper, slippery red booths, autographed pics of Dino and a jukebox loaded with Rat Pack wax; BJ's Lounge, looming in the shadow of the Lion on East Tropicana, for its chi-chi lounge vibe, complete with leopard-prints, mood lighting and plush couches; and lest we forget Binion's coffee shop located downtown where the ghosts of old school Vegas fill the joint 24/7.

Check out out other "Ocean's 13" / Vegas-centric posts ... HERE

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PRIMED FOR 'OCEAN'S 13'? LISTEN TO THESE SWINGIN' TUNES

Those Danny Ocean boys are back! In the upcoming "Ocean's 13," the hipster thieves have forsaken Europe and are now back in Las Vegas (thank the Lord). This time out, they plan to fix all the games in Al Pacino's new casino. Should be a hoot...

If you're like us, salivating at the very notion of a fun Sin City film, you'll want to get into the mood. So tunes are essential. So break out your Mary Janes, prep the cuff links and order a bottle of Jack because I compiled a collection of swingin' tunes to get you cool casino cats in the mood for sippin' martinis, throwing dice and smelling perfume well into the wee hours.

“Sinatra at the Sands” (Reprise) - What better way to kick off "Ocean's 13" week than spinnin' THE swinginest disc of them all? There are more than a few discs of The Chairman doing his thing in Sin City, but this is the only one you'll need. Backed up by Count Basie and his orchestra with a young bandleader named Quincy Jones, the 16-track disc perfectly captures Sinatra’s swagger during his heyday in the Sands Copa Room. Recently remastered with “Luck be a Lady,” it’s the epitome of casino-era Sinatra. Time capsule stuff...

“Dean Martin Live at the Sands Hotel” (Prism) - Capturing much of his loose, easygoing and impromptu sense of humor seen in earlier Rat Pack shows, this is the only live disc of Dean Martin’s casino act from the ‘60s. Hits include “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” and the staple “That’s Amore.” Available via Amazon.

“Sammy Davis — That’s All!” (Rhino) - This definitive two-disc live recording taped at the Las Vegas Sands in 1967, captures not only the singer within Sammy Davis, but also the mimic, comic and musician. A jam session with Buddy Rich on drums and Sammy on vibes is worth the price of the disc alone. If anything, Sammy really gets to seriously shine in his own spotlight without Frank or Dean chiming in from backstage. Includes a previously unreleased live version of “My Mother The Car.”

“The Rat Pack Live at the Sands” (Capital) - A tad before cameras rolled for "Robin and the Seven Hoods" in September 1963, Frank, Dino and Sammy had a powwow at the Sands. Much of what will sound familiar from other Pack shows is here in all it's off-color glory. The real key, of course, is the trio's camaraderie, which remains a delight. And the fact they were playin' the Sands is just plain icing.

“Sinatra: ‘57 In Concert” (Artanis) - Even though they were a great team on many of their landmark albums, Sinatra and longtime arranger-bandleader Nelson Riddle rarely performed together. This disc captures one of those rare occasions with classic cuts like “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” “‘The Lady Is a Tramp,” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.”

“Frank Sinatra with the Red Norvo Quintet” (Blue Note) - While listening to vibraphonist Norvo perform in the Sands’ lounge, the Chairman got the idea to wax a disc for his own stripped-down jazz performance. Unreleased until 1997, these tapes were recorded during Sinatra’s brief Australian tour of 1959 and proves his musicianship has no equal. Perfect for hipsters with that European flair.

“The Summit: In Concert” (Artanis) - Taped in November 1962 at Chicago’s Villa Venice, this 79-minute supper-club show isn’t for the politically correct. Performing much of the same off-color humor Frank, Dean and Sammy perfected in Vegas, it’s more a document of the day than a true representation of their collective work. Still, though, it’s a must.

“Late at Night with Dean Martin,” (Capital) - Although the accompaniment ranges from small jazz combo to a large orchestra with strings, the emphasis here is Martin’s hypnotic and whispery magic. The result is a sexy cocktail collection that includes such staples as “Everybody Loves Somebody” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” Keep this one in the stereo for those of you looking to make a little hey-hey the second you arrive.

“Sammy and Friends,” (Rhino) - Buddies Frank, Dean, Bing Crosby Count Basie and drummer Buddy Rich are all featured on this swinging’ 20-track disc. Contains “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” and “Ee-O-Eleven” from “Oceans 11” as well as “Salt and Pepper” from the film of the same name.

“The Capitol Years: The Best of Frank Sinatra”
“Capitol Collectors Series: Dean Martin” (Capital) - Both Sinatra and Martin will be forever remembered for the tunes they recorded under Capital. All of Sinatra’s brassy standards and bittersweet saloon pop is here from “Witchcraft” to “Three Coins in the Fountain.” The primo Dino collection spans from 1948-1960, compiling 20 of his best cuts from “That’s Amore” to “Sway.” Both artists moved to Sinatra’s Reprise label by 1961.

“Ring-a-Ding Ding” (Reprise) - Sinatra’s first album at his Reprise label is perhaps one of his best. Released in 1961 and capturing the flippant swagger of the era, Sinatra was obviously happy to be out from Capital’s clutches.

“Tom Jones Live at Caesars Palace" (BMG International) - Amidst the glitz and glam of the deliciously gaudy Vegas strip in 1971, this lacquer cracker captures the sheer power and eroticism of the sexy Brit baritone. Very much at the top of his game and at his bawdy best, be sure to crank up the volume for Jones standards like "She's a Lady" and "It's Not Unusual." An essential set.

"Engelbert Humperdinck Live at the Riviera, Las Vegas" (Varese) - Originally released in 1972, this reissued collection captures the smooth-crooning Humperdinck at the peak of his popularity. With soulful vocal backing provided by the Three Degrees, the often billed "King of Romance" turns up the ballad quotient and delivers with assurance on such tunes as "My Prayer," "Help Me Make It Through the Night" and a strident "You'll Never Walk Alone."

"Paul Anka Live in Las Vegas" (Varese) - The bulk of this set contains pretty much what you'd expect from an Anka casino show circa mid-seventies — a healthy mixture of Anka originals, a medley of fifties hits and covers of smashes like "Gentle on My Mind," "Games People Play" and "For Once in My Life." Needless to say, there's also "My Way," and "She's a Lady," which are not covers per se since Anka wrote them.

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MR. ENTERTAINMENT (A CLASSIC VIDEO PERFORMANCE)

The Lounge is feeling a little nostalgic of late. Being the old soul that I am, it happens from time to time... It must have been that awesome oldies station I dug up earlier today.

In any case, enjoy this wonderful early '70s performance of Sammy Davis, Jr. singing his classic "Mr. Bojangles." It's poignant and powerful. Sammy, always at ease onstage, was the consummate master at what he did. Take in this nuanced performance, sit back and relax. Escape the insanity of contemporary music and videos for just a brief moment.

Wherever you are Sammy, I'm pouring you one as we speak...

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