Reviews (page 4 of 14)
04/27/22
Loved it! Just a lot of fun. Final cut was the first song in memory that openly 'wished someone was dead' but done in such a way rhey wouldn't mind the journey
Pisano! Really unique, gruff voice. And what a trumpet player. Could listen to this all day. Those harmonies are so good. Those album covers are a choice, eh? Favorite tracks: (I'll be glad when you're dead) You Rascal You, the Lip, Jump Jive n Wail
This album was an absolute delight, including some splendid jazzy arrangements, a kickin' band, and the lovely surprise of Keely Smith on vocals. The star of the show is still Louis Prima. His big personality, exuberance and sense of humor are what keep this album going and make it so much fun to listen to. I really love this. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Jump, Jive, an' Wail; (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You; Medley: Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody (and Nobody Cares for Me); Medley: Basin Street Blues / When It's Sleepy Time Down South; (Nothing's Too Good) For My Baby; Oh Marie; Buona Sera; Night Train; Body and Soul; The Lip
Irresistible fun!
Fucking love "Just a Gigolo". This whole album is amazing. A real crowd pleaser - pure entertainment. Damn. Good stuff. I listened to this thrice through and I mean I actually listened. Also - Shawn, that's Keely Smith on The Lip! From Thunder Road. Remember? Remember? Anyway. Five stars.
I love this, unabashedly. I can tell why my grandpa had his first heart attack! Hotcha! Seriously though, this album overflows with a joy and brio that more than compensates for its vintage. The opening medley was hip enough for David Lee Roth to cover, but it's not even the highlight. I love the spritzing of the ol' italiano in 'Oh, Marie'; I love the clever silliness of 'The Lip'; I love the spot of Grieg dropped in to 'Body and Soul'. It's rare that an album combines fun with chops so adroitly. Also, isn't Prima's huffy foghorn voice wonderful? Yes, through the lens of the present day he would be charged with cultural appropriation - ever since Mezz Mezzrow, white guys in jazz had tried to mesh by sounding like they'd swallowed Cab Calloway's 'Hepster Dictionary' wholesale. Still, this is wonderful - and didn't Prima do a fine job in the Jungle Book also?
Álbum do Rei dos Swingers. Jazz em estado puro. Trompetes sensacionais em canções gostosas de sentir. Li que Prima dublou o orangotango Rei Louie no filme "Mogli - O Menino Lobo". Aliás, uma das canções do filme é dele. Sensacional!
This one was awesome. The one about making pie and buona sera were good discoveries to be shared.
Great jazz
Ktebt 8 Saf7at Mel Bouheli Mte3 Dostoevsky W Ana Nesma3. I Recommend
Yup. Happy with this.
Best of the bunch thus far. Incredible. Loved every second of it.
This album was a lot of fun. So much creative energy.
10/10, Louis Prima is the fucking GOAT this album has so many bangers, still he’s made many other great songs that don’t even show up here like Pennies From Heaven, I Wan’na Be Like You, and What Will Santa Claus Say? overall just really great music I’d totally recommend
so fun!
Fantastic, band had major talent, lots of humor, recognized songs. Several times, couldn't believe what I was hearing with the lyrics.
Brutal.
Joyful!
Classics. So much fun.
Хорош) Приятный джаз Будто вечер. Большая лубянка. Бары уже закрываются. На улице тепло. И светит понедельником.
mad men-esque bar loungie tunes i like.
great!
Very cute and chill, I liked it a lot, definitely gonna continue listening to it.
TOPISSIMO
wild, Italian, ridiculous, a pleasure to cook to.
Fantastic album. Loved every song, even if they kind of blended together a bit. Just great energy and I got to add a song to abbey's playlist so that's a bonus
Cute Jazz album. Feels like it is very in line with trends of the 50's
Heh awesome, jazzy croony you raskal
loved it!
Louis Prima is always 5 stars in my book, so this album was a soft toss.
Just wow! Such nice energy. New Orleans jazz.
Wild, fun
This was a great treasure discovery. It resembles in me a great classic that I didn't know yet. Definitely, an album to listen to before die!
<3
Hay que estar loco para no poner un 5 a este álbum
Una chulada de disco. Louis Prima representa un montón de esa época de fines de los 40s y todos los 50s en que el swing está en su apogeo, todavía suena bien a precursor de rocanrol pero incluso esa importancia histórica es lo de menos. El album es una explosión de alegría, vida, humor y movimiento; de verdad que puede transportar a uno y hacer que te sientas incluso después de 60 años como si estuvieras pasando la noche en el casino, cenando y viendo un show espectacular, las canciones y esa combinación de algunas más jazz y otras más swing, un conjunto de puros clásicos que lo hicieron grande y en versiones perfectas para el estilo. Mi parte favorita quizá es esa toma y da que hace con su voz y el saxofonista en "Oh Marie," respondiendose notas hasta que atropella al saxofón y le dice "Come on now what's the matter with you?" Ese juego, soltura y simple alegría creo engloba lo que hace especial tanto a Prima, a este estilo de música y en particular a este disco. No tiene sentido ponerme a mencionar canciones, al menos la mitad son clásicos y todas son una joya, incluso las dos instrumentales. De viaje en el tiempo a Las Vegas a una época con más clase y moral más relajada a la vez. Maravilla de elección para la lista.
Holy crap all these hits are the same dude on the same album. Wow.
Oh Marie, a classic. Jump Jive and Wail, the remake by Brian Setzer isn’t too bad. Love the bonus tracks on Spotify.
Was first introduced to Louis Prima and Keely Smith with the Big Night soundtrack. That was way too late in life! Enjoyed them ever since. Listening feels like I might be on the back porch of a two-flat in Melrose Park circa 1955. Buona Cera!
So much better than expected.
Fun jamming. It is described as Vegas at 3AM and I feel it.
what a fun, lighthearted album. I'll keep this one on deck
Loved it!
Seriously, what a joyful ride this was. Loved everything about it. Could hardly not dance to it.
8/10
Pretty good, sounds like a party going on, and doesn't overstay its welcome. Best when the band gets a chance to get some swing going, rather than tricky bits like in 'The Lip'. Something that I'd happily listen to if a band was playing it, or if it was put on at a party, but not something I'm likely to put on myself.
