Will Aaron Rodgers ever be the same following his ‘heartbreaking’ Achilles tear? That is the million-dollar question, says Dr. Ryan Minara. 

Rodgers’ New York Jets debut came to a crashing halt Monday night when the 39-year-old exited the game against the Buffalo Bills after just four snaps. 

Jets fans’ worst fears were confirmed the following day when it was announced that the signal caller had ruptured his Achilles tendon, ruling him out for the season in a devastating blow to New York, who only acquired him in the offseason. 

But Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, vowed to ‘rise again’ as he broke his silence for the first time since the heartbreaking injury on Wednesday night.

While it isn’t out of the realm of possibility for the veteran to make a comeback, he faces an uphill battle and the risk of never reaching the same level again, Dr. Minara, a podiatry specialist at New York’s Mount Sinai Beth Israel hospital, tells DailyMail.com. 

‘I do think that, given the fact that not only is he an elite athlete, he’s one of the best of the best of elite athletes and due to his highly-competitive nature, there’s a distinct possibility of him coming back and playing,’ Dr. Minara says. 

‘But at 40 it’s a much harder recovery than at 20 or even 30. He has the elite athlete and competitive nature working for him, but his age is working against him. 

‘No matter how much of an elite athlete you are, just by his body’s natural aging process, it’s much harder for an Achilles repair to recover and for him to return to be the same Aaron Rodgers that he was before.

‘I do think he’ll work as hard as he can to make it back but it is going to be an uphill battle.’ 

Even if Rodgers beats the battle against Father Time and makes it back to the field, Dr. Minara warns he might not be the same four-time MVP the league has seen before. 

‘I think he can return to play, but will he have the same mobility or strength as he did before? That’s really the million-dollar question,’ adds Dr. Minara, who has experience as a team podiatrist across sports, including lacrosse and triathlon. 

‘I think the Jets might have to switch his style of play. He’ll certainly be less mobile or less willing to break sacks or tackles. They’re going to have to protect him. He’s going to have to stay in the pocket a little more rather than using his legs.

‘Obviously he still has a wonderful arm. It might affect arm strength a little in terms of throwing the ball down field because you do rely on a lot of that strength from your lower body and core but he’ll still be Aaron Rodgers.’

Dr. Minara insists there’s more to the challenge than getting Rodgers back to full health. The Jets not only need to work on improving the quarterback but also their offensive line. 

‘It would benefit him and the team the most, so that he can worry less about having to escape the pocket and use his legs,’ he says. 

‘I do think the Jets should invest in an O-Line so he doesn’t have to worry about using his legs at much.’

It will be along journey back to the field for Rodgers, especially in time for the start of next season. 

Dr. Minara explains that Rodgers will not be able to bear weight on his left foot for at least two weeks post surgery before being able to allow a little bit of pressure in a walking boot once the stitches are taken out. 

The former Green Bay Packers quarterback won’t be able to start general physical therapy until the eight to 16 week mark, with the sport-specific rehab generally not beginning until four or six months post surgery. 

He says that even athletes have to wait until nine or 12 months after the procedure before they’re able to play at a high level.  

Around 75 percent of all Achilles ruptures are among athletes, ranging from elite athletes such as Aaron Rodgers, weekend warriors, collegiate level, according to Dr.  Minara. 

But the Achilles rupture is still one of the toughest injuries to bounce back from, even for the elite sporting stars. 

‘The Achilles is the strongest tendon in the body, it’s under a lot of tension, so when it ruptures it really alters the leg function from that point forward,’ Dr. Minara explains. 

‘That’s why it’s many times a difficult injury to recover from. Because you have to reset that resting tension, you have to strengthen the muscle, then you have to worry about the bloody supply to the area and then healing issues in general.

‘But people do come back. Kobe Bryant ruptured his Achilles tendon and he came back. Was he the same Kobe Bryant after he came back? It’s hard to say because he was already a little older.’

Rodgers’s devastating injury drew criticism of the NFL for allowing teams to play on artificial turf. Currently the league is split – 15 stadiums have grass, 15 use turf.

The league has been accused of putting ‘profit over people’, while the NFLPA has previously demanded an immediate ban on slit film turf. 

But Dr. Minara shuts down any speculation that the turf played any role in Rodgers’s injury, claiming it could have happened anywhere. 

‘There will always be people who complain about turf but there will be certain injuries that occur no matter what,’ he says. 

