The one and only Cabell ‘Cab’ Calloway (1907-1994) is featured in the most comprehensive 2-CD album available, covering a great cross-section of his hits and band recordings during his vintage years. When Cab sang ‘Hi-de-ho’ in his trademark Minnie the Moocher audiences always echoed it back, loving this manic, zany character in his extravagant ‘zoot’ suits, who was a barnstorming entertainer for some 60 years. Along with Duke Ellington, he was the star attraction of Harlem’s Cotton Club, going on to become a famous ‘Sportin’ Life’ in Porgy and Bess.

‘The Hi-De-Ho Man’ is Retrospective’s collection of 52 of his most successful recordings. Included are 23 chart hits such as The Jumpin’ Jive, St. James’ Infirmary, Moonglow and Blues in the Night. Several songs allude to the ubiquitous ‘Minnie’ and her drug-taking habits: Kicking the Gong Around, Reefer Man and Zaz Zuh Zaz. Calloway was also no mean balladeer as his You Are the One in My Heart shows.

Most importantly, Cab’s orchestra was one of the top big bands throughout the 30s and 40s and showcased some of the great jazzmen of the time, emphasised here with 18 instrumental tracks. These feature such as Dizzy Gillespie (Pickin’ the Cabbage), Chu Berry (Ghost of a Chance), Jonah Jones (Jonah Joins the Cab), Hilton Jefferson (Willow, Weep for Me), Milt Hinton (Pluckin’ the Bass) and Cozy Cole (Crescendo in Drums). Above all, Cab Calloway’s music was always full of life.

Contents:

CD 1 (1930-1939)
1. Minnie the Moocher
2. Saint Louis Blues
3. Some of These Days
4. Nobody’s Sweetheart
5. Saint James’ Infirmary
6. Black Rhythm
7. Six or Seven Times
8. You Rascal, You!
9. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
10. Trickeration
11. Kicking the Gong Around
12. The Scat Song
13. Minnie the Moocher’s Wedding Day
14. Reefer Man
15. Hot Toddy
16. I’ve Got the World on a String
17. Beale Street Mama
18. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues
19. Zaz Zuh Zaz
20. There’s a Cabin in the Cotton
21. ’Long About Midnight
22. Moonglow
23. At the Clambake Carnival
24. Ratamacue
25. The Ghost of Smoky Joe

CD 2 (1939-1952)
1. The Jumping Jive (Hep-Hep!)
2. Crescendo in Drums
3. Pluckin’ the Bass
4. Pickin’ the Cabbage
5. Calling All Bars
6. The Lone Arranger
7. Come On with the “Come On”
8. Ghost of a Chance
9. Bye-Bye, Blues
10. Boo-Wah, Boo-Wah
11. Cupid’s Nightmare
12. Are You Hep to the Jive?
13. Lonesome Nights
14. Willow, Weep for Me
15. You Are the One in My Heart
16. Jonah Joins the Cab
17. Geechy Joe
18. Special Delivery
19. Take the “A” Train
20. Hey, Doc!
21. Blues in the Night
22. Tappin’ Off
23. A Smo-o-oth One
24. The Honeydripper
25. The Calloway Boogie
26. Everybody Eats When They Come to My House
27. It Ain’t Necessarily So (Porgy & Bess)