COCKTAIL NATION 65-LEGEND OF COMEDY SHELLEY BERMAN STOPS BY THE PENTHOUSE!

COCKTAIL NATION 65-LEGEND OF COMEDY SHELLEY BERMAN STOPS BY THE PENTHOUSE!

This week Koop Kooper talks to a legend of comedy – Shelley Berman – plus Kooper play a track from Berman’s 1959 album, Inside Shelley Berman .

PLAYLIST:

Machine - Mrs Lethal Blues
Combustible Edison - Millionaires Holiday
Dave Pell - This could be the start of something new
Bert Kaemfert - My Way Of Life
Perez Prado - Campanitas De Cristal
Bob Thompson -The Song is you
Nelson Riddle -Time and Space
Martini Kings - So Danco Samba
Alan Hawkshaw - Bluebird
Syd Dale - Sanfrancisco Bay
Sally Street - You Don't Know Me
Mark Copeland -The Lady Is A Tramp
Spy Fi - Penetration
Keith Mansfield -The Green Room
Diana Krall - Why Should I Care

TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

BEAT TO A PULP ~ NEW STORY!

BEAT TO A PULP ~ NEW STORY!

BTAP #14: Identity Theft by Robert Weibezahl

The latest weekly punch is up at BEAT to a PULP. This thriller is from Robert Weibezahl and Elaine has a nice write up at Ashedit. Enjoy and please leave Robert a comment on this superb tale.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Weibezahl grew up in New York and now lives in California. He made his crime novel debut with The Wicked and the Dead, set in Hollywood and featuring screenwriter/amateur sleuth Billy Winnetka. His short fiction has appeared in Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, CrimeSpree, and Mouth Full of Bullets. His popular mystery cookbooks, A Taste of Murder and A Second Helping of Murder, both written with Jo Grossman, were Agatha and Macavity Award finalists. He also writes the monthly "Well Read" review column for Book Page. Visit him at www.RobertWeibezahl.com

Next week: "In an English Country Garden" by Ray Foster

Coming soon: "Tweakers" and "The Need" by Frank Bill

TO READ CLICK HERE

THE BEST OF AN EVENING AT BUDDIES LOUNGE!

THE BEST OF AN EVENING AT BUDDIES LOUNGE!

The “Big W” has put his empty glass down on the bar and left on vacation, but he did leave behind a GREAT episode from summer 2008 of those Space-Age Pop Hi-Fi musical sounds of the 1950’s and the 1960’s to share with everyone once again this week….as always, in LIVING STEREO! It’s the BEST of “An Evening At The Buddies Lounge” – Show #1 - Originally aired on 6/1/08 as show #15. Bottoms Up!

BEST OF AN EVENING AT THE BUDDIES LOUNGE ORIGINALLY AIRED ON 6/1/08 AS SHOW #15

PLAYLIST:

• American Beauty Rose - Frank Sinatra
• Peter Gunn - Jack Costanzo
• Big Spender - Shirley Bassey
• Sitting On Top Of The World - Bobby Darin
• Legs - Neal Hefti
• Destination Moon - Dinah Washington
• Dick Van Dyke Show Theme - Nelson Riddle
• It Had Better Be Tonight - Lena Horn
• Let’s Dance At Disneyland -- Elliot Brothers
• Chihuahua – Louis Oliveira
• Heat Wave - Ella Fitzgerald
• My Mother The Car - Sammy Davis, Jr.
• Putting On The Ritz - Terry Snyder
• A Hard Days Night - Quincy Jones
• Love Me Tonight - Tom Jones
• What’d I Say? - Kelly Smith
• I Love Paris - Julie London
• Mimi - Jack Marshall
• I’ll Never Find Another You - Vic Damone
• Everything People - Peggy Lee
• A Bushel and a Peck - The McGuire Sisters

TO LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL @ VIBRATO!

HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL @ VIBRATO!

