Search - Cab Calloway :: Best of the Big Bands

Great Calloway Compilation!

K. Brown | Walnut, Ca USA | 01/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first of four Cab Calloway compilations I bought, and it reigns as my favorite. This series starts off with Calloway's coolest rendition of "Minnie the Moocher," followed by "Beale Street Mama," one of those hep songs with an upbeat melody but sorrowful lyrics. Why this tune didn't make the rounds on more Cab Calloway compilations puzzles me; his rendition is one of those great examples of Calloway's smooth yet rambling vocals. "Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day" is an awesome follow up to the original tune. This works opposite the "Beale Street Mama" tune: Calloway sings about Minnie's upcoming wedding in wealthy spectacular description, yet there is something haunting - almost funereal- in the melody. This seems like one of those songs that many would cover, but without Calloway and his orchestra's sweet touch, it would lose the overall little spirit.The majority of songs on this CD are all-around upbeat numbers like "Wake Up and Live" and "Dinah." These are some of those happy-go-lucky melodies that have the magic touch of entering your cerebral database, leaving you humming the melody as you go about your day. While this is my favorite Cab Calloway CD, there is a diverse selection of compilations that are just as solid; this just happens to be my personal pick. I would highly recommend it if you want to get a diverse sampling of his work."

The songs are great but not the sound quality

Greg Brady | Capital City | 03/30/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I'm aware that these are very old recordings (1937-39 vintage) but there really is a TON of hiss on this CD. That, plus the fact that the overall signal level is low (it's "quiet" compared to other CDs of the era I've heard) make it not a great buy.



If you've been looking at this because of the specific tracks on it, every one of these is available on a 4 CD JSP box set (for $28.98 new, about $21 used) called EARLY YEARS (ASIN B000095IY9) and the sound is better if you compare sound samples.



If you're new to Cab and don't want to plunk down the dough for a multi-disc set, the best single disc compilation I've heard thus far is ARE YOU HEP TO THE JIVE? (ASIN B0000029FN). That one is a fantastic selection of songs with informative liner notes, good sound, and a few interesting rarities.



BOTTOM LINE: By all means get some Cab Calloway for your collection but don't buy THIS particular CD."

Good music

Ryan Sullivan | Belleville, Illinois United States | 01/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never really liked Jazz until I heard Cab Calloway's Minnie the Moocher. Now that I've heard the rest of his songs, I'm starting to consider Jazz."