The Fabulous Jimmy Dorsey contains the last four sides he made, just a couple of months before his death in June of 1957, augmented by nine additional numbers cut by the band very soon after their leader's demise. This material says more about the popular music market during the Eisenhower years than it does about
Dorsey or his lengthy career, which stemmed back to some remarkably creative music during the 1920s. Trapped in the strange world of 1957, even backed by some of his trusty sidemen,
Dorsey had to maneuver around some rather shrieking vocals by the
Artie Malvin Singers. This lends a certain "Good Life" aspect to six of the sides. It is an odd effect, which might easily cause fear, revulsion, or fits of giggling in some listeners.
Dorsey, who seems to be doing his best to emulate
Earl Bostic, is only heard on "So Rare," "Sophisticated Swing," "Mambo en Sax," and "It's the Dreamer in Me."
Tommy Mercer's oily vocal on "Maria Elena" seems to summon up the odors of Vitalis and Brylcreem. "Jay-Dee's Boogie Woogie," obviously playing off of
Dorsey's earlier success, also attempts a sally at the budding rock & roll youth market. The best jazz on the album features the alto saxophone of
Dick Stabile, sounding positively punchy on "Contrasts" and "Just Swingin'."