Jump Jive & Wail: Essential

Louis Prima | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 17, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000QFAGEO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,332 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #46 in Music > Jazz > Jive Jazz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This legendary performer knocked 'em dead for nearly half a century!, August 20, 2007

By 

Paul Tognetti "The real world is so much more... (Cranston, RI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jump Jive & Wail: Essential (Audio CD)

He was the leader of his own band when he was just 18 years old. He had a number of hit records during the 1930's and 1940's and would go on to become one of the most popular acts in the history of Las Vegas. He was a showman in every sense of the word. He hosted his own network radio program and was a much sought after guest on popular television variety shows including The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and The Dean Martin Show to name but a few. He also appeared in a any number of motion pictures and was a an accomplished songwriter to boot. Yes, there's just no doubt about it. Louis Prima was the total package! In the late 1950's Louis Prima was itching to get back into the recording studio and inked a new multi-year deal with Capitol records. Over the next several years at Capitol Louis Prima would make what are generally considered to be the finest recordings of his career. "Jump, Jive an' Wail: The Essential Louis Prima" is a long overdue compilation of his very best work at Capitol. One cannot help but be impressed by the pure joy and sheer energy of so many of these memorable tunes. Long-time Prima fans are sure to fondly recall his work in the late 1950's with his then wife Keely Smith. "The Essential Louis Prima" features four of these great numbers including their wonderful rendition of "I've Got You Under My Skin", "The Lip", "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!" from the motion picture of the same name and of course the duo's signature tune "That Old Black Magic" which was a Top 20 hit in 1959. Personally, I had never heard very many Louis Prima records before purchasing this disc. I must tell you that I was absolutely blown away by the work of saxophonist Sam Butera on tunes like "Up A Lazy River" and "St Louis Blues" to name but a couple. Sensational stuff! And of course no Louis Prima collection would be complete without the title tune "Jump, Jive An' Wail" and "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody' from the Capitol LP "The Wildest" in 1956. Also included in "The Essential Louis Prima" is his wildly popular "I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" from the animated Disney feature "The Jungle Book". In that film Louis is the voice of "King Louis" the orangutan. "The Jungle Book" has been a family favorite for more than 40 years.
"Jump, Jive An' Wail: The Essential Louis Prima" comes with a colorful and informative 12 page booklet that you are sure to enjoy. These wonderful recordings have been lovingly remastered by the folks at Capitol. Although Louis Prima passed away in 1978 he remains a legendary figure in the entertainment business. Whether you are a long-time fan or someone merely interested in sampling his work "The Essential Louis Prima" would certainly be an excellent choice for you. Highly recommended!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It was okay , but there is better out there, September 3, 2007

By 

Ms. Betsie "Avid Reader/teacher" (Northridge, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Jump Jive & Wail: Essential (Audio CD)

I had half expected to have some different songs than what was on this CD...Like "Louis Prima Collectors Series" better, especially his duets with Keely Smith. If you only were going to buy one, I would personally get the Collectors Series, not The Essential Louis Prima. I do not like the arrangements as well, either and have only listened to the CD two times since I got it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PRIMA'S EXUBERANT STYLE IS LIVELY PICK-ME-UP!, September 26, 2007

By 

A. POLLOCK (PLYMOUTH, DEVON United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Jump Jive & Wail: Essential (Audio CD)

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.