Favorite Swing Pieces?

[IndianaGuybrush]

I've been getting the nagging compulsion to learn how to swing dance recently, and it has reminded me that the only remotely Big Band/Swing piece I know by title is 'Sing, Sing, Sing' . I thought I'd come to the resident experts and ask you what a few of your favorites were.

BTW - Does anyone know the name of that song they play in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons during those scenes with any kind of heavily automated machinery? I always get it stuck in my head with no way to play it since I have no idea what it's called :eek:

Fire away folks.

[db5zx]

Well, that's a tough one. Not because it's hard to find a good one, but because it's tough to decide which one is bad.

I personally love Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Jimmy Dorsey, but Artie Shaw and the others are also great. So, as I said, really tough! ;-)

And song-wise, I of course love "In the Mood" and "American Patrol", but also "Stompin' at the Savoy", "Sing Sing Sing" (There is a great version of that from Benny Goodman's 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert. It is about 12 minutes long), "Six lessons from Madame LaZonga", "The Breeze and I".


So, I think all you can do is listen to as much as you can and decide what you like or not. You can for example go to Live365 (http://www.live365.com) and find a station that plays Big Band music.

Hope that helps...
...Jens

[Skywlkrinc]

I have the Benny Goodman recording from Cargegie Hall the rendition of Sing, Sing, Sing on the album jacket is titled Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing). At 12+ minutes long and including an extended drum solo by Gene Krupa (which is awesome) is by far my favorite piece of swing music.

Luke

[PrettyBigGuy]

BTW - Does anyone know the name of that song they play in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons during those scenes with any kind of heavily automated machinery? I always get it stuck in my head with no way to play it since I have no idea what it's called :eek:

Fire away folks.

I think the song you are thinking of is called "Powerhouse"
This website had an MP3 file of a cover of the song.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickfinkghg
There is another song called "Powerhouse" that Spike Jones has performed but it is totally different.
Let me know if this the song you were thinking of.

As far as big band swing music, there are loads of great songs! Here's a few to get you started:
Glenn Miller- Moonlight Serenade, String of Pearls, Pennsylvania 6-5000, In The Mood, Little Brown Jug
Benny Goodman- One O'Clock Jump, Stomping At The Savoy, Stardust
Count Basie- April In Paris, Shorty George, Hitin' Twelve.

There are several others, but I'll be here all day if I start throwing guys like Tommy Dorsey or Artie Shaw! Good luck with you dance lessons. I met my fiancé swing dancing and we still go frequently!
PBG

[IndianaGuybrush]

Thanks guys, all these suggestions are great, and I'm going to keep an eye out for them for sure.

PBG, that is exactly the song I was thinking of, thanks a million!

Keep 'em coming folks, weigh in with your favs.

[jitterbugdoll]

One of my favorite swing songs is "Cherokee", by Charlie Barnet (it was my grandfather’s favorite song in the early 40s; he told me once that he would play it at every jukebox he could find.)

I also enjoy a lot of songs by Harry James—“Beginning to See the Light� is a good one for dancing.

"Boogie Woogie", “Kiss the Boys Goodbye� and “Yes Indeed�, all by Tommy Dorsey, are also wonderful (actually, the Dorsey brothers had a lot of great tunes!)

In terms of modern bands, Bill Elliot sounds right on--some of his original works sounds exactly like they were culled from the 1940s.

I often turn on the Swing Music channel offered on cable--I've heard some wonderful songs and learned about groups that are not as well remembered as say, Glen Miller.

Hope that gives you some more ideas!
~Amanda

[Dr. Shocker]

There are some great sources for Big Band, Swing, Jump, Jazz ect. on the net....if you can find a club offering lessions near you, you will also get a chance to hear contemporary as well as classic bands the mix (in my mind) is nice. There are some great new bands playing old music and you can ussually find everyflavor you ever wanted......

[IndianaGuybrush]

I live in NYC and regularly (though not as often as I would like) hit up some of the darker jazz clubs in the village with a few friends of mine. True, they're a heck of a lot better lit than they were 50 or so years ago, but some of the atmosphere has persevered.

The most amazing set I saw there was after the main set had finished and most people had left. The musician who had played the piano (and was pretty good) came down off the stage after a few drinks and led an old blind man up to the piano. The guy must have been 85 years old, and he could barely walk, but the second he sat down behind those keys he was king. I spent most of the next 40 minutes with my eyes closed listening to the thrilling jam of those fingers and the desperate attempt of the alto sax guy, drummer, and bassist, trying to keep up. Most of the time they could... barely. When they couldn't they just let him do his thing. I still try to go at least once a month but i never found out what that guy's name was, and I haven't seen him since.

Anyway, thanks for the nudges in the right direction guys! And feel free to add more as they coem to you, think of me as an empty slate ;)

[Mycroft]

My favoite swing song is Jump Jiving by Brian Seltzer's Orcastra...if you count it as a swing song.

[BD Jones]

My favoite swing song is Jump Jiving by Brian Seltzer's Orcastra...if you count it as a swing song.
Actually, I believe you mean "Jump, Jive, 'an Wail". This is a Luis Prima song from the early 50's and is definitely a swing song. Prima's version is better than Setzer's. Setzer's voice is too "clean", too rockabilly for me.

Prima is (was) the man!! After all, he did write arguably the greatest and most famous swing tune ever.

[Mycroft]

Yea, thats the one, sorry about the title mix up.

[BD Jones]

Here is my a list I made up a while back. It list the "Essential" swing/jazz artists from the Golden Era (a and the early 50's). This was posted once before. Some of these have been mentioned already, but most have not. This is also an incomplete list (obviously). I have another list with about 15 more artist some where, but I can't seen to find it. It has artists like The Andrews Sisters, Luis Prima, Ella Fitzgerald, etc. There is WAY too much good stuff out there.

Benny Goodman (Clarinetist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
The King of Swing and His Band: 1934-1939
Benny Goodman and the Giants of Swing
Stompin' at the Savoy
Sing, Sing, Sing
Benny Goodman - Greatest Hits [RCA]

Essential Songs:
“Jumpin’ At The Woodside�
“A String Of Pearls�
“Stompin’ At The Savoy�
“King Porter Stomp�
“Sing, Sing, Sing�

Glenn Miller (Trombonist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
Glenn Miller – The Popular Recordings (1938 – 1942)
The Complete Sustaining Broadcasts, Vol 1-4
Glenn Miller – Greatest Hits [RCA]

Essential Songs:
“In The Mood�
“Chattanooga Choo Choo�
“Pennsylvania 6-5000�
“American Patrol�
“Little Brown Jug�
“Moonlight Serenade�
“String of Pearls�

Tommy Dorsey (Trombonist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
The Ultimate Collection – Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey
Frank Sinatra and Tommy Dorsey – Greatest Hits [RCA]

Essential Songs:
“Song of India�
“The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round�
“Opus One�
“Basin Street Blues�

Count Basie (Pianist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
Complete 1941-1951 Columbia Recordings
The Essential Count Basie, Vol. 1-3
Count Basie –Greatest Hits [RCA]