‘When you look at the slow motion replay of this particular injury it’s just a classic example of when an Achilles tendon ruptures. He already had some nagging calf injuries. He was trying to run away but he was being pinned down, so he was trying to plant and flex down his foot but due to the pressure of the defender on top of him, and due to the fact that he foot was stuck on the ground, the muscle was contracting, the foot couldn’t go anywhere and the Achilles popped. 

‘That type of injury can happen anywhere at any time. I don’t think the turf necessarily played a role in this particular injury. But it is something the NFL really needs to figure out. If there is an increase in specific injury, they need to see if the turf is playing a role in it.’ 

Margot Robbie bares her long legs in denim shorts as she holds a friend’s baby during an outing in Los Angeles

By Ashleigh Gray For Dailymail.Com

Published: 13:07 EDT, 10 September 2023 | Updated: 14:03 EDT, 10 September 2023

Cher revealed the secrets to how she preserves her youthful looks at the age of 77 during an appearance on Good Morning Britain on Monday.

The singer who admitted that she ‘couldn’t believe she will be 80 soon’, revealed what she won’t be doing, the older she gets.

Speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, who asked her how she stays so young and radiant, Cher said she would ‘never cut her hair short or stop wearing jeans’.

The mantra came as a surprise to host Susanna, who debuted a shorter hairstyle on the show, having cut her hair aged 52. 

Yet Cher explained: ‘I remember when my friend Paulette and I were talking about when we were going to cut our hair and stop wearing jeans.’

She continued: ‘I can’t believe I will be 80 at some point, sooner than I wish. And I will still be wearing my jeans and I will still be wearing long hair.

‘Genes in my family are pretty amazing.

‘I don’t know if not feeling old makes you younger. I’m not sure. I keep up with the trends and I have lots of young friends. 

‘I have old friends too. Honestly, I’m not trying to feel young, I’m not trying to be young, I am what I am, whatever that means.’

Host Susanna later took the debate to X (formerly known as Twitter) as she spoke about her own change in appearance. 

Sharing a before and after snap with her shorter hair, she penned: ‘The mid-life hair debate! At 52 I’ve had the CHOP. But Cher told me this morning, women should keep it LONG as they grow older. What do YOU think?’

Cher had appeared on the ITV breakfast show to speak about the time she rescued the World’s Loneliest Elephant in 2020.

Cher helped free the malnourished Asian elephant, named Kavaan, who had spent nearly 20 years chained up in a zoo. 

The actress said it was ‘so amazing’ to see Kavaan change his behaviour so quickly, once his surroundings improved.

She said: ‘When I first saw him, you saw him do the swaying thing, which means an elephant is in distress or having a breakdown.

‘So when I first saw him I knew what was going on because I knew the signs. I sang to him… really badly, but he was so beautiful. 

‘I was happy because it had taken us give years so I’d already had my pain five years before that and when I saw him I thought this is going to be so great.

‘I didn’t know how long it would take or if he would ever change that behaviour, but the night that we took him to the sanctuary, he came out of stress so quickly it was amazing.’

In May, the icon spoke openly about turning 77 in a candid post on Twitter and mused about not feeling old in the slightest.

Her post about her ageless beauty comes after her recent breakup with 37-year-old boyfriend Alexander ‘A.E.’ Edwards, who she reportedly ‘still cares’ for and could possibly reunite with in the future.

Cher tweeted: ‘Ok, Will Someone PLEASE Tell me…..When Will I Feel OLD. This is ridiculous. I keep hearing these numbers, but I Honestly can’t understand them. 

‘WHATS THE DEAL WITH #’s!? I’m dyslexic & #’s Are hard 4 me. Thank u for staying, I know it’s been hard. Got to go work out. Twitter is harder for me than TweetBot.’

Although, the If I Could Turn Back Time star split from Alexander, who is nearly four decades her junior, pals say the pair still have strong feelings for one another.

A source close to the star told the DailyMail that the legendary performer (born Cherilyn Sarkisian) has had an on/off relationship with A.E., sparking rumors of a possible reunion: ‘Cher is mercurial. And she changes her mind every minute.’ 

The source explained: ‘She actually really cares about A.E., and now that she’s closer to her kids, she wants more stability in her life. Although it’s off for now, no one in her close circle would be surprised to see them back together.

Cher is twice divorced and has son, Chaz Bono, 53, with her late ex-husband Sonny Bono who died in 1998 at age 62 from injuries sustained after hitting a tree while skiing. 

