June 26 Christopher Joseph Isaak's Birthday

Chris Isaak has carved out a unique position in the entertainment industry as a rock musician, actor, TV host, and reluctant sex symbol. Two of Chris's music videos made it on VH1's 50 Sexiest Video Moments: "Wicked Game" (#4) and "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" (#28.) He is also ranked #68 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists.

Chris;s recordings have been popular with many film directors. An instrumental version of his popular hit "Wicked Game" was used in David Lynch's film Wild at Heart (1990). "Gone Ridin'" and "Livin' for Your Lover" were used in Lynch's Blue Velvet (1996). Chris's "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing" was featured in Stanley Kubrick's final film, Eyes Wide Shut (1999). "Life Will Go On" was on Chasing Liberty's 2004 soundtrack and "Two Hearts" was featured in the closing credits of Tony Scott's True Romance (1993).

Another director, Jonathan Demme, gave Chris his first film role in Married to the Mob (1988) and another role in Silence of the Lambs (1991). David Lynch' gave him a major role in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. (1992). Chris then costarred with Keanu Reeves and Brigit Fonda in Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha (1993) His other films include Grace of My Heart (1996),That Thing You Do! (1996), Blue Ridge Fall (1999), A Dirty Shame (2004), and The Informers (2009).

Chris also starred on TV in the Showtime series The Chris Isaak Show from 2001 to 2004, as well as on several other TV shows. But it is always his music that defines his persona, and it is one of his best songs "Voodoo" from his Silvertone album that is the inspiration for his birthday celebration today. The opening lyrics are hypnotic.

I know what to do when your sad and lonely,
I know what to do when you love her only.
I know what to do when no one needs you,
I know what to do you do voodoo. Voodoo.
You do voodoo.

So today, we hope that you voodoo some shrimp into the New Orleans classic Voodoo Shrimp which is a specialty of The House of Blues. Here is their recipe which we hope you will play while listening to Silvertone which you can always borrow from David Lynch since is was the same album that featured the Blue Velvet songs. "Gone Ridin'" and "Livin' for Your Lover." We suggest pairing it with Grace of My Heart.

Voodoo Shrimp

Ingredients

1/2 TB each dried basil and dried oregano
Corn bread
1/4 tsp each finely ground black pepper and cayenne pepper
2 tsp chopped tomatoes
5 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 ounce butter
2&1/2 bay leaves

6 medium to large peeled, deveined shrimp, with tail left on
3 &3/4 cups Blackened Voodoo Lager beer *
Cut chives
1/4 TB each shrimp base and chicken base* *
Rosemary sprig for garnish
1/4 cup granulated white sugar
16 oz heavy cream

Instructions

In a large saucepot, combine beer, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, cayenne pepper, basil, oregano, shrimp and chicken bases, sugar and cream. Let the mixture simmer until the mixture coats the back of spoon.
Season shrimp to taste and sauté in oil. Ladle 4 ounces of the simmered sauce into the pan. When the mixture begins to thicken, add 1 ounce of butter to the pan. Add tomatoes.
To serve, cut a wedge of corn bread in half. Toast halves if desired. Place bottom half in a shallow serving bowl and top with shrimp and some of the sauce. Add chives. Place remaining wedge of corn bread on top and garnish with rosemary.

* Blackened Voodoo Lager beer is sold at large, full-service liquor stores and some larger supermarkets.
** Chicken and shrimp base are paste-like flavoring agents sold in specialty stores and larger supermarkets.