The Wildest!

Joyful

it is exactly what reviews claim it to be: joyous, makes one want to dance.

Liked it

Fantastic album! Had me bopping along the whole way!

Absolutely blown away, you can tell they had a great time performing it and I certainly had a fantastic time listening.

Loved Keely Smith’s voice! I miss that full bodied sound! Liked the harmonies but the beginning of like every song sounded like Pennies from Heaven. Favorite lyric was by far, “When you’re dead and in your grave, no more ravioli will you crave.”

a very classy album, i did enjoy it. to me it is a quite good background (but quality) music. i like the swing/jazz in the album, i didn't look into the lyricism but i believe the lines are often witty. plus, prima's voice suited me just well.

1956...

Well, not bad but not my cup of tea. Nice background music though.

Wasn't into it at the start, about halfway through I was convinced I was listening to a Paolo Nutini album and started enjoying it for some reason. Would like to give a 2.5 but rounded up to a 3 as the back end of the album perked me up!

A mix of styles but surprisingly I really enjoyed it!

Liked his energy and storytelling

Buy on vinyl

Even haven't heared his name before. But it was fun and engaging. Even so much fun at the begining, I couldn't take an idea what it is and what's happening. This is good.

nice, fun sound

Interessante companhia

His backstory was very fun to read about. They sought to recreate what it was like listening to them in the club at 3AM in Las Vegas and they completely succeeded. It takes very little imagination to suddenly be in 1950s sin city. It’s impossible to miss his New Orleans influence as well. This should be the hallmark example of how to bring the energy of a live performance to recording studio. I enjoyed it a decent bit more than the James Brown selection. Being born in 1910, is he the oldest artist in the project? This one definitely works best as an album than a collection of songs which I feel is rare for the 50s records I’ve heard but I’m not well-versed in the subject. I think I love this as well because it represents a fun era of music in the 30s and 40s that is probably tough to find quality recordings of. Rating: 4.3

Very fun energy here and amazing playing. Sometimes feels like the band is doing more work than Louis, and the parts where they take over are my favorite. Nothing of substance but the pure positive energy makes up for that in spades.

Classic 50s big band with some bangers. Sounds like the Fallout soundtrack.

Excellent, all of it

Easy listening some might say

What a delight

Весело и подвижно. Настоящий жиголо

Oh wow, this is amazing! Such a fun album. So glad this came up and I was able to listen to it and to fall in love with it.

Loved this album! So fun, and the trombomist is amazing. 5 stars!!

very fun beats!!! i’ve heard some of these songs before!! this would cheer me up on an off day. might need to revisit for a confidence boost! i love this style of music, i just don’t often choose to listen to it, which is odd!

He really embodies that NOLA vibe … could imagine hearing him live when he was in his prime would’ve been amazing. He was the first big name to have a residency in Vegas in the 50’s. He’s one of the greats for sure 👍🏼

zabadaba doo dee doo ZATARAINS... this is so new orleans I feel like eating a poboy and dancing in the street with a horn. WILDIN

I have a soft spot for music like this. It’s charming. There are a few songs on here that I have heard thanks to cinema and tv shows. It was a quick, effortless listening. Would throw on again for some background music as you don’t really need to actively enjoy this.

This album wasn’t necessarily bad, but this genre’s never been my favorite. Also didn’t like how aggressive the horns were in some songs. Probably won’t go out of my way to listen again.

Oldy Jazz mood

I really enjoyed this.

I liked it! So much familiar stuff on here. Not the kind of thing I'd listen to every day, but fun background for a dinner party or something.

This was enjoyable enough to listen to, and I’m pleased I solved the mystery of why I recognized his voice, but I don’t think I will be listening to it again.

Raucous.

A pleasant surprise. Made me want to scat with King Louie.

it’s like i’ve shitted myself but the vibe at the function doesn’t make me anxious about it and everyone else’s pants are also shitted, so we all keep on dancing and having fun