Essential Songs:
“’Lil Darlin’�
“Splanky�
“Basie Blues�
“Oh, Lady Be Good�

Gene Krupa (Drummer)
Essential Albums:
Swing Era, 1927 – 1947 – Gene Krupa

Essential Songs:
“Drum Boogie�
“After You’ve Gone�
“Sing, Sing, Sing� (w/Benny Goodman)

Artie Shaw (Clarinetist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
Artie Shaw – Greatest Hits [RCA]
King Of The Clarinet – Artie Shaw and His Orchestra (1938 – 1939)

Essential Songs:
“Begin the Beguine�
“Stardust�
“Any Old Time�

Duke Ellington (Pianist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
Duke Ellington – Greatest Hits [RCA]
Duke Ellington – Masterpieces (1926 – 1949)

Essential Songs:
“Mood Indigo�
“Solitude�
“Take The ‘A’ Train�
“It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)�

Hoagy Carmichael (Composer/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
Stardust Melody: Beloved and Rare Songs Of Hoagy Carmichael
Hoagy Carmichael – 1927 – 1944
Hoagy Sings Carmichael

Essential Songs:
“Georgia On My Mind�
“Stardust�
“Riverboat Shuffle�
“Winter Moon�
“Heart and Soul�

Woody Herman (Clarinetist/Saxophonist/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
The Best Of The Decca Years
Woodchoppers Ball, Vol. 1
Thundering Herds, 1945 – 1947
Blues On Parade

Essential Songs:
“Woodchopper’s Ball�
“Woodsheddin’ With Woody�
“Blue Flame�
“Blues On Parade�

Dizzy Gillespie (Trumpet/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
Dizzy Gillespie: The Complete RCA Victor Recordings – 1937 – 1949
Shaw Nuff
Dizzier and Dizzier

Essential Songs:
“Manteca�
“King Porter Stomp�
“Anthropology, Pt 2�
“Minor Walk�
“Cubana Be�
“Night In Tunisia�
“That Old Black Magic�

Charlie Parker – aka “Bird� (Saxophonist)
Essential Albums:
Early Bird – 1940-1944
Charlie Parker – Bird/The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes)

Essential Songs:
“Lady Be Good�
“Honeysuckle Rose�
“Cherokee�
“Swingmatisim�

Billie Holiday (Singer/Band Leader)
Essential Albums:
The Quintessential Billie Holiday, Vol. 1 – 9
The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945-1959
Compact Jazz: Billie Holiday

Essential Songs:
“Sophisticated Lady�
“I Wished On The Moon�
“Twenty-Four Hours A Day�
“Billie’s Blues�
“Pennies From Heaven�
“Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off�
“When You Smiling�
“All Of Me�

Al Jolson (Singer/Entertainer)
Essential Albums:
Very Best Of Al Jolson

Essential Songs:
“Let Me Sing I’m Happy�
“Anniversary Song�
“Swannee�
“Waiting For The Robert Lee�
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band�
“When Your Sweet Sixteen�
“My Mammy� (late 1920’s, but his most defining song)

George Gershwin (Composer)
Essential Albums:
The Essential George Gershwin
The Song Is Gershwin

Essential Songs:
“I Got Rhythm�
“Rhapsody In Blue�
“Summertime�
“’S Wonderful�
“Strike Up The Band�
“Someone To Watch Over Me�
“They Can’t Take That Away From Me�

[ITG]

Did Louis Prima write "Sing, Sing, Sing"? One of the CDs I have has down "(Prima)" as the writer. Just didn't know if it was the same Prima. This question was bugging me on Monday of this week. I have a Louis Prima CD with "Sing Sing Sing" on it but with the words to the song (Yeah, I didn't know "Sing, Sing, Sing" had words until I heard it on Louis Prima's cd). Definitley my favorite swing song with "In the Mood" as a close 2nd.

Guybrush, you need to watch "The Benny Goodman Story," "Swing Kids", and "The Glenn Miller Story" to listen to some great swing era music in movies.

[db5zx]

...Louis Prima DID write "Sing, Sing, Sing". A little know but interesting fact. It sounds so different than most of his other songs, and people would most likely attribute it to Benny Goodman just as they would attribute writing "In the Mood" to Glenn Miller (which he didn't).

Actually, "In the Mood" was written by someone whose name I have forgotten. He offered it to Artie Shaw who didn't think it could become a hit (talk about poor judgement :p ). So it was offered to Glenn Miller as a "backup plan", so to speak, and became what it is today...

...Jens

[BD Jones]

Joe Garland wrote "In The Mood", along with many other great swing tunes. In fact, many of the songs we associate with great swing artists (Miller, Shaw, Goodman) were written by someone else.

[db5zx]

...that was the guy I was thinking of... it's a shame that we only know the bands that played the songs and not the guys who actually wrote the music we love so much... but I guess that will always be that way. Oh, well...

Jens

[Michaelson]

My list is as long as BDJ's, considering I played upright bass and electric (when forced to) in a big band years ago, but two that immediately pop into my mind are Tommy Dorsey's 'Well, get it!' with Ziggy Elman on lead trumpet, and Woody Herman's 'Caldonia'! I saw Herman twice in concert (among many others), and his performances were ALWAYS something to see. Regards. Michaelson

[IndianaGuybrush]

WOWEE ZOWIE...
Thanks guys, I knew I came to the right place!

Also great bit of trivia about Louis Prima, I've been a fan of his for years and I never knew he wrote Sing, Sing, Sing.

[Chad Sanborn]

There are some good modern swing bands as well. Royal Crown Review is a bit rough around the edges but they do a unique version of Sing Sing Sing.
Also, one of my favorite contemporary songs is Brown Derby Jump by Cherry Poppin Daddies. If your looking for a good consistant band, try Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. They do a version of Old McDonald that I think Frank Sinatra first sang. Its very good!

Chad

[IndianaGuybrush]

BIg Bad Voodoo Daddy also does a pretty good version of Minnie the Moocher... Thanks Chad. Cool Avatar, are you into close-up magic at all? If so you look a lot like the late great Chappy Brazil.

EDIT : Upon closer inspection of your website I can see you are quite the magician! I'm a strict amateur at best, and in fact am extremely rusty since I haven't consistently had any practice since the end of High School. I was introduced to the world of close-up by JB Benn, who is a really great guy and a wonderful magician. I know magicians tend to have a pretty tight community, any chance you know him? Anyway, again, I like the avatar, and keep up the great work.

[Chad Sanborn]

Magic never ceases to amaze me. Everywhere I go someone is always interested in it, and it makes for a great icebreaker.
I do know of JB Benn, and met Chappy Brazil once. Its a shame what happened to him. He was one of the greatest slight of hand guys in the world, and could steal your watch faster than you could blink!

In the golden era, magic was the starting point for many famous people. That was during the nightclub era, when people dressed to the nines and went out dancing! A magician was often hired to do an act for about 30 minutes. One of my 'hobbies' is looking through all the old magic magazines from the era and reading about who was performing at the different high class social joints. Many of the magicians moved into acting from that exposure. Newspapers of the day, even had a 'magic column' so you could find a performer near you.

Nowadays, like the rest of society, things moved to a 'grunge' look. David Blaine was the forerunner of this. With his monotone patter and gritty look. No laughter, no drama, just a guy doing card tricks. Which is fine, but I have always loved good theater.

