From the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Darlene Love
Mon 12/14 6:00 pm ET

Darlene Love’s voice has graced our radios for decades as a lead and background voice on some of rock and pop’s greatest recordings. This week, she stops in to play some of the great standards she loves most by Bobby Darin, Ella Fizgerald and, of course, the Chairman of the Board. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 12/17 9:00 am ET; Sat 12/19 3:00 pm ET

Show #82 — Darlene Love: December 14–19, 2009

1. I've Got You Under My Skin - Capitol 1956: Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
2. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road) - Capitol 1958: Sings For Only The Lonely
3. Nancy Sinatra – Memories - Reprise 1969: Nancy (Twelve Ways)
4. You Make Me Feel So Young - Capitol 1956: Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
5. Bobby Darin – What'd I Say?
6. Summer Wind - Reprise 1966: Strangers In The Night
7. Darlene Love – White Christmas
8. Ella Fitzgerald – Miss Otis Regrets
9. The Lady Is A Tramp - Live 1961: Sinatra: Vegas
10. Embraceable You - Capitol 1960: Nice 'N' Easy
11. Peggy Lee – Fever
12. My Way - Reprise 1968: My Way

I wonder if Nancy caught Darlene Love's mention of her on today's program?

[Nancy]

No, I didn't hear the show but I helped a bit with the scripting.

[Mark]

My wife forgot her lunch this morning, so the dog and I ran it over to her. I got to hear Darlene Love's segment on Nancy... and she played Nancy's 'Memories.' I was blown away, and had chills through the entire song. That has to be one of the best versions of that song I've ever heard. So beautiful, and Nancy's voice was incredible. I now need that album.

It's also on the Jukebox, Mark.

[Mark Blackburn]

I finally found a moment here at work (you’d think they paid me to be here,) to slip away for a few minutes to my favorite “Family” – and say a few words of praise for the latest PLAYING FAVORITES program!

“Hi, I’m Darlene Love. I will be working in the next couple days. I’ll be at the Redbank, the Count Basie Theatre and I’d like to see all my fans out there; I will also be at the Bergen Pac (sp?) in Englewood New Jersey – so come out and see me, and let me know you heard me on Siriusly Sinatra. (Now) Let’s play EMBRACEABLE YOU.”

We hear the best version ever recorded (of my parents’ ‘signature song’) with the sublime Nelson Riddle arrangement that ends with a few notes plucked on a harp.

The song before that (when I turned the key to start my car, for the few minutes drive to my office) – one of Cole Porter’s most unusual songs – probably the best version it ever received, Ella, alone together (in a studio in Holland, when she was 42 and in perfect voice) – alone together with her own ‘Bill Miller’ of 20 years, pianist Paul T. Smith

“Miss Otis regrets she’s unable to lunch today . . . ”

At last report Paul T. Smith was enjoying retirement in California, in his 90s. Here’s a link to that great album, from which Darlene Love selected that favorite Ella song. I see it’s still in print, at least in Europe where it was recorded after Ella’s famous ‘Live in Berlin’ concert (that won her two Grammys):

http://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Ella-Fitzgerald/dp/B00000479L/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

“You know,” said Darlene Love, (immediately after playing Frank & Nelson’s 'Embraceable You') “it’s unfortunate that a lot of today’s entertainers will never know these great performers like Frank, Ella, Sarah and . . . Peggy Lee! Because they are the foundation of all our music. [big smile in Darlene’s warm voice] “And ‘cause I’m ‘Playing Favorites,’ we’re going to do one by the great Peggy Lee. How about . . . (something) HOT!!

[SINGS -- WITH A BEAUTIFUL INTONATION --- A BLEND OF PEGGY LEE AND MAVIS STAPLES, (I would say)]“Fee-vah! . . . in the morning’ . . . fee-vah, all through the night.”

Then that unknown bass player of 50 years ago begins his familiar, seductive ‘vamp’ while my favorite female singer sings about . . . Winnipeg! This very day! Where it’s “minus 40 C” and “40 below, F” – down where the two temperature scales ‘meet’ – “be it Fahrenheit or Centigrade.”

