Search - Bill Doggett :: Wow

Perhaps "Yeah!" , rather than "Wow"

Dr.D.Treharne | Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | 05/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a 24 bit remastering of an album that Doggett cut for ABC/Paramount in 1964.If you only know his "King" material then you'll find that this is very different, and very much a small group effort, with Doggett filling rather than leading for much of the album.He's helped by having a very solid horn section ( special mention for Andrew Ennis who was to go on to play with Ray Charles) and also Billy Butler playing some tasty guitar licks. Outstanding ( and longest at 8:04) is "Ol'Mose Blues" where everybody gets to solo,but alto player Elvin Shepherd steals the show, and "Fatso" which finally allows the leader to push out on his own.I've got different versions of "Ram-bunk-shush" and "Slow Walk" (the Sil Austin tune) by Doggett, but these are taken at a much more up-tempo pace- hardly a slow walk at all! Two of the tracks have scat vocals "Happy Soul time" and the title track. Don't expect too much organ sound, but this is a very good example of what Doggett was doing out on the road in 1964, and it's very entertaining.The transfer quality is excellent as well."

Absolutely smokin'!!!!

Jeffrey Harris | South San Francisco, CA United States | 05/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who only know Bill Doggett for his instrumental smash "Honky Tonk" or may not be familiar with his work, the re-release of this lost classic is a good reason to get aquainted. Doggett got his start accompanying artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Ink Spots, and Ella Fitzgerald. Originally recorded for and released on the ABC-Paramount label in 1965, "Wow" has been reissued as part of Verve's excellent Master Edition series. A worthy contemporary of Jimmy Smith, this album features some great tracks like "Ram Bunk Shush", "Happy Soul Time" and the title track. For those who like their jazz served up with a touch of down home funk, this will do nicely thank you."