The Oscar Peterson Trio - A Jazz Portrait of Frank Sinatra - An all-weather recording that goes just as well with a winter night and a rich Bourbon and Ginger as it does with a spring evening out on the patio with a fresh Mai Tai, pianist Oscar Peterson slides over Sinatra’ standards with the grace and subtle charm of a perfect bartender. Sinatra was a Jazz vocalist, and the choices he made with the songs he picked reflect a jazzy spirited edge easily borrowed within other musical boundaries. Overplayed standards, the mainstay of elevators and early bird specials, become cocktail drinking jewels when explored by my favorite jazz pianist. No vocals, just pure, soft tempos are what this record’s all about. Just in Time, The Tender Trap, Witchcraft, How About You, will become the subtle background music of whatever 80-proof evening you happen to be planning.

John Coltrane - My Favorite Things - Stickin’ with wonderful jazz recordings for a minute, this effort by Coltrane absolutely demands to be played three-fourths of the way through an at-home night of soft, well thought out imbibing. Look at it this way, you’ve gone through the enjoyable effort of inviting the right friends over; you’ve been mixing the right cocktails, peanut bowls are empty, a chair is piled high with coats, the sitter still has another hour upstairs with the kids, why not drop the party into low gear and play some music that will have all your guests speak a little more softly, listen a bit more intently, savor the flavor of the evening more. That’s what this recording does. Mr. Booze loves his standards, loves a song he knows well no matter the interpretation. Coltrane’s interpretation of My Favorite Things, Every Time We Say Goodbye, Summertime and But Not For Me is an absolute perfect period at the end of the sentence called your party. Trust me on this one.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out - Since I went out of my way to point out a suggested playing time for the above recording, I’ll stay with it and suggest this recording be played sometime around your perceived mid-point of your cocktail party. Most all your guests will recognize Dave Brubeck’s
recording of Take Five, and rightly so. It’s been used over the years in many shows and movies (one that comes to mind is Pleasantville, where Toby Keith’s character uses the song to wake-up the kids to the power of Beat Poetry). With Brubeck on piano and Paul Desmond on sax, you truly have a jazz masterpiece on your hands w/ this record. There’s a reason every cocktail party during the late 50’s and early 60’s had this album playing at some point during the evening. The Morello Drum solo during Take Five is absolutely amazing and well worth the enjoyment of an ice cold martini through. This album has the distinct ability to make people feel special just to listen to it. It’s unlike any jazz record I own. It’s its own mathematically melodic animal that simply must be let out of its cage on cocktail nights.

Paul Desmond and Gerry Mulligan - Two of a Mind - Mr. Booze is on a jazz roll here so please bear with me. So many times when I have a gathering and am pouring into my jazz albums towards the shank of the night, I’m asked by slurring guests, “What are youuu playinnng?..I love it.” For that reason, I’ve decided to drop another jazzy party bomb on you. C’mon, it can’t all be vocal standards; we gotta mix it up for our swanky night of ice, shakers and tall bottles. I mentioned Desmond above on Time Out and here he is again teaming with baritone sax player Mulligan on a record of cooler-than-hell standards interpretation. For some audio reason, I associate this record with the Beatnik generation. For no reason other than this is the type of New York, early 60’s jazz that I always imagined accompanied black coffee and Beat fiction. On the Road by Kerouac, a cold stout or porter, this album and a little bar time and you’ll be in a drinker’s heaven. Just as good, a small social gathering, some strong, bourbon based cocktails, this record and dim lights and you and your guests will have it made in the shade. Beautiful interpretations of Stardust, The Way You Look Tonight, and All the Things You Are plus more must be enjoyed.

Peggy Lee - Trav’lin Light - A ways before she became that smoky-voiced, platinum blonde, Lady in the Tramp-singing “acquired taste,” Peggy Lee was a damn good band singer. She recorded the songs on this record more as a lark than for commercial release. I don’t know why ‘cause they’re absolutely wonderful. Soft, feminine, sexy and optimistic, this collection will really add bubbles to an evening gathered ‘round the basement bar. They’re all pretty much love songs so you won’t hit that sudden downer ballad that can crash a party quicker than running out of ice. Songs like Goody Goody, Aren’t You Glad You’re You, Trav’lin Light, Fine and Dandy, and Imagination are just a few of the ditties that Miss Lee brings to the party. Yet another album that will have your guests smiling and laughing yet not sure why. Perfect for a party.

Anita O’Day Swings Cole Porter With Billy May - Holy hammana! - Mr. Booze did not see this record coming, and it ran over him like a beer truck. It’s that spectacular. Here’s this little brunette, swinging on a swing on the record cover, white gloves dating the album to the late 50’s, and she positively belts ‘em out. Honestly, this is an absolute 100-proof collection of Cole Porter’ standards sung in such an upbeat jazz tempo, it’ll make you feel as if you’ve jumped a time machine and are sitting in the Tropicana Nightclub sipping a daiquiri and calling over the cigarette girl for a pack of Luckys. It’s a magical, boozy album that Mr. Booze plays more than he doesn’t. Just One of Those Things, Love For Sale, It’s Delovely. I Get a Kick Out of You, the album’s just choc-a-block full of finger-snappin’ vocals singing to be accompanied by the sound of a chrome shaker. Perfect for a Saturday, say, ten o’clock.