# In-Depth Review: *The Wildest!* – Louis Prima (1956) > “It’s hard to be depressed while listening to this stuff!” > — pretty much every listener since 1956 --- ## 1. Lyrics – Vaudeville Meets the Atomic Age Prima’s pen is equal parts nightclub comic, street-corner storyteller and Italian-American wise-guy. - **Self-deprecating swagger**: “Just a Gigolo” paints the singer as a discarded play-thing (“…and when I die don’t cry for me, for I’m the guy that’s got to be free”) yet the punch-line is delivered with a grin, not a sob. - **Macabre slap-stick**: “Glad When You’re Dead” turns a jealousy trope into a cartoon funeral (“When you’re six feet underground—no more ravioli will you crave!”). - **Call-and-response nonsense**: “The Lip” invents its own scat language (“yip-yip-yip-yip”) that doubles as horn-section cue; the joke is the song itself. - **Gender politics**: 1950s misogyny peeks through (“You Rascal You”, “Buona Sera”); modern ears hear it, 1956 ears heard flirtation. **Verdict**: Lyrics are disposable on paper, indispensable in performance—every syllable is timing, not text. --- ## 2. Music – The First Ska-Punk Big-Band? Arranger/bandleader Sam Butera treats the Witnesses like a hot-rod engine: - **Tempo**: Most cuts sit at 180-220 BPM; even the blues (“Basin Street”) is a double-time shuffle. - **Form**: 12-bar blues, 32-bar AABA and New Orleans second-line grooves slammed together—verse becomes chorus becomes trumpet break without warning. - **Texture**: Five-man horn section, baritone sax doubling sousaphone lines, Prima’s trumpet squealing above like a taxi horn. - **Vocal interplay**: Keely Smith’s dead-pan, on-the-beat delivery is the straight man to Prima’s rubber-faced ad-libs; the tension creates the swing feel. **Result**: Jump-blues, Dixieland, early rock-’n’-roll and Vegas lounge are soldered into one continuous 27-minute party. --- ## 3. Production – Captured Chaos Recorded 10–11 April 1956 at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, on the then-new 3-track tape: - **Mic placement**: One overhead ribbon on the horn section, one dynamic on Prima, one on the rhythm trio—minimal overdubs. - **Live feel**: You can hear Prima shout “Let it rip, boys!” as Butera’s tenor solo starts; audience screams were later added to simulate the Sahara Lounge. - **Stereo debut**: 1958 Capitol re-issue is among the earliest fake-stereo “duophonic” records; the 1987 CD remaster restores the original mono punch. **Sound signature**: Close, almost claustrophobic, giving the record its “barrel-house in a phone-booth” energy. --- ## 4. Themes – Death, Pasta & the Eternal Bachelor Beneath the gags runs a coherent post-war fantasy: - **Permanence of fun**: Even death is just another punch-line. - **Italian-American identity**: Food, Catholic guilt and family are turned into comic ammunition. - **Urban nightlife**: The album is a 3 a.m. cartoon of neon, cigars and taxi horns. In short, *The Wildest!* soundtracks the moment when WWII vets traded uniforms for shark-skin suits and decided the party should never end. --- ## 5. Influence – From Van Halen to Pixar - **David Lee Roth** copied Prima’s scat cadences note-for-note in his 1985 hit remake of “Just a Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody”. - **Brian Setzer** cites the record as the template for the Stray Cats’ horn-driven rockabilly. - **Disney** licensed “I Wanna Be Like You” (Jungle Book, 1967) after Walt heard Prima’s manic persona here. - **Neo-swing revival** of the late-’90s (Royal Crown Revue, Squirrel Nut Zippers) lifts both tempo and stage shtick. **Academic footnote**: Musicologists often mark *The Wildest!* as the hinge between big-band swing and small-combo rock-’n’-roll showmanship. --- ## Pros & Cons | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Infectious, high-octane performances—“a nebula of exuberant raucousness” | Dated gender attitudes on several tracks | | Tight, telepathic band interplay; Sam Butera’s sax deserves its own billing | Running time under 30 min—over before you’ve refilled your drink | | Prima/Smith vocal dynamic is comedy gold | Horn-heavy mix can feel relentless; no ballad breathing room | | Historically pivotal: bridges swing, R&B and early rock | Lyrics are mostly novelty; little emotional depth beyond “let’s party” | | Still works as a modern mood-lifter—“you’d have to hate fun not to enjoy this” | Some listeners find the shtick repetitive or even “bloody awful” | --- ## Bottom Line *The Wildest!* is not profound, but it is **necessary**—the moment when American pop learned that speed, humor and ethnic swagger could coexist in one adrenalized package. Drop the needle on any track and you’re instantly teleported to a smoky lounge where the meatballs are bottomless and tomorrow never comes.

i dont really like it to be honest

the kind of thing that makes me want to throw a party

The Wildest is a great title for this album cause it couldn't be more fitting. It's also the album's greatest strength because the energy loosely contained in this album is great. It honestly feels like it was a total blast to record this album. Now thats obviously not based on anything other than the atmosphere cause for all I know Louis could have been a real monster to be around, but the impression I get from this album is that it was a ton of fun. There's a couple huge massive hits on this album that I don't know enough about to say whether or not he wrote these songs or which ones were covers, but I enjoyed almost every track on this album and the stand outs were "You Rascal You", "The Lip", " and "Banana Split for My Baby" (which I know isn't technically on the original album, but I liked it so I'm including it). But for all the songs I enjoyed there were a few songs that didn't really do anything for me or were kinda boring cause they were more of the same. But as a whole a super solid album for the time with a respectable amount of variety for 1956.

That first song title, hoboy

Listens: 3 or 4 Standout Tracks: The Lip, (I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You, Banana Split For My Baby Yea, this was awesome. Plain and simple. The music, the lyrics, the presentation. The album doesn't take itself too seriously; No, actually, it doesn't take itself seriously at all. It's just clean fun. I mean, how do you even reckon with the glorious "(I'll Be Glad When You're Dead) You Rascal You"? Is Louis singing about a friend? A coworker? A frenemy? A literal dog that tries to steal all his meatballs!? How about the way Banana Split For My Baby slowly unfolds where you come to realize he's not treating his girl to a nice ice cream sundae, but rather he's poor as fuck and asks the waiter to bring two separate checks - she can pay for her own damn ice cream, he just got his glass of water. LOL. This album is GOLD.

"Just a Gigolo" - this is very recognisable, there is something so familiar in its tune as well as the vocal style. it reminds me that i actually DO quite like jazz, when there are in fact lyrics. "Nothing's too Good for my Baby" - the speed of the sax/trumpets whatever is very pleasing to the soul. the voices bled so well together its GORGEOUS. spent the whole album waitinf for pennies from heaven. it turns out that IS in fact a louis prima song which makes me feel a bit smug...

Rapping over rock music

Awesome. Did not expect a swing album, from the 50s, especially with songs that I knew. Loved it.

This was just really fun, there was maybe two that I didn't like at all but most would be added to my likes!

Not the kind of music I like

Not my vibe. But see how others could enjoy. Plus the guy from Jungle Book!?

Great for a Mad Men-themed cocktail party, too corny for the morning commute

This is super fun!

Louis Prima I love you and your nonstop skippity doop bop beep bap so badly. Not your best but what a pleasure to listen to ... 4 stars!

I enjoyed this! It’s funny to think of this as music to sit down and listen to. I don’t mean that meanly. Louis Primas music is now known probably mostly for commercials and soundtracks, but this was fun and a good listen.

He is sublime - a sound from an earlier and better world before music became processed cheese. So absolutely on top of his voice and his instrument, so inventive, so funny. ‘Just a Gigolo’ should be as famous as the ‘Ode to Joy’ and is better to dance to.