Make me laugh. Make me cry. Make me feel involved by toying with my emotions. In short, entertain me! That is what magic used to do. That's what I try to recreate in my own show.

Chad

[Skywlkrinc]

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy also does a great rendition of "I Wanna Be Like You" from Disney's "The Jungle Book".

[Doctor Strange]

Re less-elegant magic, don't forget Doug Henning and "The Magic Show" on Broadway circa 1971 - at the time, his working in a tee shirt vs. the standard full-dress suit or tuxedo was considered revolutionary. Of course, in the long run, it led directly to the likes of David Blaine...

I'm another old magician, having been a practicing kids-party and lodge-meeting performer as a high school/college kid in the early 70s. I even forced my kid sister into becoming my "glamourous assistant" and split the proceeds 60/40 with her! I did all the standard small (and cheap) apparatus magic, and eventually worked myself up to pretty decent sleight of hand abilities with cards and coins. And I was often found prowling Lou Tannen's magic shop in Manhattan on weekends in those days; I even went to a couple of their magic weekends in the Catskills with my family.

I gave up performing in the late 70s, but I still practice with cards from time to time. You can never get magic entirely out of your life once you've been initiated!

[IndianaGuybrush]

Not to Hijack the thread but Tannen's is still a great place to hang out during the weekends in NYC, especially for the aspiring magician. I used to spend whole afternoons there throughout high school, and actually inquired about a job there once. Alas, I was too young ad underqualifies as a magician, but it was and is still a great place to be exposed to both new magic and the classics. Now if you gents will excuse me, I've got to dig up my old container of wax and polish up my old 'card on the ceiling' routine :cool:

[Wild Root]

Well, I see only the mainstream swing oldies here. Any one know Gene Krupa’s “Let Me Off Up Town�? Or “Thanks For the Boogie Ride� sang by Anita O’Day? How about Gene Krupa’s solid sender “FIRE BALL�? Ever hear of these? If not, YOU MUST! They are the best! I also love Benny Goodman’s “All the Cats Join In�. As for big band music, I have been swing dancing for over 8 years now and I have been collecting tapes, CD’s and 78rpm records for about 10 years. I love all the standards but I’m really digging the rare and obscure songs from the big bands. Any one here like Chick Webb? That boy could beat some mean skins man! He was a house band at the famous Savoy club. He also had Ella Fitzgerald singing with him. Any one here like Fat’s Waller? Boy some of you guys have been missing out on the good stuff.

My taste for Jazz and swing spans from 1925 to 1948. That’s it. No farther then that.

The bands that I love are…

Glenn Miller.
Artie Shaw.
Benny Goodman.
Tommy Dorsey
Jimmy Dorsey
Harry James
Chick Webb
Fats Waller
Count Basie
Luis Jordan
Spike Jones
Erskine Hawkins
Duke Ellington
Bob Crosby

The list does go on.

Is there a way to post a music file? I would love to share some with you all.

As for the song Power House mentioned early in the thread the arrangement you’re looking for is by Raymond Scott’s Orchestra. You can find the best album on CD on line I believe. Look on Google under Raymond Scott. I have his CD and it’s great! Just what you want.

As for the Neo Swing stuff, not hep to that jive. I like Dean Mora’s Modern Rhythmists, Jonathan Stout’s big band, Bill Elliot.

Look up all the artists I mentioned and the songs! You’ll love them! A bit of new sounds from the 40’s for your listening pleasure. I also love the live radio broadcasts from the 40’s! Great stuff.

Root.

[Wild Root]

Oh, here is that link for the Raymond Scott CD. If it's the songs from the WB cartoons your after, these are some of them. They also were used on the Ren & Stimpy Show years back.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cover09.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/140/141684.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1088970/a/Reckless%2BNights%2Band%2BTurkish.htm&h=170&w=170&sz=13&tbnid=1DbPddF0qqQJ:&tbnh=94&tbnw=94&start=22&prev=/images%3Fq%3DRaymond%2Bscott%26start%3D20%26hl%3De n%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en%26sa%3DN

Root.

[Chad Sanborn]

Speaking of Gene Krupa, there is a group called Apollo 440. They are a modern, electronica style of music. Pumping out alot of 'club' music. But they did a tribute to Gene Krupa. The entire songs beat is layed down by the master. There is also a small audio clip that repeats that must have been taken from an old TV or radio show. It says, "Now back to Gene Krupas syncopated style".
I am not one for too much of this kind of music. But the beat is truly entracing and makes the song tolerable.

Chad

[IndianaGuybrush]

Thanks Root, thanks to you guys here at the lounge my knowledge of period music has increased dramatically. I was recently able to tell a coworker that the piece we were listening to was 'String of Pearls' :)

Also, thanks for the Raymond Scott CD link, I'll seriously consider picking it up.

[Wild Root]

You're welcome man! Any time. I have that CD and I like it very much. It's fun music! Some that you can dance to and some that is just fun to hear.

If you ever have any questions about music of the 30's and 40's pm me about it and I'll be happy to help you find some really good stuff.

Root.

For those Miller fans, here is a link to some of the best broadcasts from his war time work. Great songs and some that some of you haven't heard. Check out all the volumes! In these original radio broadcasts Glenn anouces most of the songs. It's cool to hear his voice! I have a few of these CD's and I love them!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.avidgroup.co.uk/acatalog/AMSC558.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.avidgroup.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Glenn_Miller___The_Missing_Chapte rs_Vol_3_96.html&h=177&w=171&sz=5&tbnid=Ni2Ggs1JfC4J:&tbnh=94&tbnw=91&start=4&prev=/images%3Fq%3DGlenn%2BMiller%2Bmissing%2Bchapters%2 6hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26rls%3DGGLC,GGLC:1969-53,GGLC:en%26sa%3DN

[swinggal]

As a swing dancer of 6 and half years and a swing DJ of 2 and a half there is definate difference between what is good to 'listen' to and what is good to 'dance' too (Lindy Hop, Shag and Balboa). I love to both listen AND dance and have loved swing music since I was a kid. Here's some of my ideas for people interested in building up a swing collection for dancing to:

The Lindy Hop is a solid, flowing, sensual Jazz dance that evolved with the Afro-American Jazz music of the late 20's and 30's. The dance is playful, sensuous, and fun - just like the Swing music of the 30's and early 40's. The dance and music evolved around one another and that is why early, swinging jazz music is what Lindy feels best to dance too. Late 40's mellow, easy listening big band orchestrations, such as American Patrol, just don't cut it. Great to listen too, but not to dance to.

Nor does Jump Jive, R&B, R'N'R, Rockabilly, or post-WWII mellow lounge-listening music. Those are all great musical genres a in their own right, but they don't compliment the Lindy Hop. Some Jump Blues is ok but it just doesn't have a swing feel. Most "Neo Swing" (RCR, BVVD Brian Setzer etc) is really Jump Blues.