VIBRATO IS THE COOLEST JAZZ SUPPER CLUB IN LA. IT SEATS 150 PEOPLE FOR DINNER, HAS A GREAT STAGE, AND A PHENOMENAL SOUND SYSTEM. IT’S OWNED BY HERB ALPERT (OF TIJUANA BRASS FAME, OF COURSE), WHO PLAYS ON RARE OCCASIONS.

I’M DELIGHTED TO SAY I SNAGGED THE LAST TABLE RESERVATION FOR HIS UPCOMING APPEARANCE WITH HIS WIFE LANI HALL (FROM BRASIL 66)!

Herb Alpert and Lani Hall will perform at Vibrato Grill and Jazz on April 1st & April 2nd at 8:30 p.m.

Vibrato will offer a three-course prix fix menu prior to the performance. The menu is $75.00 per person and does not include beverages, tax or gratuity.

There will be a $25.00 cover charge per person.

You are also welcome to come for the performance at the bar & fireplace – $35.00 consumption minimum per person.

Please call 310-474-9400 to make reservations.

Vibrato Grill & Jazz
2930 Beverly Glen Circle
Bel Air, CA 90077

SINATRA AT THE SANDS!

SINATRA AT THE SANDS!

KELLEY'S LOUNGE HAS POSTED ANOTHER GREAT ALBUM. THIS 1966 OFFERING FEATURES SINATRA, COUNT BASSIE, AND QUINCEY JONES ~ ALL RECORDED AT THE SANDS IN LAS VEGAS!

FOR THE DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

URBAN NINJA!

URBAN NINJA!

THIS KID IS INCREDIBLE, TAKING THE ART OF PAKUR (URBAN RUNNING ~ AS SEEN IN THE OPENING SEQUENCE OF CASINO ROYALE) TO A NEW LEVEL. WE'RE GING TO BE SEEING A LOT MORE FROM HIM!

THE TRIAL OF SHERLOCK HOLMES!

THE TRIAL OF SHERLOCK HOLMES!

COMING SOON!

Continuing their new exploration of literary icons, DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT presents the ultimate mystery as they unveil Sherlock Holmes!


Written by Leah Moore and John Reppion with reverence and a modern edge, artist Aaron Douglas completes the Victorian mood under the striking and iconic John Cassaday covers.


Issue #1 begins The Trial of Sherlock Holmes which presents the great detective with an all-too personal quandary and explores the nature of the man and his world with a mix of refined ambiance, carefully crafted mystery and chilling suspense!

RED SONJA!

RED SONJA!

Robert Rodriguez greeted fans at the San Diego Comic-Con and offered a first look at the upcoming Red Sonja feature, set to star Rose McGowan as the red-haired Robert E. Howard heroine. Though no footage has been shot, a lot of promotional images have already been prepared and were revealed for the first time, depicting McGowan in the classic chainmail bikini, one of which has been prepared as a mini-poster that will be distributed to fans right after the panel.

Rodriguez recalled his love for Howard's characters, pinpointing the specific "Savage Sword of Conan" issue #60 as the moment he fell in love with the world of Cimmeria. He had been trying to get Red Sonja on the big screen for years and, coincidentally, the script came across McGowan's desk at exactly the right time.

Because of his commitments, Rodriguez wasn't able to direct "Sonja" and instead offered up the reins to his friend, Douglas Aarniokoski. He did promise that he'll be extremely hands-on as a producer to the extent that it'll basically be unofficial co-directing.

The big news from Rodriguez is that he's in early talks to produce the upcoming Conan film as well, cementing the filmic universe. With that, "Sonja" and Thulsa Doom all coming in the next few years, Robert E. Howard fans should be very happy.

HIGH ADVENTURE #105!

HIGH ADVENTURE #105!

FEATURING CAPTAIN DANGER BY LT. SCOTT MORGAN!

REPRINTED AT LAST - THE 1ST ISSUE OF CAPTAIN DANGER!

