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Cab Calloway =- the 1940's Jun 09, 2009
Calloway moved effortlessly from ther '30's to the '40's with style and grace. Look for the [...] production number of "The Jumpin' Jive."
Unique, Fun, Irrepressible May 17, 2009
If you think you'll like it, you will!
Some of these numbers stand as musical classics, a couple are a little bizarre, and some are culturally interesting (and not PC by today's standards.) Take them in the right context and enjoy.
The tracks sound great and I smile every time I listen.
Wonderful high precision band music terrific sections! Feb 02, 2009
As a long time total devotee of Basie, admirer of Ellington, and enthusiast for Lunsford, I had always Pooh Poohed Calloway as an "act" fronting a jivey entertainer, rather than a contributor to the history of big bands, an attitude other big band swing fans I know share.
This CD completely blew me away with the total precision and swing of this band. While the band has few explosive solos--Calloway was said to eschew solo performances by the band because he demanded the spotlight--there is utter precision, total swing, and awsome power in the way the sections, particularly the brass section execute their parts here. At times, I have been simply stunned by the way the brass section will come in with a soli or battle over the reeds. It is an education in music to hear this.
Listening this morning to my beloved Basie--late 30s Columbia tracks from a Lester Young Box--while the outstanding solos of Prez, Clayton, Tate, Edison and the underrated and the underrated and underappreciated Jack Washington are astounding at times, the band sounds week and reedy after listening to these Calloway sides. Of course, much of the music on this Calloway record is post-war with much better recording than anyone could have recorded in the 1930s, but the precision and perfect unity of Calloway's sections in time and intonation remain vastly superior to Basie's.
Of course, the band itself might be a marvel to a student of the big band, but anyone who cannot get into the great jivey singing Callow does needs mental health care. His clear diction and magnificent tenor, sometimes half-talking, half singing, and the swing that he advances the lyrics filled with Harlem slang of the time is a great pleasure. His approach prefigures rap music with both rhythm and words.
This is one of those CDs that once you put it in the machine, it becomes a struggle to get it out.
It belongs in every home
Solid boys, I dig!! Mar 10, 2008
Ok folks, I know nothing about jazz. I couldn't tell you the difference between Coltrane and a choo-choo train. But, I can tell you with complete authority that this CD is the most complete, undiluted, unadulterated expression of pure joy I've ever heard. Listening to this collection is like taking a happy pill!
If contemporary artists have any pretense to being "cool" or "hip", they need only to investigate Calloway and his music for a reality check. This man is the real thing, the founder, the patriarch of generations of hipster wannabes.
There's not a bad cut on this release. Pop it in, turn it up, and prepare to take a lesson from the Professor of Jive!
Love This! Feb 21, 2008
I love this collection from Cab Calloway.
It's great for driving or cooking in the kitchen...
and my six year old selects this when she needs something
"jazzy" to dance to.
There are many rocking songs with great lyrics.
...Have a banana Hannah...
If you like old time and big band style jazz
I think you will like this.
I love it.
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