Bob Crosby And His Bob Cats.
26 original mono recordings 1937-1942.
The Bob Cats created some of the finest Dixieland jazz ever recorded – here is their very best, on a single CD.
Bob Crosby (1913-1993), forever in the shadow of brother Bing, was a charming presenter and likeable singer with a natural jazz feeling, but his name will always be synonymous with the very best of organized Dixieland. He led a band formed from the breakup of Ben Pollack's (see CD AJA 5491) that lasted until 1943. It was however the ‘band-within-a-band’, The Bob Cats, that produced the most memorable music with their tempestuous Dixieland style.
March Of The Bob Cats (their most popular instrumental) is also the title of Living Era’s showcase of the 26 finest Bob Cats recordings. Yank Lawson is the driving trumpet lead on such as Who’s Sorry Now?, Stumbling, Fidgety Feet and Tin Roof Blues, while Billy Butterfield takes over on the likes of Jazz Me Blues, Spain, Mournin’ Blues and Hindustan. The band was blessed with superb reeds: the magnificent clarinet of Irving Fazola (see CD AJA 5279) and Matty Matlock and the tenor sax of Eddie Miller (featured on I Hear You Talking). Also included is the amazing duet Big Noise From Winnetka by bassist (and whistler) Bob Haggart and drummer Ray Bauduc.
While there is no shortage of Bob Crosby on CD, this is the best single disc focussing on The Bob Cats.
Musicians:
Ray Bauduc, Sterling Bose, Billy Butterfield, Irving Fazola, Bob Haggart, Nappy Lamare, Yank Lawson, Matty Matlock, Eddie Miller, Floyd O’Brien, Warren Smith, Jess Stacy, Haig Stephens, Joe Sullivan, Bob Zurke.