Bobby Darin sax player Plas Johnson playing in Los Angeles on February 2nd, 2008

Sax legend Plas Johnson, who can be heard on the Bobby Darin LPs Sings Ray Charles, Hello Dolly to Goodbye Charlie, Venice Blue, Sings The Shadow of Your Smile, and In a Broadway Bag, as well as many other famous recordings, will be appearing with his Plas Johnson Quartet on Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 at Charlie O's Jazz Club, 13725 Victory Blvd, Valley Glenn, California. The quartet also features John Gianelli on bass, Roy McCurdy on drums, and Jon Mayer on piano.

For set times and more info, call Charlie O's at 818-994-3058 or visit their website at www.charlieos.com.

Thanks to Jo-Ann from Charlie O's for this info.

Bobby Darin sax player Plas Johnson and Bobby Darin bassist Carol Kaye playing in Los Angeles on January 5th, 2008

The great Plas Johnson, who played sax on numerous Bobby Darin LPs, including Sings Ray Charles, Hello Dolly to Goodbye Charlie, Venice Blue, Sings The Shadow of Your Smile, and In a Broadway Bag, will be appearing with his Plas Johnson Quartet on Saturday, January 5th, 2008 at Charlie O's Jazz Club, 13725 Victory Blvd, Valley Glenn, California. The quartet also features John Gianelli on bass, Roy McCurdy on drums, and Jon Mayer on piano. Rumor has it that the legendary Carol Kaye, who played bass on Bobby Darin's Lazy River, as well as other Darin recordings, will be in attendance, and will very likely sit in with the band.

Sets are at 8pm, 9:30pm, and 11pm. For more info call Charlie O's at 818-994-3058 or visit their website at www.charlieos.com.

Thanks to Jan Derrer of lostandsound.wordpress.com and Jo-Ann from Charlie O's for this info.

Bobby Darin Rare Videos: Long Line Rider, Sixteen Tons, The Big Time with George Burns

This week's Bobby Darin Video Blast at DarinLand.com features 4 rare clips: Bobby Darin singing Long Line Rider, Bobby Darin singing Sixteen Tons, and 2 clips of George Burns and Bobby Darin on The Big Time in 1959. Use this link to see the videos:

Bobby Darin Rare Performances (4 videos)

There's also a new poll at DarinLand.com: Pick your favorite clip from this week's Video Blast.

Bobby Darin Video Blast Update

You might have noticed that the clips in the Bobby Darin Video Blast at DarinLand.com this week suddenly went missing. The original videos were deleted from YouTube and so we lost the links. However, we have now updated the Video Blast, including 2 new clips that weren't in the previous edition. Check it out:

BOBBY DARIN LIVE IN LONDON (1967)
(4 rare clips from Bobby Darin's 1967 UK TV Special)

Bobby Darin Live in London 1967 (6 videos)

This week's Bobby Darin VideoBlast on the DarinLand.com website features 6 rare video clips from Bobby Darin's 1967 Live in London TV Special. Use this link to view the clips:

Bobby Darin Live in London 1967

There's also a new poll (What is Your Favorite LIVE Bobby Darin DVD?) and a new Question of the Week (What is your favorite performance from this week's Bobby Darin Live in London VideoBlast?). Check it all out at DarinLand.com.

Bobby Darin sings Neil Diamond (2 videos)

The latest Bobby Darin Video Blast at DarinLand.com features Bobby Darin singing two Neil Diamond classics, "Song Sung Blue" and "Sweet Caroline." Bobby's intense and dramatic interpretation of "Caroline" is astounding!

Check out the video clips at this link:

Bobby Darin Sings Neil Diamond

Chicago Tribute to Bobby Darin adds 3rd show!

Great news for Bobby Darin fans in the Chicago area: After selling out 2 shows scheduled for October 26th and October 27th, the Skokie Theatre has added a 3rd performance of "As Long As I'm Singing," a tribute to Bobby Darin starring Dennis Tufano, the original voice of The Buckinghams. The third performance will be later in the evening on October 27th, at 9:15pm.

The Skokie Theatre is located at 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, Illinois. For more info and to purchase tickets, call 847-677-7761 or visit their website at www.skokietheatre.com.