TODAY'S AIR SOLDIER OF FORTUNE BATTLES GRIMLY AGAINST A MALICIOUS SCIENTIST WHO SEEKS TO HARNESS THE ELEMENTS IN A MAD DRIVE FOR CONQUEST AND POWER!

ALSO INCLUDED:

DROME OF THE DEVIL BY HAROLD F. CRUICKSHANK

PAYMENT DEFERRED BY ORLANDO RIGONI

SPAWN OF A NAZI STAFFEL BY W.H. RANDALL

7X10, 112 PAGES, $7.95

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

REV IT UP!

BAMBOO LOUNGE!

BRIAN SETZER ~ CHRISTMAS ROCKS TOUR!

BRIAN SETZER ~ CHRISTMAS ROCKS TOUR 2009!

DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON! IT'S NEVER TOO SOON TO PLAN AHEAD!

HAVING SEEN SETZER'S CHRISTMAS SHOW THREE TIMES NOW, YOU CAN BET WE'LL BE THERE AGAIN THIS YEAR!

THE BAT!

THE BAT!

THE BAT BY JOHNSTON MCCULLEY – ANOTHER GREAT HERO FROM THE CREATOR OF ZORRO!

FOR THE FIRST TIME UNDER ONE COVER, ALL FOUR ADVENTURES OF THE BAT FROM 1934-1935.

COLLECTS: THE BAT STRIKES (11/34), BITE OF THE BAT (12/34), SHADOW OF THE BAT (1/35), AND CODE OF THE BAT (2/35) FROM POPULAR DETECTIVE.

AVAILABLE IN SOFT AND HARDCOVER.

INTRODUCTION BY WILL MURRAY!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

THE CAT'S MEOW!

FORGOTTEN BOOKS: THE PRO #1 ~ THE $3-MILLION DOLLAR TURN OVER BY RICHARD CURTIS!

FORGOTTEN BOOKS: THE PRO #1 ~ THE $3-MILLION DOLLAR TURN OVER BY RICHARD CURTIS!

Ever wonder what those references to Dave Bolt were all about in the acknowledgements for Harlan Coben’s popular Myron Bolitar books? Well, here’s the scoop – Dave Bolt was the sports agent character in a series of four paperback original mysteries published under the series title The Pro (from Warner Paperback Library), which provided some of the inspiration behind the sports agent career of Myron Bolitar.

The Pro books were written by literary agent Richard Curtis (or at least packaged by him) in the mid ‘70s. They were slim volumes, but told good stories with the character of Dave Bolt the traditional wiseacre – more private eye than sports agent. I always saw Richard Crenna in the role if it ever made it to TV or movies (no chance).

In The $3-Million Turn Over:

Dave Bolt bags a basketball deal – and blocks an off court steal.

My name is Dave Bolt.

Officially, I’m an agent. I represent professional athletes in basketball, football, tennis, golf. You name it; if money is paid for any athletic performance short of copulation, I take a commission on it.

I say ‘officially’ I’m an agent. Unofficially, I’ve backed into another job; I’m a troubleshooter for sports organizations – a kind of undercover operator. And it was this Richie Sadler case that got me into it.

Aside from a hairline fracture of my cheekbone, temporary blindness, a scrotumful of somebody’s knee and the loss of my most promising marital prospect since my divorce, I didn’t get anything out of this case but the right to keep a staggering commission that really belonged to me.

But now, when people in the sports world need someone to help unglue the fixes, wrestle with the drug problems, the gangsterism, and the sex scandals, they call Dave Bolt.

The biggest deal in basketball!

Dave Bolt had copped Richie Sadler, the hottest pro basketball prospect from right under the other agent’s noses. Then he finagled him the biggest contract ever signed in ABA-NBA history. Dave felt great about the whole deal because Ritchie was not only a top scorer, he was a helluva nice guy.

