'58? He originally performed this in '31, a full 27 years earlier . . . And then did it again, many times; still doing it in 1980, 49 years later, to perfection, re-igniting his career (though he wanted to do his newest, rock-hip-hop version instead of a more classic version; but the director pointed out that the movie version would pay homage to his original song and help generate interest in his new iteration). Cab was not only *a* boss, but *the* boss. You want to know who created hip-hop? You're looking at him.
I have heard Cab since I was a little kid in the late 50’s. My parents played lots of music and this was high on the their list. Cab was a great performer! My parents have passed but I hear, and see them, when I see and hear these great talents. Great memories. I agree that seeing performances like this opens up a whole new part of life and joy just as you said. That is what talent should do. Enjoyed your reaction very much. Thanks Doc!
Cab Calloway was a treasure and he influenced generations after him. James Brown said he got a lot of his moves from Cab and then Michael Jackson got a lot of his moves from James Brown. Cab (as well as James and Michael) were all spectacular entertainers.
Love the react! Cab calloway is an all time favourite of mine. Another piece from this time that I think you might enjoy is Hard Time Killing Floor Blues By Skip James. It is such a haunting sound. Skip James - Hard Time Killin' Floor Blues (Live '67) HQ - RU-vid I hope this comment reaches you. I'm definitely subbing.
I knew who Calloway was when the Blues Brothers movie came out. I was delighted to see him in the cast. But, I was NOT expecting him to take the stage with Minnie The Moocher, complete with white coat and tails and with a 1930s Broadway stage. Blew me away!
Obviously I'm not from the big band era of music I will say as awesome as Glenn Miller was from that era, Cab Callaway brought an energy to it that was transcendent. A lot of people weren't ready for it.
I'd rather take this over today's garbage anytime this is old school way back in the day cab calloway could dance his ass off very talented handsome man
What a fun reaction to watch! It was a treat to see a young person “discover” him who so very obviously appreciates the music. When I was young a lot of people would have dismissed Calloway as “old people” music and fail to recognize how cutting edge it was. That’s why I love Jay Z on the Gatsby soundtrack …it reminds you that Jazz was the hip hop of its day with all the same misconceptions and insults… it’s corrupting our children, it’s vulgar, it’s not “real” music, et cetera. Im sure all those record execs that first passed on acts like NWA or Motley Crue said the same things.
DID YOU JUST FIND OUT ABOUT MINNIE THE MOOCHER? I AM AN OLD MAN NOW, I BEEN LISTENING TO MINNIE THE MOOCHER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, AND YES IT WAS RELEASE BACK IN 1931, HAVE A GREAT TIME LISTENING TO CAB CALLOWAY, HE HAS MANY OTHER GREAT SONGS, ENJOY.
The only thing wrong with this clip is it's not the song Minnie the Moocher in its entirety. There was another chorus between "Minnie had a heart as big as a whale" and "He gave her his townhouse and his racing horses" so it doesn't really piece together what Cab Calloway is singing about.
I think he first recorded this in ... 1929? Became his signature song, and this from 1958 is a bit of a 'look at the past', and it was a short version missing some of the cool other verses, but here he is! A little older, still getting his groove on, and a good (if short) version of the tune. But still brilliant, and he kept right on through his whole life giving this level of 'hep cat' throughout his career! Love him. Every song you listen to of his feels designed for a good time! Even the 'sad' songs like this one. I recall reading an old interview from the 1930s where he was asked how he was getting along during the grips of the depression and his response was "What depression?"
Did your grandparents ever say anything like "we used to make our own entertainment"? This is what they were talking about. Cab Calloway has been going since the 1930s, if not earlier. Reefer Man, Hidey-Ho Man, it's all great. And if you haven't seen the original Blues Brothers, what are you doing? Go watch it. Now.
There’s a video segment from “ Stormy Weather” with Cab and the unbelievable tapping Nicholas Brothers! Be sure to watch! My Dad saw them all live at the Cotton Club in Harlem in 1938.
Thanks, Doc! I love this -- he was, as you say, an amazing "showman" -- perhaps you've seen the piece with the Nicolas Brothers that Deirdre mentioned below -- they will blow you away.. and Cab is actually a bit "reserved" from his usual flamboyance -- lol
forgive me if I'm wrong but that sounds like he sang the word "poor" near the end in the phrygian scale.... I've never heard of singing in scale... I'm sure I have 'heard it' but I've never heard of doing it lol either way the man was, amazing. I'm glad the blues brothers taught me about him.
The original song had several more verses, mostly in drug slang. That's why this was so short: the drug slang; to go mainstream meant the song had to be 'edited'. Of particular note was the line "He took her down to Chinatown, where he showed her how to kick the gong around." "Kick the gong around" was slang for smoking opium.