Bobby Darin sings Rhythm and Blues (4 videos)

The latest Bobby Darin Video Blast on the DarinLand.com site is a showcase for Bobby's talents as a rhythm and blues singer: 4 video clips including "Got My Mojo Workin'," "Work Song," "Midnight Special," and "Higher and Higher." Check it out at this link:

Bobby Darin Sings Rhythm and Blues

Bobby Darin on 1960 British TV Special (5 videos)

The latest Bobby Darin Video Blast on the DarinLand.com site features Bobby in the 1960 British TV Special, "This is Bobby Darin." There are 5 videos to choose from, including duets with Clyde McPhatter and Duane Eddy. Use this link to see it:

This is Bobby Darin TV Special (1960)

Bobby Darin CD Profile: Aces Back to Back

Bobby Darin: Aces Back to Back (Hyena TMF 9324, 9/14/2004)
Producers: Joel Dorn, Jimmy Scalia
Format: CD (1 Disc) / DVD (1 Disc)

Tracks:

CD:
1. This Could Be The Start Of Something Big (Steve Allen)
2. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Bob Crewe)
3. Song Sung Blue (Neil Diamond)
4. All I Have To Do Is Dream - [with Petula Clark] (Boudleaux & Felice Bryant)
5. A Quarter To Nine (Al Dubin/Harry Warren)
6. Alone Again Naturally (Raymond O'Sullivan)
7. Beyond The Sea (Charles Trenet/Jack Lawrence)
8. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob Dylan)
9. If I Were A Carpenter (Tim Hardin)
10. Simple Song Of Freedom (Bobby Darin)
11. Up A Lazy River (Sidney Arodin/Hoagy Carmichael)
12. Jive (Bobby Darin)
13. Rainin' (Bobby Darin)
14. Long Time Movin' (Bobby Darin)
15. Dream Lover (Bobby Darin)
16. Blue Skies (Irving Berlin)
17. Moon River (Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer)
18. All The Way (Sammy Cahn/James Van Heusen)
19. Mack The Knife (Marc Blitzstein/Bertolt Brecht/Kurt Weill)
20. The Curtain Falls (Sol Weinstein)

DVD:
1. This Could Be The Start Of Something Big (Steve Allen)
2. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Bob Crewe)
3. Song Sung Blue (Neil Diamond)
4. All I Have To Do Is Dream - [with Petula Clark] (Boudleaux & Felice Bryant)
5. A Quarter To Nine (Al Dubin/Harry Warren)
6. Alone Again Naturally (Raymond O'Sullivan)
7. Beyond The Sea (Charles Trenet/Jack Lawrence)
8. Mack the Knife (Marc Blitzstein/Bertolt Brecht/Kurt Weill)

Lost Documentary Footage:
1. Weeping Willow (Bob Shane/Nick Reynolds/John Stewart)
2. One of Those Songs (Gerard Calvi/Will Holt)
3. You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You (James Cavanaugh/Russ Morgan/Larry Stock)

Comments: "Aces Back to Back" is not a Bobby Darin hits collection, but something much better. Producers Joel Dorn and Jimmy Scalia have put together a wonderful set of previously uncollected live recordings, alternate takes, and clips from Darin's TV variety show. There is also footage of Darin working on a new song in the studio, playing with his son Dodd, slamming away on the drums, and talking about his fears, feelings, and goals. The demo version of "Dream Lover" alone would make this a must-have for any Darin fan. But this is only one of many gems on the CD part of the set: A gentle, unique and intimate rendition of "All the Way," a heartwarming and tender reading of "Moon River," a jaunty and kickin' take on "Blue Skies," an absolutely electrifying performance of "Quarter to Nine" -- "Aces Back to Back" is a bottomless treasure chest of Darin goodies.

Bob Rozario leads Bobby Darin musical tribute in Las Vegas in October

The following news comes to us from the DarintoDream.com website: Bob Rozario, former musical director for the Bobby Darin Amusement Company, will lead a musical tribute to his friend Bobby Darin, at the University of Nevada Las Vegas on Saturday, October 13th. The event will take place in the Judy Bayley Theatre and it starts at 1pm. Tickets are available from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Performing Arts Center Box Office, 702-895-ARTS (2787).

For the occasion, Mr. Rozario has arranged a series of Darin songs to present the life, legend and legacy of Bobby Darin as only a close friend could.

Appropriately, this is a charity event, benefiting the Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV and the American Heart Association. Given Bobby Darin's well documented philanthropic attitude, he would undoubtedly approve.

Credit for making this tribute a reality goes to four very dedicated Bobby Darin fans: Sandra Jeffries, Lori Slinn, Teresa Sodaro, and Diane Twersky. Their tireless efforts on behalf of Mr. Darin are truly amazing.

Here are the full details:

Dream Lover: A Tribute to the Music of Bobby Darin

Relive the thrill and excitement of one of the world's most brilliant and unforgettable entertainers!

With Musical Director Bob Rozario and the Bob Rozario Ensemble

Saturday, October 13, 2007, 1:00 p.m.

Judy Bayley Theatre
University of Nevada Las Vegas

Proceeds to benefit the Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV and the American Heart Association

For tickets, call the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Performing Arts Center Box Office, 702-895-ARTS (2787)

Once again, thanks to Diane Twersky and her fantastic website, DarintoDream.com, for this information.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: Darin at the Copa

Bobby Darin: Darin at the Copa (Atco 33-122, August 1960)
CD Release: Atlantic 82629, 6/24/1994
Recording Dates: June 15-16, 1960, Live at the Copacabana in NYC
Producers: Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun
Engineers: Tom Dowd, Phil Iehle
Arrangements: Richard Berke*, Buddy Bregman**, Bobby Scott***, Richard Wess****
Musicians: Paul Shelley's Copacabana Orchestra conducted by Richard Behrke; Richard Behrke (p); Ronnie Zito (d); other details unknown.

Original LP Sequence:

Side 1:
****Medley: Swing Low Sweet Chariot (Traditional), Lonesome Road (Gene Austin/Nathaniel Shilkret)
****Some of These Days (Shelton Brooks)
****Mack the Knife (Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein)
***Love for Sale (Cole Porter)
**Clementine (Woody Harris)
*You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To (Cole Porter)
****Dream Lover (Bobby Darin)

Side 2:
***Bill Bailey (Traditional)
**I Have Dreamed (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein)
**I Can't Give You Anything But Love (Dorothy Fields/Jimmy McHugh)
Alright, O.K., You Win (Sid Wyche/Mamie Watts)
*Medley: By Myself (Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz)/When Your Lover Has Gone (E.A. Swan)
I Got a Woman (Ray Charles/Renald Richard)
****That's All (Bob Haymes/Alan Brandt)

Comments: Following on the heels of his breakthrough 1959 standards record "That's All", 22-year-old Bobby Darin realized yet another one of his career goals when he played the stage of the legendary Copacabana in New York City to standing-room-only crowds. The kid who had achieved a hit with the rock novelty tune "Splish Splash" suddenly became "Mr Showman of 1960" (Gene Knight, New York Journal-American). "Darin is no freak of the rock n' roll variety and no callow crooner with contempt for his audience, but a genuine star, showman and entertainer," declared Lee Mortimer of the New York Mirror. In fact, the accolades for Darin's Copa debut flowed more freely than champagne at a Broadway opening night. One of Darin's biggest admirers, Walter Winchell, summed it up nicely: "Darin received so many wires of congrats that Western Union told him 'you hold the record for telegrams in one night'." Critics and stars were falling over themselves to compliment Bobby's talent--and listening to this record, it's easy to understand why. Darin knocks the Copa audience for a loop, gaining their respect in the process. Along with the aforementioned "That's All", this album is a must have for any Darin fan.

Bobby Darin CD Profile: The Curtain Falls, Live at the Flamingo

Bobby Darin: The Curtain Falls, Live at the Flamingo [CD] (Collectors Choice CCM-171, April 10, 2001)
Recording Dates: November 9, 1963
Arrangers: Bob Florence*, Billy May**

1. *Intro/Hello Young Lovers (Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II)
2. **Ace In The Hole (James Dempsey/George Mitchell)
3. You're Nobody 'Till Somebody Loves You
4. Hits Medley: Splish Splash (Bobby Darin/Jean Murray)/Beyond The Sea (Charles Trenet/Jack Lawrence)/Artificial Flowers (Jerry Bock/Sheldon Harnick)/Clementine (Woody Harris)
5. My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart)
6. I Walk The Line (Parody) (John R. Cash)
7. 18 Yellow Roses (Bobby Darin)
8. Mack The Knife (Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht/Marc Blitzstein)
9. Comedy Routine
10. Work Song (Nat Adderley/Oscar Brown, Jr.)
11. Michael (Row The Boat Ashore) (Traditional)
12. Mary Don't You Weep (Traditional)
13. I'm On My Way Great God (Traditional)
14. The Curtain Falls (Sol Weinstein)

NOTE: This album was re-issued in 2005 as "Live From Las Vegas", on the Capitol label. Both CDs contain exactly the same 14 tracks.

Comments: Bobby Darin could electrify an audience like no other performer, and this November 1963 engagement at the Flamingo shows him at the height of his considerable powers. Darin comes charging out with a high-energy rendition of "Hello Young Lovers", follows it up with a sly and funny reading of "Ace in the Hole" (from his "Two of a Kind" collaboration with the legendary Johnny Mercer), then slides deftly into the more gentle and romantic "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You". Other highlights include the Darin-penned tune "18 Yellow Roses" (this live version is considered by many to be superior to the studio cut), an amazing performance of Nat Adderley and Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Work Song", and of course, the show-stopping title tune, "The Curtain Falls". Peppered throughout is Darin's easygoing stage banter and legendary sense of humor. This is not just a gem--it's a gem of blinding brilliance.

Bobby Darin: If I Were a Carpenter (5 videos)

I just added something new to the weekly Bobby Darin Video Blast at DarinLand.com: a multi-video player, allowing you to choose from several different videos to view each week. This week's Video Blast is "Bobby Darin: If I Were a Carpenter." You can choose from 5 different versions, including a duet with Stevie Wonder. To see it, use this link: Bobby Darin Video Blast.

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