Calloway was a master of energetic scat singing and led one of the United States' most popular big bands, Cab Calloway and his Orchestra, from the start of the 1930s through to the late 1940s. Calloway's band featured performers including trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Doc Cheatham, saxophonists Ben Webster and Chu Berry, New Orleans guitar ace Danny Barker and bassist Milt Hinton. Calloway continued to perform until his death in 1994 at the age of 86.
Calloway was born to a middle-class family in Rochester, New York, and lived there until 1918. He later lived in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Cabell Calloway II, was a lawyer, and his mother, Martha Eulalia Reed, was a teacher and church organist. His parents recognised their son's musical talent, and he began private voice lessons in 1922. He continued to study music and voice throughout his formal schooling. Despite his parents' and vocal teachers' disapproval of jazz, Calloway began frequenting and eventually performing in many of Baltimore's jazz clubs, where he was mentored by drummer Chick Webb and pianist Johnny Jones.
After graduating from high school, Calloway joined his older sister, Blanche, in a touring production of the popular black musical revue Plantation Days (Blanche Calloway herself went on to become an accomplished bandleader before her brother did, and he often credited his inspiration to enter show business to her). Calloway attended Lincoln University, Pennsylvania , and left in 1930 without graduating.
When the tour ended in Chicago in the autumn, Cab decided to remain in Chicago with his sister, who had an established career as a jazz singer in that city. His parents had hopes of their son becoming a lawyer like his father, so Calloway enrolled in Crane College. His main interest, however, was in singing and entertaining, and he spent most of his nights at the Dreamland Cafe, the Sunset Cafe, and the Club Berlin, performing as a drummer, singer, and emcee. At the Sunset Cafe he met and performed with Louis Armstrong who taught him to sing in the scat style.
The Cotton Club was the premier jazz venue in the country, and Cab Calloway and his Orchestra (he had taken over a brilliant but failing band called "The Missourians" in 1930) were hired as a replacement for the Duke Ellington Orchestra while they were touring. Calloway quickly proved so popular that his band became the co-house band with Ellington's, and he and his group began touring nationwide when not playing at the Cotton Club. Their popularity was greatly enhanced by the twice-weekly live national radio broadcasts on NBC at the Cotton Club. Calloway also appeared on Walter Winchell's radio program and with Bing Crosby in his show at the Paramount Theatre. As a result of these appearances, Calloway, together with Ellington, broke the major broadcast network colour barrier.
Unlike many other bands of comparable commercial success, Calloway's gave ample soloing space to its lead members, and, through the varied arrangements of Walter 'Foots' Thomas, provided much more in the way of musical interest.
In 1931, he recorded his most famous song, "Minnie the Moocher". That song, together with "St James Infirmary Blues" and "The Old Man of the Mountain", were performed for the Betty Boop animated shorts Minnie the Moocher, Snow White, and The Old Man of the Mountain respectively. Through rotoscoping, Cab not only gave his voice to these cartoons but his dance steps as well. Cab took advantage of this and timed his concerts in some communities with the release of the films in order to make the most of the attention. As a result of the success of "Minnie the Moocher" he became identified with its chorus, gaining the nickname "The Hi De Ho Man". He also performed in a series of short films for Paramount in the 1930s (Calloway and Ellington were featured on film more than any other Jazz Orchestra of the era). In 1943 he appeared in the high-profile 20th Century Fox musical film, Stormy Weather.
In his later career, Calloway became a popular personality, appearing in a number of films and stage productions that utilised both his acting and singing talents. In 1952, he played the prominent role of Sportin' Life in a production of the Gershwin opera Porgy and Bess. Another notable role was Yeller in The Cincinnati Kid (1965). In 1967 Calloway co-starred as Horace Vandergelder in an all-black revival of Hello, Dolly! (even though the original production was still running) starring Pearl Bailey. This was a major success, and led to a cast recording released by RCA. In 1973-1974 he was featured in an unsuccessful Broadway revival of The Pajama Game.
Calloway attracted renewed interest in 1980 when he appeared as a supporting character in the film The Blues Brothers, performing "Minnie the Moocher", and again when he sang "The Jumpin' Jive" with the Two-Headed Monster on Sesame Street. This was also the year in which the cult film Forbidden Zone was released, which included rearrangements and parodies of Cab Calloway songs written by Danny Elfman, a Calloway fan.
