Bobby Troup!

By request, some Bobby Troup - the first LP by the singer-pianist-composer-actor, the 10" version of "Bobby Troup!", from 1953.

Troup first came to notice as a songwriter, with Daddy as early as 1941, followed by Route 66, a big hit for Nat Cole. Later compositions included Girl Talk and The Girl Can't Help It. (Too bad Little Richard didn't do a whole album of Troup, eh?)

This album has three of Troup's own numbers - The Three Bears (offered here previously in two different Page Cavanaugh renditions), Hungry Man and Lemon Twist. The latter is set to a familiar bop riff that I can't quite place.

Within the limits of his style, Troup was an enjoyable performer. He never had much of a voice, but what he had he used stylishly, although on these early sides the style can veer into mannerism. He sounds remarkably like Bob Dorough - who, I should add, did not begin recording until three years later.

The West Coast style arrangements are by trombonist-saxophonist Bob Enevoldsen, who often worked with Troup. The other musicians are Newcomb Rath, Jack Dulong, Bill McDougal (ts), Don Davidson (bar), Howard Roberts (g), Harry Babasin (b), and Don Heath (d). (That info is courtesy of my friend Mel - thanks!)

Note: I've now expanded this post to include the four additional songs contained on the 12-inch version of this LP, plus three more sides never issued on LP. There is a new post here, and the link also is in the comments to this post.