4) Louis Prima: ‘The Wildest!’

Best known for playing the role of King Louie in The Jungle Book, Louis Prima famously sang one of the best loved Disney songs ‘I Wanna Be Like You’. However, there was much more to Prima than this, as this album clearly demonstrates. He was a gifted musician active from the 1920s right up to his death in the 1970s. Throughout his career he embraced the trends of the day; from New Orleans Jazz, swing, big band and then, throughout the 1950s, as a Vegas lounge act.

It is the latter part of these musical styles to which we turn to on ‘The Wildest!’ The move to Las Vegas was not really a choice for Prima as work was becoming hard to come by. So with his new wife of half his age, Keely Smith, and band in tow they set-up residence at the Sahara and became an instant success. No doubt their surge in popularity was largely due to the excellent stage chemistry between Prima and Smith. One half was a loud, boisterous, cavorting Sicilian-American and the other was a cool, sophisticated and highly talented singer whose detached stage demeanor worked excellently with Prima’s. In many ways they were the early blueprint for Sonny and Cher. Whether that’s a good thing or not is another matter entirely.

In spite of the train wreck this pair may have inspired, it is Prima who was heavily influenced by another man who shared the same name, Louis Armstrong. Prima’s gravelly voice, trumpet playing and scat singing style play offs with his band are all similar to Armstrong’s. Yet unlike Armstrong, Prima was never taken seriously. He was always viewed merely as an entertainer. Such a label is rather harsh and unfair. Prima was a seriously talented musician and a great singer, as was Smith.

‘The Wildest!’ was an attempt to capture the energy and mood of their live Vegas act, and boy did it deliver. It demonstrates a mixture of rock and roll, jump blues, R&B, jazz, and, most importantly, humor throughout. In short this album can be summed up in one word, fun! The personnel totaled no more than eight yet the sound is as full as any big band could create. The wonderful live feel of the album takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. The music is by no means as groundbreaking as many albums are considered, but is certainly no less an album for it.

‘Just A Gigolo – I Ain’t Got Nobody’ and ‘When It’s Sleepy Down South’ although very similar are great numbers which encompass what is great about this album with strong orchestration and confident singing. Songs such as ‘For My Baby’ and ‘I’ll be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal’ demonstrate the great play off humor between Prima and Smith. Whereas ‘Body and Soul’ and ‘Night Train’ showcase Prima’s great trumpet playing. Whereas ‘Body and Soul’ and ‘Night Train’ showcase Prima’s great trumpet playing. However it is ‘Jump, Jive An’ Wail’ which is the highlight of this album. It is as good as any R&B/rock and roll number from this era. This album is highly recommendable for everyone from causal listeners to serious musicians and even those who just want to hear some fun music. A must have for any serious album collection.

Stand-out tracks: ‘Just a Gigolo – I Ain’t Got Nobody’, ‘(Nothing’s Too Good) For My Baby’, ‘Jump, Jive An’ Wail’, ‘Buona Sera’.

Rating: 8/10