Search - Bobby Troup :: The Feeling of Jazz

As both a songwriter and singer, Troup was a true original.

R. H. Roth Jr. | East Lansing, Michigan USA | 09/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An important player in the West Coast Jazz scene of the '50's and '60's, singer/songwriter Bobby Troup is heard performing some of his best quartet and small band work in Hollywood and New York jazz clubs in these 21 tracks. Backed by such jazz legends as Herb Ellis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Bob Enevoldsen and Grady Tate, Troup's stylized club vocals and cool personality are showcased in a way that still sounds fresh and contemporary. These recordings of performances from 1955 to 1967 include 13 songs written or co-written by Bobby Troup, which is why I find the album such a gem. Included are "The Feeling of Jazz" (co-written with Duke Ellington and George Simon), the standard "Girl Talk" (co-written with Neal Hefti), and Troup classics "Daddy" and "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66." I'm also impressed with the excellent 12 pages of liner notes and wonderful photos of the "Stars of Jazz" TV show Bobby Troup hosted in the '50's on ABC---he's shown with Billie Holiday, June Christy, Johnny Mercer, and Bobby's wife of 40 years, Julie London. Cool indeed, and this CD captures it. Get hip."