An exuberant collection of the best of Louis Prima (1911-1978), this hugely entertaining pair of CDs shows just why he was one of the favourite entertainers of the last century. New Orleans-born Prima, the son of Italian immigrants, was one of the last century’s most irresistible performers. Like his idol Louis Armstrong, he was a fine trumpeter, singer, bandleader and extrovert entertainer. His inspirational trumpet style, self-taught, was based on Oliver and Armstrong. His singing, described as “hoarse and horny”, mixed Neapolitan slang with scat. He was a truly great showman. Much later on, his was the voice of ‘King Louis’ in The Jungle Book.

“Swing It!”, the catchphrase of his popular radio show, is also the title of Retrospective’s summary of the very best of Louis Prima’s whole career, opening with the two lively titles from his very first recording session in 1933 (Chinatown, My Chinatown & Dinah). His New Orleans Gang, with top jazz stars such as Pee Wee Russell, Georg Brunis and Eddie Miller, recorded some great jazz. The 15 tracks here from 1934/8 include such major hits as In A Little Gypsy Tea Room and The Lady In Red, and his most famous composition, Sing, Sing, Sing. In the 40s Louis led a big band, pouring out a string of hot swing numbers (Brooklyn Boogie, Saint Louis Blues) and entertaining novelties (Robin Hood, Bell-Bottom Trousers), often ‘Neapolitan flavoured’ (Angelina, Felicia No Capicia). In contrast he also wrote the beautiful ballad, A Sunday Kind Of Love.

A notable feature of Louis’s career from the late 40s was his fabulous partnership with Keely Smith (to whom he was married 1952-61). She is heard on seven tracks.

Contents:

CD 1 (1933-1946)
with The Hotcha Trio:
1. Chinatown, My Chinatown
2. Dinah
Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang:
3. Sing It Way Down Low
4. Let’s Have A Jubilee
5. It’s The Rhythm In Me
6. Worry Blues
7. I’m Living In A Great Big Way
8. Swing Me With Rhythm
9. The Lady In Red
10. Chasing Shadows
11. Basin Street Blues
12. In A Little Gypsy Tea Room
13. Let’s Swing It!
14. Sing, Sing, Sing!
15. Pennies From Heaven
16. Yes, There Ain’t No Moonlight – So What?
17. Rosalie
Louis Prima & His Orchestra:
18. Robin Hood
19. Angelina, The Waitress At The Pizzeria
20. Oh, Marie (with Lily Ann Carol)
21. Bell-Bottom Trousers (with Lily Ann Carol)
22. Brooklyn Boogie
23. Felicia No Capicia
24. St. Louis Blues
25. Josephina, Please No Leana On Da Bell
26. Hey, Ba-Ba-Re-Bop!
27. A Sunday Kind Of Love

CD 2 (1947-1960)
Louis Prima & His Orchestra:
1. All Right, Louie, Drop The Gun
2. Charley, My Boy *
3. Oh, Babe *
with Sam Butera & The Witnesses:
4. Just A Gigolo – I Ain’t Got Nobody (Medley)
5. Body And Soul
6. Buona Sera
7. Jump, Jive An' Wail
8. Nothing’s Too Good For My Baby *
9. You Rascal, You
10. Basin Street Blues – When It’s Sleepy Time Down South (Medley)
11. Night Train
12. Whistle Stop
13. Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days
14. Banana Split For My Baby
15. When The Saints Go Marching In
16. I’ve Got The World On A String
17. That Old Black Magic *
18. That’s My Home
19. Judy
20. Gotta See Baby Tonight
21. Don’t Take Your Love From Me *
22. The Music Goes ’Round And Around
23. Hey, Boy! Hey, Girl! *
24. Lazy River
25. I’ve Got You Under My Skin *
Louis Prima & His Orchestra & Chorus:
26. Wonderland By Night
 - * with Keely Smith