Search - Sam Butera :: By Request

A round of fun

02/15/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album by Sam Butera contains songs that were most requested by fans during his time with Louis Prima. Sam gives these songs the treatment they deserve with his swinging band, the Wildest. There are the obvious ones, such as "Just a Gigolo/I ain't got Nobody" and "Lazy River," but there are also numbers from Prima's later years such as "For Once in My Life." All of these songs contain the drive that made them hits in the past, but Sam adds his own personal touch. The group has a bit of a different sound than the Witnesses, as is evidenced when they revisit the classic "Closer to the Bone." Trumpet player Buck Monari struts his stuff, while being backed up by Sam and his other band mates on trombone and clarinet. It adds a sense of dixieland style, and leaves you tapping your feet. The band gives their own stylish treatment to some of Sam's old numbers, such as "French Poodle," "Night Train," and "Greenback Dollar Bill...." and they still swing. In additon to the original LP, this disc contains 5 songs from another one of Sam's records called "Body and Sax with a Little Soul." These recordings are very bouncy, yet contain a little bit of a dark side. Just listen to Sam growl about how "Love is a 5-Letter Word." Of course, he sticks to his Italian heritage with ditties like "Mari-Yootch." The CD is an outstanding tribute to Louis Prima, and yet another smash for Sam Butera and The Wildest."