Hoagy Carmichael - Hoagy Sings Carmichael - A bit of an acquired taste, I first was introduced to pianist/singer, Hoagy Carmichael in an old Kirk Douglas/Doris Day movie. Hoagy played the saloon piano player who was quick to spark a butt and even quicker doling out advice to a very messed up Kirk Douglas. Most of Carmichael’s scenes involved him just singing some old, great songs while playing a pretty great jazz piano. It took me about a second to do the math, singer + piano + jazz band + unique voice = great cocktail music. This record happens to be one of his best and is absolutely perfect for a night of boozing and cards, or boozing and the boys, or boozing and a few neighbors and friends. He has a hell of a backing band on this record. A few of the tunes you’ll be drinking to are Skylark, Georgia On My Mind, Winter Moon, and Two Sleepy People. You’ll feel like your drinking to a guy who’s been around the block a few times.

Fran Warren - Hey There! Here’s Fran Warren - So you want to have a cocktail get-together with a real retro feel to it. You’ve found the perfect sport-coat and skinny tie, you decked your party area with throw pillows, and all the cool little touches, you just need the perfect kick-off tunes to let your guests know they’ve strolled in to a real late 1950’s throwback. Fran’s your gal. One of the last of the Big-Band singers, Fran made the jump from belting over a thirty piece orchestra to singing on Broadway and jazz joints with grace and loads of style. What a voice! Mr. Booze can mix a pitcher of Manhattans and listen to this one, no problemo. She really goes well with stiff drinks. Her voice is pretty unique; I can’t really compare her to anyone else. Lilting, soft, sexy and confident, Fran Warren will impress the hell out of you. Her versions of Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Imagination, You Don’t Know What Love Is and Imagination are tailor-made for the tail part of the night, a candle lit somewhere on the bar, and a sad-eyed “companion”. Booze-soaked romantic music never sounded so good.

Mambo Cha-Cha – Pure, early 1960’s kooky F-U-N, this collection of “safe” Mambo music will have your guests giggling and maybe a few of the more tipsy ones cha-cha-cha-ing around your bar. I’ve heard more than a few of the selections offered here as background music on the AMC Retro Series, Mad Men. Julie London singing a Mambo Fly Me To The Moon takes off like a rum and pineapple fueled rocket. The Choo-Choo Cha-Cha is hilarious in a good way. In fact, a lot of the songs on this collection have the words “cha-cha” incorporated into their titles. Sway by Dean Martin kicks it all off and the record just never lets up with that retro vibe. Perfect CD to have tucked somewhere in your bar.

Jimmie Rodgers - The Best of Jimmie Rodgers - He’s known as a folk singer but Mr. Booze thinks that there’s a lot more there with Jimmie Rodgers. Another in my long list of great albums to drink to, this greatest hits collection works on a few different levels. Jimmie had a damn fine voice and while folk, these songs work much better with a whiskey sour than they do with a political protest.
Goofy, sentimental, toe-tappin’ arrangements make most of the chestnuts on this record more than suitable for a fun-filled night of cocktailing. Honeycomb, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Oh-Oh, I’m Falling In Love Again, and The Long Hot Summer will all take you back to simpler times. The music pops and is guaranteed to add to a late afternoon or evening’s relaxed atmosphere.

Michael Buble’– Michael Buble’ and It’s Time - I’ve thrown two Michael Buble’ albums up together ‘cause when I play one, I usually go right on and play the other. This kid knows how to swing, ain’t no two ways around it. As a huge fan of the old stuff, I’m man enough to admit that this singer can absolutely hold his own with the best of them. Jumping from Sinatra to Jack Jones to John Hartman to Dean Martin to Buble’ presents no problem whatsoever. My younger, more hep guests know this guy and my older, stick-in-the-mud guests appreciate the hell out of him, too.
I’m impressed as hell with this kid and can’t say enough about him. His voice positively lends itself to a night of bar-gathering. Of the two, It’s Time has the more old-school, classic approach; songs like A Foggy Day in London Town, The More I Ssee You, Save The Last Dance For Me, all prove that the kid can handle a standard. But, then he pops you with Home and Song For You and you realize maybe there is hope for the “Lounge Genre” after all. Buy ‘em, pour yourself a drink, hit play and get taken away for an hour or two.