She was later married from 1975 to 1978 to late singer Gregg Allman who died in 2017 at age 69. Cher and Gregg had son Elijah Blue Allman, 46, together.

Cher has previously said she dates younger men – after dating Ron Zimmerman, who is 12 years her junior, Tom Cruise, when he was 23 and she was 38, and Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, who is 13 years younger than her.

She also dated entertainment executive David Geffen after splitting with Bono and dated for two years in the mid-70s. 

 Taylor Swift fled a restaurant in Long Beach Island, New Jersey after being the cause of a major road being shut down as her presence at pal Jack Antonoff’s star-studded wedding rehearsal dinner caused quite a commotion.

Hundreds of the 33-year-old hitmaker’s diehard fans – known as Swifties – made their way to the Black Whale corner bar just for a chance to get a glimpse of the music icon.

Taylor – who was seen out with pal Ed Sheeran the previous day – is in town to celebrate her 39-year-old music collaborator’s nuptials with 28-year-old actress Margaret Qualley. 

The megastar arrived at the star-packed event with Channing Tatum and Zoe Kravitz to an uproarious ovation from her passionate fans. 

 Taylor, Zoe, and Channing were not the only stars at the gathering as Lana Del Rey, who has also often collaborated with Antonoff, was also there in addition to mother-of-the-bride Andie MacDowell

 Police ended up having to arrive outside of the popular Long Beach Island spot to ensure that the massive crowd was behaving themselves.

Taylor looked absolutely stunning upon her arrival at the Black Whale as she stunned in a two-piece strapless dress.

Her signature dirty blonde locks were worn down into an elegant updo with her fringe hanging to just above her eye.

There were several video’s of Taylor’s presence at the neighborhood bar all over social media including a TikTok of her arrival with the 34-year-old actress and 43-year-old actor from inside of the restaurant. 

The scene grew even more chaotic as hundreds of fans could be heard chanting ‘Taylor! Taylor!’ as the wedding rehearsal was in full swing.

Other video footage showed the massive crowds who had lined the street in hopes that they would be able to catch a glimpse of the Bad Blood hitmaker.

Finally after the wedding rehearsal dinner had commenced, Taylor quickly walked down the steps with her thespian pals and made her swift exit alongside a security detail. 

 Earlier in the day news of the pop megastar’s arrival had spread around the neighborhood amongst locals who made their way to the Black Whale in droves leading to law enforcement having to direct traffic according to Page Six.

At around 8:45pm the eatery ended up shutting the balcony curtains which was a move met with boos by the Swifties in attendance. 

The publication reports that the rehearsal dinner had wrapped around 9pm as Swift and Del Rey left promptly.

Black Whale is definitely a change of pace for the megastar who is used to life in the lap of luxury as it is a modest bar and fish house which was established in 2005.

Before this the eatery’s claim to fame was as the neighborhood bar for the township of Beach Haven on Long Beach Island.

Back in May 2022, Qualley confirmed that she was engaged to Antonoff as she took to Instagram to share a snap flashing her diamond engagement ring. 

The beauty was hugging and kissing her musician beau in the cozy images. ‘Oh I love him!’ wrote the daughter of Andie MacDowell in her caption.

Rumours swirled on that she was set to marry Antonoff after wearing the ring at the Cannes Film Festival  just weeks before that.

  

The actress has been attached to Jack since the summer of 2021. 

They confirmed they were dating in August 2021, when they were spotted kissing and embracing while strolling around New York City. 

As for Swift’s relationship with Antonoff, he has played a major role in her very successful career.

He started working with the singer on her 1989 album, which she won a GRAMMY award for, and is credited as a writer and producer on every Taylor album since.

The two became close after meeting at the MTV European Music Awards in 2012 and has since been hailed by Swift as her ‘friend for life’.

Jack made a cameo in her star-studded Bejeweled music video and joined the star in performing songs from her Folklore album for the Disney+ special film Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. 

The musician is the lead singer of rock band Bleachers and was the guitarist and drummer in the pop rock band Fun. He was also the lead singer of the indie rock band Steel Train.

In May last year he credited Taylor for launching his career as a producer, telling The New Yorker: ‘I’d been trying to produce for a while, but there was always some industry herb going, ‘That’s cute, but that’s not your lane.’