Joyous!

I enjoy the sound of music from this era, and the range of tone of songs was nice, but it felt like listening to the radio rather than an album.

Delightful

Pure, unstoppable swing chaos that sounds like your fun uncle hijacked a big band and never gave it back. Impossible to hate, impossible to take seriously.

Oh, fuck yeah. You just know you’re in for fun from the first notes. It’s another artist and record that is such a perfect example of what it is that it can only be a 5. Swing and jump blues, who can deny it? I guess the 50s aren’t going to be knocked from their Generator throne for me as my “favorite” decade any time soon.

let's go all the way back to the '50s with some big band swing music with a real sense of humor. i love music that puts a smile on your face when you turn it on. the way louis goes feral with his weird trademark zoobly-doobly-bop-bop-bop scatting style is amazing. this album does a good job at keeping a lot of listeners engaged with its playful instrumentation and occasional banter... it would be a great swingin' party album i feel like.

good kitchen music

3/6

This is actually pretty fun, I had never heard it before and sometimes I almost feel like I can hear inspiration for people like Tom Waits. It's at least not a mediocre british act from the mid 90s

Enjoyed 👍

Boring at first, but there ends up being some pretty interesting stuff here. One of those albums that comes to an " oh THIS song" moment.

I mostly just wanted it to be over outside of a couple songs. Favorite track: Jump, Jive N Wail

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵! is lively, brassy and full of personality, but vocal jazz just isn’t the style that grabs me. The album’s mix of jump-blues energy, big-band flair and comedy routines has its charm, yet the constant showmanship can feel a bit excessive if you’re not fully into this kind of performance. It’s easy to appreciate the momentum and musicianship, but the record lands more as entertaining background fun than something I’m deeply drawn to.

makes me wanna dance under the street lights

i shockley loved this album! it was what i needed for today, something more relaxing and peaceful ☺️ 🙏🏻

Louis Prima, tipično dobro i dosadno nakon nekog vremena preslušavanja, ali zna biti zanimljivo na trenutke. 2/5, 4/10

Wow, I didn't expect this to be such a banger. Keely Smith adds a lot to this album, and I love both singers and the horns. I'm glad I listened to this before I died. 7/10

I felt this album was VERY 50s - in my mind I could feel myself Christmas shopping at a department store in the 1950s while one of these songs played in the background. There were some pretty serious saxophone moments in there, that was pretty exciting! I feel like there’s not enough saxophone nowadays… It made me want to dance, and any album that makes me want to dance is not half bad in my mind!

I am not a fan of rap at all however, this was really damn good and I would highly consider owning a physical copy

Great energy on this one. You can tell that Louis is an expert at working a crowd

Quite entertaining

boring

So much fun! One of those albums where you wish you were in the room when they recorded it

Morsomt album, lystig lytting, men ikke akkurat et varig inntrykk.

It was good but I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to listen again. Fave song: banana split for my baby

Different vibe then I listen to but still liked it

Ganz netter Hupfauf…

Voice almost sounds like Louis Armstrong. King Louie! Very relaxing jazz, great bass lines. Love the scatting.

Not my thing

A lot of catchy songs on here

too old for me

Louis was great. You need to hear a greatest hits to be properly introduced. 5 but only because he was a master of the form.

Just wild. I loved it as a kid, and my kids loved too. Louis is the king, Voyle Gilmore does a fantastic job capturing the essence of Louis and Keely and the band live. You'd be dead not to get this, so cool. I'm going to indulge myself for a sec: when the boys were watching the Jungle Book, my youngest turned to me during the I Want to be Like You and said King Louie is Louis Prima! Said it all. What a record!

As a young man, my musical diet was largely characterised by anxiety, anger and depression. I eventually decided that I needed some more positive vibes in my life and that should include my listening habits. Two of the best examples of my new choices were bought on the same day; a Rhino compilation of uptempo doo wop and a best of Louis Prima. I spun those CDs a lot, and truth be told, the _were_ a lot more fun than my usual musical taste and contributed to a general uplift in mood. Tracks from The Wildest! were well represented on that best compilation, so I am pretty familiar with this record. It is a funny, energetic recording of Prima's legendary live show. It's loose and irreverent, uptempo and hilarious. Prima takes liberties with his own material and jazz standards to create a raucous big band experience that foreshadows the coming RnB. This album is heaps of fun. Five stars

This was a bop, favorite track was Body and soul

Jazz, one of the best so far, old but has great audio

it was rich too rich for my liking i couldnt sustain the listening process but i was at the 3rd/4th track it was great but again its too much sound i cant handle it

Amazing vibes, very jazzy and musically interesting. Can listen to while waking or while doing stuff. Puts a smile on my face :)

Wow! Vilket sväng, vilket uttryck och vilka jäkla trumpetsolon! 5 poäng från mig. Kan knappt tänka mig ett bättre album att måla tak till. Pappa tycker att det är härlig glad dansmusik. ”Man önskar att man kunde bebopa eller vaheterde bugga eller vaheterde”

Yesterday, my album was a bossa nova, which reminded me of the brief resurgence of lounge in the mid-to-late nineties. The Wildest! by Louis Prima reminds me of the brief resurgence of swing/big band from the same period. This album is a lot of fun. Every track is upbeat and light-hearted, and the record sprinkles quirky humor throughout. I've added the record to my collection, and I'm sure I'll listen again, but this style of music has never really grabbed me. And while this album certainly is a premier exemplar of the genre, it didn't really grab me either. But at just over 30 minutes, it did't overstay its welcome and gave me a few smiles throughout. Three stars.

Cool little album, not the greatest. 3 stars

Turns out most vocal jazz is still very much not my thing.

Whole new appreciation for The Juggle Book

POW! wow i feel good listening to this

3,25 not bad

Playful, fun, horny jazz. Lots of innocent allegories to sinful things. Added it to my jazz playlist.