Followed by “Frank Sinatra/Sinatra Vegas Live” a beautifully-recorded version of LADY IS A TRAMP (with some bad words we can’t allow the grandkids to hear – not when Gramma is around!) Wish he hadn’t “taken the Lord’s name in vain” -- ‘cause I’d love my “Emily” (who is nine) and “Thomas” (about to turn ‘teenager’) hear our favorite singer when he assumes that old Italian-American immigrant voice, singing: “Dat’s –ah why, da lady she’s – ah, woose-uh be – a lilly tramp-uh”

Then, spoken almost under his breath: “None of my people here, uh?”

Just had to say (as the Sirius Radio scroll said on ‘freeze’) “WE LOVE YOU DARLENE LOVE!” Look forward to hearing your show in its entirety. And hope you perform some day here in the “world’s coldest major city,” Winnipeg Canada.

Originally Posted by Mark Blackburn

Bergen Pac (sp?) in Englewood New Jersey

Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)

[Mark Blackburn]

Thanks for that link, Mr. Freed of Boston! Just clicked it now, and learned that Ms Love is performing this very day (Sunday, December 20/09) at the "BergenPAC."

Did your eyes run down that list of upcoming performers?

Oh just to single out one of them: I saw George Benson perform "live" at Hamilton City Hall, in Bermuda -- round about this time of year, 1976 (America's bi-centennial). He was playing a guitar I would later acquire (a model of, made by Hagstrom of Sweden) -- a bright red Jimmy D'Aquisto (the god of NYC luthiers who studied with the great "D'Angelico" -- stop me before I aside-myself-to-death, Bob!)

Anyway, the man I call 'The Oscar Peterson of the Guitar" -- the guitarist Frank Sinatra permitted to play TWO choruses of solo on the swingingest (I say) version of AFTER YOU'VE GONE ever recorded -- is playing at the 'BergenPac' early next year.

Wish I lived 1500 miles closer to Englewood New Jersey! I'd want to attend ALL those performances (I'd go broke!) from The Neville Brothers (they've played here, but not with "guest, 'Dr. John' (Mac Rebanac) -- who was featured on the recent PBS Clint Eastwood produced 100th anniversary celebration of Johnny Mercer.

Oh yeah, and who wouldn't want to see the First Lady of Soul (who dueted with Frank) -- Aretha!

Yes, right now I wish I were in Englewood New Jersey, and not in "the world's coldest major city." [Actually it's warmed up today to minus 15 C. We'll walk around outside with our jackets open today.]

So who's our next host on Playing Favorites, Bob?

Originally Posted by Mark Blackburn

So who's our next host on Playing Favorites, Bob?

As always:

Originally Posted by Bob

you can refer to post #1 for an up-to-date schedule, plus links to all past shows.

From the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Pat Boone
Mon 12/21 6:00 pm ET

When Pat recorded this show for us a couple of years ago, we knew it was a chestnut. In case you missed the first airing, we are happily giving it an encore as this legendary performer plays holiday hits this week. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 12/24 9:00 am ET; Sat 12/26 3:00 pm ET

This program is a repeat of Show #16 from December 17–25, 2007.

Next week, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Michael Buble
Mon 12/28 6:00 pm ET

Michael Buble is one of the most celebrated young interpreters of the songs we love, and he has a rich repertoire of his own material. This week, the Canadian superstar stops in to play us some of the Sinatra that influenced him, along with other artists like Bobby Darin, Nina Simone, Louis Prima and others. Michael will also treat us to a few songs from his latest CD called Crazy Love. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 12/31 9:00 am ET

CORRECTION: Second rebroadcast (as usual) Sat 1/2 3:00 pm ET.