Swing music has life, spirit, and pulse, and passion. It just gets inside you.
It is about a strong flow, not about strong beat. One is good for dancing together harmoniously. The other encourages jerkiness and too much tension between the dancers. Swing *dancing* music is simple and solid. It is uncluttered, it breathes and rests. Listen to Setzer sing "Swingin' on Nothin'", and then listen to a Swing band swing it. No comparison ...It's all about style.

Here are some of the best original swing bands to swing *dance* to (and listen of course if you dont dance):

Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Fats Waller, Chick Webb, Erskine Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Lucky Millinder, Benny Goodman, Andy Kirk, The Savoy Sultans, Lionel Hampton, Les Brown, Buddy Johnson, Woody Herman, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitgerald, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Slim & Slam, Coleman Hawkins, Harry James, Anita O'day, Bunny Berrigan, Gene Krupa, Rex Stewart, Louis Jordan, Maxine Sullivan, Ella Mae Morse and more.

Listening, well thats different. All these guys as well as Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Glenn Miller, Louis Prima, The Andrews Sisters, Dean Martin, Artie Shaw, Mel Torme, Mildred Baily, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Shore, Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Sidney Bechet, Tex Benneke, Helen Ward, June Christy, Bessie Smith, etc are all I listen to day in day out!!

Good contemporary swing bands are the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra, Barbara Morrison, Campus 5 and Bill Elliot.

Listen to as much original swing as you can to develop your your skills as a dancer. Knowing the music well helps so much.

Here's the last setlist I played recently at the Perth Lindy Exchange:

Toadie Toddle - Andy Kirk
All the cats join in - Benny Goodman
John Hardie Wife - Rex Stewart
Segue in C - Duke Ellington
Fifteen Minute Intermission - Cab Calloway
Softly as a morning sunrise - Artie Shaw
'Aint Misbehavin' - Rex Stewart
Betcha a Nickel - Ella Fitzgerald
Shout Sister Shout - Lucky Millinder
Bean Soup - Coleman Hawkins
One O'Clock Jump - harry James
Wishin' and a Cryin' over you - Savoy Sultans
C-Jam blues - Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra
Organ Grinders Swing - Buster Smith
Sweet Little Headache - Helen Forrest
Shiny Stockings - Count Basie
Swingin' on Nuthin' - Harry James
Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman
Park at 106th - Duke Ellington
Bearcat Shuffle - Andy Kirk
Maxine Sullivan - Bli Blip
Splanky - Count Basie
Blow man Blow - Calvin Boze
Lets get together - Duke Ellington
Barn 12 - Harry James

[scotrace]

...Woody Herman's 'Caldonia'! I saw Herman twice in concert (among many others), and his performances were ALWAYS something to see.

I second that... For me, there are few songs that can make me want to get up and move Like Woody Herman's version of
Caldonia.
I saw him do it live while he was forced to tour to pay off the tax debt the ratsin-fratsin government hounded him for. The crowd kept calling for it, and he finally gave in and said, "well, alright, but you won't be able to dance to it!"
Few tried, but we all grinned and hooted and clapped and had a great time.
Woody Herman, as well as another personal favorite, Red Nichols, got short-changed in the Ken Burns Jazz documentary.
If you can dance to Caldonia, at full beat.. well... I want to come see it, and clap for you, and buy you a drink.

[swinggal]

As a swing dancer of 6 and half years and a swing DJ of 2 and a half there is definate difference between what is good to 'listen' to and what is good to 'dance' too (Lindy Hop, Shag and Balboa). I love to both listen AND dance and have loved swing music since I was a kid. Here's some of my ideas for people interested in building up a swing collection for dancing to:

The Lindy Hop is a solid, flowing, sensual Jazz dance that evolved with the Afro-American Jazz music of the late 20's and 30's. The dance is playful, sensuous, and fun - just like the Swing music of the 30's and early 40's. The dance and music evolved around one another and that is why early, swinging jazz music is what Lindy feels best to dance too. Late 40's mellow, easy listening big band orchestrations, such as American Patrol, just don't cut it. Great to listen too, but not to dance to. Don't get me wrong, people danced - that is Foxtrotted, Waltzed, Two Stepped and Quick-stepped to them, but it wasn't really 'Jitterbug' music. It didnt 'swing like a gate'.

Nor does Jump Jive, R&B, R'N'R, Rockabilly, or SOME post-WWII mellow lounge-listening music. Those are all great musical genres a in their own right, but they don't compliment the Lindy Hop. Some Jump Blues is ok but it just doesn't have a swing feel. Most "Neo Swing" (RCR, BVVD Brian Setzer etc) is really Jump Blues. These bands don't inspire me to get up and dance Lindy at all.

Swing music has life, spirit, and pulse, and passion. It just gets inside you.
It is about a strong flow, not about strong beat. One is good for dancing together harmoniously. The other encourages jerkiness and too much tension between the dancers. Swing *dancing* music is simple and solid. It is uncluttered, it breathes and rests. Listen to Setzer sing "Swingin' on Nothin'", and then listen to a Swing band swing it. No comparison ...It's all about style.

Here are some of the best original swing bands to swing *dance* to (and listen of course if you dont dance):

Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Fats Waller, Chick Webb, Erskine Hawkins, Roy Eldridge, Lucky Millinder, Benny Goodman, Andy Kirk, The Savoy Sultans, Lionel Hampton, Les Brown, Buddy Johnson, Woody Herman, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitgerald, Peggy Lee, Stan Kenton, Slim & Slam, Coleman Hawkins, Harry James, Anita O'day, Bunny Berrigan, Gene Krupa, Rex Stewart, Louis Jordan, Maxine Sullivan, Ella Mae Morse, Bob Crosby, Billy Eckstine and more I have forgotten.

Bands who maybe didn't have as MANY dance tunes but still swung were Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Glenn Miller, Louis Prima, The Andrews Sisters, Dean Martin, Artie Shaw, Mel Torme, Mildred Baily, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Shore, Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Sidney Bechet, Tex Benneke, Helen Ward, June Christy, Bessie Smith.

All the artists I've mentioned (and more) are what I listen to day in day out.

Good contemporary swing bands are the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra, Barbara Morrison, Campus 5, Moras Modern Rhythmists and the Bill Elliott Big Band - mainly because they SOUND like original swing bands.

Listen to as much original swing as you can to develop your your skills as a dancer. Knowing the music well helps so much.

Here's the last setlist I played recently at the Perth Lindy Exchange:

Toadie Toddle - Andy Kirk
All the cats join in - Benny Goodman
John Hardies' Wife - Rex Stewart
Segue in C - Duke Ellington (my alltime favourite)
Fifteen Minute Intermission - Cab Calloway
Softly as a morning sunrise - Artie Shaw
'Aint Misbehavin' - Rex Stewart
Betcha Nickel - Ella Fitzgerald
Shout Sister Shout - Lucky Millinder
Bean Soup - Coleman Hawkins
One O'Clock Jump - Harry James
Wishin' and a Cryin' over you - Savoy Sultans
C-Jam blues - Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra
Organ Grinders Swing - Buster Smith
Sweet Little Headache - Helen Forrest
Shiny Stockings - Count Basie
Swingin' on Nuthin' - Harry James
Sing, Sing, Sing - Benny Goodman
Park at 106th - Duke Ellington
Bearcat Shuffle - Andy Kirk
Maxine Sullivan - Bli Blip
Splanky - Count Basie
Blow man Blow - Calvin Boze
Lets get together - Duke Ellington
Barn 12 - Harry James
Beyond the Sea - Bobby the Sea
Blitzkreig Baby - Una Mae Carlilse
Boogie Woogie - Tommy Dorsey

[Wild Root]

Well, you know a lot about music of the period sister! I agree on a lot of your pointes.

