Cab Calloway was a trailblazing entertainer, an early king of cool, and an American icon. In a career spanning six decades, he was a talented bandleader, known for hiring the very best talent, before going on to become a revered solo artist, actor, and author. Effortlessly breaking down racial barriers, Calloway brought African-American music to mainstream audiences. This collection of timeless tracks takes us back to his glory days as one of the most exciting young bandleaders in the history of popular music. So much more than a band leader, over nearly seven decades, this exuberant and energetic performer also shone as a solo artist, a dancer, and star of radio, stage, and screen. In addition, he was an acclaimed author, penning the classic cultural artefact, Cab Calloway’s Hepster Dictionary. If you use the term Big Apple to refer to New York City, you have Cab Calloway to thank! This mighty 14 track LP concentrates on his classic releases and naturally includes the monster hit Minnie The Moocha alongside his numerous tunes following Minnie’s saga. Using some of the greatest songsmith’s alongside his own penmanship, Calloway and his orchestra’s versions of songs such as Saint James Infirmary, Trickeration, The Ghost Of Smoky Joe, (Hep Hep) The Jumpin’ Jive and The Honeydripper are sure to get you out of your casuals and into your hippest of dancing gear. This is Cab Calloway, the original hep cat, at the peak of his creative powers.
Side A
1 SAINT LOUIS BLUES
2 MINNIE THE MOOCHA
3 SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY
4 KICKING THE GONG AROUND
5 TRICKERATION
6 MINNIE THE MOOCHA'S WEDDING DAY
7 MOONGLOW
Side B
1 CHINESE RHYTHM
2 ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES
3 THE GHOST OF SMOKEY JOE
4 (HEP HEP!) THE JUMPIN' JIVE
5 BLUES IN THE NIGHT
6 THE HONEYDRIPPER
7 THE CALLOWAY BOOGIE