Sam BUTERA & THE WILDEST – Sheer Energy

Sheer Energy was recorded live at the Resorts International Rendezvous Lounge, and is perhaps the best of Sam's recordings with the Wildest. Though their studio recordings are great, this album contains a lot more of the drive that made the Prima/Butera combination work so well. Any fan will recognize some of the tunes he does here: "For You" (a crossover from the Dot LP "Return of The Wildest"), "Pennies From Heaven," "Old Man River," and "The Glow-Worm." Sam recorded each of these tunes during his time with Louis Prima, but he has added a new, electrifying twist to them, with a more Jazz oriented sound. Also included is the ever-popular "Jump, Jive, an' Wail": Don't look for Brian Setzer style here... this is purely Sam and the Wildest. The group displays their versatility on more modern numbers as well, such as "You Ain't No Ordinary Woman" and "Why Not," the latter done by pianist Arnie Tiech.

This LP-to-CD is awesome, and is definitely recommended. In addition to the the original LP, half of one of Sam's other LPs is included; the other half can be found on the CD "By Request." Fans can find a strangely different yet charming version of "Closer to the Bone," and some straightfoward Jazz numbers like "Rosetta" and "Body and Soul." 

Track Listing

1. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
2. FOR YOU
3. I CAN'T GET STARTED
4. JUMP,JIVE AND WAIL
5. GLOWWORM
6. CLOSER TO THE BONE
7. HARD-HEARTED HANNAH
8. BODY AND SOUL
9. NIGHT TRAIN
10. ROSETTA
11. YOU AIN'T NO ORDINARY WOMAN
12. PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
13. KANSAS CITY
14. WHY NOT
15. OL' MAN RIVER