But before this nice guy scored point-one in pro basketball, his private system of credibility points would plunge agent Dave Bolt into a life-and-death playoff – an off-court game with no referee to call foul!

You have to love the promo language, a scrotum full of knee. And you have to love the line about the biggest contract ever signed in ABA-NBA history – probably somewhat lower than pine riders get today. Still, despite the dated references and the purple prose, The Pro was a series I really enjoyed.

THE PRO #1 THE $3-MILLION TURN OVER
THE PRO #2 DEATH IN THE CREASE
THE PRO #3 STRIKE FOUR
THE PRO #4 SUICIDE SQUAD

PETER CINCOTTI!

PETER CINCOTTI!

PETER CINCOTTI (ALONG WITH TAYLOT EIGSTI) IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE JAZZ PIANISTS OF THE UP AND COMING GENERATION. ALL ABOUT JAZZ RECENTLY CONDUCTED AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH CINCOTTI . . .

Peter Cincotti recently talked to All About Jazz about his collaboration with David Foster and the recording sessions for “East of Angel Town”:

Don’t think for one minute Peter Cincotti is just another handsome face combined with a captivating voice. Or merely the latest in a string of mellifluous musicians reaching for a fusion of soul, pop and jazz (though he did attract the attention of Harry Connick Jr. early in his career—forestalling the competition perhaps?).

Cincotti is attempting the altogether difficult task of dissecting human emotion through music, the significance of which ambition may seem less than a distinctive mission until you hear him. He is chameleonic, to say the least.

After two well-recognized albums for Concord, the New York native Cincotti moved, at least symbolically, to the left coast and his music moved similarly, in a more pop-oriented direction encouraged further by the collaboration on his third album with David Foster, one of the genre’s modern masters. Equally earthy and cerebral, and narrowly but emphatically skirting sentimentality, East of Angel Town (Warner Brothers/Sire, 2009) finds the pianist/vocalist performing all-original material, after the previously-released amalgamations of standards and self-penned songs.

Self aware and practically as self-sufficient after his mentoring from pianist Ellis Marsalis, Cincotti has no illusions about himself or his music, and that disarming attitude makes writing, recording and performing, as well as conversations, deceptively winning.

TO READ CINCOTTI’S INTERVIEW AT ALL ABOUT JAZZ CLICK HERE

THE CAT'S MEOW!

FOREVER PLAID, THE MOVIE!

FOREVER PLAID, THE MOVIE!

Musical Theatre West is honored to present a benefit “First Look” screening of Forever Plaid, the Movie

Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

Starring original “Plaids” Stan Chandler, David Engel and Larry Raben, as well as Daniel Reichard, best known as one of the stars of the Broadway production of Jersey Boys. The event will feature a Screening of the film proceeded by dinner onstage with the cast, a question and answer session following the screening with cast members and production staff including Forever Plaid creator Stuart Ross, and a dessert reception to cap off the evening.

FOR TICKETS: Call (562)856-1999 x4

Box Office Hours: M-F, Noon until 6:00 p.m. or visit musical.org to purchase tickets online

For "Plaid-Aholics" Only!

CLICK HERE to find out how you can get the Plaids to sing a special song JUST FOR YOU!

VIP Dinner Package-$75

Includes dinner onstage before the film with the cast,a question and answer session with the cast and creative team after the film followed by a dessert reception with a special live performance by The Plaids. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.

Movie & Dessert-$35

Includes a question and answer session with the cast and creative team after the film followed by a dessert reception with a special live performance by The Plaids. Film begins at 7:30 p.m.

Movie Only-$20

Includes a question and answer session with the cast and creative team after the film.

Film begins at 7:30 p.m.

Cast Members Daniel Reichard (Jersey Boys), Larry Raben, Stan Chandler, David Engel and Forever Plaid creator Stuart Ross (seated)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

THE JOHNNY KEATING ALL STARS ~ ENGLISH JAZZ!

