Louis Prima at Paul McCartney's Wedding!

Although Louis Prima passsed on quite a few years ago, his music seems to have a life of its own. We have heard that Ray Gelato(who is probably the best contemporary interpreter of Prima) was the featured entertainer at Paul McCartney's wedding. We're glad to hear that the Ex-beatle shares our taste in entertainment! You paid about $15 to hear Ray Gelato at CCB; mega-rock stars like McCartney have no resource limits --- they can have anything they want, especially if it comes from the entertainment world. So, when Paul chose Ray Gelato, it really means something. I can remember that some of the puristas in our little dance world (who seem to hate live music) had nothing but bad things to say about Ray Gelato when he played for us. Well, apparently, the McCartneys have a different view. Thanks to Tom and Deb for bringing Ray to play for us not once but twice!

Well, this week, we pay tribute to the Original.

Louis Prima became very famous in the 1950s with an infectious Las Vegas act co-starring his wife (singer Keely Smith) that mixed together R&B (particularly the honking tenor of Sam Butera), early rock & roll, comedy, and Dixieland. Always a colorful personality, Prima was leading a band in New Orleans when he was just 11. In 1934, he began recording as a leader with a Dixieland-oriented unit and soon he was a major attraction on 52nd Street. His early records often featured George Brunies and Eddie Miller, and Pee Wee Russell was a regular member of his groups during 1935-1936. Prima, who composed Sing, Sing, Sing (which for a period was his theme song), recorded steadily through the swing era, had a big band in the 1940s, and achieved hits with Angelina and Robin Hood. In 1954, he began having great success in his latter-day group (their recordings on Capitol were big sellers and still sound joyous today), emphasizing vocals and Butera's tenor sax, but he still took spirited trumpet solos. Although he eventually broke up with Keely Smith, Louis Prima (who voiced a character in Walt Disney's animated film The Jungle Book in 1966) remained a popular attraction into the 1970s.

Here's Louie!


Here's Keely
By the way --
Lynn McCune of Lush Life is developing a singing style
that really reminds me of Keely Smith


This is the Album Cover

This week, we are featuring one of Louie's all time hits, Buono Sera, Signorina which features his bel canto tenor and some of the most amazing scat singing on record. The song begins with one chorus in Tango rhythm, delivered as a traditional Neapolitan Folk song. You might think that a plate of spaghetti has been set before you. From then it explodes into a fireworks display of improvisation, with scat singing in both English and Italian. Enjoy!

Here are the lyrics for the straight part