Louis Prima was at one time the most popular lounge act in Las Vegas.  In fact the story goes that his show was so popular, that the times of the show had to be changed, because he was cutting into the headliners show that were at the same time.  This is one performer that I never had the chance to see “live.”   He was a showman that could bounce around the stage in constant motion, while his torch singer (notably Keely Smith) would sing stationary during all his movement.  He also had one of the great saxophonists of the day Sam Butera, so there was always entertainment for the audience.  Classic songs like “That Old Black Magic” and “Swing, Swing, Swing.”  The modern generations, alas only know him as “King Louie of the Apes” from the cartoon feature “The Jungle Book” and his song “I Want to Be Like You,” where King Louie was a frenetic singing creature.  Also his original songs can be heard in the background of gangster genre movies, both dramatic and comedic like “Casino” or “Analyze This.”

Louis Prima Jr. has continued his father’s legacy of performing, with the songs his father made famous, traveling with a torch singer and the same size band that his father had.  He continues the same style of entertainment, with the high voltage of fun.  My Bride surprised me with tickets to see Louis Prima Jr. at Adiamo Italia in Warren one night, with front row seating.  It was a dinner show, and we had a dinner right at the table.  There was more food then the table could accommodate properly which added to the electricity of the evening.

We also enjoyed a bottle of Hahn Winery Meritage.   It is not as heavy and robust as some of the Meritage wines that I have had, nor was it as reminiscent of a great Bordeaux wine, which is the concept of a Meritage wine.   It paired very well with the food for the dinner show and that is what was important.   I would venture to say that the wine was perfect for the venue and may have even improved from the ambience of the moment.