However, I do feel that some of the bands you mentioned in the “Listening to list� got WAY short changed!

Artie Shaw…. Major danceable music!!! I’ll tell you why. In the late 30’s, he really had a band that could drive and move! Songs like “Oh Lady Be Good� “Non Stop Flight� “Man From Mars� Traffic Jam� Softly as Sunrise� Calcutta� “Diga Diga Do� are all very strong danceable music. Now, you could Lindy to those songs, but most here in CA Balboa to those songs.

Also, it may surprise you that even Glenn Miller had a few songs that really swung. Now, if you watch some of his movies, you’ll see what I mean. Orchestra Wives had some great music in it. Now, I hate to drag race into it but, what white kids and black kids back then danced to were some what different.

Lindy Hop: The Lindy Hop came about in the late 20’s early 30’s really. It was king at the Savoy in Harlem. It soon danced it’s way over to California and took shape into something different. What lots of kids then in this part of the US called Lindy, it was Way smoother then what was going on the East. Today we call it Hollywood Lindy, or Smooth Lindy. This I have seen danced by famous dancers like Dean Collins, and Arthur Walsh. Ever see the Peet Smith Special called Groovy Movie? That has some great dancing in it!

Also you mentioned the Andrews Sisters in the “Listening List� They did a lot of stuff you listen to, but what about Bounce me Brother with the Solid Four? Or Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy? There are some others I have on 78 that really are quite danceable.

Any way, I guess we all have different tastes when it comes to swing music. The late 30’s and early 40’s was when this stuff was at its peak!

All the best,

Root.

[swinggal]

You can dance to some of these guys stuff too of course but they didn't make as MANY tunes as the others specifically FOR dancing.

As I said ALL these artists made swingin' tunes and yes, but the latter seem to be played A LOT more for Lindy at all the camps I have been too worldwide. I never said that the second group could 'not' be danced too. Of course they can! You are just unlike to be able to dance to every song, unlike the Savoy Sultans who played for dancers.

'Bounce Me Brother with a Solid Four' is one of may favourite swing songs and I love Artie Shaw ...BUT even Artie didn't like his band being labelled as a 'swing band' and he detested 'Jitterbuggers', so he didn't have as many tunes to dance too as other bands. We also use a lot of these tunes to Balboa too.

I know the history of Lindy Hop in all its forms have collections of all the footage you speak off and some good Aussie stuff too from the early 40s. I dance both Hollywood and Savoy, Balboa and Collegiate Shag, even though Perth is based in Savoy teachings, so I can feel the differences, yes. Oh, have 'Tabby the Cat' in my playlist which was a soundy starring Dean Collins. Love that tune!

I'll edit my post slightly to get across what I meant.

Thanks for the feedback! I am certainly no expert.

[feltfan]

Technically, the music you heard in the Bugs Bunny cartoons
was by Carl Stalling. You can find it on "The Carl Stalling Project"
parts 1 and 2. He licensed Raymond Scott's compositions and
used them in longer pieces. Scott would have been horrified at
being identified as "swing"- he didn't consider himself a jazz composer
or band leader and did not allow improvisation.

I know it's not really swing, but I recommend checking out
Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. There is a great 5 CD
reissue on the JSP label for only around $25. Amazing stuff
throughout. Jump, rock, whatever it was, it was great.

[Wild Root]

Swinggal, it's good to have you here!!! Some one who knows Dean Collins! Have you seen Broom street? I believe that was a short with the Jack Teagarden band. Fun short with the whole band and some really great set design!

Artie Shaw didn't only hate jitterbugs, he hated a lot of things! He was a bitter man for what ever reason. Sad, he just passed away on newyears eve I think it was. I believe his vinagar helped keep him alive for so long. He was one of the last Big Band leaders from the 30's and 40's we had.

The big name bands like Miller, Shaw, James, Dorsey and the like, they played some hot stuff! But, they sure did play mostley sweet foxtrots and balads. Funny, every 78rpm record that I have that swings hard states on the lable that it's a "Foxtrot". This is because the turm "Jitterbug" wasn't all that great back then. Jitterbugs hung out in Juke Joints and bars dancing, drinking and getting in trouble. This wasn't looked at by America as a good past time. So, in order to sell more records, they just printed foxtrot just to make it sound nicer.

Say, do you like Gene Krupa? I love his band from 1939 to 1942. Ever hear a song called Ball of Fire? Gooooooooood song! Or have you heard of Benny Goodman's All The Cats Join In? Some solid senders my friend!

Keep the Jive alive!

Root.

http://www.awn.com/mag/issue4.01/4.01images/allanmake02.jpg

[swinggal]

Real 30s/40s Foxtrot is a great dance and was done by everyone at the time, even Jitterbuggers. My buddy from Zurich (the 20s to 40s Club guy) taught me the proper vinatge Foxtrot. Completely different from the ballroom Foxtrot of today and has quite a hoppy almost bal/shag feel to it. That's why all the old swing tunes on 78's lablelled 'Foxtrot' really do fit that style.

I have quite an extensive 78's collection containing many of the big hits of the swing era (eg; Begin the Begiune, C-Jam Blues, One O'Clock Jump, Easy Does it, Sing, Sing, Sing, Ain't watcha do) and they are ALL labelled Foxtrot. I asked Frankie Manning about this once and he said it was also because Lindy Hop was seen as a 'fad' for a long time. But yes, teenage Jitterbuggers had the same bad rep and mosh pit dancers have now...hehe.

I do like Gene Krupa. One of my dancing friends who is a drummer LOVES Gene. His house is a shrine! He has signed photos and a zillion cds and albums.

[Johnnysan]

very informative! I've learned a ton and the play lists have all been outstanding. Nice job everyone!!

Anything by Louis Prima is OK by me, but one of my personal favorites is "Five months, two weeks, two days." He really rips into the lyrical riffs. :cool:

[Biltmore Bob]

Ahhh Yeesss!

A lil' twin Texas fiddle and Tommy Duncan singin...

House of Blue lights by Asleep at the Wheel...

[Vladimir Berkov]

While most of my collection of 78s runs towards 20's and 30's hot dance and jazz bands, I have a real fondness for mid-to-late 30's Benny Goodman. Artie Shaw's band of the same period was also excellent, although they didn't record quite as many of my favorite songs as Goodman's band did. In my opinion, the 40's swing (by most American bands) didn't have the sophistication of the 30's swing. Some of it was still good, but many of the bands changed their sound, changed their musicians, arrangements, etc to where they lost something in the process.

I would add the following songs to the list of Goodman's essentials:

Rosetta
Stompin' at the Savoy
Goody Goody
Let's Dance
Blue Skies
Don't be that Way
Remember
It had to be You
Goodbye
You're a Sweet Little Headache (one of my personal favorites)

[swinggal]

For sure!! Very early 40s swing is where that 'feel' really ended it think. 30's swing has a feel like nothing else, it was 'original' and real at that point. Became a little schmaltzy later on when everyone was playing it.