THE JOHNNY KEATING ALL STARS ~ ENGLISH JAZZ!

KELLY'S LOUNGE IS FEATURING A GREAT DOWNLOAD OF AN ENGLISH JAZZ ALBUM FROM 1956!

THIS REALLY ROCKS!

TO CHECK IT OUT OR DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

CRIME WAVE ANTHOLOGY #1!

CRIME WAVE ANTHOLOGY #1!

RODD LOTT HAS POSTED A COOL REVIEW OF THIS NEW COMIC ANTHOLOGY OVER AT BOOKGASM . . .

What the LAW & ORDER franchise does for TV, the independent CRIME WAVE ANTHOLOGY VOL. 1 wants to do for comics: Create a world of various do-gooder cops and other enforcers of the law, and let them loose in a set of stories that stand alone, yet hold crossover potential.

This issue — the first in a planned biannual series — is comprised of three stories, the first two of which feature FBI agents Chase and Hunt. He’s black, she’s white, and in “Above the Law,” they’re dealing with a case involving a murdered stripper and a corrupt politician — elements that go together like PB&J.

TO READ THE FULL POST CLICK HERE

COCKTAIL NATION SCOOP!

COCKTAIL NATION SCOOP!

COMING UP THIS WEEKEND KOOP KOOPER’S COCKTAIL NATION HAS LANDED AN INTERVIEW WITH COMEDIAN SHELLEY BERMAN ~ TALKING COMEDY, VEGAS CROWDS, HIS START IN THE BUSINESS ~ AND HIS KNIFE COLLECTION!

TO CHECK IT ALL OUT CLICK HERE

THE CAT'S MEOW!

VAUGHN & MCQUEEN!

VAUGHN & MCQUEEN!

FROM CINEMA RETRO . ..

Robert Vaughn is back in London to promote his autobiography, A Fortunate Life and to film the new season of the hit caper show Hustle. In an interview with The Telegraph newspaper, Vaughn recalls two of his best films, both coincidentally starring Steve McQueen: The Magnificent Seven and Bullitt. Of the former, Vaughn concedes that, not only did the cast not believe they were working on a classic, but, in fact, felt the film would be a turkey. The script was being rewritten only hours before each day's shooting would proceed and the feeling was that the movie might derail the up-and-coming careers of it's young stars.

By the time Bullitt went into production, both Vaughn and McQueen were major international stars - but Vaughn repeatedly turned down McQueen's pleas for him to play his antagonist in the movie. Vaughn relates he tried to talk McQueen out of the project because the script was too confusing - but after McQueen kept raising his salary, Vaughn joked that it suddenly all made perfect sense.

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

THE CAT'S MEOW!

THE BARON!

THE BARON!

NEWS FROM TANNER AT DOUBLE O SECTION . . .

Today sees the first ever American release of the classic ITC adventure series The Baron! The Baron stars American Steve Forrest (who would go on to star in S.W.A.T. in the Seventies) as John Creasey’s titular antiques dealer-cum-spy (here reimagined as a cattle baron instead of a member of the peerage to accommodate Forrest’s accent) in this entertaining Saint imitator from one of the producers of the Roger Moore hit. Predating the color Saint series, this was the first ITC show to be filmed in color. (As with the casting of Forrest, this was done with an eye to the American market.)

FOR THE FULL POST CLICK HERE

BIG AMAZON DVD AND BLU-RAY SALE!

BIG AMAZON DVD AND BLU-RAY SALE!

AMAZON HAS LAUNCHED A MAJOR DVD SALE WITH PRICES AS LOW AS $6.49 PLUS FREE SHIPPING! THERE ARE BUNCHES OF TITLES INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL (AND STILL THE BEST) OCEAN’S ELEVEN AS SHOWN ABOVE.

FOR A FULL LIST OF TITLES CLICK HERE

THE CAT'S MEOW!

ROYAL CROWN REVUE ~NEWS!

ROYAL CROWN REVUE ~NEWS!

