An early step in the classic years of Louis Prima and Keely Smith -- material recorded for Columbia Records in the years before their better-known sides for Capitol -- but all of it plenty darn great! The groove here still has traces of the swing-era Prima in place, and a bit less of the rock rock rock style that vamped up their Capitol recordings -- but Louis' already really moving upfront on vocals, and Keely steps in with a few great lines that really make the record shine! Titles include "Chili Sauce", "One Mint Julep", "Basta", "Shake Hands With Santa Claus", "Boney Bones", "Barnacle Bill The Sailor", "The Bigger the Figure", and "Oh, Marie". (German pressing.)
