Love Is a Drag (The shocking 1962 jazz album LIVE!)

Jazzville presents a live tribute to the 1962 jazz album, Love Is a Drag. Treasured by Bob Hope, Liberace, and Frank Sinatra (who gifted copies to friends). What made it unique and why did the album not reveal the singer and musicians? Why did the cover proclaim: For Adult Listeners Only, and why did record stores keep it under the counter?..

The album features a sincere crooner (a warm baritone in the style of Dick Haymes) interpreting jazz standards previously recorded only by women: My Man, The Man I Love, Mad About The Boy and nine similar tracks. How brave for a male signer to record these songs and do them so cooly without a hint of camp. And remember, this was 1962. The word drag was code for gay, yet everyone connected with the project was straight; the singer, the band, the producers… all straight. Quoting an article in JazzTimes, “How the record ever happened still constitutes one of the unlikeliest tales in jazz.”

50 years later we now know that the signer was Gene Howard, a 1940s vocalist with the Stan Kenton band. The players on the album were LA’s top session guys including Al Viola, the longtime guitarist for Frank Sinatra.

Writer David Sedaris heard the album at a dinner party. He later commented, “Even now the album is shocking. When a woman sings, ‘He isn’t true/He beats me, too/What can I do?’ you don’t really hear how, well, pathetic it is. It’s not fair that when a guy sings, ‘I’m wild again, beguiled again, a simpering, whimpering child again,’ you think, Ease up, buddy, while you accept those lines from a woman.”

The story of this album is fascinating on many levels. And I (Barry) have wanted to do a tribute show to this record for years. We presented this show last year and it was an instant hit. Once again we have the very best band to do this show in the same spirit that the album ensconces: The Adam Hersh Quartet and the brilliant vocalist Mark Kopitzke from Phat Cat Swinger fame. Please take a seat.

Jazzville at the Cascade Lounge is in a plush, NON-SMOKING clubroom with state-of-the-art sound and lighting, clear sightlines, and a quiet listening audience.

Things to know before you go:

• Must be 21 or over.

• Doors open at 6pm with a 7pm showtime.

• Drinks served throughout the show.

• No refunds except for COVID-related shutdown.

• Free covered parking in attached garage.

We cannot take cash at the door (casino policy). We can accept credit cards at the door if seats are available.

Our shows can sell out, so pick your seats today! If you ignore the seating chart, then the best available seats will be assigned to you.

No one under 21 admitted. Tickets are non-refundable. Line-up subject to change without notice.

The Cascade Lounge is a NON-SMOKING environment.

Food is not served in the Cascade Lounge but can be brought in from any of the casino restaurants. We do have a full bar with no drink minimums.