Beauty And The Beat - Bob Scobey's Frisco Jazz Band

 

Lulu's Back In Town

Beauty And The Beat

Bob Scobey's Frisco Jazz Band

RCA Victor LPM-1344

1957

From the back cover: Everybody who knows Bob Scobey and his wonderful music knows that with his appearance on the scene one of his loudest rooters was a disc jockey out of WGN in Chicago. Those Saturday afternoon broadcasts were something special. It was a habit-forming program because you could count on one Scobey tune every time, and usually there were more. Now the disc jockey has left the air and has showed up at RCA Victor. What is more natural that that Bob Scobey should show yup there shortly thereafter. If the attached beauty, appropriately called Beauty And The Beast, is any indication of what's to come, we're willing for the firs time to admit that the Saturday afternoon program did not die in vain.

And it's a whale of a coming-out party. The beauties are famous and well known, and the were never more dazzling. The proud parents, Bob Scobey and Clancy Hayes, have assembled a notable and sparkling stag line at this lovely romp. A glance shows the invited guests to include Matty Matlock on clarinet and arrangements; Abe Lincoln on trombone; Mannie Klein, trumpet; Warren Smith, clarinet. This is, of course, in addition to the usual family group of Bob Scobey; Clancy Hayes; Jack Buck, trombone; Ralph Sutton, piano; Bob Short, tuba; Bill Napier, clarinet; and Fredy Higuera, drums.

The man responsible for this recorded well-being is Robert A. Scobey of Walnut Creek, California. There he's at home with his lovely wife Barbara and a few guests including three children, five Siamese carts, two dogs, and his golf clubs. A man who has to referee this activity is bound to have an open mind about his music. Bob has no "old school tie" to live up to, or overcome. This freedom plus his accurate judgment and fine musicianship make anything he does fresh – entertaining – unique.

Scobey was born December 9, 1916, in Tueuncari, New Mexico, but the family soon moved to Stockton, California. Though he nearly got sidetracked to a career in chemistry, music won out, and upon graduation from high school he started "gigging" around the Bay Area with various bands and at radio stations and theater pit bands. His career in jazz actually started when he met Lu Watters, and Scobey became one of the main liners of that famous outfit – Watters and Scobey on trumpets and Turk Murphy on trombone. Late in 1949 Bib broke from Watters and set up his own jazz band, which has continuously become more and more successful. The band has had several enormously happy tours to Chicago and surrounding territory, and its reception in Las Vegas, especially of late, has been nothing  short of sensational. The Scobyites, as you may have heard and as you many have assumed if you haven't , are at home in San Francisco.

Among the notable things this assemblage produces is a new dimension to the Scoby band. To those used to listening to the Scobeyites in their normal seven-man lineup will come a pleasant clutch of surprises, such as Scobey playing beautiful, driving lead trumpet for a larger group along with the lilting Clancy tunes in strictly ballad style. Clancy shows he can play rhythm guitar with the best of them, for this rhythm group is a solidly packed unit.

Matty Matlock's arrangements fit like a Marilyn Monroe gown. There's a careful, solid structure below – and the solos stand out sharply as they should. Throughout, there is always that extra touch,  a subtle blending of humor, love, whimsey – and always the beat.

From Billboard - May 30, 1957: Scobey's first essay for RCA Victor was done with his usual severn-man band – with seven studio musicians added. It should sell well. It comes off with a pop swing band effect rather than the crisp, tightly-knit Dixieland combo sound that is associated with Scobey. Clancy Hayes also sings in a more flowing pop style, and there will be those who will argue whether this was altogether desirable. Hits "Alice Blue Gown" and "Linda" are jewels of vocal styling.

The Girl Friend

Linda

Miss Annabelle Lee

Mandy Is Two

Alice Blue Gown

Mickey

Calico Sal

Sweet Lorraine

Lulu's Back In Town 

Sweet Substitute 

You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby

Rose Of Washington Square