A D.C. Legend, Always on the Go-Go

The new hardest-working man in show business? D.C.'s own Chuck Brown, who embarked yesterday on a two-week blitz to launch his new CD, "We're About the Business."

The Godfather of Go-Go got up way early (the 72-year-old legend usually sleeps until noon) for an hour-long, rock-the-house lunch concert at the Hard Rock Cafe -- the kind of open-bar release party that typically starts at midnight or later. While most Washington workers were eating takeout sandwiches at their desks, 500 fans (most of whom had won tickets through local radio promotions) were sipping beverages -- and looked suspiciously like they were playing hooky.

Who could blame them? Brown, wearing his trademark fedora and sunglasses, played nonstop; everyone else was dancing and shouting lyrics by heart.

"Tired yet?" he cried.

"Hell, no!" they shouted.

"Want some more?"

"Hell, yes!" they answered.

Brown's full-court publicity press calls for a big show Friday night at the 9:30 club, as well as daily autograph sessions at local book and record stores. Yesterday's party wound up with Brown performing his signature "Bustin' Loose," signing CDs and imploring everyone to toss away those illegal copies and give him some love. "God bless each and every one of you," he said with a grin. "And if you got a bootleg, go to the store and buy the real one anyway."

LOVE, ETC.

Expecting: Rima al-Sabah and Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem al-Sabah. This will be the fourth child for the popular diplomats, who have three teenage sons. The baby -- "a very pleasant surprise," says the 45-year-old mom -- is due in late October.

Naming names: Scary Spice (aka Melanie Brown) still hasn't proved ex-boyfriend Eddie Murphy is the dad of her 3-week-old daughter, but she's calling her Angel Iris Murphy Brown. Wonder if Dan Quayle will weigh in on this baby . . .

Denying: Kim Basinger says she didn't leak the explosive voice mail message ex-husband Alec Baldwin left for their 11-year-old daughter, her publicist announced yesterday. The actress is already facing 12 contempt charges for ignoring court orders giving Baldwin visitation rights.

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

Vice President Cheney exiting his motorcade in Foggy Bottom to scattered boos from pedestrians as he went to visit his doctor at George Washington University. A spokeswoman later said doctors were checking on that blood clot in his lower left leg -- seems to be improving, they say.

Star Jones Reynolds dining out on foie gras and roasted chicken at Oya. Now with Court TV, she looked dramatically slimmed down from her days on "The View" (witnesses estimate a size 7) in a creamy gold sequined dress. She, actor Derek Luke and a dozen others gathered at the restaurant Monday after a celeb lobbying trip to the Hill on foster-kid issues.

Smilin' Sam Waterston: Like the Lark at Break of Day

Waterston: Happy b-day to the Bard.(Lauren Victoria Burke - AP)

After those ubiquitous "Law and Order" reruns, it's a little disconcerting to see Sam Waterston in the flesh looking almost . . . boyish. "It's so nice to see you smile," Debbie Dingell told the actor, who stepped out of his grim prosecutorial mode Monday night for the Folger Shakespeare Library's 75th anniversary (and the Bard's 443rd birthday). Waterston -- joining fellow actors Roger Rees and Ken Howard, British ambassador Sir David Manning and playwright Ken Ludwig in an hour-long performance-- recited Sonnet 29 ("When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, I all alone beweep my outcast state . . ."). His encore? Graciously bestowing kisses on ladies' cheeks during dinner.