It rocks, rolls, swings and jumps - it’s joyful.
A pretty fun album though very old. It is genuinely a joy to listen to, but also not really something I would quickly put up again.
A fun time. I won't remember any specific songs, but I'll remember the vibe. He will always have my love because of The Jungle Book.
i love jazz - so i definitely loved this. very charming and fun :) my favs were "just a gigolo/i ain't got nobody" and "banana split for my baby".
Kinda cute. The kind of music my mom used to hum in the kitchen while working when I was a kid
While this played I imagined this was on the radio while I was driving some old 1954 baby blue Buick I've got a dame sweet as candy to my right We just crushed a chocolate malt I'm a WW2 veteran (I fought them damn Krauts over in Europe) 18 years old Racist as hell Those were the days
A lot of old classiques, didn’t know this guy by name but I recognize him. Jungle book energy.
I started listen to The Wildest! 73. A big 5. Then I saw The Wildest! from 56 but that album was not wild at all. But then I knew he was better so the 3 moves to a 4.
not wild about the pie song but otherwise good and fun
3,5
A grand old time to listen to.
Most people will have been introduced to Prima as king louie from jungle book. And I totally agree with the casting. The whole comedy while singing to uptempo jazz really makes the genre sound fun and danceable instead of uptight and overcomplicated. Bravo mr Prima!
Loooved this album. Heard these songs before but never knew the artist. Played it two times in a row. Will be on my regular rotation.
Just a gigolo / i ain't got nobody (and nobody cares for me) - 4 (Nothing's too good) for my baby - 4 The lip - 3 Body and soul (instrumental) - 3 Oh marie - 3 Basin street blues / when it's sleepy time down south - 3 Jump, jive, an' wail - 4 Buona sera - 3 Night train (instrumental) - 4 (I'll be glad when you're dead) you rascal you - 3
There is a particular trap in reviewing albums this old: it becomes very easy to spend your time finding cheap gotchas against records that other people have loved for seventy years. Louis Prima’s The Wildest! is especially vulnerable. It is emphatically 1956, emphatically showbusiness, and full of Italian-American shtick, nightclub patter and little bits of business that can look horribly dated if you arrive determined to prove that 1956 was, indeed, not 2026. I prefer to start from the opposite assumption: these people probably knew what they were doing. It’s in the fucking book for a reason. That doesn’t grant anybody immunity from hubris, overreach, coldness or excess, but merely sounding like the age in which you were recorded is not grounds for a conviction. And The Wildest! rewards that bit of generosity almost immediately, because beneath all the showmanship is a seriously good swing band. Prima’s great trick on “Just a Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody” is to set the floor before he starts removing the floorboards. He begins by demonstrating that he can really sing, then gradually introduces the interjections, the mugging, the dialogue with the band and finally the full theatrical performance. The apparent disorder works because the musicians underneath it remain completely secure. This is not really a comedy record so much as superb musicianship performed with comic brio. Keely Smith is essential to that equation. She has a gorgeous lower register and wonderful jazz timing, sitting inside the swing rather than trying to dominate it. On “Nothing’s Too Good for My Baby”, her poise gives Prima something to bounce against: he adds little interjections, close harmonies and quasi-scat responses without disturbing the shape of her vocal, and the little joke at the end about the pair apparently being unable to stand one another is funny precisely because the musical intimacy beforehand has been so convincing. It is old variety grammar: establish the straight performance properly before you start messing with it. A lot of Prima’s supposed comedy works in much the same way as McCartney’s excited screams on early Beatles records. The “woo!” at the end of “Twist and Shout” isn’t really a gag; it’s audience permission. It tells you that this is exciting and you are allowed to behave accordingly. Prima’s relationship with the Witnesses often has that function. He prods the band, they answer, he pretends they are struggling to keep up, and the whole performance acquires personality without ceasing to be music. “The Lip” takes this into gently surreal vaudeville territory, while “Body and Soul” begins with beautifully restrained trumpet before wandering into a smart-arse little medley of musical quotations: aren’t we clever, don’t we know a lot of tunes, and don’t you enjoy recognising them too? It’s the same pleasure the Beatles would later exploit in the coda of “All You Need Is Love”. But it would be a mistake to oversell the jokes, because the musicianship repeatedly pushes them into the background. There is gorgeous restrained trumpet playing, lovely piano on “Jump, Jive an’ Wail”, and Sam Butera’s saxophone is tremendous. “Buona Sera” is one of the highlights: the Witnesses absolutely slap, and the arrangement eventually tilts into an almost tango-like rhythm without ever sounding as though somebody has bolted a different song onto the end. Then “Night Train” gives the band the spotlight. Prima continues to mug as though he is pushing the Witnesses beyond their ability to keep up, except they are negotiating stop-time passages where everybody has to hit the breaks and re-entries together without losing the groove. You could still, at this point, wonder whether all the showmanship has been disguising the limitations of a very good cabaret band. The answer is no, these are serious players. “Night Train” is basically their employment reference. That also helps explain why The Wildest! belongs in this particular canon. The usual history of the 1950s can become suspiciously tidy: swing and jazz over here, then along comes rock and roll and everything changes. Prima makes those borders look much messier. “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South” develops a wonderfully breathless momentum that at times approaches a rock-and-roll register, while the hard sax attack and rhythmic propulsion elsewhere aren’t a million miles from Bill Haley and the Comets. Prima is still firmly rooted in swing, jump blues, nightclub entertainment and variety, but you can hear some of the energy of the next era already running through the band. “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” in particular feels almost chemically Eisenhower-era: Vegas neon, enormous cars, women in pointy sunglasses and headscarves, cocktails by the pool and a nuclear test going off somewhere in the Nevada desert at seven because apparently you might as well watch it before breakfast. The whole album has that same shiny, accelerated confidence. It poses for the photograph. By the time Prima reaches “(I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You”, even an old song with a genuinely nasty premise has been turned into affectionate silliness about somebody stealing his ravioli and meatballs. The murderous refrain now sounds less like menace than the way you might address a particularly badly behaved stray dog: you absolute little bastard, I fed you. I liked The Wildest! a lot. It doesn’t quite have the extra dimension that would push it towards five stars for me, but it is extremely good at what it sets out to do, and considerably more musically sophisticated than its apparent looseness suggests. Most importantly, it belongs to an entertainment tradition that saw no contradiction whatsoever between being funny, theatrical, audience-facing and technically excellent. The Wildest! sounds loose because everybody involved is good enough to make looseness a performance choice.
excellent
My first album of 1001.
