Louis Prima and his Orchestra - Swing 'n Jive (1999) CD- Rip

Tracks

01. Hi Ho Trailus Bootwhip
02. Pickle In The Middle
03. Please No Squeeza Da Banana
04. Waiting For The Train To Come In
05. Nosy Body
06. Leap Before You Look
07. Felicia No Capicia
08. Josephine,Please No Leane On Da Bell
09. Marguerita
10. He Like It,She Like It !
11. Baciagaloop
12. Vout Cowboy
13. Do A Little Business On The Side
14. Mahzel

Swing N Jive comprises '40s recordings of Louis Prima leading his orchestra. Yes, he sings on virtually every cut, but not with Keely Smith. He fronts the band, solos, and vocalizes, but with the exception of three of these 14 tracks, he does so alone. There's a version of "Nosy Body," with Lily Ann Carol, a reading of Slim Gaillard's classic "Vout Cowboy," with Foy Willing and the cowboy group Riders of the Purple Sage, and "Mahzel" with Cathy Allan. There is an excellent version of "Hi-Ho Trailus Bootwhip," that kicks the set off as well. The music here is terrific. The sound, however, is another matter entirely. While it's not terrible, the masters were either in poor shape, or these are radio transcriptions and live tracks, and it's difficult to tell because no source information is given in the liner booklet. If you are a hardcore Prima fan, though, you need these just the same.

Thom Jurek