Show #83 — Michael Bublé: December 28, 2009–January 2, 2010

1. The Best Is Yet To Come - Reprise 1964: It Might As Well Be Swing
2. Michael Bublé & Naturally 7 – Stardust *
3. My Kind Of Town - Reprise 1964 - Robin And The 7 Hoods Soundtrack
4. Nina Simone – My Baby Just Cares For Me
5. Bobby Darin – Mack The Knife
6. The Song Is You - Columbia 1947
7. South Of The Border (Down Mexico Way) - Capitol 1953: This Is Sinatra!
8. Dinah Washington – You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
9. Peggy Lee – Come Dance With Me
10. Love's Been Good To Me - Reprise 1969: A Man Alone
11. Michael Bublé – Cry Me A River *
12. Al Martino – Spanish Eyes
13. Louis Prima, Keely Smith, Sam Butera & The Witnesses – Buona Sera
14. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) - Capitol 1960: Sinatra's Swingin' Session!!!

*

Reprise Records: Crazy Love (October 2009)

[Jersey Lou]

The Michael Buble Playing Favorites will air, as usual, at 3PM ET on Saturday, January 2, following Jonathan Schwartz' show.
I'm not clear as to why this is not reflected on the web page. I have notified the web team of the missing information and they will rectify it on Monday. Sorry for the confusion.

The Steve Lawrence show not airing on 12/12 was a product of our Birthday celebration. Otherwise, all PF shows replay on Saturday afternoons.

We will re-air Steve Lawrence in a future slot to give it some extra air tme.

Thanks, all!

Thanks, Lou. Correction noted above.

Reminder: Michael Bublé starting now.

Next week, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with George Klein
Mon 1/4 6:00 pm ET

Longtime Elvis Presley compatriot and Elvis Radio host George Klein kicks off the new year by coming over to the Sinatra channel to play some of his favorite standards including performances by Frank and Elvis, together and separately. It’s Elvis’ birthday week and George is celebrating everywhere he can….including here with us….on Siriusly Sinatra! (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 1/7 9:00 am ET; Sat 1/9 3:00 pm ET

Show #84 — George Klein: January 4–9, 2010

1. Witchcraft - Reprise 1963: Sinatra's Sinatra
2. Mack The Knife - Live 1987: Sinatra: Vegas
3. Softly, As I Leave You - Reprise 1964: Softly, As I Leave You
4. Elvis Presley – Softly, As I Leave You (Live, with Shawn Nielsen backing vocal)
5. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) - Reprise 1964: It Might As Well Be Swing
6. Dean Martin – Everybody Loves Somebody
7. Nancy Sinatra – These Boots Are Made For Walkin'
8. My Way - Reprise 1968: My Way
9. Elvis Presley – My Way
10. Love And Marriage - Capitol 1955: This Is Sinatra!
11. That's Life - Reprise 1966: That's Life
12. Frank & Elvis – Love Me Tender / Witchcraft - Television 1960: Classic Duets
13. That Old Black Magic - Capitol 1961: Come Swing With Me!

Next week, from the Siriusly Sinatra web page:

Playing Favorites with Carly Simon
Mon 1/11 6:00 pm ET

Carly is no stranger to the standards. She grew up loving the great arrangements on records by Frank and others of the era, and went on to record a few albums of her own interpretations of these timeless songs. We are thrilled to have Carly kick off 2010 as our first guest of the new year, playing some of her favorites. (1 hr)

Rebroadcast: Thurs 1/14 9:00 am ET; Sat 1/16 3:00 pm ET

Show #85 — Carly Simon: January 11–16, 2010

1. Nancy (With The Laughing Face) - Columbia 1945
2. (Love Is) The Tender Trap - Capitol 1955: This Is Sinatra!
3. FS & Carly Simon – Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry / In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning - Capitol 1993: Duets
4. It Was A Very Good Year - Reprise 1965: September Of My Years
5. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered - Reprise 1963: The Concert Sinatra
6. Ella Fitzgerald – Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
7. Carly Simon – Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
8. But Not For Me - Reprise 1979: Trilogy (The Past)
9. Try A Little Tenderness - Columbia 1945: The Voice Of Frank Sinatra
10. Otis Redding – Try A Little Tenderness
11. You And The Night And The Music - Reprise 1960: Ring-A-Ding Ding!
12. Deep In A Dream - Capitol 1955: In The Wee Small Hours