This is old school swing band! There's a lot of fun here. Obviously, some of the lyrics make no sense 70 years after, but it's a cool time capsule.
Yeah! This is fun! One of my old band mates loves Buona Sera. That takes me back!
Album 287. The Wildest! (https://open.spotify.com/album/4icS85G6VGPbFlB9UGPxct?si=gTd2RulfQmaJUvLarskDOQ) — Louis Prima (1956) Listened twice today. It's fucking fantastic, truly wild, energetic and just fun. Classic jazz standards and blues that kills everything with that swing. I think it's one of the highest peak music experiences to see and hear this live. It was a great trip to 1950s New Orleans with Lindy Hop and parties, definitely I want to listen to something more from Louis Prima. 4/5 Liked: — Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody — Body And Soul — Night Train — (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You
Surprisingly fun. Really. This is a prime example of what makes this exercise worthwhile. Introduced to it by the list, the album cover… well let’s just say I went in with low expectations. 4 Boolean: True
Really glad this was one of the recommendations. I had heard many of these songs, but never sat down and heard the album. The trumpet riff on just a gigolo maybe the best thing I’ve heard this year.
Yes, you should listen to this before you die. A first listen for me: what a blast. As the prototype for music as we all know today, it excels with charisma, fun and energy. Outstanding cover to add. I wish all "jazz" and early music was this fun.
Domestic violence jumpscare I usually don’t listen to anything in this genre but it’s so listenable. A perfect sound of the times.
7/10… swing / jazz / jive / *1956
Loved this. Great rhythm and voice.
King of the swingers. Who wouldn’t like the man who sounds happier than anyone I know. Loved this
Music for people who know how to have fun
This was a great album. It’s bouncy and funny and seems like a great album to dance to. I can hear the influence it had going forward, but it also does a good job standing the test of time. Probably not adding any to my rotation, but good to keep in mind for vibe music. Also, iconic ending the original album with the song “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead.”
Fun
yes this was very fun. Keely Smith was my fav part
Yeah, it lives up to the hype. Long live King Louis. Also great music to make dinner to, which I discovered on Saturday
Really enjoyed this. I don't really care for the older gag-style songs, but these weren't too bad. A song about banana splits from 70 years ago bothers me much less (and seems much more authentic) than songs about contemporary things for whatever reason.
Lotta fun, this one.
While he may not have quite the chops or influence of that more famous froggy-throated Louis, Mr. Prima can certainly rock out. It sure helps when he’s aided by his then-wife Keely Smith — check them out doing “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” on Ed Sullivan. And how can you not feel romantic, awash in the moonlit Med of “Buona Sera”?
Reasonably wild time was had
So this is the effortlessly cool that Dave Lee Roth sought … Fun and energetic “Prima's” live show is a blast . He takes liberties with his own songs and classic jazz. a marvelous big band experience that somehow leans towards RnB.
100324 19:43 4
Louis Prima deserves his title of King of Swing. This is the closest we can get to having Louis Armstrong on this list (probably the weirdest omission), having been heavily influenced by Armstrong. The album is full of charm, energy and wit.
El álbum en sí no me fascinó sin embargo,descubrí canciones de Basis que me gustaron mucho.
The Wildest! by Louis Prima is just great fun from start to finish. I have to admit something that made me laugh—I won't tell you how many songs into the album I was before I realised that Louis Prima was the voice of King Louie in Disney's The Jungle Book. Once it clicked, I couldn't unhear it! This is exactly the sort of album I'd happily have playing while cooking. It's full of energy, humour and personality, and it's impossible not to smile along with it. The combination of swing, jazz and jump blues makes it incredibly infectious, and the whole record feels like a band having the time of their lives. I particularly enjoyed the vocals from Keely Smith. Her voice complements Prima's perfectly, and their harmonies add a real warmth and charm to the album. Their chemistry is one of the highlights and gives the songs an effortless, playful feel. One thing I noticed was how several tracks begin with a very similar walking piano bass line, just in different keys. It could easily have become repetitive, but somehow it just adds to the album's familiar, feel-good atmosphere. The whole record also brought back memories of a fantastic little Italian grocery store near our old apartment on Long Island. This was exactly the sort of music they always had playing, so listening to the album felt surprisingly nostalgic. It's not an album that's trying to reinvent music or make a grand artistic statement. It's simply a brilliant, entertaining collection of songs performed by musicians who clearly loved what they were doing. Favourite tracks: "Just a Gigolo" and "The Lip" are both fantastic and capture everything that's so enjoyable about the album. Least favourite tracks: Nothing really stood out as a weak point. The whole album is consistently enjoyable. Album artwork: A classic 1950s album cover that perfectly reflects the fun, lively spirit of the music.
Fun and energetic, if somewhat lacking in depth.
Just a grand ole jolly good time
The King of Swing. There are no other words to describe Louis Prima. His work when it comes to trumpet and vocals (with a prolific scat technique) is a masterclass when it comes to jazz music, and this record it's no exception to that. When it comes to the Wildest! as a record, it is basically, an splendid and exquisite mix of the early sounds of Rock and Roll, Jump Blues (extremely popularized by him with his Big Band in New Orleans) and of course, jazz. The relationship with Keely Smith as his female vocalist can be heard in his peak on this album and even that, has his own story. Louis Prima divorced from his third wife in 1953 he married Smith just a month later with almost an age gap of 20 years between them. Both were convinced about this idea since Prima saw in her something special and he wanted to make her a big star, and when you look back into songs like "(Nothing's Too Good) For My Baby or "The Lip" you can understand why the bond goes far beyond age gap, the gambling on horses, and the glamour and stylish luxury lifestyle of the couple. Recorded between Capitol Records Studio in Hollywood and the halls of the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, what you will hear on this anthology of songs won't dissapoint you. It is, without a doubt, an excentric and demented explosions of one of the most special albums in Swing era of Jazz music.
