That Old Black Magic

Louis Prima, Keely Smith, and the Golden Age of Las Vegas

By: Tom Clavin

Narrated by: Michael Mish

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1948, New Orleans veteran trumpeter and singer Louis Prima stumbled into a young girl named Keely Smith. She was barely a performer at all, almost half his age, destined for a relatively quiet life; their encounter was pure coincidence. But they went on to invent The Wildest, the most exciting and successful lounge act Las Vegas has ever seen, an act that became one of the hottest in the U.S. in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Their records were hugely popular, and they were courted by Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Robert Mitchum, and other well-known entertainers of the day. Their professional success helped bring about the rise of Las Vegas as a mecca of American entertainment. Their love story ended soon after they helped usher in John F. Kennedys presidency, singing "That Old Black Magic" for him at his inauguration, but their influence is still evident. And Keely still draws SRO audiences to her nightclub appearances.

Now, on the occasion of Louis Prima's 100th birthday, comes the first book on this duo, illustrating not only one of show business greatest love stories but also the Vegas milieu in which they reached the pinnacle of their success.

©2010 Tom Lavin (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

MAGICALLY DELICIOUS

If you are wildly nostalgic about the neon years of Vegas you will love this book. I am a big fan
of nostalgia trips like MAD MEN so this was right up my alley. Knowing very little about Louis Prima, I immersed myself in his music during this audio book and man, am I the better for it. This book is fun, fun, fun. Well written, super informative and expertly narrated by an enthusiastic reader who conveyed the wattage Louis and Keely Smith used to help keep the Vegas nightlife all aglow. Give it a go. its worth it.

Content shines through in spite of narrator

A well written and researched book covering Prima's (and Keely Smith's) life and career from New Orleans to New York, Las Vegas and back again. Lots of great information here, not only about Prima, Smith and company, but also about early jazz and Las Vegas during its hay day.
Unfortunately, I did not care for the narrator at all. His voice reminded me of Casey Kassem with that same sense of drama and timeing. He frequently mispronounced most of the Italian names and words, referring to Prima's bandleader ( who worked with him from 1953 until Prima's death) as Sam Beautera instead of Butera which became kind of maddening. This was just one of many mistakes he made throughout. I'm of the opinion that if they are going to hire a guy to read something they ought to be sure he can do it correctly.
I still liked the book and do recommend it.

Sam

I enjoyed the book and found out many things that I didn’t know about Louis and Keely, I saw Her in Atlantic City with Sam in the 80s, but the narrator mispronounced Butera’s name the whole book, it’s Bu TER a!

What a great surprise!

Fabulous account of two extraordinary lives and the interesting lives and times of the talented musicians who came up in this era. Entertaining account of the history of Las Vegas and New Orleans. You won't get this in the history books! I was spell bound. What an unusual surprise! Great story telling and lively heart felt narration. A fine piece of entertainment for anyone interested in the world and the lives of people who think out of the box!

That Old Black Magic.

Got me in its spell. This book provides a mythic, inside glimpse into Louie and Keely, Vegas, and Louis' musical accomplishments throughout the 40s 50s and 60s. Louis was a man who loved music and being in the thick of it. He was the real thing. A consummate musician, a consummate showman with an endless exuberance. Keely added a luxurious, soulful sound like a layer of frosting on cake.The book makes you wonder if there is a portal where each evening a spotlight shines in Las Vegas and Louis and Keely meet under it to sing a song.

Exciting times in Vegas.

Loved this book. Learned so much about the people in my new adopted home town