Ink Spots – Swing High Swing Low

“Newcomers to the Ink Spots are often put off by the predictable, loping progression of many of their songs, — the easily (and often) parodied “Bum-Ba-Dee-Da, Bum-Ba-Dee-Da-Dee-Da” genre. This collection is the antidote to any notion that the Ink Spots couldn’t be amazingly varied in their rhythms and melodies. The songs here have a devilish streak of humour running through them, in evidence in the when-the-cat’s-away antics of “Mamma Don’t Allow,” the hilarious exaggerations of “Your Feet’s Too Big,” and the ludicrous inventory of clothing in “Swing, Gate, Swing” (a double breasted hat?). Each song is a tour de force of inventive vocals, as on the whispers and ghostly harmonies of “Old Joe’s Hitting the Jug,” the velvety lead vocal of “Stompin at the Savoy,” and the wild assemblage of dialogue, falsetto mimicry, and scat in “Momma Don’t Allow.” The instrumental work is topnotch; there is amazing upright bass work on “Slap That Bass,” and frenzied guitar on “Swing, Gate, Swing.” Many of their best known hits are not here, but that hardly matters. For sheer entertainment value, if you only get one Ink Spots release, this is the one to have.”

Paul Collins, AllMusic.com

The Ink Spots (Bill Kenny, Deek Watson, Charlie Fuqua and Hoppy Jones) were an American pop vocal group who gained international fame in the 1930s and 1940s. Their unique musical style led to the rhythm and blues and rock and roll musical genres, and the subgenre doo-wop. The Ink Spots were widely accepted in both the white and black communities, largely due to the ballad style introduced to the group by lead singer Bill Kenny.

TRACKLISTING
    Swingin’ on the Strings
    Your Feet’s Too Big
    Swing High, Swing Low
    Slap That Bass
    Swing, Gate, Swing
    ‘T Ain’t Nobody’s Biz-Ness if I Do
    Christopher Columbus
    Stompin’ at the Savoy
    Yes, Suh!
    Old Joe’s Hittin’ the Jug
    Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
    Mamma Don’t Allow It