Very uplifting bigband sound, Infectious swing, 3.8/5
Hat richtig Spaß gemacht hier zuzuhören. 4,5/5 Sterne
cool chill album, love some jazz sometimes
Really liked
A banana split for my baby, and a glass of plain water for meee~ This was a decent album, a lot of bangers. I would listen to some of the songs again if I was feeling it, but I didn’t add any songs to the playlist.
Honestly, this was much more real fun than I was expecting. 4 Boolean: true
Fun, comedy swing. He's a great deliverer of a lyric.
I enjoyed listening to this album, although I do not know if I'd listen to it again. It is just not really my genre, but despite that I still decided to give it a 7.2. This number is slightly higher than my Calculated Rating based on individual track rating.
[4/5] feel like a dancing fly. hypnotised by powerful brass instruments. unfamiliar with his non-christmas work. less of a fan of bonus tracks. 3.5 // rounded up for being fun. track notes: 1. the world's oldest profession can be a lonely existence. bro swinging too hard 2. pie-covered fingers skipping down the piano (mmm) 3. fish hatred larping as a fun lipstick song 4. intense alton towers trombone 5. endless (2:28) runaway train of neapolitan simpery 6. words so fast got me calling this rap 7. cutting shapes with stuart little 8. lubby dubby doo woppy 9. sweet times but i can't find second gear 10. scandalous theft of spicy meatball (+wife) [bonus tracks] 11. devouring time 12. is louis a feeder or just broke? you decide 13. quaint 14. quaint 2 but bouncy
Foot-stomping, big band fun! Super infectuous.
Can't believe how many of these track I know. It's actually a pretty frikkin great album. Lots of fun. Tempted to rate it a 5 so I can remember to try and find a copy on vinyl at some point.
Pure unadulterated fun. A great listen from top to bottom. 3.75* Rounded up to 4*
omg this is exceptional his voice, lyrics and way he is saying is so just beautiful and duh obviously its jazz so its not gonna miss on instrument side. worth every star
Gigolo is a classic. Then a crap song. Then some really classic sounds. The Louis Prima voice is great. The female vocals when it leads, sounds cloying and dated. As backing vocals, they hit me fine.
A really fun album. Let's give Mr. Prima an extra half-star for being the primary soundtrack and unseen focus of the movie, "Big Night." It's a great movie. You should see it before you die. Let's also give "Diamond" David Lee Roth an honorary half-star for his faithful-without-being-karaoke version of "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody."
Fun, just fun. 4 star
This was fun. Good band, fun grooves, and I liked the girl/boy vocals.
4/5 - Much prefer this to Frank Sinatra. Good energy. Fun time with classic songs.
‘Plastico’ is so fun I enjoy the ending of *country* ‘présente’ I love how unserious ‘Buscando Guayaba’ is ‘Dime’ is very tropical ‘Siembra’ is absolutely my favourite, I like the moody start This album is absolutely insane, I am obsessed
Lively precursor to rock and roll. His Vegas show must’ve been a blast!
The unc is jamming!
A very pleasant, jaunty listen.
Bastante tranquilo, no es algo que suelo escuchar por ende no sabia que esperar pero resulto bastante bien
absolutely joyous experience, songs of bliss and entertainment no matter the context
Paolo Nutini got his pipes from here! Loved the diversity
Full of joyous energy and fun. Really good time. 4/5
Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody - Such a vibe despite the blatantly sad lyrics. Lowkey a lil hysterical in the later section of the song. (Nothing's Too Good) For My Baby - Feels cute, a bit of an "oh!" at a lyric or two. The Lip - Interesting story, uncertain on the meaning of the recipe upon first listen. Body and Soul - Pure instrumental. Lovely. It's lovely jazz, and it's really fitting with the time period this was made in (The 50s). The energy boost in the later half is really pleasant. Oh, Marie - Don't know Spanish, but hell yeah. Short lyrics wise, but fun to vibe too. Definetely good for bouncing my leg to. Basin Street Blues / When It's Sleepy Time Down South - The trumpet solo ^-^ The way flow state moves with this singer is quite fire. Like the imagery. Jump, Jive, An' Wall - Don't know all that much about the 50s, so I don't know what the main lyric they've been repeating is meant to mean. Anaphoras be fun tho. Buona Sera - Not the kind of love song I'm used to, but definetely a nice one. Night Train - Apple music spoiling the lyrics while the intro instrumental still cooking ToT. No cause isn't this the title of the next song showing on my screen??? It's just straight instrumental rn, and I think apple just glitching a tad with the lyrics ^^' Put Night Train in a cafe playlist rn tho. Or a speakeasy. Yeah, a speakeasy. (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You - CRAZY CHANGE in lyrics holy stars. Send this to an animator NOW. Aaron Burr after Hamilton died be like. Immediate fav for the craziness alone cause bro's just taunting his target here. This song me when men /j Five Months, Two Weeks, Two Days (Bonus Track) - Yearner but like fun and jazzy. Could be in the same playlist as Maggots for Brains theme wise. Banana Solit for My Baby (Bonus Track) - Serving yourself less core. It's nice he wants to give her the world, but like, a glass of plain water? Oh, charging the split to her and the water to him cause he broke T0T Oh! Whistle Stop (Bonus Track) - Account login for smth was being a bitch, so I was highkey not paying attention. Didn't mind tho. Be Mine (Little Baby) [Bonus Track] - Begging but with jazz [insert sparkles here] Is it peer pressure he using or just begging? Seems like a mix. Overall? Pretty nice album! 7/10 - Not my usual genre, but one I could certainly warm up to. Think one of my friends would like this one more tho.
This guy and his band totally wailed — "Jump, Jive, an' Wail" is an exceptionally apt theme here. So good.
Ух ти) Свінг?