A fun listen

Love the music

It was an enjoyable listen. Certainly not something that I would have sought out. Made the ride to work feel like I was in a Nora Ephron movie.

nice album with good instrumentals. Listened to it at 4 a.m. in the morning so It felt a little repetitive which was a little tiring. good vibes. favorite track is buona sera. overall I would give a 3.5/5 because It’s not an album I would prefer to listen on a daily basis.

Lots of hootin and hollerin

Fun time

Not really my type of music but im gladly listening

Hard to deny how fun this is.

Just a fun album to listen to. Perfectly encapsulates the ebbs and flows of a live show. Allows the band to show off their skills during the instrumental numbers, while the upbeat songs have this wonderful, manic energy about them

Fun and weird. Felt like I was watching an old movie.

nice to listen to when you’re cooking or doing chores at home. for such an up beat melody, I wasn’t expecting the existential lyrics— really liked that tension.

Fun! Love that bouncy stride piano sound. I think the jokes and fun lyrics could easily fall flat (they're pretty bad) but the delivery is kind of jolly and warm and knowing. Not profound, just good fun and surprisingly skillful and musical

Yeah my grandma loves this dude

Albumets första låtar beskriver en relation med en större åldersskillnad, vad en sådan relation kan resultera i med tiden samt att en sådan inte endast bör röra sig om ekonomiska skäl. Albumets femte låt är jag kluven på, då jag kopplar den samman med albumets första låtar. Sedan bryts det av med några humoristiska låtar in, såsom "The Lip" som handlar om en kvinna som känner sig förundrad kring vart den trumpetspelande mannen "The Lip" fått sin höga ton från och antyder att han köpt ett "hög tons fett" från apoteket, varpå mannen svarar att han gjort den själv med "en hink med ånga", ett dussin ägg och en hink med "guldfisk ben". Ytterligare en humoristisk låt glider in, denna med namnet "Jump, Jive, An`Wail som handlar om en familj som lär sig dansa medans fadern hämtar en öl. Albumets 8:e låt "Buona Sera - god kväll" anknyter åter till de par vi får möta i albumets första låtar, men nu ska de gifta sig under månskenet. "Night Train" handlar om rädlan att behöva lämna någon och ett tidigare kapitel i livet för att påbörja ett nytt. Albumets fjärde sista låt handlar om avsaknad av någon man har nära. efter denna låt följer en romantisk låt som beskriver att avstå något för sig själv för att ge någon man har nära allt. Albumets näst sista låt handlar om en man som är intresserad av tåg visslor, och därför lokalt kallas för clown, men det underliggande meddelandet i denna låt handlar även denna om saknad av en som står nära. Albumets sista låt handlar om att en man önskar han hade kvinnan i sina drömmar. allt som allt bjuder detta album på riktigt inlevelse fyllda historier, som bör spelas om, om och om igen men i sektioner då vissa låtar inte följer den huvudsakliga historien.

Är det i sista avsnittet i första säsongen av Treme när han radio-DJn sätter på ”Buona Sera” och det blir ett sånt jävla fint New Orleans-montage över hela låtens gång och in i eftertexterna. Sånt jävla rys! För mig når resten av albumet aldrig riktigt upp i den nivån men det är ösigt som fan på sina ställen och ganska skoj!

Folkligt, festligt, trivsamt.

Party! Kul!

Va jävla frejdigt! King Louie kan inte få under en 4a.

Man har ju hört och njutit av hitsen tidigare men även de andra låtarna är lustiga. Mycket bra album!

Fett och lär ju varit episkt live. Mycket bra när man behövde kräm de sista kilometern på skidfar men blir lite väl swingigt och tutigt i längden. Men asså…. Var Treme bättre än The Wire?

svårt att betygsätta en genre man aldrig lyssnar på! min sanning är att jag aldrig mer kommer lyssna men det var väl inte dåligt

Wapp a none! Skobidobidoo! Vilka pranksters!

This isn't going to go into my usual rotation but I listened to it 3 or 4 times today, went back multiple times to listen to some tracks again, had a great time. Hell yeah, King Louie.

fun! not a lot else to say about it but maybe fun is enough

These songs are fun.

A 5.

So fun. So swinging. great horn arrangements. Loved Keey Smith's voice too.

Swingin’ Really enjoyed. Probably not a repeat listen, but it sure was fun! He imparts a sense of joy with his performances. High energy and you get the feeling they all enjoyed playing together.

This is what I needed today.

No me gustó. Muy yankee de época

Very good, my favourite parts were the saxophone solos, very jazzy

nice enough

Not my era but good

5 stars, love Italians, some classic here and some dylaneism, make me realize that the boy from min'sota didnt invent much but knew very well where the mojo were appreciating this troubadour with that bluesy jazzy messy and big essembles

What a wonderful use of the saxophone.

🎺🎺🎺

Some good, chill jazz; nothing much to note, didn't rock my world but y'know it was good.

A mixture of jazz Melodys, gibberish improvising, changes of tempo and some R&B sounds with some Latin mixed in. ‘Jump,jive and wail’ and ‘Bueno sera’ are the standouts but it’s an entertaining period piece, 12 years before ‘king of the swingers’

Vibes!

Bangers, sampled by Bad Copy

One of the older albums I've listened to so far. The changes in music and recording are clear when the clock is turned back. This music is simpler. It's not a live album, but it sounds more real and present than many live albums today, which have the ability to process music in vastly different ways on stage. This record sounds like you're in the dance hall and the band is right there and Louis and Keely are doing their thing while you swing.

Nicht schlecht

Much more fun that I would have expected. A few songs did sound a bit samey, but overall I surprisingly enjoyed this!

Reminds me of christmases growing up in an Italian household. Classic and joyous.

It’s cool

Pretty fun and funny, the jokes and sentiments (e.g. "I'll be glad when you're dead") are surprisingly timeless and relevant.