‘Taylor was the first person with the stature to go, ‘I like the way this sounds, I’m putting it on my album’ – and then, suddenly, I was allowed to be a producer.’

• UK doctors raised alarm after studying Covid patient, 33, with symptom
• Suffered with condition – believed to be due to blood vessel issue – for 18 months
• READ MORE: Is long Covid overblown? Major new study suggests so

By Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com

Published: 18:31 EDT, 11 August 2023 | Updated: 18:56 EDT, 11 August 2023

While some women find it easy to bounce back into old routines after giving birth, others find it considerably challenging.

And when it comes to reacquainting with activities like sexual intercourse, listening to expert advice is best practice.

One doctor has revealed exactly how long you should wait to have sex after giving birth, particularly if avoiding pregnancy.

Dr Shazia Malik, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Portland Hospital in London, tells FEMAIL that women can get pregnant in as little as three weeks after giving birth.

She advised that women wait until all postpartum bleeding has stopped, which could typically take around three to four weeks.

Dr Shazia explained: ‘When a woman can resume sexual intercourse after childbirth depends on various factors such as type of birth, complications and recovery.

‘Whilst there are no set rules as such – following vaginal birth, you should wait until any postpartum bleeding (lochia) has stopped.

‘This typically takes around three to four weeks. However, it’s important to note that everyone’s recovery is unique. 

‘Some people may need more time before feeling comfortable engaging in sexual activity again’.

For mothers who aren’t yet ready to conceive another child, the expert says it’s important to consider contraception if having sex after delivery.

She warns mothers to dispel old myths that say breastfeeding and delayed periods can protect against pregnancy, as they’re simply not true. 

She added: ‘It’s important to consider contraception if you wish to avoid pregnancy, as you can get pregnant in as little as three weeks after birth.

‘For most couples they won’t be ready for another baby so quickly. 

‘So discussing your contraceptive needs and choices, as well as getting contraception in place will allow you to enjoy sex without worrying’.

Dr Shazia recommends that couples wait at least 12 months before having another baby, especially if the mother has had a caesarean birth.

However, there are other factors to consider before re-engaging in sex, such as injury to the body and infections.

The doctor says having sex within two weeks of delivery can increase a mother’s chance of getting an infection or haemorrhaging, so it’s advisable to wait.

‘If you had a tear or episiotomy and needed stitches, it will take at least four to six weeks to heal properly’ said Dr Shazia.

‘So it’s best to wait until you’ve fully healed to avoid pain or infection’. 

An episiotomy is a cut made by a medical professional near the vaginal opening to allow enough space for a baby to be born.

She added: ‘In the case of a Caesarean section (C-section), women should wait until the wound has completely healed.

‘This usually takes around six weeks. It’s important to speak to your midwife or a healthcare professional to ensure that you are ready and address any specific concerns you may have’.

‘Your six-week postnatal check-up is a great opportunity to be examined and get the all clear to resume your sex-life, and make sure you have contraception in place’. 

Aside to the physiological changes that occur after child birth, Dr Shazia reminds women that sex should be pleasurable, and that it may take a while before you’re ‘in the mood’.

‘The hormonal changes which occur after delivering your baby are huge,’ said the expert.

‘This can make you feel dry or sore vaginally – so taking time, using lubrication, and feeling ready are crucial in making sure that sex is comfortable and enjoyable. 

‘Breastfeeding in particular drops your oestrogen levels further, so using lubrication can be really helpful.  

‘Also, it takes time to recover from giving birth however you deliver, and along with lack of sleep, you may not be in the mood for quite some time’. 

She adds there’s ‘no normal’ for women and waiting until you’re physically and emotionally ready is key to a vibrant sex life.

Dr Shazia said: ‘Every woman is different, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider who can provide personalised advice based on your health, recovery, and any specific circumstances’.

An influencer who describes herself as an ‘investigative journalist’ is facing furious backlash after posting a glowing review of her trip to budget fashion brand Shein’s factory in China – while ignoring the company’s long history of labor abuse allegations. 

Dani Carbonari, 30, who is better known as Dani DMC online, has been slammed for posting numerous videos praising Shein – after the company paid to have her, and a slew of other online stars, fly to Guangzhou to visit one of its main facilities.

Dani, who is originally from New York but now lives in LA, documented the vacation on her Instagram account, where she has gained more than 481,000 followers, and she defended the fast-fashion retailer against reports that claimed it doesn’t treat its workers fairly.

