ivylander
ivylander
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The highbrows are swingin' with the lowbrows....

Posted about 4 years ago
Clearly an episode of kismet. (Should that be capitalized, or am I just thinking of the musical?) Just before Christmas, my fine friend and fellow Pennsylvanian dharmachris posted one of my favorite Cab Calloway songs, "Everybody Eats When They Come To My House." Later that day, while scouring the CD racks at a local books 'n' music chain in our local consumer district in a vain attempt to find a Blossom Dearie CD for Mrs. Ivylander's stocking, I came across the source of that Calloway cut. Snapped it up immediately, it should go without saying. It's a nifty little 22-track Calloway collection, impeccably remastered. You'd never guess the recordings are all from 1940 to 1945, so crisp and clear are they. And by God is this fun - a cracking band, a cracked lyrical sense and unlimited reserves of jumpin' jive. I can't think at the moment of a performer who, at his peak, offers as much sheer goofy joy as Calloway. Dig this if you can....
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Comments (25)

  1. ivylander
    ivylander says A bonus for Calloway aficionados: "Boo-Wah Boo-Wah." ~qYvVUMadVFe.mp3~
    Permalink posted 12/27/2007
  2. Spike
    Spike says That's a good description of his sound. I never heard his recordings from this period, and for someone who was big in the early 1930's, he sounds cutting-edge for 1940-45. Sweet stuff. My mother once told me that in the 1930's she heard tell that [and she smiled and whispered this] "he smoked marijuana!"
    Permalink posted 12/27/2007
  3. dermahrk
    dermahrk says Sounds like that store in Newtown on Main Street. The idea of going into a music store under the pretense of buying a present for the missus is always good rationalization. And this does indeed sound great - crystal clear. And now I have to turn your comment back on you: What does this song mean? (like we should really care...)
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  4. deadmandeadman
    deadmandeadman says Great track. As to your observation..."I can't think at the moment of a performer who, at his peak, offers as much sheer goofy joy as Calloway." _maybe_ George Clinton?
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  5. ivylander
    ivylander says Mark, I think the meaning of the song is plainly evident and is captured in Spike's comment: He smoked marijuana. Jeff, George Clinton is certainly in the ballpark. Not many others.
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  6. thill
    thill says blossom dearie. i keep meaning to buy more of her stuff. i only have one cab calloway album, Kicking the Gong Around. For a typical person of my generation he will always be known as the guy in the Blues Brothers. Although no longer at the top of his game there the man jumped and jived like no other! good gift.
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  7. deedee
    deedee says Wow. Sheer goofy joy indeed. Did I mention that among the songs in our pre-wedding-ceremony medley was "Don't Falter at the Altar"? And did you find the Blossom Dearie CD?
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  8. ivylander
    ivylander says Yep, "Don't Falter at the Altar" is here as well, along with "Tarzan of Harlem," "Hey Now, Hey Now" (the Hank Kingsley theme song) and many other beloved favorites. I wish we'd had the wit to include that in our ceremony....And yes, I unearthed "Give Him The Ooh-La-La" the next day. Now I can't get "They Say It's Spring" out of my head....
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  9. fistula spume
    fistula spume says Some swinging tunes there. Putting that on a list. I used to have a copy of a comp of his music that was all about reefer. Good luck on the Blossom Dearie comp. Last time I saw one in the store was at Barnes and Noble and they had 3 different ones. They're all the same store every where. Maybe you could try there.
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  10. ivylander
    ivylander says Ha! That's where I found her!
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  11. fistula spume
    fistula spume says Jackpot! I feel like I won something. Which one did you get?
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  12. ivylander
    ivylander says "Give Him The Ooh-La-La" - the one that has "Spread Your Wings," I think....
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  13. Bartleby
    Bartleby says A nutty source of enjoyment and aural pleasure. I don't care much about the meaning of life or Cab's lyrics because I've been able to keep up with his mental delivery. All I can say is these grooves make me want to jump and shout. PS: Glad to hear that Mrs Ivylander also got her Blossom Dearie Treat ;)
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  14. ivylander
    ivylander says Bartleby, I think there's a case to be made that Cab Calloway was the Madness of his day. (I actually really like Madness....)
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  15. chucky
    chucky says Sweet.
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  16. FastRMacR
    FastRMacR says Thanks for sharing your stash -that was sweet stuff indeed. I appreciate hearing about this release. * noted queue. dig this re .. fer:
    Permalink posted 12/28/2007
  17. ivylander
    ivylander says That's pretty heady stuff, FastRMacR. And good, too....
    Permalink posted 12/29/2007
  18. FastRMacR
    FastRMacR says High, Low ... but certainly never furrowed. ;-)
    Permalink posted 12/29/2007
  19. ivylander
    ivylander says Amen to that.
    Permalink posted 12/29/2007
  20. I am
    I am says And you would know goofy. Chris and I shared a kismet moment with Sinatra. What's with that guy? How about Gillespie and or Armstrong?
    Permalink posted 01/01/2008
  21. ivylander
    ivylander says I think Chris G. is one of the most quietly cool MOGgers. There's just something about Pennsylvania, man.... Louis? Here's the first thing that came to mind on this grim morning, so perfect somehow for regrets over last night's behavior. (I never got the chance, alas - home with sick child. Probably for the best.) One of his best vocals, I think - not so ingratiating, more heartfelt. I don't even mind the strings that much. ~NBmaD5nx9Me.mp3~
    Permalink posted 01/01/2008
  22. I am
    I am says Well you know how I feel about "the Commonwealth".
    Permalink posted 01/01/2008
  23. ivylander
    ivylander says It's not even about a feeling. Look at how many of the best MOGgers come from the Keystone State, and tell me it's an accident....
    Permalink posted 01/01/2008
  24. I am
    I am says True, I think there are more Moggers from Pennsy then just about anywhere save Cali. Hey, "Did you get that thing?" I sent ya.
    Permalink posted 01/01/2008
  25. ivylander
    ivylander says No, haven't gotten anything lately. How thoughtful of you! (Unless it's Kiss The Sky.)
    Permalink posted 01/01/2008

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