Jump, Jive an' Wail: The Essential Louis Prima

This CD did not dissapoint me- It was classic Prima, some live cuts made it great- The music really gets your feet to swinging..

I have loved the sound of Louis Prima for years, just didn't know his name. Pandora helped me connect the two, and off to Amazon I went.

WARNING: Listening to this CD may cause finger snapping and toe tapping.

NOTE: These songs can be heard in the best Italian restaurants.

Louis Prima entertained millions of people with his nightclub engagements, concert tours and record albums; and he certainly wasn't a shy guy, either! This CD gives us a whopping 26 tracks of Louis doing what he did best.

"Angelina/Zooma Zooma" is a live medley track with Louis singing of Angelina, a woman he loves. The musical arrangement is infectiously catchy and the male backup chorus enhances the number, too. Listen for Louis Prima singing with Keely Smith on "That Old Black Magic;" the percussion and brass are great; Louis and Keely make magic in my book! Moreover, there's "I've Got You Under My Skin;" this duet with Louis and Keely shines like gold in their competent hands. I really like "I've Got You Under My Skin!"

"Pennies From Heaven" has a great arrangement that swings brightly; and "(Up A) Lazy River" swings gently--but it still sparkles as Louis delivers this with panache and all his heart and soul. "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody" uses the piano well; and Louis sings this one to perfection. Love those backup vocalists, too! Listen also for a musical jam session that'll knock your socks off as the band totally lets loose on "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody!"

"Just One Of Those Things" features Louis's vocals squarely in the spotlight and the piano starts the musical arrangement beautifully. Listen for Louis to scat a bit on "Just One Of Those Things," too. "Hello Dolly!" gets the royal treatment from Louis; he sings this wonderfully. Satchmo, watch out! SMILE "Cabaret" is another number that I love; and I predict that you will enjoy "Cabaret" very, very much.

The liner notes have a great essay by James Ritz and the photos are really nicely presented. David McEowen did a perfect job remastering these tunes at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.

If ever you feel depressed, put on a Louis Prima album. His zest for life and his electric performances can put a big broad grin on just about anyone who has a pulse! I highly recommend this CD for Louis Prima fans; and people who enjoy classic pop vocals will treasure this CD for ages to come.

Thank you, Louis! Great job, everyone!

This is great stuff. I can't stop listening to it. I'm going to wear out my mp3 player.

Exuberant entertainer, singer, actor, songwriter and trumpeter Louis Prima was known as King of the Swingers and his over-the-top personality must have been something to behold as a bandleader during the 40's and whilst appearing in Las Vegas during the following decade when he teamed with wife Keely Smith as a duo. This ultimate 50's Capitol collection retains Keely's straight vocal charm for their timeless re-styled renderings of THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC and I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN whilst OH MARIE, (UP A) LAZY RIVER and SING, SING, SING are album tracks sure to brighten the dullest day. However, perhaps Prima is mainly nowadays recalled for I WANNA BE LIKE YOU (THE MONKEY SONG) which he shared with Phil Harris in Disney's 1967 classic animated THE JUNGLE BOOK. Adding latter-day tracks HELLO DOLLY and CABARET to the mix was obviously intended as competition but even if they failed to equal Louis Armstrong's Hit Parade classics, Prima delivers them with full-thrust feel-good factor, while CIVILISATION (BONGO, BONGO, BONGO) is a welcome throwback to the late 40's.