On 18th November 1994 Calloway died, having suffered a major stroke six months earlier. In 1998, The Cab Calloway Orchestra (directed by Cab's grandson C. "CB" Calloway Brooks) was formed to honour Cab Calloway's legacy nationally and internationally.
Two Blocks Down Turn to the Left
Cab Calloway Lyrics
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Do you know where a cat can have
A ball and put on a fine?
Aw Jack, you wanna knock yourself out a
Real fine pad? Now let me see, I really do
Know something for ya, are you straight?
Oh you're cool, huh? Well
If you're real cool
Listen to me and I'll tell
You just what to do
If you've a hankering to have a ball
And you can't find your way down to the hall
Just two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
You hear piano played by Bessie Greene
Eat country spare ribs from
The chef's cuisine
Two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
They're not responsible for
Personal happiness
Unless you join the spirit of the night
The wine ain't rare, the folks ain't square
You'll be glowing like a neon light
My regards to Mr henry-Lee
He is the owner of the place, you see
So get along and don't be nervous
Henry will give you special service
Just two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
They're not responsible for
Personal happiness
Unless you join in the spirit of the night
The wine ain't rare, the folks ain't square
You'll be glowing like a neon light
Give my regards to Mr henry-Lee
He is the owner of the place, you see
So get along and don't be nervous
Henry will give you special service
Just two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
Say old man
Did you knock yourself out down at that band?
It was real glowin'
Aw Jack, did you dig that good fried chicken
That that chef had down there?
Gr-eat, gr-eat
Well, now listen
Don't forget i'm gonna tell you where it is
It's on the the left hand side of the street
The lyrics to Cab Calloway's song Two Blocks Down Turn To The Left seems to be a guide for finding a good time in town. The song starts with a man asking for the location of a place where he can have a good time. The other person being asked then provides directions to a place just two blocks down and to the left, where Bessie Greene is playing on the piano and country spare ribs are on the menu. The song also mentions the place's owner, Mr. Henry-Lee and advises listeners not to be nervous when they get there as they will receive special service.
The song uses not so subtle euphemisms to indicate its theme, such as "have a ball," "real fine pad," and “knock yourself out.” The song's upbeat tone and jazz sound create an exciting and carefree atmosphere. The lyrics also suggest that the place being referred to is not responsible for "personal happiness" unless you join in the "spirit of the night." The song encourages the listener to let loose and join in the fun, with glowing results.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, say daddy-o
Do you know where a cat can have
A ball and put on a fine?
Hey, can you tell me where I can go to have a good time?
Aw Jack, you wanna knock yourself out a
Real fine pad? Now let me see, I really do
Know something for ya, are you straight?
I know exactly where you can go to have a great time, are you interested?
Oh, I'm cool, real cool
Yes, I am interested
Oh you're cool, huh? Well
If you're real cool
Listen to me and I'll tell
You just what to do
Alright, if you really wanna have a great time, listen to my advice
If you've a hankering to have a ball
And you can't find your way down to the hall
Just two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
If you're looking to have a good time and can't find anything nearby, go two blocks down and turn left, it's on the right side of the street
You hear piano played by Bessie Greene
Eat country spare ribs from
The chef's cuisine
Two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
You'll hear Bessie Greene playing the piano and can have some delicious country spare ribs from the chef's cuisine at this place two blocks down, on the right side of the street
They're not responsible for
Personal happiness
Unless you join the spirit of the night
The wine ain't rare, the folks ain't square
You'll be glowing like a neon light
They can't guarantee you'll have a good time unless you're willing to let yourself go and join the atmosphere of the night. The wine is not expensive and the people there are fun and welcoming. You'll have a great time!
My regards to Mr henry-Lee
He is the owner of the place, you see
So get along and don't be nervous
Henry will give you special service
Just two blocks down, turn to the left
On the right hand side of the street
Send my regards to Mr. Henry-Lee, the owner of the place. Don't be shy, he'll give you a great service. Remember, it's just two blocks down on the right side of the street
Say old man
Did you knock yourself out down at that band?
Hey, did you have a great time listening to that band?
It was real glowin'
Yes, it was fantastic
Aw Jack, did you dig that good fried chicken
That that chef had down there?
Did you like that delicious fried chicken that was served by the chef?
Gr-eat, gr-eat
Yes, it was really great
Well, now listen
Don't forget i'm gonna tell you where it is
It's on the the left hand side of the street
Listen carefully, it's on the left hand side of the street, don't forget!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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