Fun and Free in 1953! - Sorry, compared to Louis Prima, Louis Armstrong was a second-rate trumpet player. And when you throw in the crystalline voice of Keely Smith and Sam Butera s saxophone, live in Las Vegas at the Sahara, you ve got pure musical ecstasy. Rock and roll may have its rythmical roots in the blues, but its freedom had to come from the madness of musicians like Prima!
swingin! - this cd is great!! the fact that it is live brings it a life that the studio recordings lack- keely smith is fantastic!
Vegas Lounge - Wow, I feel as if I ve walked through a time warp! Listening to this cd really is a throwback to the old Vegas with the lounge going all hours, it s as if you just re-entered the time, and sit to listen again to a time long ago (and far away)
The Truth Comes Out: The Most Manic-Depressive Act in Show Business - I d heard a couple of their studio albums but never understood the appeal of Louis and Keely until hearing this album. Louis is manic, hyperactive, out of control, Keely is composed, sophisticated, vocally magnificent. The contrast is the key. At times their humor is almost too close for comfort (they would divorce in 3 years): Keely mockingly refers to Louis as her Italian Stallion, then says he s too old for her, Louis says, That s a stage joke, folks: Keely, persistent, says, No, it s not. And all this is inserted in the lyric of a Gershwin tune.Louis demonstrates his musicianship, his New Orleans roots, and Louis Armstrong influence. And the act makes it clear that neither Sonny and Cher nor all of the neo-swing revival groups of the mid to late 90 s could touch them.The album also reminds the listener of the days when Las Vegas was a cabaret instead of an expensive resort and postmodern theme park. This pair was merely a free lounge act, and even the lounge act had an intermission act, introduced by Louis as the Frank Morocco trio, originally from Waukegan, Illinois. The other day I played with a bass player who revealed that he was a member of that trio when this recording was made. He played 12-6 A.M. each morning and was paid $225 for the week.
Louie and Keely DVD - My mother was very pleased to get this DVD. She s a 40 s and 50 s gal and likes to see her favorites performing once again. Do you have any others from the 40 s and 50 s era?