Monday, June 29, 2015

Papik - Staying For Good

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Tape Five - Cancun (A tribute to Henry Mancini)

Cocktail Nation 363 This is Vintage Now

Tune in Saturday nights at 18:00 EDST Toronto time (6:00 pm) for a Sneak Preview of the week's show. Shake that martini, and relax in your bachelor pad as Koop Kooper takes us on a musical journey through that Exotica and Tiki world of the 50's and 60's.

On the show this weekend we talk to David Gasten, who is the man behind a very cool compilation called "This Is Vintage Now". We will find out about his latest project and what Vintage music and lifestyle means to him. We talk watches, Chet Baker and Sinatra!

www.cocktailnation.net

Seks Bomba - Do You Know The Way To San Jose
Henry Mancini - Something For Sellers
Sad Salamanders - The Exotic Sandy Warner
Elliot Fisher - Mr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
101 Strings - Cha Cha Italiano
Chet Baker - Let's Get Lost
Perry Beekman - But Not For Me
Cal Tjader - Cool
Cy Coleman - La Blues
Ellen La Fern - Watch What Happens
Diana Krall - Besame Mucho
Frank Sinatra - They Can't Take That Away From Me


Saturday, June 27, 2015

The Top Ten - week ending 27 June 2015


It's official! Summer is now here, as of this week, unless you are in Australia where I believe your winter just began....now it's out turn in the Northern hemisphere.

To celebrate the Solstice and those long warm nights, take some time with friends to sit on a patio and enjoy some cool music, hot conversation, cold drinks, and great company.

Some of the music you will enjoy could be found right here in the This is Lounge Top Ten. As you may have seen from my recent blog post, I'm very excited about the new Benjamin Biolay album. The opening track, Revoir Paris, is a warm, welcome addition to the station's playlist. This week, he remains in Bubbling Under as Igor Gerzina slides into the tenth position to secure some good rotation for his Smooth Jazz sax during the day.

The FJO & Phigroa collaboration, Eve, inches up closer to the top, as does Mario Biondi's heartbreaking All I Want Is You. Jonathan Fritzén continues to hold the number one spot with his beautiful song, Enchantment.

Also joining us this week is Canadian indie artist Patrick Watson. As someone exploring a more ambient sound,  we welcome his In Circles as a Bubbling Under track, from his Love Songs for Robots album.

A reminder, for all you fans of Koop Kooper and his Cocktail Nation show, on Saturday nights at 18:00 EDST (6:00 pm Toronto time), we proudly present a very special Sneak Preview edition of the show to begin the Saturday night programming. If you enjoy those 50's/60's bachelor pad sounds, tune in for a taste of what's to come.


Bubbling Under

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Cocktail Nation 362 James Last


We take a look at the life of James Last who recently passed away, news on a TV show that is predicted to rival that of Mad Men, plus there's our look at the world of swank, and I have some cool Motorola commercials to hep you to.


www.cocktailnation.net




Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited - The Whistler Returns
The Secret Agents - James Bond Theme
James Last - The Lonely Shepard
Sharon Marie Cline - Quiet Nights
Beegie Adair - Chicago
O Som Do Jazz - White Sails
Tikiyaki Orchestra - Mai Tais On The Moon
Orchestra Superstring - Caucasion Sketches
Jackie Gleason - Deep Purple Blue Velvet
Chet Baker - Daybreak
Diana Krall - The Night We Called It A Day
Joe Ferrara - The Big Hurt
Monty Norman - Dr No's Fantasy
Bobby Darin - Look At Me


Saturday, June 20, 2015

Patrick Watson - Love Songs for Robots

Benjamin Biolay & Friends pay homage to Charles Trenet

Having been a fan of Benjamin Biolay, going back to his Rose Kennedy album, and collaborations with various French artists (including his sister Coralie Clement), I was awaiting this new album with excitement.

Benjamin and friends, Nicolas Fiszman and Denis Benarrosh, have put together a loving tribute to French singer and songwriter Charles Trenet. His most popular recordings came from the late 1930's to the mid-1950's, although he enjoyed through to the 1990's.

One of his most famous songs, "Que rest-t-ilde now amours" has been included not only on this new album, but also on the Biolay produced "Chamber Avec Vue" by the late French Caribbean singer, Henri Salvador. Undoubtedly, Biolay loves this song!