In one of her videos, Dani called the visit to the factory ‘one of the most life-changing trips of her life.’

‘Getting to see the whole process of Shein clothing [being made] from beginning to end with my own two eyes was so important for me,’ she said.

‘Shein is such a developed and complex company, it was so beautiful to see first hand.’ 

The video featured a montage of clips taken from inside the factory, which showed workers sewing clothes as Dani and the other influencers watched on.

‘I was really excited and impressed to see the working conditions,’ added the 30-year-old.

Dani explained that she ‘interviewed’ one of the employees who ‘works in the fabric cutting department’ – and that the worker was ‘surprised by the rumors’ of mistreatment.  

‘I was able to interview a woman who works in the fabric cutting department, and you know me, [I’m] an investigative journalist, so I asked her all of our questions,’ she continued.

‘She answered them honestly and authentically. She was very surprised by all the rumors that have been spread in the US.’

Dani concluded: ‘I think my biggest takeaway from this trip is to be an independent thinker – get the facts and see it with your own two eyes. 

‘There’s a narrative fed to us in the US and I’m one that always likes to be openminded and seek the truth, so I’m grateful for that about myself and I hope for the same for you guys.’

The video was one of several that Dani posted during the trip – which resulted in her producing six TikTok videos and three Instagram posts documenting her time in China with the brand. 

And while none of the videos appear to have been paid for by Shein, the trip is understood to have been entirely comped for all of the online stars who were invited. 

Other influencers who were also on the trip included Destene Sudduth, Aujené Butler, Fernanda Stephany Campuzano, Kenya Freeman, and Marina Saavedra. 

In a post of her own, Aujené – who has wracked up one million followers – similarly defended Shein.

‘As a public figure, I feel a responsibility to shed light on certain topics and bring awareness to a few of the many issues we have in the world,’ she captioned a video that she posted from her trip to China.

‘Child labor and fair wages are serious topics and were some of the q’s you guys were curious about and wanted me to ask. 

‘When asking a few of the workers and employees about these topics everyone we came across was content with their salary and the idea of child labor was something they looked at me crazy for. 

‘A lot of the people are just trying to make an honest living and said their kids and the children they know are just like our kids in the states. 

‘They aren’t trying to work in factories, they’re tryna be on Tiktok and IG. Seeing how advanced Guangzhou was first hand was pleasantly surprising.’

Shein, which began in 2008 as a ‘low-cost Chinese apparel merchant,’ has become a worldwide phenomenon, earning more than $100 billion in sales last year, according to Time magazine.

Back in October 2022, however, an explosive report emerged from Channel 4 in the UK which claimed that Shein workers got as little as four cents for each item they made, and that they were often forced to work 18-hour shifts, seven days a week, with only one day off per month. 

Swiss watchdog Public Eye also reported a month later that the brand was running ‘informal factories’ set up in residential buildings and didn’t provide employees with any contracts, which is against Chinese labor laws.

It’s also been said that some of Shein’s factories lacked important safety infrastructures – like fire exits – and that there were bars on its windows. 

In December 2022, Shein announced that it would be investing $15 million into improving standards in its factories.

At the time, the retailer said in a statement: ‘We know we have a responsibility to safeguard the welfare of workers in our supply chain. 

‘In light of the recent report in the news, we launched an investigation into the claim that two of our suppliers had unacceptable working conditions at their facilities.’

Many were furious over Dani’s – as well as the other influencer’s – positive posts about the trip.

And while she turned off the comments on her videos, tons of online users quickly flooded her other Instagram posts with angry messages.

‘Your dress looks just as cheap as your morals,’ one person wrote on a photo that Dani posted following the trip, in which she was modeling a Shein gown.

‘This is disgustingly irresponsible,’ said someone else. Another user added, ‘The worker that made that dress got paid four cents.’

‘The way you got paid more to wear that dress than the person that made it probably ever will,’ read a fourth comment.

A different person commented, ‘You should be ashamed.’

‘This hurts my heart. The things people do for money and clout, despite knowing others will suffer for it,’ someone else wrote. 