Great 50’s bop / jazz feel
Something to dance around to while cooking. It can be a lot, but overall really joyful
One of the earliest on this list. It is the background music you hear in gangster movies. You can imagine being a club late at night where the music gets louder and more dirty as the night goes on. This is that time of music.
would have been a helluva show to see 70 years ago
This one is super fun. You've probably heard some of these and didn't know who you were listening to. Couldn't stop to this one without a deafening silence in the void.
Day902 - if you’re really good at one thing it doesn’t matter if it all sounds the same.
enfin de la bonne musique! best: gigolo worst: jsp
Great album. With these I try and keep in mind genre and release date. It’s funny that this was considered raucous when released. Really like the swing, jazz, crooner sound. Upbeat and fun. Really like the call and response, especially with sultry female vocalist (think “baby it’s cold outside” Christmas song). This is only my 3rd album but it makes sense I keep hearing songs that I am I incredibly familiar. On this album, it is “jump, jive, a wail”. I like how he also plays a good trumpet as many of these vocalists, Sinatra, Darin, Martina etc tend to just be singers. Learned he was the voice of King Louie from Jungle Book, cannot unhear that.
Lots of fun but like a lot of 50s artists, most of the songs sound very similar. I stopped paying attention at times. A fun mix of swing jazz and early r&b. Reminds me at times of Fats Waller but with better production and more instruments.
Amazing! This felt like a party and I was so happy to be able to stand in the back!
Very fun listen! I actually really enjoyed this. Super upbeat! I saved one song. It isn't super varied, but just fun to listen to. It just isn't fine art I guess... Not sure if that makes sense.
It's really interesting to hear an album and think it sounds like it's old and timeless at the same time. I appreciate the recipe to make trumpet grease in one of the songs.
4★/5 06.18.2026
apparently im just a sucker for standards
RATING: 8.5/10 HIGHLIGHT: The Lip LOWLIGHT: Body and Soul
i already like a song from this album thats crazy!! I got the song (just a gigolo) from a Shameless episode. I think it was an intro scene of Frank outside or something, I don't remember, but its crazy I have a song from 1956 finally lsitened to it and it was so good, i really liked the Lip, you rascal you and just a gigolo. the rest of the songs wre good but not good enough to be in my liekd osngs. i really liekd them but im afraid they will be skipped. i really like them in this album though
King Louie himself! What a fun album, just radiating with good times and laid back swing. Could listen to this stuff all day.
Highly enjoyable
Enjoyable if this was the kind of music I was feeling on a particular day, fun throwback. "Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody - Medley" "Oh Marie" "Buona Sera" " I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal You)" and "Banana Split For My Baby" were the standouts here for me.
A great jazz album. Favorite Track: Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody
Muito divertido o álbum todo, músicas clássicas que marcaram os anos 50, consigo imaginar uma vida totalmente diferente, indo para casa de shows, com bandas, galera interagindo sem celular, tendo tempo pra praticar arte. Muito massa esse poder da música de te transportar para uma época.
7/10
Pleasantly surprised by this album. Totally transported me to a hip 1950s that is entirely created in my mind. 4.1
Swingin’ through the jungle! (His voice is incredibly recognizable from my childhood filled with Jungle Book.) This is so joyful and groovy. And works through all kinds of sounds and energy levels. It had me interested from end to end. 8/10 Most Excellent
This was fun!
No es mi tipo de musica, pero reconozco que es un clásico, y es bueno para probar algo distinto
Enjoyed this album!
Listened
Th symbol of Post-war United States
Røddig jass
I enjoyed this. Sounds like good Sunday afternoon music. Go find a patio, a nice glass of wine, throw on the tunes and just sit back soak it all in while the world moves along around you. I like the carefree nature of the lyrics and tunes.
I vaguely recognized the name, but I had no idea how prolific Louis Prima really was. He must be among the most covered artists of all time. Great music
I really like this music the big band songs were amazing and I love the combination of a woman and a man singing
Omg this was a banger!
I like this kind of music. Jump blues. It almost sounds like a precursor to rock 'n' roll. It puts me in a good mood. I have a soft spot for crooning singers. I just find this music very charming. Prima sings with an Italian accent, very likeable. By the way, he was the singer and trumpeter of Disney's Jungle Book song: "I Wanna Be Like You" (King Louie).
it was messed up when he didn’t come to the big night
Something very different for me and very enjoyable. Will listen again at our next sunny barbecue
Apparently this album was recorded in the lobby of a Las Vegas casino to try to capture Louis Prima and his band’s live sound, who were the most popular act in the city. Before I found this out, I had a suspicion that this may be the case because of how much energy and fun comes off of this record. There is a bit of repetition, practically every song starts identically, but every player is having the time of their life, if you listen closely, you can hear yells and laughter. 4/5
7 - good ol crooning
Honestly not even that wild
banger. 4/5 is the same as 8/10.
What an absolute gem of an album! Prima's voice may not be perfect but he injects every last note with so much character and joyous energy the musicality becomes secondary (I had felt this even years earlier when I first heard his voice in Disney's Jungle Book, and even more so when I connected a person to the voice.) Even 70 years on, the uproarious atmosphere of whatever club this was (or wasn't; could be studio trickery) recorded at is immediately apparent. Prima was a seminal figure in introducing jump blues and the R&B precursors to rock and roll to broader audiences through jazz, and the seamless blend is almost immediately apparent once you get past the pure swing glory of that fantastic opener. There's also some very subtle Italian folk seasonings here and there, which makes this album all the more important in understanding the development of popular music. I can't help but grin when this one plays, it's just too much damn fun! Key Tracks: Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody, Jump, Basin Street Blues/When It's Sleepy Time Down South, Jive an' Wail, Buona Sera
I really enjoyed it jazz is always nice and it was nice to listen to something from a different country.
Really enjoyed this. Some classics that I knew, some new stuff for me. Overall a fun, jazzy, interesting album. One of listen to again.