Chet Baker, The Best of Chet Baker Sings - A must-have record if there ever was one. I’ve never been certain if Chet Baker singing was more of an accident than intentional. Chet Baker was a jazz trumpeter; one of the best, a master of the West Coast jazz sound with his horn. Yet, here he is…singing! However this happened, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that he sang because it’s absolutely amazing. Chet sang like he played his horn, softly, with grace and charm, and with amazing phrasing. This is truly a jazz vocal album you’ll want on as you mix drinks and pour the nuts. This was one of Mr. Booze’s first albums, and it is still an album he comes back to again and again. Chet Baker’s alto voice simply wisps its way through these standards. Sophisticated and subtle, a perfect cocktail album for a rainy night, here are a few of the songs — But Not For Me, Lets Get Lost, I’ve Never Been In Love Before, and I Get Along Without You Very Well.

Chet Baker - The Italian Sessions - Here’s the flipside of the Chet Baker coin, the heads. One of the finest jazz trumpet albums I’ve ever heard. This recording is perfect for drinks between two or a few. The music is almost too amazing to be limited to the background of a cocktail party, although it works well in that role too.

You will hear, through this recording, the beauty and pathos Chet Baker expressed through his trumpet. At times sad, at times uplifting, this is a record which, when combined with a well made drink, will lead to people speaking softly and pausing to listen between points being made. Available for download, if you want some melodic, quiet, recognizable jazz for your evening, this is the one. Songs include — These Foolish Things, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and Well You Needn’t.

The Ultra-Lounge Collection by Capitol Records. - I love these collections. The folks at Capitol Records obviously had some time on their hands when they started this boozy collection because they must have looked everywhere. The CD’s even come with a classic cocktail recipe in the liner notes. No need for the listener to buy individual albums to shake off a chestnut-song or two, these CD’s gather the truly great Lounge music of the past and collect it by theme. They really help set the stage for drinking. You can’t loose with one or all twenty-one disks. I play them almost every time I entertain. Here are a few you can’t go wrong with. Browse the colletion here.

Wild, Cool and Swingin’ – This one was the 1st U-Lounge record I bought and I still play the hell out of it. Just tons of fun. This is the disk to play 20 minutes into a get-together, after folks have had a belt and are ready to really unwind. This one has ‘em all and they really are at the top of their game in terms of finger-snappin’ swing. Dean Martin singing Ain’t That a Kick in the Head, Bobby Darin’s More (one of my top 5 fave. Lounge songs), L.O.V.E. sung by Nat King Cole practically shakes the shaker by itself, and Julie London whispering You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To all add up to some fantastic cocktail sipping listening.

The Crime Scene – Is so fabulously what it sounds like, a very drinkable collection of Crime Show and Movie Theme Songs. This one is fun pure and simple. 60’s television staples, like the themes from I Spy, Mission Impossible and Peter Gunn combine with the Murder and Spy Thriller themes of James Bond, Man With The Golden Arm and The Silencers to be just the ticket for a rainy, fun evening gathered ‘round the basement bar. Engaging background music that should spark conversation and smiles. Very exciting and goes quite well with ice-cold martinis.

Mambo Fever – Mr. Booze plays this one to set the drinking vibe on warm evening get-togethers. These songs are really quite unique and you’d have a hell of a lot of trouble gathering a musical feel anywhere close to this one. The songs are all semi obscure but that shouldn’t be cause for alarm. This is a collection of wonderful background music, to compliment the cold drinks and spirited conversation. At times, this album borders on the campy, but that’s a good thing. When you enjoy a balmy evening of friends and drinks, surrounded by vintage barware and glasses, this is the album that will subtly remind your guests that they’ve slipped back in time this evening. Their in a safe place where Mambo versions of Hernando’s Hideaway, I can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me and Hooray For Hollywood even exist. A few serious Exotica Mambo efforts also make this a CD, which can pack a punch. This one’s fun, pure and simple.

Bossa Novaville – Another must own in the Ultra-Lounge series. I tell ya, this is the perfect disk to throw on when the gang follows you home from work. While you fill the ice-bucket and find an ashtray, the music on this record will make sure the party is safe without you for a few seconds. 60’s instrumental versions of Witchcraft, The Girl From Ipanema, and The Look of Love are unmatched in terms of pure 1960’s sparkle. Drinkers will feel like they’ve stepped back in time. This Rio inspired collection walks hand in hand with a deep winter night. The song Corcovado (Quiet Nights) combined with a properly mixed Gimlet will cause the participant to completely forget that it’s ten degrees outside. This is a great CD to own and use.

TV Town - Yet another member of this lounge collection that you just have to throw on in the background. This one’s fun when you’re having a few other couples over for Bridge and drinks, the guys over for poker, or just a few friends over for Chile and Dark Beers. This album can, at times, shut down conversation…but in a good and fun way. Your guests, especially after a few, will be musically forced to discuss or verbally remember how old they were, how this one reminds them of their parents, or how freakin’ good the show was when they here the stylized, cocktail inspired reworking of the themes from The Odd Couple, Mannix, Bewitched, Dick Van Dyke, The Mod Squad and more. This is not a collection of songs ripped directly from actual shows, it’s a orchestrated collection of music reworked by composers of the past for radio and nightclub play. The songs swing…yet remind. A must own.

