Cocktail Nation

This week on Cocktail Nation, we slip into a world of tiki moonlight, sophisticated jazz and lounge music that makes you feel better dressed simply by listening to it.

We take a special look at legendary arranger and bandleader Billy May, wander from Yokohama to Rome, and uncover the curious story of how television learned to tell audiences when to laugh. Plus, Lounge Life Magazine brings us an update on Barbara Eden, while the story of tiki pioneer Donn Beach reminds us that sometimes a bar is really an invitation to enter another world.

There’s exotica, jazz, a little bachelor-pad philosophy and plenty more along the way.

So pour yourself something cold, turn the lights down low and settle in for another sophisticated trip through Cocktail Nation.

Playlist

Tiki Delights - Magic Is The Moonlight
Duke Ellington - Bonga
Pink Martini & Saori Yuki - Blue Light Yokohama
Tito Rodríguez - Theme From The Apartment
Cal Tjader - Moneypenny
Martini Kings - Dance Of The Virgins
Percussion For Playboys - 05 Land Of Desire
James Morrison - The Master Plan
Clouseaux - Destination - Oasis
Nat King Cole & George Shearing - A Beautiful Friendship
Vince Guaraldi - Mr Lucky
Dom Halpin - Mambo
Metropole Orchestra - Poinciana
Don Tiki - The Natives Are Restless Tonight
Buddy Greco - My Last Night In Rome

Never cross a crazy lady

 

Bill Irwin - Seduction

Rene Paulo Group - I Never Had A Chance

Los Tres Caballeros - The Continental

Sandy Smith Group- Wagon Wheels

Bill Evans -I Hear  a Rhapsody 

Peter Nero- Sunday In New York 

Percy Faith Autumn In New York

Mantovani -Te' para dos

Annunzio Paolo Mantovani 

Cannonball Adderly-Love For Sale

Thelonius Monk-Getting Sentimenal Over You

Daphna Levy-Day Dream

Jason Paul-Summer Star

Let me tell you what happened this week.

Tony Bennett-Dearly Beloved

Henry Mancini -Champagne and Quail

Dinah Washington Cry Me A River

Carlini World Of Strings-Plasir D’mour

Lionel Hampton-The Nearness Of You

Mantovani -As Time Goes By

Percy Faith -Out Of This World

Stan Getz-Wives And Lovers

James Spencer-Romancing Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason-Little Girl

Larry Gelb -Suddenly It’s Spring

Bucky Pizzarelli-Tangerine

Dan Cray-Moonriver

Steve Alley-Somewhere

Sharps-From Russia With love

Oscar Peterson-Learning the Blues

This week on Cocktail Nation, we’re heading into the shadows with Deep Space Confidential: Caracas Pursuit — a journey through exotic sounds, Cold War intrigue, tiki culture and the glamorous world of the bachelor pad.

We’ll also look at the cocktail that refused to die, revisit the origins of the Moscow–Washington hotline, explore some seriously swanky sounds from around the globe, and finish with a Deep Thought that may have you questioning something you’ve never really thought about before.

So settle in, pour yourself something appropriate, and let’s disappear for a while.

Jimmy Smith - Mission Impossible
Narco Lounge Combo - The Seduction
Lucas Vigor - Lights On The Water
DJ Bonebrake - Tango
Metropole Orchestra - La Paloma
Ixtahule - Exotic Sounds Of Ixtahule
Clouseaux - Destination Oasis
Jimmy Psycho - That Old Black Magic
Stereophonic Spacesound Unlimited - Nassau Shake Down
Martini Kings - Dance Of The Virgins
Joey Altruda - Tropical Espionage
Jerry Sun - Tiki
Halford Jetset - Out Of This World
Tiki Joes Ocean - Hypnotica

Or as she likes to call it fluffy harmless observation time

 

Perry Beekman -Someone To Watch Over Me

Ken Greves-Lush Life

Audrey Morris -Good Morning Heartache

James Morrison- Getting Sentimental Over You

Rene Raff-Among The Stars

Mary Anderson-Your Quietness

Larry Gelb-Laura Morante

101 Strings-Macarthur Park

Bill Evans-I  Hear A Rhapsody

Serge Gainsbourg-Colour Cafe

L’Orchestra Brasilien Da Bossa-Desifinado

Tubby Hayes-Lady E

Rebecca Angel-Jetset Samba

Bill Evans-Garrys Theme

Richard Hayman- You’re My Thrill