Here is a quote form Duke Ellington that I love:

"It is the repetition and monotony of the present Swing arrangements which bode ill for the future. Once again it is proven that when the artistic point of view gains commercial standing, artistry itself bows out, leaving inspiration to die a slow death." -- Duke Ellington, Downbeat, Feb. 1939

Funny how people who aren't into JAzz/Swing or dancing think 'Glenn Miller' when they think of swing. Glenn Miller is one of the 'least' played artists for dancing and rightly so. His music not not inpsire me to dance.

[Vladimir Berkov]

Swinggal, I am only a novice dancer but I do listen to a lot of swing music. Somehow Glenn Miller's sounds just seems "flat" to me. It is hard to pin down, it is sort of too harsh, too brassy all the time.

Someone Glenn Miller has become the swing archetype. And seriously, there are only so many times you can listen to "In the Mood" or "Moonlight Serenade" being played whenever period music is called for until you go insane!

[swinggal]

Yes, which is what I was saying above. Glenn Miller does no inspire me to want to Lindy Hop at all. Give me Basie, the Duke or Chick Webb any day.

[Wild Root]

WOA! Hold the cotton picking phone boys and girls!!! Now a word in defense for the poor band leader...

Don't come down on Miller kids! Let me tell you what Miller is to me and most Americans I know.

Miller's music is not, I repeat, NOT HARSH! To me some of the early stuff is harsh sounding compared to the later songs of the 40's which seem to flow and are more polished. His sound is inspirational to me and it's something that I can't explain. The sweet sound of those saxes wit the famous clarinet lead is very nostalgic. Yes, "In the Mood" and some of the other top songs of his have been played out to the point that makes any one want to choke I agree on that score. But what I find is that for those who don't explore the other songs he recorded are just shutting the door on a beautiful experience!!!

Ever hear of a song called Long Time No See Baby or his treatment of Anvil Cores? Oh man, let me tell you, he had some great players in his band and it showed. How about Glenn Island Special, Boom shot, or Kiss Polka? Those songs are really keen and not to be ignored. When I started to get into the big band sound, when I heard Moonlight Serenade for the first time, it almost made me cry. That sound was so beautiful and it spoke to me. I still hold it as a favorite song also because of many veterans who I have talked to who remember seeing and hearing him play that song live and finding out they met their love at the same dance. The Miller Band has a very rocky history and I have done some research on it. He just wanted to discover the sound he was looking for. He found it and when it first made its début, it caught on like wild fire.

For most Jazz music fans, Miller is looked at as a sappy, commercial, sweet bore for one reason, of his fame and reaching such a high place in the industry at that time. The story of him in the AAF with his band is really something and the fact that he disappeared over the English Channel December 14th 1944 also put in effect a mystery and sadness of a man who was at the height of his career which contributes to his lasting fame.

I will not call Miller a Jazz musician, but, a man who played HIS sound and made it work.

Buy a CD of some of his not so common work and you may find that it's not so bad. You may even find out that it's good music.

Root.

PS. I love all Jazz from the 20's to the late 40's. I am a Miller fan because, I have heard most of his 260 + songs he recorded. Not just the 5 top songs every one plays over and over. If any of you guys can tell me where this photo was taken I'll be surprised.

http://img27.echo.cx/img27/162/glennlive24hd.jpg

[swinggal]

Sigh....I have many Miller CDs too, and I do like his early stuff. But I like him to listen too. There is no one band from the swing era that I dislike.

We were talking about dancing. I'm not trashing Miller at all. I just don't like to dance to his 'hits'. I don't find him sappy either.

[Vladimir Berkov]

Believe me, I am not one of those jazz snobs who hates any band which was actually successful. For instance, I am a big Paul Whiteman fan. And if you think being a Glenn Miller fan is hard, try being a Paul Whiteman fan.

My problem with Miller is not that I think he had a bad band, he certainly had talented musicians and was an accomplished bandleader. And there are songs of his I do like. But I don't really like a lot of the arrangements he used, or a lot of the songs he recorded. Plus, his band was heavy on what I might call "novelty vocals" and also on female/male backup singer groups. Both of those things I don't particularly care for. Plus from what I have heard Miller didn't care all that much for "standards" as Goodman did. The instances I have heard where Miller has done an interpretation on a jazz standard often sound strange to me. This is probably why his band is best known for his own distinctive songs.

I just listened to several of the songs you mentioned like Glen Island Special and the Anvil Chorus, but to me they all just sound like Glenn Miller tunes.

How we respond to music is very subjective, and to me Glenn's sound just isn't my cup of tea. If I were more knowledgeable about composition and big band arranging I could probably explain it better.

[swinggal]

What I love as a Swing DJ is having numerous versions of the same songs by different artists of the time. I have over 3000 tunes on my laptop alone and listening to the subtle (and sometimes HUGE) differences in the way a band plays the same piece is great.

For instance, I have at least 12 versions of 'Moten Swing' and they are all so different in really nice ways. I have many versions of 'Honeysuckle Rose' too. Swingin' up-tempo versions by Maxine Sullivan and Basie and slow sultry bluesy versions by Nina Simone and Harry James. There are very few songs that I only have one version of and it's so much fun to DJ didferent versions of a song on the same night and see people scratching their heads to try and work out the artist.

[Wild Root]

I had a feeling you had a few CD’s Swinggal. ;)

I'm sorry I may have implied that you didn’t have any kind of Miller library or didn’t enjoy his music to some extent. But when some one says that even some of his more up beat songs don’t inspire some one to dance sounds odd to me. Over here, we have very poor DJ’s at dances! So, when they pull a half decent Miller tune out of the books I jump for joy!

Vladimir Berkov, I have to agree on one point that you made. In the WWII reenacting world, it’s getting pretty bad with the choice of music at USO dances. Once I was at a real fun dance. The band was great but after the band stopped for the night, they started playing CD’s. Well, my friends and I decided to go after hearing In the Digital Mood for the 3rd time in a row! When I first stated to listen to Big Band, I loved In The Mood, but that one song has been so over played that it’s just annoying.

I for the record love the so called back up singers as you put it. They have a name, THE MODERNAIRES! I like the sound of Tex and Hutton singing with the smooth melodic sounds of the Modernaires in songs like Sweet Eloise, For People Like You and Me, Serenade in Blue and so on. Miller Did play a lot of novelty songs like Three Little Fishes and stuff but, so did most bands of the 20’s and 30’s too. those songs are kind of fun I think. For one thing, he took an 1800’s drinking song Little Brown Jug and made it swing. Maybe not swing like gate, but swing more then it originally did!

I like the Miller sound because he is to me the sound of the 40’s and I really like the 40’s when I find some choose an earlier period.

Like your self Berkov, I like Paul Whiteman too! I really like his recordings with Bing Crosby and the Rhythm Boys. Good skating in those records! You also mentioned that you like Goodman a lot! Well, before I became a Miller fan, I loved Goodman! I have some good songs of his like Bugle Call Rag, Some Times I’m Happy, I can’t Give you Any Thing But Love, Roll’em, Down South Camp Meeting and some of his Quartet and Sextet stuff like Memories Of you, Oh Lady Be Good, Flying Home, Avalon and the list goes on.