Bachelor Pad Royale – Sexy and silly, this CD is absolute boozy, thrilling, titillating, background music for a party. This is the one you throw on when your planning on being busy at the bar for 40 minutes and simply need some old-school sipping music on. Combine some soft blue light bulbs and 2 fifths of gin and you really have something with this record. It has the Theme from the king of all 60’s Spy movies, James Coburn’s Our Man Flint (trust me, you’ll be hitting the replay button a lot). Playboy’s Theme, Harlem Nocturne, Theme from Route 66, A Shot In The Dark, and more, all add up to make this one you should actively seek out. These are the cool songs you just can’t find anymore, yet so need in terms of pure vibe. They’ll truly help mix the evening.

On The Rocks – This collection wins for most strange. This is an Ultra-Lounge collection of Classic Rock songs done by lounge singers, crooners and band-leaders back in the 60’s. Imagine a tuxedo sporting, finger-snappin’ love-song vocalist quietly panicking when he/she first heard Jim Morrison and The Doors firing outbreak On Through, Peggy Lee hyperventilating after being bombarded at her niece’s party with a screaming Beatles diddy, Mel Torme steadying his nerves with a bourbon shot after hearing The Stones, As Tears Go By on the radio in his air-conditioned Caddie, you get the picture…they probably freaked then came out swinging with their own versions of this teen-age music.
A backyard barbeque, bourbon and gingers and Mel Torme singin’ Sunshine Superman, what more could you ask for? Peggy Lee’s A Hard Day’s Night, The Letterman getting down with Hello, I Love You, Henry Jerome jiving out to Stevie Wonder’s Uptight (Everything Is Alright). This is some wacky stuff here folks. Can be a lotta fun with some proper cocktails. Hint hint. There’s even a Volume Two if you can’t get enough.

Mondo Hollywood – I’ll leave the Ultra-Lounge collection with this one. Talking movies and drinking, the two often walk hand in hand. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, studios were just as concerned about a film’s score as they were about plot and star. We’ve deffinately lost something with today’s movies. Sure, we all know the music from Star Wars, Indiana Jones and Halloween, but can you sit down with your wife or husband and loose yourself while looking into each other’s eyes while they softly play in the background? Nope.
Billy May’s Girl Talk, Martin Denny’s Cool, Mancini’s Moon River were all grown-up songs for adult, sophisticated movie-goers. The Themes from The Apartment, The Pink Panther and The Days of Wine and Roses are all represented. This is an album of rich, smoky music ideal for good drinks and close friends. Perfect for the home bar.

Calypso Is Like So… - Robert Mitchum. Yup, that’s what I wrote…Robert Mitchum, the same one who stars in all those killer Film Noir films. He actually recorded a Calypso record back in 1957. This record works well on so many levels here are a few – The songs are f-u-n, fun. Mitchum even tries to sing with a Trinidadian accent. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, From a Logical Point of View, Mama Looks Boo Boo, and the wonderfully boozy Coconut Water, will leave you scratching your head, laughing and enjoying the evening thoroughly. This album was made for Tiki Drinks, meat on the grill and silly shirts. A must own for your retro bar.

June’s Got Rhythm – June Christy is truly one of the great overlooked Female Singers of the 50’s and 60’s. Her voice is an instrument. She is the Grace Kelly of Female Singers, a sadly forgotten beam of light. You must, must have at least one of her records for your bar. She’s a bit of an acquired taste but it will only take a martini. This is the album to put on when you want to have a deep, intoxicating conversation with your girl or boyfriend over drinks. This is the record you listen to while having that drink with another couple before you step out into the night. It’s soft, sexy, American vocal-jazz at it’s best. She sings better then Julie London, Fran Warren, and Doris Day. Christy took enormous chances with her choice in songs and the way she sang ‘em and you’ll love her for it.

This is a go-to album for right after it gets dark in the Summer time. You’ll recognize a lot of the American Songbook in this CD. Songs like The Gypsy In My Soul, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Baubles Bangles and Beads and Blue Moon will make you feel snug and familiar while sipping your drink, However, it’s the I’m Glad There Is You, When The Lights Are Low and Aren’t You Glad Your You? Songs and a few more like them that will surprise and amaze you. A beautiful record to have a drink with.

Gone For The Day and Fair And Warmer June Christy – The misty Ms. Christy earns another mention. What can I say…I love this singer and she goes so well with a night of cocktails and canapé’s. This is a double-album so you do get a lot of bang for your buck.
June Christy is unlike any singer I go back to because she’s so much more of a jazz instrument than a person with a pretty voice. Special’s too weak a word when describing her. ‘Unique’, ‘Complex’, ‘Effervescent’, are more the words I’d choose. This record is another ideal one for your cocktail party. Just throw it on midway through and go back to hosting. The music will take care of itself. It’s light fun and up tempo. The songs you know, like Imagination, Give Me The Simple Life and I’ve Never Been In Love Before are surrounded by standards you and your guests may not have yet heard, songs like No More, It’s Always You and Lost In A Summer Night. Regardless of weather you’ve heard all the songs before, you will before too long because this is a record you’ll come back to.
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Rain Forest – Walter Wanderly. What a strange and cool record this one is. As a young lad, Mr. Booze used to sit at the top of his parent’s steps during their cocktail parties and hear this record along with snippets of party conversation. For me, this record was made for people to laugh, talk and drink with. Rain Forest is pure, 60’s cool organ music that runs thick and hip with Brazilian Bossa Nova. It’s music dominates during a party or get together yet still leaves plenty of room for the sound of ice clinking in a glass, the doorbell, the shriek of a boozy broad or the shout-out for another drink. You’ll feel absolutely wonderful listening to this record, I promise. A few musical standards ; The Girl From Ipanema and Call Me, are surrounded by melodic mysteries like Summer Samba, Song of the Jet and Rain. Non-experimental, you won’t be at a loss when these songs start up. They’ll fit right in like the old, classic drinks your pouring.

Mel Torme Songs Of New York – One of the only famous crooners who I didn’t take to at first. It took some time and a few years of appreciation for this complex singer to grow on my. Songs of New York is exactly what it sounds like, a collection of NYC inspired songs complex enough to stand up to a serious night of drinking and eating. The perfect drink with this disk, a Manhattan of course. Sunday in New York, My Time of Day, Autumn in New York, Torme tackles them all. You’ll want to hop a train, hit the club car and order up a cold cocktail while taking in the skyscrapers. A great cocktail album.

Swingin’ On The Moon, Mel Torme - Yet another 60’s Torme’ theme album and another that positively works. Mel uses songs celebrating The Moon with this record. Moonlight Cocktails, No Moon At All, How High The Moon, Moonlight In Vermont, all combine for a sophisticated, clever vibe at a get together. This is definitely a martini album. A soft record that holds its own through a noisy, boozy party, I like this record very much and so will you. Wild that this is the second album here with a space-girl on the cover. There’ll be more.

The Movie Song Album – Tony Bennett – Not a bad record to pour a drink alone to. As you may have gathered, I’m a sucker for a well written movie song, especially if I liked the film. There’s a ton of great Bennett albums out there and this is one of the tops. His version of Girl Talk from Harlow is the best version of this song ever recorded. Sure it’s a bit sexist but that’s o-k, it’s a different world and sometimes it’s nice to take a look back. The Shadow Of Your Smile from The Sandpiper is my absolute favorite Tony Bennett recording, absolutely haunting. Emily, from The Americanization of Emily, is an equally beautiful ballad. I could go on but won’t. This is a beautiful record, my favorite by the Singer. Mr. Booze isn’t a big proponent of drinking alone, it’s rarely a good idea. However, if your in a introspective mood and will be meeting folks later for fun, a whisky rocks and The Movie Song Album work very well together.

Behind the Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart – Mr. Booze can slip a classic 1960’s Comedy Album into the pot if he wants to, as long as it goes well with strong drinks, why not? I won’t take long with this one. Make a stiff, early 60’s drink like an Old-Fashioned or a Gibson, leave your jaded sarcastic modern mind in the closet, invite some pals over for poker and play this album when you break for sandwiches and more drinks.
Funny and a hilarious Time-Machine.

Time For Love, The Best of Julie London – Not Mr. Booze’ favorite female singer but I gotta say, when Julie London hits it, she hits it. You don’t need to track down all her vinyl or available CD’s or downloads, this Best-Of cd more than does the job. This a great disk to play at the shank of the night, the last call before you put the cat out and point the stragglers towards the door. Not an up tempo song in the bunch but boy, are they perfect for a nightcap. She’s a very sexy and smoky singer. The Type of voice you’ll feel like taking care of. Songs like No Moon At All, ‘Round Midnight, The Thrill Is Gone and A Cottage For Sale are all wonderful periods at the end of the night’s sentence. A “Last Call” record.

The Wham of Sam – Sammy Davis Jr. This man is not a sidekick. If you think of Sammy Davis Jr. as the dancing leg of the Rat Pack, then you owe it to yourself to start exploring his library. He was a fabulous Jazz Singer and his music goes extremely well with subdued light, smoky rooms, light canapés and cold cocktails. This entire album is worth playing from beginning to end, not a stale song in the bunch. Sammy’s 1st song on the record, A Lot Of Living To Do, will absolutely get your party started and set the entire mood for the evening. He swings and struts his way though and you can’t help but be in a great mood halfway in. Begin The Beguine and My Romance will let you catch your breath and concentrate, once again on the drinks but hurry because a few minutes later he launched in to Too Close For Comfort and your guests will be ready for another. This is an elegant, exciting album for grown-ups enjoying themselves.