Better than previous albums too old for my taste tho

2.5 stars it's not bad, just not all that interesting. I think they're are probably other artists/albums from the big band era that I'd enjoy more.

Fun 50's music

Of its time, but it's fun. Energetic at least, which I can't say for all the folk/rock/indie shit that happens a lot on this list.

Thought I recognized the Jungle Book voice in this. Keep on swingin'.

I enjoyed this at first but annoying after a while

Vibe and a half

jazzy 1950s album, i really like his voice and some of the songs, upbeat and feel good, just not super into 1950s music

This was such a fun listen. Jump, Jive, An’ Wail, Just a Gigilo, Be Mine, The Lip, I could go on. They were clearly having a great time making this record and it comes through in the music. Some really great playing on this too. Great, great stuff.

So fun. Feels like you’re at a great jazz show. Prima has a voice to boot!

This was I think the first record I reviewed on this platform. Very fun! Kind of Louis Jordanesque

Jump jive

не полслушала ну типооо мтсмьмьммммм не люблю такое

the WILDEST! - Louis Prima It’s ok, nothing groundbreaking. At least there’re some bops here and then. It’s fine.

Fun and lively although even the shorter songs seem a fair bit longer. Would be great if this was the band at your house party in the middle of summer

An album that makes me smile and want to dance the jitterbug on the darkest day of the year automatically gets a 5/5.

Genuine gothic perfection

Louis Prima’s Wildest! is a fun, high-energy listen. Despite its age, it still has plenty of recognizable tracks—especially “Just a Gigolo” and “Jump, Jive, an’ Wail”.

Horny ol crooner

King Louis! I was happy to see an album like this on here

Not my cup of tea, but I did finally figure out what Marvin Berry and his band was playing at The Enchantment Under the Sea dance in Back to the Future 1 (Night Train). Lots of songs off of this were covered by other people. And a lot of these are covers too. Not bad, just not my cup of tea as I said.

Know the voice from the jungle book, mancub. Definitely list worthy album.

Good background music, playing while in the shower or doing work

I really enjoy this era of music. There's something so honest about how Louis scats along with the brass and brings the tempo to a pulse that makes your hips and feet want to dance.

60s banger after banger.

This is the type of record you put on for an instant mood boost. Every song, everyone just sounds like they are having so much fun. I love how unserious it all feels, while also being a genuine delight to listen to. Best Track: (Nothing’s Too Good) For My Baby

I actually didn't hate it like I thought I would.

Note to self: never try to steal Louis Prima's meatballs. Anyway, this album is perfection. On side one, Keely Smith is the star of the show. I love the back and forth she has with Prima, especially on The Lip. On side two, Sam Butera and the Witnesses shine with some mostly instrumental tracks. Louis Prima throughout the whole thing is joining in when he's needed and elevates everything. I already knew Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody from Just Dance. All the other songs I heard for the first time. I had high hopes. This was an album I have been looking forward to for a long time. It did not disappoint!

Keely Smith made the strongest impression with me back when I first attempted this list, one of the lone female voices. Otherwise, not a lot here to hear without fresh ears...

This album simply doesn’t do much for me. I know and recognize some of the famous songs, and I can understand why they have become classics, but they still don’t really pull me in. The music is lively, playful and full of personality, and there is no doubt that Louis Prima brings a lot of energy to it. At the same time, I mostly hear these songs as something that works well in a certain setting, as a theme or as part of a fun atmosphere. But as an album I want to sit down and listen to from beginning to end, it just doesn’t connect with me. It is entertaining enough, but not something I feel any real urge to return to. 2/5

I immediately feel like I'm watching a Nora Ephron movie that takes place in NYC. Or like I'm in a bougie grocery store in NY. Or like I'm in the Olive Garden. This album was really fun to listen to. Some of the lyrics are super wacky. Would give 3.5 stars.

Good. A fun time even.

Man, another true oldie - this is entry #4 in the book. The last 1950s album I rolled was "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis, which was just over 50 albums ago. There are a mere twenty three 50s albums on the list, so I cherish these for their relative scracity. I'm getting too carried away. I'm gleaming a Sinatra-esque energy from this album cover. What genre does he belong to again? Jazz? Pop? I don't know my 50s music. BOOM, I am a genius. Granted, there were all of five music genres back in the 50s, but I attribute this victory to my sheer, unyielding musical intellect. Another album full of standards, aye? I'm conflicted with how I feel about these picks. On one hand, this was all music was at the time and on the other I feel that only music composed by bands/solo artists should be considered for inclusion (granted, this criteria would eliminate most pop music, but still). Anyways, this album is solid. You can't really get standards wrong - they're designed to be pleasing no matter how you play them. Nothing in here really stuck out, truth be told. Just moderate song after moderate song, though this album does have the wherewithal to end before things get too frustrating. "You Rascal You" is funny. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for a song with this decade, lyric and instrumental combination. Apparently there's a continuation of the song titled "I Done Caught that Rascal Now", which I'm sure is about torturing the poor sod to another easy listening tune. Book time. Revitalised Prima's career. Unparalleled performances and charisma from Prima. Wikipedia says that this album is "...an innovative mixture of early rock and roll, jump blues and jazz". There's also mild critical acclaim for this album from music historians. Like I said, I'm favourable to these kinds of albums because of their scarcity. Prima kind of went completely bonkers with the album releases after this, so his success must have counted for something, right? I cosign this inclusion.