TIL that King Louis in The Jungle Book wasn't Louis Armstrong! This is great fun - groovy, swinging, full of character. Enjoyed it far more than expected and it seems the man has a considerable catalogue. It's slightly novelty in the themes, but I would happily listen again. A decent 4
I bought this a few years ago after seeing it in the book and listening on Spotify. Loved it then and love it still….. however, my other half made this listen a little harder with such loud grinding of teeth…. 1. Just a gigalo 2. You rascal you 3. Night train 4. Buona Sera
Favourite Songs: Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody The Lip Jump, Jive, An' Wail
I do like swing music from time to time. It's the definition of easy listening. Louise Prima and his musicians do their job really well to carry over the good mood.
This is such a fun album, with some really great playing. I was familiar with quite a few of the tunes, but had never listened to the album in its entirety. Definitely worth the listen. Fun party music or a great pick me up.
I thought I knew what I was getting but I was wrong this was fun
I think it cool, this is first i listen this Song and Singer. I think i will try more
Where has this album been my whole life? And yet I already know half of it.
Music to cook beautiful food for beautiful people to. I need to have a dinner party now.
That was a good album. I think I've only really heard "Jump, Jive, An' Wail" before. I was familiar with Louis Prima only through him voicing King Louie in The Jungle Book (1967) but that's basically it. I liked Jump of course, Buona Sera was a good listen, and I was amused by "You Rascal You" for it being basically an anthem of 2025-2026.
I like it a bunch. Fun lyrics good sound
I wonder how Louis would compare today's wildest songs to his? This was great
“I’ll be glad when you’re dead” walked so “Not Like Us” could run.
Love the energy and playfulness.
Fy fan va bra! Klockrent sväng, gör mycket av lite och så den där helt oefterhärmliga rösten. Åtminstone fyra klassiker som är untouchable och huruvida de är original eller inte så är dessa versionerna man vill ha. Det är bara att hala fram fyran
Louis Prima håller hov. Ett party man kunde sålt sin själ till djävulen för att få vara med på. För här svänger det! Inledande storhiten är ju faktiskt lysande. Liksom Jump jive an’ Wail. Prima maffiosoröst är underbar. Samspelet Keely Smith sitter som en fläskläpp. Bandet jazzar loss så att inte ens Stephen Hawkings kan sitta stilla. Ett par lite trista instrumentala spår drar ned omdömet. Men på det hela en härlig partyskiva man blir glad av att höra. Stabil fyra.
This is guy and Louis Armstrong would have made for the best jazz power duo! Really fun album!
Pretty fun jazz, skat, whatever this genre is. Often had ridiculous lyrics, but if I was more into jazz I could see wanting to have his stuff as a go to.
I don't like jazz.... but I do like swing and big band. A man whose voice is so indelibly linked to a singing orangutan for multiple generations of children and yet listening to this was so, so joyful I very quickly forgot and was pulled along for the ride. It helps that I have always adored Jump, Jive, an' Wail. There's just something about listening to an album where it sounds like everyone involved is having a bloody brilliant time. I wrote a big long review about this album and somehow 50% has disappeared overnight, I've again woken up with a headache and I can neither remember what I wrote, or be arsed enough to try and rewrite it. So: Loved that it made me tap my feet and nod my head. 4/5
That is just some upbeat fun music.
Deilig musikk på tirsdag. Plata dro meg inn i en West Side Story-aktig verden. Og der var det fint.
Oldest album recommendation as of yet and id put it in the top 5 I've heard so far.
Good album but I wouldn’t likely listen to it frequently. Niche
Lots of classics in this one. Fun album to listen to.
Louis Prima seems like he would've put on killer shows to see live. Unfortunately since he died 50 years ago, this studio album is maybe the one that captures that live energy the best. Very fun, especially for a 50s album.
I enjoyed it, was not really expecting to but was worthwhile. Will probably not go back to it but didn't mind it. Lyrics were interesting. This feels like grown up music and should have grown up lyrics but they were also silly in the 1950's. At least you can understand the lyrics.
Monkey man made fun danceable jazz. Rocks for the 50s. Dat sax hits
Wonderful stuff particularly Just a Gigalo.
An enjoyable album which reminded me of when people went out to nightclubs to catch live music, to dance, and to be entertained. I really liked, "Buona Sera".
They were some cool tunes
Really enjoyed this album.
Well I enjoyed this. Recognised the voice straight away and I'm certain Ive heard most of the songs in Frankie and Benny's over the years. Wouldn't be out of place in The Godfather either.
I love Louis Prima, he reminds me of my grandfather, he was one of his favourites. It's been the soundtrack of many a great game as well, having said that, my favourites of his aren't on this album, and really any song of his sounds the same as the last!
Extremely good Swing album, doesn't interest me that much tho but very good quality for it's age.
MY GOD, this is litteraly the patrick star meme, this is just funny, sunshine, rainbows and happines, loved it.
Had no idea who Louis Prima is. Then i heard first track and knew. This was very enjoyable!
Really fun swing album with lyrics that paint a story and catchy tunes you can't help tapping your foot to. Not a lot of memorable songs, but fun little listen. I immediately clocked his voice as being King Louie in The Jungle Book, so it's hard not to picture an ape singing me all these songs.
Fun jazz classics!
I'm disappointed. --Edit-- I listened to The Wildest '75 which was my mistake. Listening to 'The Wildest! Expanded Edition' was a much, much better experience. On my second go of it, I'm changing my rating from a 2 to a 4.
Great album with energy you can feel.
danced through my whole room
love me some louie
yea he prolly up there
Está muy bien y escuchar a Louis Prima siempre es genial y una absoluta revelación para alguien que nunca lo ha escuchado. Pero, y no es un pero menor, me pareció que todos y cada uno de los tracks cantados en este disco suenan exactamente igual. No más o menos parecidos, no. Exactamente igual. No es queja, pero pues qué cosa tan curiosa. Y con todo y eso, escuchar este disco es una gozada.
This was wild indeed! I loved the old school jazz sound, and my god, he was a bit politically incorrect wasn't he? Banana Split for My Baby - ha! The twist at the end gave me a good laugh. And (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You... yikes!
Jazzy, swingy Big band stuff. I liked it a lot. I guess this guy played the monkey king in jungle book? His voice is great and the backing band is phenomenal. Any album with a song called "I'll be glad when you're dead" gets points from me.
good
Fun jazz with some awesome songs and nice easy listening. Some songs are brimming with energy and emotion, others feel kinda mundane
Repeats the same song structure, but it's a fun one, and Louis is having a blast playing it
Saucy jazz.