Pretty Baby / This Time I’m Swingin’ Dean Martin. - Gosh, where to start with Dean? I guess with this record. It’s a double album so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Deano never sounded more suave or in the know as he does with this CD. It’s a great cocktail party ice-breaker. The album to put on when the guests are dropping their coats off on the bed, the shaker’s just finishing off the first batch and the doorbell’s still chiming. Dean Martin music was absolutely recorded to enjoy while drinking, no two ways about it. You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You, Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone. I Don’t Know Why, Pretty Baby are all standards. But I tell ya, when Dean Martin’s singing them, it’s like hearing ‘em all over again for the 1st time. Drink, be merry and listen to this Dean Martin cd.

Dean Martin Live At The Sands Hotel (An Evening of Music, Laughter and Hard Liquor) – Pretty much exactly what you think it is, this record is made to drink lots to.
Recorded in 1964 with a piano and small orchestra, this sounds a lot like it was recorded at one of the famous and long gone Hotel Lounges. It sounds like a fairly small room.
Dean is on fire with this one. Cracking jokes, changing the words of standard songs suggesting naughty behavior, this album is like a recorded 60’s stag party. Great for a poker game, boy’s night or impromptu evening with close friends, this is a booze-soaked
Salute to days gone by. Songs include That’s Amore, On A Slow Boat To China, Memories Are Made Of This and You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby. The words slurred, fumbled and dirtied up on all of them. Hilarious.

Gene Krupa Drum Boogie, Best of the Big Bands – Here’s THE Drummer. If you don’t know about the Big Band Legend, it’s time you learned. Gene Krupa played the drums like he was born to do nothing else. This is another cocktail party album, perfect for a night of drinking and enjoying.
What I adore about this record is that it’s not just a Drum album. The record explodes with standard Big-Band music only with a strong skin vibe. Different, nostalgic, captivating, and fresh, if you like brassy, thumping jazz this is for you. Build some more 40’s and 50’s sounds around it and you’ll really have an evening. Drum Boogie, Sweet Georgia Brown, No Name Jive all blast heavy with a serious, serious drumming emphasis. Fun and then some.

From Another World – This record is so cool, so 50’s, so far-out, that after your guests finish listening to it they’ll want another go along with another round. Outer Space, Sputnik, Atom splitting, these were the things on the minds of yesterday’s drinker.
Conductor Sid Bass realized this and built an entire album of popular standards with odd, space-aged sounds and instruments. Don’t get me wrong, the music actually flows very well. Imagine standards like Old Devil Moon, How High The Moon. Star Dust and My Blue Heaven being played by a band out of the old cartoon The Jetsons and there you have it. Campy, cool fun for your next gathering.

Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 – Mr. Booze is by no means making a push for this word to come back. It served its purpose back in the 1960’s and died. Yet, here I go ‘cause it’s the one word which truly describes this amazing recording …Groovy. This cd is groovy. If you’ve seen the 1st Austin Power’s movie, then you’ve heard the kick-off song in this album. In the montage scene where Austin and Vanessa stroll through Vegas while casino names and bright lights fly by, Mas Que Nada sets the tone in the background. With a heavy Latin beat thumping though most of the songs and a driving piano base, the harmonies of the singers combine to create a thrilling, long gone sound. Yet another album that shines during a cocktail party or decent size gathering. It’ll be difficult to not shake the chrome shaker in rhythm with the music on this disk.

Astrud Gilberto’s Finest Hour – Here’s another exotic entry into the cocktail music scene. One I feel more than serves it’s purpose. Astrud Gilberto is best known for being the soft sounding, sexy singer on Stan Getz’ version of The Girl From Ipanema. She does pique one’s interest in the singing of that song. On this record she proves that she can seduce with a song over and over again. Apparently, an undiscovered singing housewife, she rose to fame with the Getz’ song (which is on this disk) and launched into a successful 1960’s career. I’ll warn you, this record is extremely soft. You won’t be finger-snapping or mamboing to this one. This is a CD to listen to with a few close friends and a night of cocktails. This is a personal album with that retro grove that so goes with the flavors of the evening.

Bobby Darin: Love Swings – Now here’s an up-tempo, cool as winter record that will have you and your guests absolutely ready to pour down some classic cocktails. Darin was just such a damned good singer in every sense of the word. You can hear the times in his voice, a post-war, ring-a-ding optimism. He drives most of the songs on this record well over the speed limit and I guarantee that this is the album to get the night started and your guests ready for a good time. He was the classic crooner. Long Ago And Far Away done with just such a bang, I Didn’t Know What Time It Was, Just Friends, How About You and more done in a jazzy, 60’s style that calls for old martini glasses and lots of fun.

