Album of the Day

When Dallas-born singer Trini Lopez made his way to Southern California to follow his dreams, he wound up at PJ's nightclub (later to become the Starwood), where Frank Sinatra caught wind of his act. Sinatra was sufficiently impressed to sign the young hopeful to his Reprise label, and with TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ'S, a star was born. Produced by Don Costa, the 1963 live collection features energetic versions of folk and pop songs including “La Bamba,” “What'd I Say” and “If I Had a Hammer,” which was released as a single and became a Top 10 hit (the album itself reached #2). Lopez displays plenty of charisma here, aided by a good band (drummer Mickey Jones later backed Dylan on his legendary 1966 tour) and an enthusiastic crowd. Just a couple of years before folk-rock exploded in Los Angeles, you can hear the excitement building with TRINI LOPEZ AT PJ'S.