Awwwww yeah. I knew from the second I hit play that this was going to be a good one. Awesome album. Definitely going to come back to this one. 4 Stars. Probably more like 4.5 and depending on how often I come back to it, I may edit this and bump it to a 5 in a few months.
Silly, fun, tuneful.
Some great swinging jazz/blues. Entertaining, energetic, upbeat and fun. Worthy of a spot on the list.
I really liked Just A Gigolo - this was a really fun album! There were a few songs that were a little too repetitive for my liking, but overall, not bad! Something to listen/dance to while you’re making dinner with your honey!
Good catch tunes, thx
What an album!!! Wasn't expecting to enjoy this nearly as much as I did. There weren't really any songs I'd go as far as to say I disliked, but the ones I probably wouldn't listen to again are: Banana Split; Whistle Stop; I'll Be Glad When You're Dead I wouldn't call this a no skip album but it's a STRONG 4.5
Хорошо поет подруга
Divertidisimo a mas no poder
C'è la luna n menzu o mare
Het is een vermakelijk album. Een album vol met humor en blij vlagen is het muzikaal ook heel erg leuk. Maar het vermaak staat boven de kwaliteit en dat kan ik ook zeker wel waarderen. Het album brengt een glimlach op je gezicht. Op youtube zijn ook leuke filmpjes te zien van zijn optredens en dat is ook heel leuk. Hij gebruikt zijn stem goed. Het was een aangeme verrassing
Ik vond het leuk om naar te luisteren, dit klinkt als top entertainment uit de 50’s. En ook vandaag de dag vind ik het vermakelijk om naar te luisteren, misschien wat minder diepgaand om het echt jazz te kunnen noemen maar je kan wel het vakmanschap van deze showman horen. Het swingt, tis vrolijk en spontaan. Only good vibes. Ik zou het een 3,5 willen geven maar ik rond het dan af naar 4 omdat hij ook de orang-oetang is van junglebook
Oude muziek, lekker voor in de #avond #ontspannen
I mean if you're trying to listen to a swing album I think this is it. Old school for sure but just stellar.
Great vibes from early jazz sound
This album is like an energizer bunny. Such fun. Such energy. Such electric ⚡
(8.9/10 round up) Medley: Just a Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody- 9/10 (honestly a sad song When you think about what Hes saying. The end with Him yelling nobody really Pulls it together) For My Baby- 9/10 (not my cup of tea, but A great song!) The Lip- 8/10 (1st) Body and Soul- 9/10 (3rd) Oh Marie- 9/10 Medley: Basin Street Blues / When It’s Sleepy Time Down South- 9/10 (Fave) Jump, Jive, an’ Wail- 9/10 Buona Sera- 9/10 Night Train- 9/10 (2nd) You Rascal You- 9/10 (wouldnt listen to this again, but its A very good album, just not something that is up my alley)
The coked up energetic songs were really fun, and Prima's got a great voice. Swing music ain't usually my thing, but I enjoyed this
Canciones divertidas y muy buenas. No conozco mucho, pero me gustó
Such a fun album! Loved listening to this one. Loved the vocals and the trumpet, definitely a classic! Don’t see how anyone can not like this.
It's insane how I already knew Louis Prima's voice without ever knowingly hearing a song of his. Overall it's a fun and fine slice of early jazz, with some cute lyrics and vocals deliveries. It's hard to not have a smile on your face while listening to this album.
Meine Frau und ich haben den mal beim Hören eines Swing-Radiosenders entdeckt. Super!
Always loved Louis Prima since Jungle Book! His voice and style are inimitable.
Old times. Good times The morning is a good time of the day
це добре дуже зарашо на 4
Gotta love Louis. Fun, lively and entertaining.
# Album Name: The Wildest! # Artist: Louis Prima # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Good album. Love the feel and rhythm on this. Great musicianship. # Top Tunes: # Would I listen to it again? yes
Enjoyed this, more than maybe I thought I would. Early rock n roll, jazz, bit of jive, bit of swing, but overall fun. Songs tend to blend in to one another a bit but its a fun record. And I appreciate it for being ahead of its time in some ways. 4/5.
an album that does what it says on the tin; The Wildest! is an uproarious, high-energy romp through a series of highly entertaining swing and jump blues numbers, most of them fronted by the infectious vocal antics of Louis Prima. Prima, a singer and trumpeter most well-known as a Vegas nightclub performer, was originally from New Orleans, as was his backing band on this album, Sam Butera and the Witnesses. (you may recognize Prima & the Witnesses' recording of "Pennies from Heaven" off the Elf soundtrack.) the Orleanian spirit of communal music-making and collective improvisation runs deep in this work, even if it can occasionally get a bit kitsch (see "The Lip", a show piece based around niche trumpet humor). Prima's trumpet playing is very much in the mold of Louis Armstrong, but as a singer he's beyond category, approaching his lyrics with a nervous, stuttering energy that feels simultaneously in and out of control. if you can listen to this opening medley of "Just a Gigolo" and "I Ain't Got Nobody" without smiling, stay the hell away from me. Prima's then-wife Keely Smith shows up for multiple neat spots as a co-lead and backup singer, but for my money, the real stars of the show are the horn section—tenor saxophonist Butera and trombonist James Blount—who never give less than 110%. to any aspiring, struggling wind instrumentalists, let this recording be a lesson that the problem with your sound is almost certainly your lack of air and breath support, which these guys have for days! electrifying tones spitting some serious blues flames. I gave this record multiple standing ovations. strong 8/10.
This must have been so damn fun live. Shocked by how fun this album is.
Jazzy oldies? That's a yes from me.
Imagine having a voice like this holy moley
Love a good big band jazz album! Some great hits on here from an iconic voice. Highlights: "Jump, Jive An' Wail", "Night Train" and "Buona Sera"
Joyful
I like it! I love the energy and feels like I’ve been taken back in time
okay
added to black & white playlist
Okay so this is definitely jump blues and a little rock and roll. But this shit swings hard and has New Orleans jazz all over it. The album risks corniness in a few places but always seems to come back from the brink. Overall a great album.