Recently, the film industry has taken note of Charles' body of work - Amongst others, Bernardo Bertolucci used "La Mer" in his 2003 film, "The Dreamers", as well as the closing scene from "Mr. Bean's Holiday". A testament to the power of the song in two diverse genres of film. Oh, and by the way, you may know it as "Beyond The Sea", made famous in the mid-60's by Bobby Darin.

This is Lounge has chosen to add "Revoir Paris" to the New Release Top Ten from the humble "Bubbling Under" beginnings. It is the opening track to the album, and I'm not sure if it is an official single release, but Benjamin has released an emotional video to accompany the song. (A quick check of YouTube reveals many videos for other songs on the album.) Have a look at "Revoir Paris".




Having listened to the album in it's entirety now, I can honestly say that Biolay has done a wonderful tribute to such a great French artist. It should also be noted that Trenet refused to perform anyone else's compositions but his own - a very bold precedent back in those days.

American artists have covered songs from the Great American Songbook for decades. Biolay has taken a page out that book and translated it into the "Le Grand Répertoire Francaise".

iTunes

www.benjaminbiolay.com

Charles Trenet - iTunes

Benjamin Biolay - iTunes



The Top Ten - week ending 20 June 2015


Tomorrow is it, the day that Summer officially arrives. It is also Father's Day in North America. (Don't know about the rest of the world.) Anyway, it is a joyful day to celebrate, no matter what. Waiting for that one hot day where I can escape to a beach and chill to the sounds of the surf and seagulls.....some psychological medicine.....anyway, where was I?

Smooth Jazz tops the chart this week as Jonathan Fritzén moves in to the number one position.
Not a whole lot of big movement this week, although we did see Snowday slip below that tenth position, and Mario Biondi leapfrog a few positions. If you've been reading my Facebook page, you'll know that they are about to embark on a Canadian tour, beginning with a Toronto date on July 2. I hope to be there, along with whomever I can drag out, to join us. 

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival is about to kick off here, and Miss Halle Loren, among many others, is scheduled for an appearance this Friday, the 26th, to promote her new album Butterfly Blue. Will try to make an appearance there, if time permits. Meanwhile, we can enjoy her wonderful Cole Porter cover throughout the day on This is Lounge.

Please support these artists, and all the beautiful music you hear on This is Lounge.


Bubbling Under


Monday, June 15, 2015

Cocktail Nation 361 Ohana Luau At The Lake


Well, the festival season is in full swing, so this week we head to Ohana Luau at the lake and talk to Sully about the lineup for 2015. 

We'll find out about Sid Caesar's last laugh, and how about the mysterious Disney island that has been closed for years. Just what is the story?


www.cocktailnation.net

Jimmy Psycho -T hunderbirds
Tiki Lounge Crew - Bongo Nova
Waitiki 7 -V oodoo Love
Mancini - The Village Inn
Dave Bruebeck - Mr Broadway
Jetset Unlimited - Something For Cat
Si Zentner - Man With The Golden Gun
Machiniso - Percusso Frenzy
Chet Baker - Time After Time
Mambo Zombies - Antigua
Bill Evans - Beautiful Love
Barbara Levy Daniels - But Love
Larry Gelb - Love Walked In
Stolen Idols - Busy Port


Saturday, June 13, 2015

The Top Ten - week ending 13 June 2015


With all the rain happening here lately, it's nice to stay inside and chill over the wi-fi. Some great new music added to the playlist this week, which I'll get to.

Diana Krall drops a few spots, as Peter Pearson moves into Number One this week.Right behind him, everyone else inches up. Jonathan Fritzen's beautiful piece, Enchantment, continues to enchant us 

The Top Ten is taking on a completely new set of songs, it seems. I look at the list and Snowday seems like a straggler, refusing to leave the company of all of our new "guests". Speaking of, I would be amiss not to mention that Snowday are about to kickoff a Canadian Summer Tour. Click on the link for more info.

I hope everyone enjoyed streaming samples of the new Halle Loren album. Gorgeous material. Out of all the tracks, her Cole Porter cover, I've Got You Under My Skin, begins it's Top Ten journey at Number Ten.

Not gone unnoticed this week are two new additions from members of Guido's Lounge Cafe Facebook group. If you're not a part of it, please do yourself a favour and join. An overwhelming group of fans and musicians from around the world, collectively grooving off the sounds we love so much. Michael Bilker has just released a hauntingly beautiful album. The title ttrack, From This Day On, is our first Bubbling Under track.

Also, long time Cafe member, Igor Geržina, along with fellow musician Frank Folgman, have issued a new single this week. Suburban Soul gives us a blast of Smooth Jazz beats and sassy saxophone. Welcome to This is Lounge.

Enjoy the music, and be sure to support them by purchasing these, and all the music heard on the station, through your favorite online or "bricks and mortar" store.


Bubbling Under




Saturday, June 6, 2015

Cocktail Nation 360 Don Rickles Stories

I've always loved the stories of Don Rickles and his incredibly sharp wit, but most of all he is a great story teller. So, this week on the Cocktail Nation we have a listen to some great stories from Don and some great one liners.

I've also got a story about a car from the TV show Bewitched that will go to auction this week and the Nicole Kidman movie Grace of Monaco once again has made news - but for all the wrong reasons.

www.cocktailnation.net


Barbara Levy Daniels - The Tender Trap
Beige Adair - I Could Write A Book
Abbe Lane with Tito Puente - Whatever Lola Wants
Perry Beekman - Soon
Al Hirt - Music To Watch Girls By
Peggy Lee - Bewitched
Frank Sinatra - Moonlight Serenade
Hollywood Film Orchestra - Fab Chick
Jimmy Psycho - Fly Me To The Moon
Tiki Delights - Swank
Jackie Gleason - Sweet Sue, Just You
JR Spencer - Autumn In New York
Uptown Jazz Quartet - Take Me Away
Barbara Lusch - Light My Fire
Alvino Rey - Night Train

For those of you listening at 5:00 PM EST, you were privy to somewhat of an experiment. Unable to play Koop's show in it's entirety, he graciously worked with me to create a Preview Edition, to entice listeners to this page and his archives to hear the full show(s). 

So, that being said, click on the Play button and enjoy the show all the way through.


The Top Ten - week ending 6 June 2015


Thanks to everyone checking in. Please spread the word about This is Lounge, wherever you may be in the world. This music is universal, and everyone needs a little chill and smooth jazz in their lives.

Starting off, the Queen of Jazz, Ms. Diana Krall, remains in the top spot this week, with I'm Not in Love. She's currently on tour through the U.S. for the summer.  One notable appearance is at the famed Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts on the 21 of June. Click on the link above for a full listing. You may be lucky enough to still score a ticket or two.

The chilled sounds of Peter Pearson and Jonathan Fritzén slides into the number two and three spots respectively, as Riccardo's lament, N'Oublie Pas, slips a couple of notches to number four. (Don't worry Riccardo, we still love your song.)

Two new appearances this week from recent releases - Mario Biondi and David Clayton Thomas. Despite being on different continents, both of the artists share a passion for jazz and blues. While Mario mines a more uptempo R&B influenced jazz on his new Beyond album, David's Combo is a journey through the Great American Songbook, along with some personal faves. Not for anything, but there seems to be a lot of singers interpreting that Songbook lately. (Annie Lennox?) Do you blame them? They're considered "Great" for a reason.

The one track from David Clayton-Thomas that fits like an old glove, is actually a cover of his own cover, almost 50 years later. Back in 1968, David was chosen over some lauded contemporaries (i.e. Alex Chilton of The Boxtops) to replace Al Kooper in the jazz rock fusion band, Blood Sweat & Tears. Although the entire album got major airplay on FM album-oriented rock radio back then, the big song from that resulting second album was God Bless The Child. Forty-seven years later, David has re-recorded a stripped-back version, that would make even Billie Holiday, one of the song's writers, very proud. So this week, we have chosen David's cover to join the Top Ten at number ten. Regular listeners will have already been singing along to it most of the week. If you haven't heard it, then tune in, and catch it throughout the day.

Bubbling Under is something a little different this week. Jazz chanteuse, Halle Loren (a featured artist on the station) is releasing her long awaited CD, Butterfly Blue, this coming Tuesday, June 9th. Sharing a link from her website to her Bandcamp page, Halle has graciously made samples available as a sneak peek to it's release. A mix of covers and originals, it's sounding beautiful. So click on the link and enjoy. By next week, I'm sure that we'll see one of those tracks listed here.

Attention Halle Loren Oregon fans!!!
Halie Loren performs a mini-concert in-store at CD World in Eugene this Sunday, June 7th, from 2 – 2:30 pm. It’s FREE, and there will be copies of “Butterfly Blue” available two days in advance of next week’s global release on June 9th! A unique opportunity to get the album and have it autographed by Halie!

Thanks again for listening. Thanks for supporting!


Bubbling Under

(Release Date: 9 June 2015)