For me, I started to like the 40’s music before I was introduced to the earlier stuff. I love the late 20’s Jazz and early 30’s swing recordings. Good stuff and I play them often! But, when I dance, I prefer Gene Krupa, Erskine Hawkins, Harry James and Goodman.

I find it hard to smooth Lindy to a lot of the early stuff. I need to get with the program and learn some Balboa and Charleston!

Some one here mentioned Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. I also like country swing! There is a band over here called the Lucky Stars and they are the best country swing band! They play a lot of Bob’s stuff and they even play on original 40’s instruments! All have matching western shirts and hats! Very good looking band! I think they may be on the web… http://www.southern.net/southern/band/LSTAR/IPC08_audio.html
There is a RealOne player that you can click on and hear some of their stuff.

http://www.ipecac.com/images/bios/8.jpg

Root.

[Kaela]

Actually, I believe you mean "Jump, Jive, 'an Wail". This is a Luis Prima song from the early 50's and is definitely a swing song. Prima's version is better than Setzer's. Setzer's voice is too "clean", too rockabilly for me.

Prima is (was) the man!! After all, he did write arguably the greatest and most famous swing tune ever.

I agree, Setzer is a little too modern sounding, I've got a special inclination to that fat italian Louis Prima, though, he's one of my favorites, good to dance to, too. And he's got a nice sound (older recordings as well as his later ones). His later recordings even have nice elements of Lounge, which make it more his style.

Artie Shaw, I think is one good man to dance to.

Anybody wanting to try something modern that is of the old style, Squirrel Nut Zippers is the BEST out there, in my opinion, to keep it fair. They've got such an authentic sound, it's older too, not rehashed-rehashed rockabilly, it's more 20s/30s sound, w/ violins & lovely vocals, the female singer sounds JUST like Billy Holiday, what a doll!

[Kaela]

Just a little peep about that Glenn Miller character..
I do like a lot of his music, I listen to it often, but it does have a lot more of the "pop" elements that make music more broken down and easy to digest for the masses, he was smooth, simple melodies. This is nice sometimes, but I would care to dance to something more up-iddy.. for example, Artie Shaw, he'll hit notes all over, he'll reach you, you get it? I don't know, maybe it's comparing apples to oranges, take another fellow trombonist, Jimmy Dorsey's got more variations to his melody, it's less like a lullabye.
I do remember one thing specifically, I played trombone in my high school jazz band, and asked who we ought to listen to to pick up style. My band teacher (a teacher by title only, he was laid back, one of the guys kind of man) he told me not to listen to Glenn Miller, at the time I was quite upset, I liked Glenn Miller, he was a name I knew and heard and I thought I was wrong, but it was just a different style, you see, we played the kind of thing you would dance to, the kind of songs you would feel excited to sit and watch, (God Bless the Child, one of my favorites!). Anyway, it was just because his style was more... I can't pin the word for it, but it was much more flavorless, processed almost, inhibited. Nice to listen to, but not as dance friendly.
Now everybody kiss and make up, it's a style preference, like those who prefer 40s music vs. modern ---.

[Wild Root]

Ok, I know you ALL have heard enough from the old fart on this score, but it just keeps me laughing to hear people say that Glenn’s stuff isn’t danceable. He was a dance band last time I checked. He packed all the dance halls a crossed the US and where ever he played for the troops over seas! He didn’t play hot jazz or swing, most who danced to him danced Foxtrot and such. Glenn miller made a sound that was not like most at the time. The “sound� he created became instantaneously recognizable to his band only. Many bands after Millers clime to fame in the early 40’s tried to copy that sound of the lead clarinet over the sax section but, you guys already know that. ;)

I do agree on some points that have been made, don’t get me wrong it’s not like I knew the guy personally and we went to school together or anything like that it’s just that when I go to a swing dance, I like to dance to what was popular in say 1938 to 1946. I’m really into pop culture of the time frame when some I meet seem to go for the not so mainstream stuff from the 40’s which is perfectly cool with me. I’m into a lot of that my self and I love all the great Jazz music that came out of the 20’s through the 40’s. I was just listening to a great Coleman Hawkins CD I have that covers his stuff from 33 to 49 and I’ll tell you that stuff is just magic! What a sax player he was!!!

When it comes right down to it, I like Miller because he was one of my first encounters with vintage dance bands of the 40’s and I have fond memories of listening to his songs when I was tired or down about what ever and then hearing say, “Indian Summer� or “At Last� I would feel good. Miller’s sound and arrangements are something I can listen to any time no matter how I feel.

I totally agree that there are way better songs to Lindy, Shag or Bal too then Millers easy listening stuff. Funny fact about Miller, he was very insecure about his own trombone playing! He felt that Tommy and others had more talent to the horn then he did. Only his wife and close friends knew that.

I also don’t get or understand how music teachers try and steer kids and people clear of Millers music. What are they afraid of? I have had some tough times with some of those bums that think they know every thing. It’s not their job to tell any one who to listen too so, nuts to them!

Ok boys and girls, I’m done. The Miller book is closed and sealed.

On to better and biger things!

Root.

[swinggal]

The reason USO dances etc (and I have been to a few) play bad music is because they themselves aren't usually dancers and therefore don't know what was played at these big dances in the day. It certainly wasn't 'just' the 'generic stuff' that people think it was. There were a lot of other tunes besdies 'swing' played like Waltzes, Foxtrots, Quicksteps, Shags etc. People certainly didn't just dance 'the jitterbug' all the time. Not even the 'jitterbuggers' themselves. Everyone knew how to partner dance in many different styles before the 60s'. I was part of your schooling and popular culture. It stopped after than for a long time.

Frankie Manning was a soldier in WW2 and will tell you the radios nationwide were pumping out Ellington, Basie, Hampton, Krupa, Webb etc as well as Shaw, Goodman and Miller. I have top ten listings from the 30's and 40's. Does not necessarily mean they are all great hits for 'swing dancing' but they may have still been considered 'dance songs' for other styles of dance.

1938
1. A-Tisket, A-Tasket-Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb
2. My Reverie-Larry Clinton
3. Ti-Pi-Tin-Hoarce Heidt
4. Music, Maestro,Please-Tommy Dorsey
5. Begin the Beguine-Artie Shaw
6. Don't Be That Way-Benny Goodman
7. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen- Andrews Sisters
8. Cry, Baby, Cry-Larry Clinton
9. Thanks for the Memory-Shep Fields
10. I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams-Bing Crosby (also Russ Morgan)

[swinggal]

Wild Root, check out some of these guys if you haven't already:

The Savoy Sultans
Andy Kirk and his Clouds of Joy
Stan Kenton
Bunny Berrigan
Les Brown
Mildred Bailey
Roy Eldridge

Coleman Hawkins is great! I play Bean Soup a lot.

[Wild Root]

Hey swinggal, I'm familiar with those names you mentioned. I Love Chic Webb! When I started to listen to big band and early swing on the radio here in Pasadena (In 1994 to 1999 when such music was on FM) the Pasadena city collage would broadcast classic American Music from the 20's to the 50's from 9 to 3 every day. I remember recording one song. It was so cool and I listened to it all the time. Well, one day I wanted to fill up one side of that tape and as I did, some how the tape flipped over and started to record on to that song I loved! I cried!!! I didn't know who played it, the name of the song and so on. Finally, years later I played it for a guy who really knew his stuff. He made me a new tape with that song on it. Told me it was called "Strictly Jive" by Chick Webb. So, I went out and bough a Webb CD.

I have a nice 78rpm collection and I have a few Berigan top hits like "My Little Cousin" and some others. I also have some Guy Lombardo, Gorge Hall and have you ever heard of Emery Deutsch? That guy had some great records! I have only two of his 78's and I find that there is NO CD's out that has any of his work. Talk about a big time bummer.

I have CD's of Ellington, Berigan, Whiteman, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, I like Less Brown, Alveno Ray, Erskine Hawkins, Benny Goodman, McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, Slam Stewart, Luis Jordan, Luis Armstrong, Red Nichols, Key Kyser, and the list goes on. I have been a vintage music buff since 1994 and I have been buying CD's and 78's for about that long.

I find that only a few of the songs made by all of the bands that existed played songs that one can listen too. These bands were all known as "Dance Bands" so there fore, no matter what tempo or style, there was a dance that could be done to it.

Swinggal, if you were to come up to CA and check out the swing kids over here, you would more then likely cry. Most of the junk played here isn't really true swing music at all. There is one place that plays 70's and 80's stuff and it's just BAD! Talk about music that's not danceable. So, that's one reason why when you mentioned Glenn Miller's songs not being Danceable I had to protest knowing what was being played over here in most dance halls. I know some one (Won’t mention any names) but he likes to Lindy to ANY THING. 80's hits he likes.

Take care,

Root

[swinggal]

Yeah, pity considering one of the foremost authorities on Jazz and the swing era is Peter Loggins (LA) whonow lectures on this subject at University. There are some of the best teachers in the world in LA, I wonder why the music has gone to pot. Are you in LA WR? Our scene here has been around since late 98 and the music just gets better not worse. Same with Melbourne which has the biggest swing scene in the southern hemisphere.

Around 6/7 years ago the scene in LA was great. All the people who were in the early scene dressed up (Peter - still does, Eric and Sylvia, Rusty Frank - still does, Lisa Fergusson, Hilary, Tip and Holly etc) and they know their music. Camp Hollywood was a 'vintage looking' camp in it's early days. Everyone made an effort to dress vintage, now I have heard hardly anyone does. It's a shame.

[Wild Root]

Swinggal, you just mentioned people I know very well. Eric and Sylvia don't really dress up any more. Peter did wear a lot of great vintage back in the day. He puts it on when there is a good dance to hit up now and then.

Tip and Holly split up a year or so ago. I see Tip once in a wile. He doesn’t come out much any more. I saw Sylvia last Tuesday and she really looked different.

Hillary I see a lot. She sure goes out all the way when she sings with Jonathan Stout's Campus Five who is now a member of the Lounge.

Monrovia is very close to LA and Hollywood. I live just east of there and I used to hang out at the Derby a lot in 1999 to 2001. I started to dance and go to Camp Catalina in 1997. Did you ever make it up to Camp Catalina that PBDA puts on? If you know all these friends of mine I think that you might have been up here from time to time.

Any way, there are two clubs I go to that play good music. Sugar Foot Stomp is good, also Paladeno's that Kim and Dave run is very good. Lindy Groove I will not touch with a ten foot pole. They play the worst music in the world to dance to! Even the bands they hire are really bad elevator cover bands.

I used to go to Camp Hollywood when it was at the Hollywood Palladium! Last time I went to C.H. it was in 2000 when it was last at the Palladium. I don't want to go to the new place next to LAX. Camp Airport I call it.

Any way, tell me more of where you have been to dance up here in CA!

Root.

[swinggal]

Peter came here for Hullabaloo last year as did Lisa. Rusty Frank I know pretty well. She loves Perth and has been here twice now. She just loves the weather and the lifestyle. Always buys heaps of vintage clothes when she comes. I knew Tip and Holly split. They were the reason I was going to MLX 2003 (Melbourne Lindy Exchange)...they pulled out the week before.

I also know Chandler Smith pretty well. He came out here in 200o and we kept in touch. He was a vintage collector and has an Airflow but moved to Texas last year which was a shame. He had a lot to do with the original Camp Hollywood guys and was a friend of Bill Elliott, hes the 'Chandler' in Bill's song, "Mildred, won't you behave."

Sad to hear that things have gone to pot music wise. I don't undestand that. LA has such a great scene. We play a few novelty songs for fun sometime, but if it doesnt swing, its not going to be on my list. About as novelty as I get is, Swingin' Safari' by Bert Kamfert, which is always good fun.

I have 2 Campus 5 Cd's and they are not too bad.

[Wild Root]

I know Chandler Smith! I also had a few rides in the 36 Airflow! That car is really sweet.

You really seem to be hep on what's going on over here!

Some tmies Peter will DJ at some of these clubs. When he does, it's geat stuff! All the best music comes out and it's always a blast.

Root.

[swinggal]

Yes, the world of swing dancing and vintage fashion lovers is small one indeed.

[swinggal]

Yes, the world of swing dancing and vintage fashion lovers is small one indeed.

[Angelicious]

Well, I'm a jump blues gal, primarily, but I love most music of the period. :) I'm a singer, not a dancer, so I prefer character pieces, or the fast, loud, jumping stuff that I can really get my teeth into. I'm not a purist; I value both original and retro-revival for their own sakes and sounds.

Fav songs:
Billie Holliday - Swing, Brother, Swing
Cab Calloway - Jumpin' Jive
- We The Cats Shall Hep Ya-
- San Francisco Fan-
Louis Jordan - Five Guys Named Moe
What's The Use of Gettin' Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again)
Cootie Williams - Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
Woody Herman - Caldonia
Charlie Barnet - Share Croppin' Blues
Stuff Smith - Here Comes The Man With The Jive
Lil Green - Why Don't You Do Right
Dinah Washington - Evil Gal Blues
Tiny Bradshaw - Shout Sister Shout
Andy Kirk - Hey Lawdy Mama
Gene Krupa - Knock Me A Kiss
Dean Martin - Ain't That A Kick In The Head
Frank Sinatra - One For My Baby
- Somewhere Beyond The Sea
Joe Jackson - You Run Your Mouth (And I'll Run My Business Brother)
- You're My Meat
- Jack, You're Dead!
Cherry Poppin' Daddies - When I Change Your Mind
- Brown Derby Jump
- Drunk Daddy
- Cherry Poppin' Daddy Strut
Royal Crown Revue - Hey Pachuco!
Robbie Williams & Jon Lovitz - Well Did You Evah
Robbie & Rupert Everett - They Can't Take That Away From Me
Robbie & Jonathan Wilkes - Me & My Shadow

Yeah, I can hear the purists choking by the end of the list... :p

I love anything I can charleston to (not that I really know how to Charleston!)