Sounds like Louis Armstrong! Very good though!
Wild
The name of Louis Prima wasn't immediately familiar to me but his voice was instantly recognisable from 'I Wanna Be Like You' in the Jungle Book. Once that had clicked, it was hard to shake the image, but I really enjoyed this record. I've a soft spot for that big band jazz sound so this was a good, fun, listen.
David Lee Roth even copied his scatting. Interesting character and I think the showmanship probably translated better to live than recording.
At first I wasn’t messing with it because it felt like just basic old timey music but then body and soul went crazy on the trumpet. Then I started noticing some of the little things Prima and crew did and the album really grew on me. Also prima voiced king Louise in the Jungle Book so he’s an absolute king.
Hell yeah! This was absolutely awesome! What fun!! Catchy as hell, will be keeping my eyes peeled for Louis Prima in the record stores.
I almost coyote ugly'd my desk listening to this
I'm not big on too much of the jazz/swing sound of this era, but this is a fun enough album that transcends some of my preconceived notions. Plus, it helps that there's a few recognizable tracks on here that I'm familiar with through covers. Enjoyable.
Louis Prima's 'The Wildest' is a loud, bombastic swing record complete with sudden changes in tempo, a mix of male and female vocals (Keely Smith shares vocal duties with Prima) and some seriously tight saxophone courtesy of Sam Butera on tenor saxophone, James Blount Jr. on trombone and Prima himself on trumpet. 'The Wildest!' bounces around like an untamed beast taking twists and turns at break-neck speed. You can't really fault Prima and Co. for keeping you on your toes as a listener, as the album never dips in excitement. The superb musicianship on this record truly drives it, and as far as 50s swing is concerned, 'The Wildest!' certainly lives up to its name. Best songs: The Lip, Body and Soul, Jump Jive An' Wail, Buona Sera, (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You)
Blues jazz album med swing som bliver anset for at være en overgang til rock n Roll i historien. De indspillede det også som de gerne ville fastholde deres in person show energi fra Sahara Hotel/Casino miljøet. Jeg har lyttet til det hele dagen og kan godt lide viben af det. Det er meget opløftende og håbefuldt, så det er godt på selv dårlige dage, synes jeg. Ved ikke så meget om jazz og blues til at vide noget som helst om det instrumentale og om de er dygtige lydmæssigt. Men jeg kan godt lide de har valgt at bevare live-energien.
Cool:))
Nice
Previously known. A lot of fun.
4.5 - this is absolutely delightful
This was SO fun, I was bopping my head the whole way through. I'm such a sucker for swing music.
Me venía gustando pero me di cuenta que tenia la reproducción en aleatorio después de un rato. Entonces volví a empezar yyy medio que me harté del sonido. Pero bueno, no es la culpa del Señor Louis que yo sea media boluda. Entonces le pongo un 4 por el espíritu y el supuesto contrafáctico de que si lo hubiera escuchado correctamente lo hubiera disfrutado más.
I’m giving this up for because this reminds me that people born 100 years ago can be just as funny and just as human and just as adventurous as people born today. I feel like a lot of the time is older music, it holds a place of influence, but stops being exciting when you consider what is happening in music today. I like how am I supposed to get hype to Duke Ellington when Spoiled little brat by underscores exists? That being said that this album is a hoot and the solos are really frickin good too
10000% nascido pra estar numa radio de qualquer fallout eu correria de deathclaws com muita alegria com esse album de fundo
A lot of classic hits on this one, and it's kind of nice to listen to them all at once. A totally pleasant listening experience, timeless and charming.
Old school good
Finally ! One of my favorite jazz albums
Fun album, jazzy but upbeat
4/5
Super nostalgic for me. Used to listen to this album with my grandpa all the time as a little kid. Solid.
Album was a lot of fun! I was familiar with a lot of the songs but didnt realize they were all performed by Louis Prima. Lots of energy and life. Overall, great album
Great old jazz album, was definitely a fun listen
A lot of fun! Some real good blues/swing with a semi-manic energy.
I really enjoyed this. I love most music out of New Orleans though so yea. Might be a 5 ….if the start were as strong as the end it probably would be.
Hello, Back to the Future soundtrack. This is really good though - great energy, catchy songs.
Aged like fine wine, for the most part.
lovely sax, liked the playful and surprising ones. medley and the repetitions remind me of nohavica - they are not similar at all so not sure why
lovely jazz. The vocalist's tone sounds so good together, I really like when they add 4+ part harmony. those trombone solos ripped
This was actually a really enjoyable, chill, jazz album.
I lowkey listened to the expanded edition. Fun album though and I really enjoyed it.
Wild
Very enjoyable.
It's kind of impossible not to like this. Great energy. 7.2 Fav track: (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You Least fav: Body and Soul
I liked this album more than I expected
Vanhaa kunnon kunnonvanhaa. Kyllä ennen osattiin! Melko paljon sampleja oon kuullu tän levyn biiseistä.
I smile, wery nice!!!!!
This lively, tongue-in-cheek swing/lounge/Vegas jazz had fun and upbeat performances, both musical and vocal. I really enjoyed this!
What a voice! Fabulous horn.
De bon aloi.
Maybe I just don't know swing well enough but this is pretty engaging and energetic in a way that seems predictive of/aligned with the development of rock. Kinda nuts for 1956.
C’était très cool ! Musicalement, ça bouge bien, Louis Prima est à fond du début à la fin, le titre de l’album est bien à l’image de ce qu’on entend. Ça fait plaisir, ça faisant un moment que j’avais pas eu un album que je trouve vraiment bon.
Fun album. 4.0/5.0: Great
great instrumentals, okay vocals. i dont really enjoy his voice so its no surprise my favorite song on here was the instrumental track. still the vibe was infectious, this is something that wouldve been immensely better in person
My immediate reaction upon pressing play on this album was to start bopping. Perhaps a bit weird that Mr. Prima starts with "I'm just a gigolo" but who can deny the bop. And the album as a unit is very bright, I think that's the best word for it.
Not my usual vibe but it's fun