Done. Fun

1- é um frank sinatra mais legal 2- dueto animado 3- dueto chato em blues 4- só instrumental não consegui terminar de ouvir, me perdoe Louis

Just a Gigolo makes me feel like Im in Goodfellas. Or first half of Malcolm X (when he was actually cool). Second song holds up. So far I feel like going to a bar, ordering a cognac and smoking a cigarette while treating women terribly (this is Denzel in Malcolm X). Body and Soul sounds like every song played during the 50’s. Jump, Jive, an’ Wail got me jumping and jiving but not much wailing going on here at 11:13 in the morning at the Rossin residence. Overall this was an enjoyable album.

https://www.popmatters.com/pops-and-the-wildest-2639825643.html Interesting article on King Louis’ influences in Louis Armstrong and New Orleans culture. Also some interesting stuff online about Lion King Musical and racial implications for certain character names relating to these two artists because the writers were afraid of NAACP backlash since it was called ‘Jungle book’. Not to to forget the third Louis: Louis Jordan. Alright let’s listen to some honkey jazz ‘T1 Just a gigalo’ is very familiar . That switch to ‘I ain’t got no buddy’ is very nice. Only a minute or two not the album but it feels like I’m just listening to a jam version of ‘Pennies from heaven’. Great ending. T2 alright now this is a jazz album. I don’t know any Keely smith songs but she sounds familiar. T8 buona sera - this is beautiful T9 night train - ooooh baby Was in an uber today and he said that his friend was an 83 year old man that died 5 years ago, and when they were kids he went out with Keely Smith.

Really liked this. What a happy guy!

Very chill and relaxing, similar to music I have listened to.

Babylon vibes, little too ecstatic for me but not a boring listen.

LOVE Louis Prima

Fun as fuck! So many classics on here! Great fun album and old school as hell

At a minimum, albums should be at least this fun. What a blast. The lyrics and the performances are just delightful. That’s the perfect word to describe this album. A delight. Super fun oldie shtuff.

I was thinking that this album would work perfectly in Fallout and turns out it is already. The band and backing vocals work so well together. Sends you back to the 50s instantly

This is so fun and happy and joyful. A bunch of great musicians and singers and they sound like they are having a blast. It’s infectious. I prefer the songs to the instrumentals . A mood-lifter. Love it

Old timey swing. Not my type of music.

14th album with group. I really do just love music from the 50’s. Everything about 50’s music is just so enjoyable, but I would say that how jazzy it is is probably the main factor. Good Songs - Medley: Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody (And Nobody Cares for Me), (Nothing's Too Good) For My Baby, The Lip, Body and Soul, Oh Marie, Medley: Basin Street Blues/When It's Sleepy Time Down South, Jump, Jive, an' Wail, Buona Sera, Night Train, and (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You. Bad Songs - Nothing.

Strong album, multiple hits, bit of variety. Favorites are Buona Sera, Oh, Marie, Five Months, You Rascal, and the instrumentals Night Train and Body and Soul. He also has a version of Jump, Jive, and Wail

🔥

Overall Rating: 6/10 Favorite Song: Buona Será

I thought I really liked this but it got tedious pretty quick.

Fire! 4.8

3,0 - Die beiden Medleys sind super, der Rest schwankt zwischen angenehm hörbar und leicht nervig. So ist es am Ende ein nettes Album Highlights: Just a Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody, Basin Street Blues / When It's Sleepy Time Down South

Louis Prima seems like he's one of the quintessential singers for that Italian-American big band jazz style of music. I don't have much exposure to this kind of music, but the energy and vibes of the music is fun and upbeat, and Louis's voice carries a lot of power with it. "Oh Marie" stood out to me, but a different song of Louis's, "Pennies from Heaven" will remain the one I always think about for this kind of music.

Fun little album from way back. Reminded me of visiting my wife's Italian parents house where they had this type of music playing all the time.

Just A Gigolo is fun and upbeat. The sax solos sound amazing. For my baby is a typical '50s love song. Not my thing The lip is fun but nothing special. Body and Soul starts off with a nice, quiet sax solo before drums appear and it gets more interesting. Sounds good. Hey Marie is cool, uses the sax well as well. Basin Street Blues is great. Sounds similar to most of the other songs and the lyrics are especially good. Jump, Jive an' Wail is not for me. The sax is good as always. Buona Sera is another boring love song. Nothing special. Night Train is purely instrumental. It sounds great. You rascal you is a weird song. Not a big fan. Banana split for my baby is catchy but not very interesting. Whistle Stop is a fun song The album overall is fun, the sax is great in every song.

I like it, but it's a little too jazzy for my taste.

Its ok. If you like jazz it's pretty good

Points of interest to me here. I loved the cover of Just A Gigolo that David Lee Roth did in the middle 80s. It was one of our party standards at the time and it was good to hear the original. 1 star earned. A second star is earned by learning that this is actually King Louis, the King of the Swingers, and due to my dad's love of The Jungle Book, it was a film that I was brought up on. If I Want To Be Like You was on here, I'd have pushed up to a low 3 stars, but a high 2 will do. It's fun and happy enough, but I lost interest after a couple of plays. Glad I listened. Next!

5.5/10 - The album has passion and energy in spades. Louis brings a lot of energy, but it’s too much energy for a full album. The instrumentation is good, but it’s very similar sounds for the entirety of the album and that sound is not something I find myself wanting to go back to regularly.

It's fine background music, but nothing more. 5/10

The cover sets the tone - it’s just so joyous.

Had fun. Funny vocals, great musicianship.

I want to give this more, but 3.5/5 seems fair considering what seemed like 4 or 5 songs all start with the same progressions.

Fallout type beat

This might be the best New Orleans style jazz album I've ever heard. I'd give it like a 9.5

Made me happy

4/5 Sparkling and fun. Great cooking music.

It's alright, to slow for my personal taste. 6/10

I think the album opened up with a great couple tracks and it’s an overall good time.

The voice felt a little familiar, the music was ok, there were lots of instrumental songs in there, not my jam though

Some fun tracks in small doses. Just not for me.

Auténtico proto-rock a rtimo de saxofón y un swing que no puede evitar que tu cuerpo se ponga en modo bailón. ¿Quién no ha escuchado alguna vez ese “Just A Gigolo” y no se ha puesto a mover el esqueleto? Louis Prima representa la música disco de los 50, el rock and roll que vino poco después fue el grunge. Nos encontramos con uno de los más claros estándares del rock antes de que se le llamara así, y oye, hay que conocerlo, valorarlo y, por qué no, disfrutarlo.

The Wildest! - Louis Prima 3/5 - A overall fun and silly jazz songs but too many are boring which losses it some points. I Ain't Got Nobody 4/5 - Very fun jazz with funny lyrics about a lonely gigolo. For My Baby 3/5 - Good, fun energy working together in the vocals and instrumental but boring lyrics. The Lip 3/5 - Very simple but interesting story of a Trumpet players lip grease. Body and Soul 3/5 - chill trumpet focused instrumental with some very strange switch ups in the second half. Oh Maria! 3/5 - No comments. When It's Sleepy Time Down South 3/5 - Fun jazz once again but uninteresting vocals and lyrics. Jum, Jive, and Wail 3/5 - Fun dance jazz. Bouno Sera 3/5 - Nice romantic lyrics. Night Train 2/5 - Boring instrumental song. I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You - Very fun story and lyrics that go away too quickly.

5/10

I’ve heard Louis prima a lot in my life but this if the first time hearing his album.

Fun and easy listening

Not for me

Does what it does very well. Although I’m not a fan of big band, or most jazz with vocals, everyone on the record seems to be having a good time and it’s a decently uplifting listen. I’m not likely to revisit it, but I understand the appeal.

So this is where The Ramones learned you only really need one riff/melody! So much fun though. Just A Gigalo, sadly, I only knew before from David Lee Roth! Vocals get a little Shel Silverstein at the end! Love this age of music, where peiple sand about banana splits and sime things.

This was really good. Kinda crazy that something from 1956 can still sound so fresh while at the same time totally of it's time. I think a lot of that has to do with the 90s swing revival but that is heard at least two or three of these songs over 60 years later and they still sound catchy and fun and exuberant is quite the feat!

There’s everything to like about this very fun, funny and beautifully uncomplicated album. The definition of ‘crowd-pleasing’. Bonus: this album provided the perfect party music for my 3 year old to celebrate her birthday with this weekend. Favorite song: ‘(I’ll be glad when you’re dead) you rascal you’

One of the looser, more alive albums of the 50s. Most records from that era feel locked into their lanes, but Louis Prima cuts through all that. He is not reinventing anything, he just attacks the material with so much fire that it feels fresh anyway. The album cover sums it up in one shot. Loud, goofy, full of motion. Outdated in spots, but still a genuinely fun listen. Solid 8/10.

It’s been one hell of a week on the site for me. 4/5 days this week have been Jazz albums. Jazz is a genre I find to be astoundingly average and generally not something I ever seek out due to the lack of planning out the songs (Something directly inherent to what makes Jazz what it is) and coordination. It often just doesn’t interest me that much, often to the point of boredom. This, however, was pretty damn good. Perhaps that's because there's also a lot of Blues in here, and it all feels very planned out and not like one constant freestyle. Maybe it's because of his outstanding voice. Of the 4 Jazz albums I heard this week, I would go back to 2 of them. This is one of those 2. When Jazz is planned out and clearly coordinated like this and makes a semblance of sense musically, it’s generally pretty good. Plus, all I can imagine in my head when listening to this album is a funny Orangutan singing, and that just makes me happy. Look at the album art, look at that goofy guy. He’s having the time of his life. My favorite song on this album was the opener, the absolute classic “Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody - Medley”. Obviously this is very dated, as it’s one of the oldest albums in the book, but it’s still very easy and fun to listen to today and I’m glad I got to spend some time with it. I'm going to give it a high 3. Bonus, having never heard of Louis Prima before this outside of The Jungle Book, I later got to identify his music by sheer coincidence outside of this project, and immediately recognized that it was him. Getting to learn about new artists and then being able to identify them later on is one of the coolest parts of this entire project!! This was a very fun record by King Louie. 🦧❤️

I was honestly a bit scared to get into this album as I had no idea what to expect from Louis Prima on his 1956 album The Wildest!, but by the time this quick 32 minutes came to an end I was pleasantly surprised with the overall output. This album is full of very fun and groovy energy that feels perfect for defining the 50s as a whole. Louis Prima has such a great time recording this album and comes off in such a playful manner that it is truly hard to hate anything here. The back-up vocalists also do a great job helping support the songs here and making them feel even more lively to help add to Louis' leading vocals. The instrumentation as well feels very jazzy and yet also treading into more of a Pop sound like what mainstream music would see in the 60s as well. I am not going to say The Wildest! is amazing, but it does the job in helping a very lost decade in music find its' footing and be a defining piece of its' time. This is exactly what I hope to find when I go through any other albums of the 50s.

love it. I want more

This album is a ton of fun. Jump Jive and Wail, Basin Street Blues, Buona Sera are all excellent. Loaded with good jazz/big band tunes.

This was a fun one!

Meh

Now that’s what I’m talking about

Witzig, beste Unterhaltung.

I'd have to defer to people who like this sort of thing to know how good it is in general. Some nice sounds but not something I'd reach for.

A very pleasant surprise! Sassy, lively and full of rhythm. Kinda makes you wanna travel back in time.

Almost just.. talking or someone repeating the same *phrase* in the *exact same way* interupted by discordant intrumental solos Newbie saxofone-player's first try at writting a musical

Strong 3

I like it when he makes the funny noises. Generally enjoyed this one, it has a good jazz tone, but the quality is a little inconsistent. Wasn't huge on Keeley Smith's singing.

I’m not sure who, in 2025, would listen to this unironically. So far my best guesses are guys who have a side hustle selling beard oil or Disney adults. Both groups give me the creeps, though there may be considerable overlap between the two.

This album is too fun not to enjoy. Sure it’s shallow and the lyrics can be one note but there is just so much great energy.

Such an enjoyable listen. A swinging good time.

Good

1,9/5

Iconic style that marked an age. Not a lot that really appeals to me, but I can't deny the quality

He's so fun.

LOVED THIS! What a fun album to have on, made me feel like I was walking through the French Quarter!

Barely listened, but I’ll give him a three. Sounds like good, classic, old music that I don’t feel like listening to. It’d be fine in the different setting somewhere

This was cool.

Fun!

To be honest, the only Louis Prima I had listened to before this was the Jungle Book soundtrack, but I really enjoyed this. Some great music and an awesome voice.

This was really fun! Jazzy rock and rolly weirdness. I liked it.

Fun and upbeat album and sound. Was surprised at how many of these songs I was already familiar with.

It may surprise some to learn that there was infectious, upbeat popular music before the rise of rock & roll. Louis Prima is an ambassador for New Orleans' role in that movement. All the pieces are here and I think listeners should pay special attention to the rhythms employed throughout the album -- there's no clapping on the one, here. Anyway, this is a short one. Prima is great -- and often very funny, if you can soften some of your modern sensitivities. Give him a go. 4/5

giving over the garden wall Americana

Enjoyed this more than I was expecting! One of my first thoughts was how much I would love to be out on the town hearing this music in a live setting dancing, drinking and enjoying the evening with a beautiful woman. For once in a long minute it def sounds like this is a worthy album to listen to before you die.

I listen to music to feel good. This is that. Fun fact: last year I thrifted a framed B&W photograph of some musicians in a recording studio that had a “license from RIAA” sticker on the back. After some research, discovered it was Louis Prima. I went down a musical rabbit hole after that and found out I’m a big fan. Was thrilled to get this album and give it a full listen.

Pretty inane lyrics and kind of redundant even with every song being pretty short. 50s music might just be too far back for me to really appreciate

This album is just perfect nostalgia and will now be one of my go tos when I need to liven things up.

Fun, easy listening, jazzy stuff.

Just a great sound, rhythm, and pace

Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Favourite track - Jump, Jive, An' Wail.

Idk bruh

This album brings back listening to swing and big band memories with my grandparents. I had only heard David Lee Roth’s cover of Just a Gigolo and it’s hard to explain just how much better Prima’s version. The album is solid and is now in my current rotation.

Este tipo de música me parece toda igual, lo que me lleva a querer escuchar más y en mayor profundidad para poder diferenciar y dejar de sentirme una tonta. Divertidísima siempre, eso sí... amo esas pequeñas trompetas.

Goofy

Great for when you have chores to do at home

If this doesn't move me check for rigor mortis. People like Louis Prima and Louis Jordan don't get as much credit as Little Richard and Ike Turner for being part of the creation of rock'n'roll but without them things just wouldn't be the same today. This music really lights me up and sets me off. A double espresso for my ears! Even though most of these tunes are already in my library from various compilations I'm adding this album for sure. Even the 2002 bonus tracks.

This is some shit David Lynch would use to score the most unhinged scene you've ever seen

I found this album really funny and very enjoyable. It's really good, actually, and it's got a great background. So, I wouldn't say I've found it a masterpiece but it's great to hear albums like this one.

FALLOUT 4!!

Pretty good double feature to Amy Whinehouse you got rocknroll soul at it's.....WILDEST!!!! uh...3.9-4.0

Not much to dislike about this one.

Great songs but a lot were by Louis Armstrong originally

decent

Good music to romanticize life in NYC.

was fun Would I listen again: sure Deserves to be on this list: maybe 3.6

This made me happy in the morning

Having a run of music I’m unfamiliar with. Not my jam, but it’s a fun album. 2.5/5

Lovely for the time

Quintessential dinner party music, nothing that made me really want to skip, wonderful time

Fallout 4 vibes. Classic 50’s sound. Fun and funky

First Listen; 3.5; This album was fun, not sure what else to say about it. Kinda hard for me to put it in context. Favorite songs: (I'll be glad when you're dead) You Rascal

Kul storbandsvibe! Inte så mycket mer än det, men bra bakgrundsmusik om man vill ha peppig jazz :)

This was some nice to listen jazz. 2

Very enjoyable. Reminds me that g grandma Linwood.

Wait a second- David Lee Roth quit Van Halen so he could do note for note covers of THIS guy? Hell yeah. Respect. This is great fun. And Keely Smith’s voice is wonderful. Joyful. Exciting. I love it. FOUR STARS

I had a wail'n time listing to this swingin' banger!

Not necessarily the style of music that I like, but I found this to be fun to listen to!

Love it always

Great musically and very fun!

Album #968 Ah! This is what pure joy sounds like, especially Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody and Jump, Jive, An' Wail. And I do like David Lee Roth and Brian Setzer's versions of these songs. I even listened to the bonus tracks and I will revisit this album in the future. One slight negative: I don't think you should wish death on someone, even a dog, just for your ravioli and meatballs.

Best Song: Buona Sera. Good vibes, hard hitting instrumentation, a great vocal performance. I liked it. Worst Song: Body and Soul. What was the point of this weird, highly referential instrumental track in the middle of the album? It wasn't bad, but it absolutely clashed with everything else. Overall: I don't often like music of this era and genre, but I have to admit that there is a silly and upbeat energy to it that I found myself enjoying. Not for all circumstances, and there are enough slow/instrumental tracks to dull my enthusiasm, but it is definitely better than I expected.

Good fun - his version of Night Train is fantastic

TIL: I weirdly like Luis Prima. Huh. Also the voice of King Louie in the original Jungle Book!

Pretty enjoyable swing. Again not my genre, have a hard time seeing myself putting this on on a Thursday night. But out of the pre-60s Albums I've had here it's the best so far.

Sugary sweet, like eating a banana split.