A swinging set with a healthy does of humor, these guys know how to play. Although the cuts on this album are quite a bit before my time, Slam Stewart lived and taught in my hometown, and I got to hear him play many a time, and got to take a couple of jazz workshops with him. A wildly popular bassist during the swing era, Slam pioneered the bowed jazz-bass solo, switching from pizzicato to bow, and singing along with his solo an octave or two higher. This album has plenty of examples of Slam's style, which blends well with the equally quirky Slim Gaillard's synthetic "McVouty" language -- something halfway between English and scat. Slim also contributes some tasty guitar playing, and even some piano and vibes to the mix. These are the original "Flat Foot Floogie" guys, and the rest of the set takes off from there. To the best of my knowledge this disk represents the first time all of these tunes have been collected together in one place, and includes a couple of numbers not previously available. If this stuff doesn't make you move, you're either deaf or dead. Recommended.
Folks, if you like the wild, hepped-up jazz comedy of the likes of Louis Jordan, the Cats and the Fiddle, and Cab Calloway, then you're sure to love this! Slim and Slam are most famous for the classic dancefloor foolishness "Flat Foot Floogie With the Floy Floy," but they show their comic diversity with songs such as "Matzoh Balls" (where they do a rather credible yiddish accent oon the joys of passover food), "African Jive" (a leave your brains at the door comic outing on the lines of Williams and Walker's "My Little Zulu Babe," nothing offensive, it's all in fun). But I could go on and on. I wonder why there guys are not as well remembered as the great Louis Jordan? In either case, you could either grab a girl and lindy-hop to this stuff all night long or laugh yourself in stitches at the crazy dialect and tonal inflections as well as some really good comedy. This Cd is truly one of those joyful noises that will help you mellow out after a hard day and let the good times roll!
I placed my order on the 8. january and delievery was promissed to be February 9 to March 14.
The ordered CD was in my mailbox in Denmark, Europe this morning at 09.00 on the 15th January. 6 days after I placed the order. I really want to thank you for an excellent service.Groove Juice Special