Bourbon Street to Vegas with Louis Prima
“From Bourbon Street to Vegas”: a look at New Orleans native and trumpeter Louis Prima, the originator of what’s known as the Vegas lounge sound. Nick Spitzer interviews Prima band members—saxophonist Sam Butera and singer/ex-wife Keely Smith—and talks with Vegas gamblers and a pastor at a 24-hour wedding-chapel.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Sing, Sing, Sing Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings, Bear Family
Bourbon St. Blues Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings, Bear Family
Viva Las Vegas Elvis Presley
Elvis Movies, RCA
Ace in the Hole Bunk Johnson & Lu Watters
Bunk and Lu, Good Time Jazz
Wheel of Fortune The Four Flames
Hard Core Doo Wop, Bear Family
Gambling Polka Dot Blues Jimmie Rodgers
Down the Old Road 1931-32, Rounder
Bad Luck Dice Henry Townsend
Mule, Nighthawk
Instrumental: Wailin' Walk Sam Butera
Hot New Orleans Nights, Bear Family
SEGMENT: Michael Dominici
Jump Jive an' Wail Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings,
SEGMENT: Sam Butera
Have a Lucky Day Morphine
Good , Rykodisc
Gambler's Blues Dinah Washington
Ladies Sing the Blues, Mercury
Instrumental: Parks & Recreation Liberace
Jackpot!: The Las Vegas Story, Rhino
Danke Schoen Wayne Newton
Jackpot!: The Las Vegas Story, Rhino
1978 Standup Routine Phyllis Diller
Clip from Dailymotion,
Wheel of Fortune Kay Starr
LA Confidential, Restless
Sin City The Flying Burrito Brothers
Hillbilly Feber Vol. 5, Rhino
Tumbling Dice The Rolling Stones
Exile on Main Street, Virgin
Closing Bed: Guitar Boogie Shuffle The Virtues
Guitar Boogie Shuffle, Bacci Bros Records
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: Seven Out Sam Butera
The Capitol Recoridngs, Bear Family
The Music Goes 'Round and 'Round Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings, Bear Family
Sweet Sue, Just You Louis Armstrong
More Greatest Hits, RCA
The Bean Stalks Again Coleman Hawkins
Body & Soul, RCA
Felicia No Capicia Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings, Bear Family
SEGMENT: Vegas Wedding
From a Jack to a King Ned Miller
Only Country, Capitol
Leaving Las Vegas Sheryl Crow
Tuesday Night Music Club, A&M
Instrumental: Embraceable You Jimmy Smith & Jackie McLean
Blue Note Plays Gershwin, Blue Note
SEGMENT: Keely Smith
Oh Louie Keely Smith
Swing, Swing, Swing, Concord
Me and My Shadow Sammy Davis & Frank Sinatra
Yes I Can, Rhino
Instrumental: Circus Bugs Randy Newman
Soundtrack: A Bug's Life, Disney
I Wan'na Be Like You The Jungle Book
The Music of Disney, Walt Disney
Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) Benny Goodman
Battle of the Bands, RCA
Buona Sera Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings, Bear Family
End Bed: Love of My Life (O Sole Mio) Louis Prima
The Capitol Recordings, Bear Family