Search - Louis Prima :: Call of the Wildest/Wildest Show at Tahoe

A great compilation

02/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2-on-1 CD is a great introduction to Prima's music, and a gem for collectors. This disc contains one of Prima's best Capitol albums "Call of the Wildest" (1957) and a live recording of their lounge act "The Wildest Show at Tahoe" (also from 1957). The first LP has songs such as "Closer to the Bone," perhaps one of Prima's greatest recordings next to "Just a Gigolo." It also has some of the novelty tunes that Prima is famous for such as "The Pump Song." Sam Butera gets a chance to strut his stuff vocally and instrumentally, on numbers such as "There'll Be no Next Time" and his rounds with Prima on "Pennies From Heaven." Keely shines pretty on "The Birth of the Blues," which is done in a very rousing arrangement. Both LP's offer a good idea of what their outfit was all about, especially "The Wildest Show at Tahoe." Keely's singing here is incredible, and Louis' trumpet playing is outstanding. The live show (and studio LP) also displays trombonist Jimmy "Little Red" Blount on songs "Blow, Red, Blow" and "How High The Moon." This CD is an absolute must have for any Prima fan!"

PRIME PRIMA!

STEPHEN T. McCARTHY | a Mensa-donkey in Phoenix, Airheadzona. | 07/04/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although he's likely listening to the ethereal harmonizing of an angel choir now, when my Pa (who was truly one of my best friends) was still with us, his favorite vocalists were Nat King Cole and Dinah Washington. But the records I remember him most often playing were 'Golden Hits' by Roger Miller (he had a penchant for waking us up for school by blasting, 'You Can't Roller Skate In A Buffalo Herd') and the two LOUIS PRIMA albums collected here on this one cd.



As a little kid I was fascinated by the cover photo on 'THE CALL OF THE WILDEST' and I spent a lot of time scrutinizing it. I thought that the over-the-top rambunctiousness of the song THERE'LL BE NO NEXT TIME was hilarious (and I didn't even know what adultery was!)



The second album, 'THE WILDEST SHOW AT TAHOE', recorded live at Harrah's Club in 1958 always reminds me of our family vacation to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, about fourteen years later : Out on the lake in a small boat, my Pa says, "Look at the size of that fish!" Stephen, like the idiot he was and is, peers over the side of the boat and gets the predictable shove in the back. My Pa knew he had erred when I resurfaced bluer than the lake. Cold? Folks, you don't even know what cold is until your Pa has pushed you into the notoriously frigid Lake Tahoe! My brain was instantaneously transformed into blue raspberry Jello. Forget swimming! I couldn't even remember how to dog paddle! But over the years, that regrettable little event gained me great leverage - "Pa, you remember that time when you........?" Ah, such fond memories this disc calls to mind for me.



The music produced by this top-notch small jazz band (featuring Sam Butera on tenor sax) is consistently good. It's performed fast and loose with a sense of humor and an eye toward the novelty. But they play it straight (and quite well) on most of those numbers that feature Keely Smith. Two things about Keely that cannot be disputed: 1) She was perpetually in great need of a decent hair stylist. 2) The lady could really sing! I like her renditions of AUTUMN LEAVES and THE BIRTH OF THE BLUES, but I love FOGGY DAY and I GOTTA RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES with its shifts in tempo. This may be the definitive take on these songs.



LOUIS PRIMA, of course, supplied the voice for the animated character, King Louie, in Disney's original movie THE JUNGLE BOOK (1967). If you liked his singing in that, you'll like his singing in this - they're essentially cut from the same cloth. THERE'LL BE NO NEXT TIME still cracks me up, and this is simply the best Tenor Sax-Honkin' Italian Jazz Novelty Lounge Music I own. In fact, this is the ONLY Tenor Sax-Honkin' Italian Jazz Novelty Lounge Music I own. Afterall, it's not exactly an extensive genre, you know.



As an adult in 1990, I had the great pleasure to visit Las Vegas with my Pa, and to catch Keely Smith and Sam Butera at the Sands Hotel playing on a stage the size of a Klondike Bar. Keely was still in desperate need of a decent hair stylist, but vocally the gal could still bring it. They were great fun. After the show, my Pa and I sauntered across the Vegas Strip to get a drink at Caesar's Palace, where he pushed me into a Roman Fountain in the Hotel courtyard. Not exactly the "drink" I'd had in mind. Gee, how I miss the Old Man, but I've still got his music!"

Best recording of louis prima i know of

lldk556s@aol.com | so. calif. | 01/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"besides "next time" , "closest to the bone " has some of the most memorable lyrics in music history. the memories of my father playing this album as a child in the early 60's are some of the fondest of my life, and have stayed with me into adulthood. this album also showcases the talents of keely smith and sam butera as greatly as on any other album. keely's voice comes across so clear and melodical. "call of the wildest" has,and always will stand the test of time for those of you who love music."