Cab Calloway And The Missourians (1929-1930) Review

07/13/2005 5:25 AM, AMG


This English import starts off with the dozen selections recorded by The Missourians (plus two alternate takes) during 1929-30. The excellent group is heard playing a variety of instrumentals, many of which are based on "Tiger Rag." The heated soloing by trumpeters R.Q. Dickerson and Lammar Wright, trombonist De Priest Wheeler and the reeds of Andrew Brown and Walter Thomas makes one surprised that this group was commercially unsuccessful. Cab Calloway permanently took over The Missourians in 1930 and his earliest ten recordings form the second half of this CD. The Calloway performances (which directly precede his hit "Minnie the Moocher") are highlighted by "St. Louis Blues," "Nobody's Sweetheart" and a classic rendition of "St. James Infirmary" and make one know from the start why he was considered one of the most popular and exciting performers of the 1930s. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide