Search - Sam Butera :: Louis Prima Presents the Wildest Clan / Apache! (ORIGINAL RECORDINGS REMASTERED)

Go, Sam, Blow

03/26/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is a sight for sore eyes for Prima lovers. An unexpected but delightful re-issue of Sam and the Witnesses' 2-out-3 Dot LPs. The first, "The Wildest Clan," is a perfect display of the amount of talent that the band possessed. Sam is featured on 8 of the songs, including the hit "You Send Me," "Romance Without Finance," and "Sick and Tired." Trombonist Lou Sino insanely sings and slides on a cover of Hank Williams' "Jambalaya (On The Bayou)," while guitarist Bobby Roberts does the lite rock n' roll tune "Don't You Know." Of great notice here is the featured rhythm section (comprised of Bobby Morris on drums and John Nagy on piano) in "Malaguena." Bassist Rolly DiIorio gets his moment in the sun on an unusual arrangement of "C'est Si Bon" as he does his Louis Armstrong imitation. The second LP is all instrumental, featuring Sam's versatile sax playing. Songs of worth here: "One Mint Julep" (a vocal version can be found on Sam and The Wildest's "Tribute to Louis Prima Volume 2"), "Spanish Harlem," "I'm an Old Cowhand" and the title tune "Apache." The album has a lot of merit to it, and has definitely earned its spot in anyone's Prima collection."