Gift wrap, that is. What better gift could you find than a taste of the real Key West? We have legendary musicians here who play for us at our fine clubs and hotels. Most of them have made CDs of their remarkable music.
One is the totally fabulous Coffee Butler, who has been thrilling Key West audiences for fifty years. Coffee plays at Paco's Hukilau. His just released "Reminiscing In Paradise" is a 74-minute 17-song CD that includes classics like "Satin Doll," "As Time Goes By," and "What a Wonderful World."
Bobby Nesbitt spent seven years at the Wine Galley before moving to the Casa Marina. "Big Time" is exactly that. Produced in L.A. by grammy winner Bob Estey, the disc contains some of the great show tunes and standards. There's only one new song, "Star." Bobby is so good Jerry Herman said in the liner notes, "There's no one I would rather hear sing my songs than Bobby Nesbitt." High praise from on high.
Lenore Troia, who performs at La Te Da is so popular with visitors, people come back year after year to request songs they can't forget. Lenore has several CDs of her delightful originals.
Black and Skabuddah have a new release. They are an acoustic rock duo at Captain Tony's. Russ Skavelli is as good as guitarists get, and Laura Black's sultry voice is pure magic. There are some marvelous originals from these fine writers.
Song writers abound here. There are few if any anywhere who can top Michael McCloud, who has a mind full of hits. One will be performed at the opening of the World War II memorial next year. Willie Nelson is doing it now. "Greatesttits" is his CD.
Scott Kirby is one of those people who should be on top of the charts. His songs get inside your head and won't leave. His newest is "Walkin' On Thin Ice." You'll love the song and the CD. My favorite Kirby songs are "Free Range Asylum" which explains that in Key West, "We ain't got no bars on our windows, we ain't got no windows on our bars," and the super romantic "All Roads Lead To you."
If classical music turns your dials, Franko Richmond has a fantastic CD with Liszt, Beethoven, Brahms, and many others recorded live in concert. Franko plays at the American Bar. He also has a jazz CD. Stuart Jay is releasing "From the Jukebox In My Mind" with the songs he's loved for years, including gems like "Spanish Harlem" and "I put a Spell On You." You can hear Stuart's sexy voice on an upcoming Sunday Night Showcase with Larry Smith, our answer to Billy Joel. If the sound of a banjo gets you, buy Terry Cassidy's "Fishing and a'Picking." It's a treasure.
C.W. Colt is a star. His "Legends and Treasures" CD celebrates two of our greatest, Mel Fisher and Captain Tony. Colt is a brilliant writer, singer, instrumentalist, and entertainer. His Christmas album is marvelous, and there's a new one almost finished. His music is borderline country with appeal for absolutely everyone. You'll find him at the Bar or the Conch Republic Seafood Company.
Barry Cuda, Robert Hutto, and Vicki Roush's Redheaded Blues Band have fine CDs. Take any of these home for yourself, and stuff someone's stocking with them. They'll thank you, believe me. Then you can thank me!
Stay cool.