The Swinging Side of Bobby Darin – How come no one swings anymore? Half of Mr. Booze’ records have the word swing or swingin’ in them. What was it about the 60’s and swinging? I don’t know but I do know it’s a blast and an absolute necessity to have a few of these records near your home bar. This effort by Bobby Darin really ..ummm…swings.
What else can I say about this walking, talking firecracker? You simply must own some of his music. This one’s pure Saturday night. I Got Rhythm, I’m Beginning To See The Light, Just In Time, Make Someone Happy, Hello Young Lovers, I could go on. Sport-Jacket, skinny-Tie, Cuff-Links optional with this album.

Blues In The Night Johnny Mercer – The night my Daughter was born, I poured a drink and listened to this album as sort of a mini celebration, the calm before the storm of not enough sleep and diapers and boys in 15 years. This is a great whiskey record, a great autumn album. It has that 40’s feel that goes very well with beer, both regular and ginger, rye and peanuts. Mercer, while just one of the most accomplished songwriters that ever lived, also had a damn nice voice. A sleepy Southern drawl wrapped around some of the most wonderful tunes in the American Songbook will assure you that you made a good choice in picking up this one. Here are just a few of the gems on this disk –
Candy (accompanied by Jo Stafford), One For My Baby, Blues In The Night, Candy, Java Jive and Accentuate The Positive. A bunch of optimistic, great sounding songs you should have by the bar.

Come Swing With Me Frank Sinatra – As an appreciator of Classic Cocktails as I know you are, I almost didn’t want to bring him up. He’s almost too obvious of a choice. I know that you already have some of Sinatra’s recordings at home. I know you play ‘em while you have a drink. Having said that, Mr. Booze also knows that he’s gotta mention him. Frank Sinatra is to drinking and sitting at a bar what Babe Ruth is to Baseball. The two were made for each other. I feel foolish recommending Sinatra and any one disk. They all can be enjoyed while bending an elbow … some, more than others. This is a great one. It really swings. Day By Day, Almost Like Being In Love, That Old Black Magic, I’ve Heard That Song Before…what can I say? great drinking music. This is the great stuff to have on hand when friends come a calling for a night of cheer and booze.

Come Fly With Me Frank Sinatra – “If you can use some exotic booze, there’s a bar in far Pompeii.” Kinda sums it up in a nutshell. This is a Sinatra abum you gotta own. He’s at the top of his game with this one. Climb up the rickety Pan Am metal staircase, take your seat, pour a drink and fly away with Frank. Be sure to bring some friends because this trip is a ball. An album worth a second go ‘round at a party or boozy gathering, each song an ode to travel. On The Road To Mandalay, Brazil, Come Fly With Me and Let’s Get Away From It All will have your guests chirping on about where they’ve been and the drinks they had while there. A perfect record for your bar is this.

Cycles Frank Sinatra – After a drink or two, while I’m listening to this record, I imagine that Frank must have recorded this around the time of his troubled marriage with Mia. It just has this certain feel about it that no other Sinatra album has. It’s as if this guy in his 40’s was attempting to prove himself youthfully introspective, almost hippy like to his decades younger wife. He succeeds on a weird level. His maturity and life experience carry through the music. He may have been wearing turtlenecks and sporting Love-Beads while he sang these songs, but underneath, he was still Sinatra. This may very well be another record where it’s alright to have a drink alone while your listening to it or enjoy with Harvey Wallbangers and a bunch of comrades, your choice. From Both Sides Now, Little Green Apples, Buy The Time I Get To Phoenix all well sung 60’s pop classics with a cool Sinatra twist. Cycles is the song that’ll get to you if you’re of a certain age and have had a few. A bold choice in records to play while having a few, but one you’ll enjoy.

Swingin’ Soft Drink Spots of the 60’s – This is not an album of music but Mr. Booze has to bring it to your attention. I’ll be quick. When I’m having a night of classic cocktails or Tiki Drinks and there’s a definite 60’s feel to the music, food and drinks. The retro barware is sparkling and vibe is Kennedy era, throw this one on as a mix with 4 or 5 60’s era cd’s. It’s nothing more than a cool little accent when your disk player’s on random select. To hear Petula Clark and Nat King Cole singing Coke-Cola jingles between songs during a vintage little get together you’re throwing, adds tremendously. One of those cool little things that will make your home bar a little more wild.

Jack Jones Sings Michel LeGrand – LeGrand was a huge composer back in the day with hits in movies like McQueen’s The Thomas Crown Affair. Jack Jones has one of the best voices of any singer I’ve listened to. I recently saw Jack Jones live and was just blown away by a few of these songs. They are reflective in the way a drink, at the proper time will sometimes cause an inward look. This is an album to share with a person your close with. Pour a couple of Vesper Martinis and you two sit down with this one and a fireplace. The Windmills of Your Mind, What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life? and One At A Time must be heard…beautiful.

