Ricky Jay Plays Poker [Deluxe Edition]

Disc 1
1	Darktown Poker Club / Phil Harris & His Orchestra 3:06
2	Ramblin' Gamblin' Man / Bob Dylan 4:13
3	Turn the Cards Slowly / Patsy Cline 2:12
4	Five Card Stud / Lorne Greene 2:57
5	Don't Turn the Card / Memphis Minnie 2:48
6	Politics and Poker / Howard Da Silva 3:58
7	Ace in the Hole / Anita O'Day 2:59
8	Little Queen of Spades / Robert "P-Nut" Johnson 2:23
9	Etienne Gonna Die / Saint Etienne 1:32
10	Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold / Townes Van Zandt 2:22
11	Poker Playing Baby / Harry Willis 2:39
12	Gambler's Guitar / Merle Travis 2:38
13	Darktown Poker Club / Bert Williams 3:08
14	Dolan's Poker Party / Frank Crumit 2:49
15	Poker Woman Blues / Blind Blake 2:42
16	Wild Card / Tex Williams 2:21
17	Ace of Spades / O.V. Wright 2:21
18	Roving Gambler / The Country Gentlemen 3:07
19	Bed Spring Poker / Mississippi Sheiks 3:12
20	Ace in the Hole / Dave Van Ronk 4:14
21	Politics and Poker (Reprise) / Howard Da Silva 0:35
Disc 2
1	Ricky Jay Plays Poker DVD

Barnes & Noble

The world's foremost authority on cards -- not to mention a master of sleight-of-hand, encylopedia of cons, and respected stage and screen actor in his own right -- presents the ultimate accessory for any would-be card shark. Ricky Jay deals an album of classic card-playing tunes from the likes of Dylan, Robert Johnson, and more. Then he presents his own inimitable way with the deck on a bonus DVD of tricks and stagecraft. Topping it off is a 72-page book of poker legend and lore, replete with curios and photos. The entire package will dazzle any fan of the felt, and makes an incredible gift for the gambler or gamer you love.

All Music Guide

Actor, author and magician Ricky Jay can do more with a pack of cards than nearly anyone alive, as anyone familiar with his one-man show Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants can attest, and it should surprise no one that the man has long been fascinated with the legend and lore of America's most popular card game, poker. Jay celebrates the game on Ricky Jay Plays Poker, which features 20 tunes from different performers about cardsharps, gambling, and the lucky (or unlucky) turn of a card, selected by Jay from his vast collection of songs on the subject. Going as far back as 1914 with vaudeville legend Bert Williams' original recording of "Darktown Poker Club" and moving into the present day with Saint Etienne's "Etienne's Gonna Die" (which includes dialogue samples from David Mamet's film House of Games, starring one Ricky Jay), most of the songs on Ricky Jay Plays Poker fall into one of two categories -- ballads which tell the tale of some epic card game (such as "Ramblin' Gamblin' Willie" by Bob Dylan and "Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold" by Townes Van Zandt) or tunes which use poker as a metaphor for life and love (such as "Ace in the Hole" by Dave Van Ronk and "Little Queen of Spades" by Robert Johnson). Thankfully, Jay knows a good tune as well as a good card game, and while the disc is musically eclectic, it offers fine listening from beginning to end. Jay's own talent and personality come to the forefront in the accompanying 66-page booklet, which boasts a fascinating essay on the history of poker and its place in music, literature and culture, as well as notes on every song. The beautifully designed package also features a DVD in which Jay demonstrates techniques by which one can win at poker by devious means (actors John C. Reilly and Willie Garson are also on hand) as well as a deck of cards in case the listener is inspired to strike up a friendly game. This set is great listening (and viewing) for fans of both music and poker, and makes a fine gift for the aspiring gambler in your life. Mark Deming