Loser's Lounge: Burt Bacharach

Loser's Lounge returns to its roots with another Burt Bacharach tribute at Joe's Pub on December 18 (Thursday, 9:30pm), 19 (Friday, 7pm and 9:30pm), and 20 (Saturday, 7pm and 9:30pm).

Here's a kind of proto-Loser's Lounge tribute from the TV variety show The Hollywood Palace (December 12, 1967). Yes, there's a fair share of smarminess, but if you're patient you'll hear Liza Minnelli, Wes Montgomery, and Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 as well as Herb Alpert. I only wish the performances weren't such teases!



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Loser's Lounge: Bee Gees

The Bee Gees plagued me during the Seventies—I was of the school that held that they sounded like castrated dolphins (in the worst possible sense). But, to my surprise, I still managed to enjoy a Loser's Lounge tribute to the group that I attended earlier in this century.

So, even if you're not a Bee Gees fan, consider going to the upcoming Bee Gees tribute at Joe's Pub, October 16th, 17th, and 18th.

After that comes a Burt Bacharach tribute, but in the meantime....



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Ethan Lipton

I've been meaning to take note of singer-songwriter Ethan Lipton's recent gig at Joe's Pub. His wry tunes, reminiscent of work by Dave Frishberg and Mose Allison and Randy Newman, made for an intimate and amusing evening concert.

Here is the video for Lipton's "Hit It."



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ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS: COMING SOON TO JOE'S PUB!!

For a good time, see the Asylum Street Spankers at Joe's Pub on Saturday night, July 26, 2008. They go on at 7:30 and 11:30.

Previous coverage here.



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LOSER'S LOUNGE: THE CARS VS. DURAN DURAN

It's The Cars, right? Hands down? I mean, even Sean Altman admits, "This contest is a sham, as every sensible listener knows that The Cars will prevail against the Eurotrash posers Duran Duran." (Personally, I'd be curious to see The Cars vs. Talking Heads.)

The face-off will take place at Joe's Pub in six Loser's Lounge events Thursday, April 10 through Saturday, April 12, 2008.

Consider:



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vs.



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Illustration: Cliff Mott

LOSERS LOUNGE VALENTINE 2008

Instead of getting all mushy with flowers and romantic dinners, why not celebrate Valentine's Day with a tribute to a Sixties group that was crazed by sex and drugs as well as a fair share of internal friction? Yes, the Losers Lounge is dedicating its 2008 Valentine's Day gigs to The Mamas and The Papas!

Performances will be at Joe's Pub at 7:00 and 9:30 pm.

Here's the background.



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Illustration: Cliff Mott

NELLIE MCKAY AND BRIAN CHARLES ROONEY AT JOE'S PUB NEW YEAR'S EVE AFTER-PARTY

"Nellie McKay and friends" is the name of the New Year's Eve Afterparty at Joe's Pub. Who are the friends? Well, this just came in from Brian Charles Rooney, who was amazing alongisde McKay in Broadway's recent Threepenny Opera: "I will be performing with Nellie McKat tonight from 1am to 4am... not the whole time, but some of it :)"

Ahh, Nellie McKat, that wonderful, wonderful cat....

LOSER'S LOUNGE: PAUL MCCARTNEY

This might seem like a routine announcement of the Loser's Lounge salute to The Cute One, taking place at Joe's Pub on

Thu 9:30, December 6, 2007
Fri 7:00 December 7, 2007
Fri 9:30 December 7, 2007
Sat 7:00 December 8, 2007
Sat 9:30 December 8, 2007

And it might seem like just another excuse to post a great illustration by Cliff Mott.

But it's also a perfect opportunity to share an unforgettable musical memory from the 1976 Miss America pageant. I love those Loser's Lounge people, but I wonder if even Nick Danger could come close to meeting the standard established by the pageant's longtime host Bert Parks.



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NELLIE NEWS

Thanks to Myra for tipping me off about Nellie McKay's upcoming late-night gigs at Joe's Pub in advance of the September 25 release of her CD Obligatory Villagers.

Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at 11:30 PM ($20.00)
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 11:30 PM ($20.00)

It seems that you've got to stay up pretty late these days to see Nellie perform! McKay, who has scored a musical version of the graphic novel The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom, is slotted to appear on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson on July 30.

Here's a performance of McKay's "Cupcake" by the Carleton Singing Knights. Enjoy!



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