Men with long noses really DO have bigger penises, scientists confirm

By Pat Hagan for MailOnline

Updated: 03:30 EDT, 22 June 2023

Fans pack Madison Square Garden in wild costumes and TRAFFIC CONES as Jim Long stuns world champion and No. 1 Michael Smith on opening night of the US Darts Masters

• Lung defied five 180s put up by Smith to book seal his spot in the quarterfinals 
• The 55-year-old Canadian will take on 2017 champion Michael van Gerwen 
• DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news 

By Alastair Talbot For Dailymail.Com

Published: 01:08 EDT, 3 June 2023 | Updated: 02:11 EDT, 3 June 2023

Lang Lang’s a long way off

By David Mellor

Published: 12:28 EDT, 19 November 2012 | Updated: 12:28 EDT, 19 November 2012

Lang Lang, The Chopin Album. Sony

Rating:

Lang Lang is a phenomenon. Apparently, 40 million Chinese kids are learning the piano because of him. His name is  as familiar as that of any  rock star. And technically his pianism is pretty phenomenal too.

So where’s the catch? Well, as an interpreter, he’s often a circus act; eccentric, wilful, mannered and unidiomatic, as he certainly is throughout much of his latest offering, The Chopin Album.

For instance, the first of the second book of Etudes he extends to almost three minutes. Two great contemporary Chopin exponents, Maurizio Pollini and Murray Perahia, each take two minutes 20 seconds. It makes a difference: listening with joy to them, and wanting to kick the CD player with him.

Obviously, not all Lang Lang’s Etudes, which are, as the name suggests, basically technical exercises, are as unrecommendable as this. And indeed, the so-called Winter Wind study, in its vulgarly theatrical way, works well. But once he progresses to more testing fare, for instance the lovely E-flat major Nocturne, the rot sets in again. This gloriously poetic piece is reduced to a series of shapeless, pretty-pretty gestures that testify to the essential shallowness of Lang Lang’s approach.

Some maturity will one day kick in, but as of now, this album is less about his much-trumpeted love of Chopin and more about his all-consuming love of himself.

Most people will not have heard of Alessio Bax, although this fine Italian pianist was a recent Leeds Piano Competition winner. But there’s more musicality in a single minute of his new Brahms album than in the whole of Lang Lang’s Chopin.

Bax chooses a testing programme of the four early Ballades, eight middle-period Klavierstucke, both books of Paganini Variations, sounding wonderfully lyrical here, and rounded off by a virtuosic solo piano arrangement of the Hungarian Dance No 5. This is a connoisseur’s choice in a way no Lang Lang album is ever, on present evidence, likely to be.

It is, of course, perfectly possible to be wilful in Chopin, and still sound convincingly idiomatic, an art in which my old friend, the late Shura Cherkassky, specialised. Cherkassky was a throwback to the golden age of early 20th Century pianists who pulled everything around but still managed to sound, despite all the flexibility of phrasing, tempi and dynamics, completely faithful to the composer’s intentions.

All this is evident from live performances of the two Chopin piano concertos Cherkassky recorded with BBC orchestras in the early Eighties, when he had just turned 70. Many conductors were wary of Cherkassky, who never performed anything on the night the way he had rehearsed it.

And only a conductor as accomplished as Richard Hickox could have followed him through the extraordinary acceleration he provides at the end of the second concerto.

But it all dazzles and thrills, because Cherkassky’s playing is so magical.

Especially his left hand, warm and beguiling, and more seductive than any other pianist I know. Cherkassky was an oddity: a natural talent who couldn’t intellectualise his art at all. Over several dinners, the best I could get out of him was superficial concert anecdotes. But, as a pianist, he was one of the 20th Century’s finest, so don’t hesitate, Chopin lovers.

Ever wondered what a nightclub pianist would make of Wagner? No, me neither.  But Clement Doucet’s arrangement of Isolde’s Liebestod, to delight the patrons of a Twenties Parisian nightclub, Le Boeuf sur le Toit (The Ox on the Roof), is quite captivating.

This is one of 26 items played there in the Twenties and Thirties, wonderfully well dispatched by Alexandre Tharaud, taking time off from his normal baroque beat.

Here, jazzed-up classics rub shoulders with American songs by Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Walter Donaldson, plus other engaging novelties. Donaldson’s Yes Sir, That’s My Baby, and especially Porter’s Let’s Do It, sung with requisite sexiness by Madeleine Peyroux, are alone worth the price of this CD.

Recommended for late-night listening with ad-lib alcohol, which is how the original patrons would have enjoyed it.

Alessio Bax, Brahms (Signum)

Shura Cherkassky, Chopin Piano Concertos (ICA Classics)

Alexandre Tharaud, Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit (EMI)