From the Nick at NiteClub Lounging at the Nick at NiteClub (Nick at Nite Records/550 Music 63405) Dancing at the Nick at NiteClub (Nick at Nite Records/550 Music 63407) Vik loves television. Vik loves old television. Therefore, Vik loves Nick at Nite. For the cable impaired, Nick at Nite is the late night programming for the ultra swell Nickelodeon children's channel. Featuring vintage television shows like "Mary Tyler Moore", "The Odd Couple", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Bewitched" and more, "Nite at Nite" is a retro t.v. wonderland (though Vik wishes he had Nick's TVLand channels...24 hours of vintage t.v. shoes and commercials). With a devotion to the preservation of televisions golden past, it should come as no surprise Nick at Nite has decided to venture into the vintage music realm. In 1995, they released two of Vik's fave "oldies" collections. "Dick Van Dyke's Dance Party" featured dance tunes from the likes of the Capitols, Isley Brothers, Drifters, Mongo Santamaria and more. Plus, you got the theme to "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and Les Elgart's "Bandstand Boogie." At the same time, they released "Donna Reed's Dinner Party," a collection of mellow sound for your dining pleasure. Doris Day, Andy Williams, Shelley Fabares, Ray Coniff and more along with the theme for "The Donna Reed Show" makes this a fine accompaniment to an elegant meal. So, now with this whole "crazy lounge thing" happening, it seemed only logical that Nick at Nite would join the collection frenzy. Vik's only disappointment is they couldn't (or didn't) come up with a better theme than "The Nick at NiteClub." Really...TVLand just played a dozen or so swinging episodes of the Dean Martin Show. The kids in marketing surely could've been more creative by just watching their own channel. Anyway, that and some rather annoying liner notes aside (the "lounge" collection purports to be written by "swinger" Chet Monroe), the latest in the Nick at Nite series make for fine listening. Lounging at the Nick at NiteClub will probably be of more interest to Vik's visitors. A collection "that gives you all the tantalizing pleasures of lounging" (so says the notes), this is nothing groudbreaking for the devoted collector but certainly of interest to the casual fan (or Range Rover baby-boomer hipster wannabe). Some of the tracks are pleasant surprises. Mike Douglas clocksin with "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain." Better than anything on the Ultra Lounge Bachelor in Paris collection, Marlene Dietrich exudes Pairs itself in an inspiring "La Vie en Rose." Vik's a sucker for just about any Lalo Schifrin track, and the inclusion of "Mission Blues" certainly adds a nice twist. But, for Vik's money, it is Tom Jone's "I (Who Have Nothing)" that really makes this collection. Often overlooked for hits such as "It's Not Unusual" or "What's New Pussycat," the melodrama in Mr. Jone's delivery borders on comic, but never crosses the line. Vik usually finds himself emotionally drained after just a single listen. "Dancing at the Nick at NiteClub" will be of less interest to the cocktail crowd, but offers some of the hippest dance tracks this side of John Waters' "Hairspray." In fact, with the "Hairspray" soundtrack now cut out, this collection provides the dancing hipster the opportunity to pick up "The Madison Time", "The Roach", "The Stroll" and 11 other bandstand dances all on one CD. For fans of Austin Powers, Billy Graves "The Shag (Is Totally Cool)" will have a whole new meaning... Would Vik recommend the Nick at Nite collections? Sure, why not. They aren't going to unearth anything of historical significance or add anything to the greater knowledge of this period in pop music. They are, however, going to provide an enjoyable listening experience and the perfect reason to throw a theme party based on your fave vintage television shows. Check'em out if you're caught up on the important stuff...