Nat King Cole Sings For Two In Love (And More) – How good do you want it with your autumn cocktail? Nat King Cole and a heavy strings orchestra being conducted by the legendary Nelson Riddle makes this CD a must have for your bar. I mentioned autumn earlier because this record contains, which should only be listened to between September and January. It’s a song that should be savored like summer strawberries. Dinner For One, Let’s Fall In Love and Love Is Here To Stay make this album required listening with a Ginger Sanagree, or a Brandy Alexander and a nice fire but then you have a heavy brass, swinging version of Almost Like Being In Love and you know you really have something with this record. Great for any social gathering, this album’s a winner.

Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs Marty Robbins – This is one of my favorite drinking albums. Marty Robbins was a damned Cowboy when he sang these songs.
From the 50’s, when Westerns ruled at the box office and on TV, this collection is a real celebration of your Dad and his Dad’s generations. I can imagine, back in 1950’s suburbia, neighborhood Joes gathered in an unfinished basement, drinking Tom Collins, cans of cold beer, playing cards and listening to this record. El Paso is the Song of Songs on this album; the dying lament of a gut-shot Cowboy, fatally in love. Cool Water, A Hundred and Sixty Acres, Billy The Kid all add up for a fun, retro listening experience.
This is a 1950’s Country and Western record that still can really entertain.

John Coltrane And Johnny Hartman – I’m at a loss as to why more folks haven’t heard of Jazz Singer, Johnny Hartman. He had a beautifully rich, deep, cigarette stained voice that owned every song he touched. He sand like he had all the time in the world and when he teamed up with tenor sax legend John Coltrane and pianist McCoy Tyner you get one of the best vocal jazz albums ever recorded. You can’t be in a rush or have places to go while listening, mix a glass pitcher of sweet Manhattans, invite a friend or two over, smoke ‘em if you got ‘em and relax. I have yet to devote space to the serious Jazz albums recorded back when, and their special place by your lounge, but I intend to. This record belongs near the top of that project. Lush Life, Autumn Serenade, They Say It’s Wonderful are three of the six songs found on this glorious record. I highly recommend this one.

Ella Swings Brightly With Nelson – You need at the very least, one Ella Fitzgerald album to play while your mixing drinks. She was a master of the American Songbook, one of the best, with a voice like no one else. She teams with Sinatra’s great Conductor, Nelson Riddle on this one. This is a classic sound with popular music royalty teaming up for an album sung by a woman but with the strong-lined edge of Riddle’s arranging.
I Won’t Dance, Mean To Me, The Gentlemen Is A Dope (A sort of direct response to Sinatra’s The Lady Is A Tramp), Alone Together have that Sinatra feel to them but become so unique when sung by Ella. These are drinking music recommendations and this absolutely works when entertaining or just enjoying a drink yourself.

Foursider Herb Albert And The Tijuana Brass – I have all of Herb Albert’s records and love ‘em. He’s a big part of the 60’s in my mind and while too young to drink back then, my Dad sure did and with his friends by his side, listened to a hell of a lot of Tijuana Brass records. So, I guess you could say I have a strong association with this music. There just always seemed to be a party going on as I remember this music. Herb’s versions of What Now My Love, Casino Royale, Sunny and especially Without Her, I strongly associate with beers being opened with a church-key, big sunglasses, cigarettes and backyard barbeques. This album still works. With a from scratch Margarita, You’ll have some happy folks on your hands. You just gotta have some Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass in your house. With 21 songs on the disk, most of them familiar, this is the one to start with. I have it on CD so it’s out there. Currently unavailable. Vinyl if you have a record player and you should.

These Ghoulish Things – It’s an import and kind of expensive but I promise you one thing, you won’t need another CD for your Halloween Party. This record has ‘em all. Besides the prerequisite Monster Mash by Bobby Pickett, this CD contains 27 more rock ‘n roll 50’s and 60’s monster songs recorded during the heyday of the Universal and B Studio, Monster Movie Craze. Frankenstein’s Party, Drac’s Back, Coolest Little Monster, The Voo Doo Walk and more songs that you’ve never heard will have all your drinking buddies thinking “how cool is this?” Nothing more than Halloween fun…but what the hell’s wrong with that?

Christmas Cocktails V 1, 2 & 3 – I’ll be quick and to the point with these. You want to have a 85 proof Christmas party, you’ve planned the menu, the drinks to pour and what kitschy decorations to hang. All you need are party appropriate X-Mas songs to play. Throw these disks in with your regular Christmas album rotation. You’ve heard a lot of them, Deano’s Rudolph, Nat Cole’s The Christmas Song, Peggy Lee’s Winter Wonderland, but there are plenty of rum soaked selections you may not have heard.
Warm December by Julie London, Wayne Newton’s version of Jingle Bell Rock, Exotic Night by Martin Denny all add up to a cool Christmas play list. You have enough to worry about throwing a X-Mas bash, don’t let the music be one of your worries.