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Posted On: October 14th 2026, 12:40 am
Artist – Louis Prima
Album – The Wildest!
Year – 1956
Capitol Records – T755
I previously introduced you to Louis Prima when we did our quick write up of “The Jungle Book.” If you don’t remember, Louis Prima and his band were responsible for my third favorite song of all time, “I Wan’na Be Like You” from “The Jungle Book Original Soundtrack.”
Louis Prima’s legacy isn’t necessarily one that transcended time. While he’s fairly well known, a lot of that has to do with his Jungle Book role, and the fact that he opened the door that allowed ethnic musicians to stress their heritage and culture in an era where it was frowned upon to do so. Beyond that, he is more well known for a hit single here and there such as “Pennies from Heaven,” “Jump, Jive an’ Wail,” a Vegas Lounge residency and for being “The Wildest.”
Which is, of course, why we chose this album, the jewel of Louis Prima’s career. Done alongside the band “The Witnesses” and his then wife, Keely Smith, “The Wildest” was the perfect encapsulation of everything that Louis Prima brought to the table; Blues, Jazz, early Rock ’n’ Roll and unfit for society humor.
At the time, Louis Prima, his wife and his band were regularly performing at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and were almost immediately the biggest draw in all of Las Vegas. They got together at the lounge in the Sahara to record this album, in an attempt to capture what 3 o clock in the Morning felt like during that era in the City of Sin.
“Jump, Jive an’ Wail” became the most popular song from this album, and one of Prima’s signature songs from his career. In fact, in the 90’s, it regained popularity following a Grammy winning cover performance during the Swing Revival in the 90s.
“This is simply irrepressible music that more than matches its cover shot. Prima is joyous, rumbustious, and irresistible.” - Will Fulford-Jones
Album – The Wildest!
Year – 1956
Capitol Records – T755
I previously introduced you to Louis Prima when we did our quick write up of “The Jungle Book.” If you don’t remember, Louis Prima and his band were responsible for my third favorite song of all time, “I Wan’na Be Like You” from “The Jungle Book Original Soundtrack.”
Louis Prima’s legacy isn’t necessarily one that transcended time. While he’s fairly well known, a lot of that has to do with his Jungle Book role, and the fact that he opened the door that allowed ethnic musicians to stress their heritage and culture in an era where it was frowned upon to do so. Beyond that, he is more well known for a hit single here and there such as “Pennies from Heaven,” “Jump, Jive an’ Wail,” a Vegas Lounge residency and for being “The Wildest.”
Which is, of course, why we chose this album, the jewel of Louis Prima’s career. Done alongside the band “The Witnesses” and his then wife, Keely Smith, “The Wildest” was the perfect encapsulation of everything that Louis Prima brought to the table; Blues, Jazz, early Rock ’n’ Roll and unfit for society humor.
At the time, Louis Prima, his wife and his band were regularly performing at the Sahara Hotel and Casino and were almost immediately the biggest draw in all of Las Vegas. They got together at the lounge in the Sahara to record this album, in an attempt to capture what 3 o clock in the Morning felt like during that era in the City of Sin.
“Jump, Jive an’ Wail” became the most popular song from this album, and one of Prima’s signature songs from his career. In fact, in the 90’s, it regained popularity following a Grammy winning cover performance during the Swing Revival in the 90s.
“This is simply irrepressible music that more than matches its cover shot. Prima is joyous, rumbustious, and irresistible.” - Will Fulford-Jones
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