Keely Smith was an American singer known for her collaborations with her then-husband, Louis Prima, in the 1950s and 1960s. One of their most famous songs together was "That Old Black Magic," which became a hit and continues to be a classic today. Keely Smith's smooth and sultry voice perfectly complemented Prima's boisterous and energetic style, creating a unique and captivating sound. Their performances were often characterized by their playful banter and chemistry on stage, making them a beloved duo among audiences. "That Old Black Magic" was originally written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the 1942 musical film "Star Spangled Rhythm." The song portrays the magical and enchanting effect that love can have on a person, comparing it to a spell or witchcraft.
What is it you seek? To find Lover or strengthen it? To achieve success? To bring healing, a better job, or justice to one who derserves it? To peer into.
Treat yourself to an exclusive, personalized Salem experience schedule a private consultation with renowned Witch author Sandra Mariah Wright and shop her magical collection of crystals and jewelry. Whether you re a curious traveler or a seasoned witch, these shops provide an enchanting atmosphere to explore the rich heritage of witchcraft, ensuring a captivating experience for all who dare to enter.
" The song portrays the magical and enchanting effect that love can have on a person, comparing it to a spell or witchcraft. Keely Smith's rendition of the song became a standout in her discography as she effortlessly brought the lyrics to life. Her rich and emotive vocals captured the essence of the song, evoking a sense of mystery and allure.
7 Witchy Shops In Denver
When it comes to witches and witchcraft, many of us think of the Salem witch trials, the movie Hocus Pocus and the evil queen in Snow White. Witches are associated with Halloween and the dark side, but in reality, most witches use their practices and spirituality for good, not bad.
In our modern culture, practicing witchcraft can mean many things: tarot, palmistry, meditation, art, astrology, holistic medicine, making potions, crystal healing, and more. The ultimate meaning is about employing plants, herbs, rocks, and other elements to shift energy to manifest change.
I’ve rounded up seven beautiful shops in the Denver area that celebrate witchcraft, whether wholly or partially. There are a few other shops in the city that I’m not listing; this list speaks to me authentically. If you’re interested in the occult or just pretty things, you should check out these shops:
Arcana Herbal (CLOSED)
Photo by Arcana Herbal2836 W. 44th Ave., Denver
A cute little space in the Sunnyside neighborhood houses an occult apothecary run by three women. Open four days a week, making it an even more sought out place to check it out, it is full of handmade goods produced by the shop owners. Here you can find beautiful candles made with essential oils, herbs, and flowers — and bath salts like the Black Moon Lilith made with charcoal, rose, and cypress. In addition, it has soaps, smelling salts, herbal teas, and more. Often the shop holds events like its ‘Tarot and Tinsel,‘ which is a day of tarot readings and getting tinsel put in your hair. Check out their Instagram to stay updated on events and new products.
Alchemy Ritual Goods
Photo by Alchemy Ritual Goods2536 Champa St., Denver
In an unassuming residential spot on Champa, a few blocks from the RiNo district, Alchemy Ritual Goods is the cozy little magic shop of dreams. Alchemy means transforming essential metals like lead into gold, so essentially it’s magic. The goods and services offered here are meant to make you a more enchanted, whole being. Here, you can find tarot decks, crystals, incense, candles, books, homemade herbal kits, and more. On top of that, it has a weekly schedule of readings (walk-in or call) ranging from tarot to ancestral medicine to spiritual readings — and even hand poke tattoos on Fridays.
The Terrorium Shop
Photo by Bridget Douglas4416 Yates St. (formerly 3611 W. 49th Ave.), Denver
Denver is home to many plant shops, some more unique than others. A few blocks the Regis University and around the bin from the popular Noshery bakery and cafe — is The Terrorium Shop. The owners are a husband and wife duo who have blended their gardening and taxidermy hobbies into a business. Terroriums are glass bowls filled with sand or soil, succulents, plants, and other objects. Here, the majority of them have a tiny skull inside them from animals like foxes, raccoons, and more. You can also find floral arrangements, individual plants — and ‘preserved mini worlds’ with things like bones and preserved beetles and butterflies. If you’re into this stuff, it also offers several terrorium and taxidermy classes.
Ritualcravt
Photo by Ritualcravt7700 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge
Ritualcravt is THE witch shop in Denver. All the shops I’m listing have some elements relating to the occult — but this place is ALL about witchcraft. Once in a small space in Denver, it has now moved to a bigger space full of all the metaphysical goods you could ever need. It has books, tarot cards, incense, crystals, candles, oils, soaps, and all kinds of oddities. Everything is very well curated, meaning it is majority handmade and ethically sourced. In addition, it hosts events several times a week relating to different aspects of witchcraft, such as moon rituals, ancestral healing, working with herbs, and more.
Spirit Ways
Photo by SpiritWays Metaphysical Shop3301 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
In the heart of East Colfax, near the Bluebird Theater and several bars and restaurants, is a charming, bright, mystical shop — Spirit Ways. You can’t miss this spot with its colorful decorations in the windows. It’s chock full of stones and crystals, incense, candles, oils, books, and tarot cards. In addition, it has jewelry, clothing, accessories, journals, cards, pottery, archangel, and goddess figurines. It’s a fun place to walk around and gawk at all the pretty stuff. Tarot readings are offered almost daily as well as other services such as reiki and guided shamanic meditation.
Apothecary Tinctura
Photo by Apothecary Tinctura2900 E. 6th Ave., Denver
If you’re an aspiring herbalist, whether for health or witchy potion-making — Apothecary Tinctura is the place. This herbal shop has been around for over 20 years as both a shop and clinic, helping clients heal their ailments through a holistic approach. Here, you can find bulk herbs from A to Z as well as tons of herbal tinctures. In addition, handmade essential oils, herbal extracts — and a section full of healthy chocolate bars and tarot cards. It holds workshops weekly about different topics around health and spirituality. Be a healthy witch, folks.
Rosehouse Botanicals (CLOSED)
Photo by Rosehouse14 S. Broadway, Denver
One of the first shops I ever stepped foot in in Denver is Rosehouse Botanicals, and it’s still one of my favorites. In the heart of South Broadway/Baker, surrounded by thrift stores and bars, is this gorgeous little shop. The colorful exterior and the plants in the window draw you in, and inside, it’s full of beautiful plants and a magical witchy vibe. It is an apothecary and botanical shop with a large selection of home and garden plants ranging from succulents to orchids to medicinal plants. In addition, it offers handmade teas, green beauty products, terrariums, and other goods. It hosts many events, and the owners even have a plant podcast called Up the Plants. It has a resident black cat as well.
3301 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
The song's iconic melody and Smith's sublime interpretation ensured its enduring popularity. Apart from "That Old Black Magic," Keely Smith had a successful solo career, releasing several albums and earning critical acclaim for her vocal talent. She continued to perform and record music until her passing in 2017 at the age of 89. Overall, Keely Smith's contribution to the music industry, particularly her unforgettable rendition of "That Old Black Magic," solidified her status as a legendary singer. Her unique voice and charismatic presence continue to captivate listeners and inspire future generations of artists..
Reviews for "Keely Smith's "That Old Black Magic" Sets the Perfect Mood for Romance"
1. John Doe - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with Keely Smith's performance in "That Old Black Magic". Her voice sounded strained and she seemed to struggle with hitting the high notes. The arrangement of the songs also felt lackluster and uninspired. Overall, I found the whole album to be quite underwhelming and far from the quality I expected from Smith. I wouldn't recommend it to jazz fans looking for a standout vocal performance.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 - "That Old Black Magic" by Keely Smith was a major letdown for me. Her vocals lacked energy and enthusiasm, making the songs feel bland and emotionless. The choice of songs on the album was also questionable, with many of them feeling outdated and out of touch. I couldn't connect with the music at all and found myself skipping through most of the tracks. This album was a complete miss for me, and I would advise others to give it a pass.
3. Robert Johnson - 2/5 - I was not impressed with "That Old Black Magic" by Keely Smith. The album lacked creativity and originality, with the songs sounding generic and formulaic. Smith's voice felt strained and she didn't bring anything new to the table in terms of interpretation or style. I found myself bored and unengaged while listening to the album, and it failed to leave a lasting impression. I would recommend exploring other jazz vocalists instead of wasting time on this forgettable release.
4. Emily Thompson - 2/5 - "That Old Black Magic" by Keely Smith didn't live up to my expectations. Smith's voice sounded weak and flat throughout the album, lacking the charisma and power that I had hoped for. The arrangements felt repetitive and there was a lack of variation in the song selection. This album felt like a missed opportunity to showcase Smith's talent and didn't leave a lasting impact on me. I would recommend exploring other jazz vocalists before giving this one a listen.