Royal Crown Revue is introducing an all-new show next weekend featuring new songs, new moves, and something really special- Eliza Bane and Miss Mia Vixen!

This world premiere show will feature the moves and artistry of two of Modern Burlesque’s finest practitioners, performing to Royal Crown Revue’s newest musical delights. The ladies will be featured in their own numbers as well as purrrrrr-forming as showgirls throughout the evening.

The show is hosted by Impresario Maxwell deMille, and featurers special vocal performances by tough guy crooner Mr. Eddie Nichols and sultry singer Miss Jennifer Keith.

Do not miss this evening of the best of vintage culture with a decidedly modern twist!

Tickets are now available!

Show: Saturday 3/14 – 8:00 pm

Cerritos Performing Arts Center

12700 Center Court Drive

Cerritos, CA 90703800-300-4345

www.cerritoscenter.com

RED PANDA ADVENTURES 43 - THE GOLDEN IDOL!

RED PANDA ADVENTURES 43 - THE GOLDEN IDOL!

A darkened street, a cry for help and a courageous rescue by... by a super-powered flying man in a bright yellow cape? This can't be good. Will a certain two-fisted mystery man learn to share his city with high-powered interlopers, or is a showdown at hand? What will happen when the city comes to worship... The Golden Idol?

TO DOWNLOAD FROM DECODER RING THEATRE CLICK HERE

BEAT TO A PULP ~ A STASH OF GOODS!

BEAT TO A PULP ~ A STASH OF GOODS!

EDITOR DAVID CRANMER ON THE LATEST BEAT TO A PULP STORY:

Barbara Martin’s writing skills shine on one of the more engaging blogs on the net. Each week she provides well-researched and entertaining posts on Canadian nature and history as well as a wide variety of book reviews. In addition to blogging, Barbara writes dark fantasy tales and BEAT to a PULP is pleased to feature her debut story, A Stash of Goods. Open the gate and step through for a tale that chills the blood.

Next week: Identity Theft by Robert Weibezahl

Coming soon: Mike Sheeter's Preferred Customer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Barbara E. Martin is from Toronto, Ontario. A Stash of Goods is a modified portion of a novel-length dark fantasy manuscript. After working by day in a law firm, she writes short stories and dark fantasy novels. You can find her at www.barbaramartin.blogspot.com.

TO READ THE NEW STORY CLICK HERE

KILLER COVERS!

KILLER COVERS!

IF YOU HAVEN’T CHECKED IT OUT YET, THE RAP SHEET’S J. KINGSTON PIERCE ALSO RUNS A WEEKLY BLOG ON KILLER COVERS. THE POSTS ARE FILLED WITH INFORMATION ON ILLUSTRATORS, AUTHORS, CHARACTERS, AND MUCH, MUCH, MORE. A GREAT ONGOING PROJECT!

TO VIEW THE LATEST KILLER COVER CLICK HERE

COCKTAIL NATION 64-KOOPER VS MACHINE!

COCKTAIL NATION 64-KOOPER VS MACHINE!

Kooper propped up high in the penthouse and far away from the sharks that have been grabbing people here in Sydney.On the show this week a new band that doesn't bite...Machine...a brand new cd and a launch for the band on March 26 in Sydney...Koop has a cool website for our retro grey nomads to check out.....a look at the world of swank plus some of the coolest music to hit the net .

WWW.COCKTAILNATION.NET

PLAYLIST:

Clouseux - Noctopia

Diana Krall - Este Seu

Olhar Machine - Hexotica

Frank Sinatra - Isle of Capri

Naughty Ones - I Dig Your Voodoo

Paul Weston - Love Walked In

The Midnight Combo - Rachel

Waitiki - Manila

Les Baxter - Amazon Falls

Martin Denny - Voodoo Love

Tony Bennet - Wave

Tikyaki Orchestra - Shaka Hula Bossa Nova

TO DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE