Description
Artists
CD 1
CD 2
The one and only Cabell “Cab” Calloway (1907-1994) is featured in the most comprehensive 2CD album available, covering a great cross-section of his hits and band recordings during his vintage years. When Cab sang “Hi-de-ho” in his trademark Minnie The Moocher audiences always echoed it back, loving this manic, zany character in his extravagant ‘zoot’ suits, who was a barnstorming entertainer for some 60 years. Along with Duke Ellington, he was the star attraction of Harlem’s Cotton Club, going on to become a famous ‘Sportin’ Life’ in Porgy and Bess. “The Hi-De-Ho Man” is Retrospective’s collection of 52 of his most successful recordings. Included are 23 chart hits such as The Jumpin’ Jive, St. James’ Infirmary, Moonglow and Blues In The Night. Several songs allude to the ubiquitous ‘Minnie’ and her drug-taking habits: Kicking The Gong Around, Reefer Man and Zaz Zuh Zaz. Calloway was also no mean balladeer as his You Are The One In My Heart shows. Most importantly, Cab’s orchestra was one of the top big bands throughout the 30s and 40s and showcased some of the great jazzmen of the time, emphasised here with 18 instrumental tracks. These feature such as Dizzy Gillespie (Pickin’ The Cabbage), Chu Berry (Ghost Of A Chance), Jonah Jones (Jonah Joins The Cab), Hilton Jefferson (Willow, Weep For Me), Milt Hinton (Plickin’ The Bass) and Cozy Cole (Crescendo In Drums). Above all, Cab Calloway’s music was always full of life. |