Selling My Books on the Streets of Brooklyn 5/13 - Goombah

Most films and TV shows keep the party of fictional political figures vague. Last night on 24 there were rabid demonstrations against drone strikes, and the President, played by William Devane, quoted Churchill. He must be a Republican! Everyone knows drone strikes are acceptable only when a Democrat occupies the White House.

This morning, crooner Steve Tyrell was a guest of Mark Simone on WOR-AM. I was surprised and pleased to learn this successful soul, who has spent his entire adult life in the music business, is Italian-American, real name Bilao. He left his home in Texas at 18, ventured to New York, and began working immediately, producing the songs of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. He quipped that he attended the University of Bacharach. After years behind the scenes he decided to record himself, and he has become a highly successful artist. His seven albums of popular standards have all cracked the top five on Billboard's jazz charts. He plays frequently at the prestigious Cafe Carlyle in NYC, where Bobby Short held court for decades. His singing career got a major boost when his version of The Way You Look Tonight was featured in Steve Martin's touching remake of Father of the Bride (1991). I'm not a big fan of Tyrell's voice, as I am not of Rod Stewart, who has had an amazing run recording standards. With so many recordings of the works of the masters of pop available, I don't know why anyone would opt for the versions of those two. Regardless, they are loved. And it's always great to see a goombah make good. Here's a clip of Tyrell doing The Look of Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lviIKMhM6LQ And here's a pic of Tyrell/Bilao:

Occupy Jack visited the floating book shop today, brandishing a new poster he's made. It features the faces of about 20 political figures, east and west, all sporting a Hitler-like mustache. Billary are represented, as well as Obama, Biden, Kerry, McCain and, of course, Putin. Oddly, George Bush is absent. Jack sold a number of them the other day.
My thanks to the kind folks who bought and donated books today, especially to the Lady Eve, who said she downloaded the Kindle version of Killing. It isn't yet reflected in the ranking, but I have no reason to believe she would lie. If she did buy it, it would be the first time someone went Kindle on one of my works after discussing it on the street.
Vic's 4th Novel: http://tinyurl.com/bszwlxh
Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Horror Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp
Vic’s Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx