INTRO TO 30s-40s SWING: Links to defining songs

[Cousin Hepcat]

Had so many people asking for playlist reccomendations for those who are Totally New to 1930's - 1940's Big Band Swing music, so... started a list of links to several "introductory" songs that defined the swing style:

Folks may want to post replies with links to more essentials w/ links to ORIGINAL RECORDINGs on youtube so newcomers can listen - This thread is for:

* Recordings made 1934-1949 & issued commercially on records
* Youtube links to Original Recordings by Original Artists
* Most popular artists of the era which defined the Big Band Swing Sound
* Best / most popular / most representative songs by that artist, probably most frequently heard on records & radio during that era

(i.e., "Essential" Big Band Swing Recordings for beginners)

(Didn't get to Cab Calloway, Erskine Hawkins, Charlie Barnet, Jimmie Lunceford... or the famous *vocalists* specifically, i.e. Ella, Bing, Andrews Sisters...):

(NOTE: These song links are on youtube, so they're Streaming, NOT "direct download". By arrangement with iTunes, YouTube has made it so many of them will pop up an ad at the bottom for if you want to buy the recording.)
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TOMMY DORSEY: My personal favorite bandleader alongside Duke Ellington, and a great representative of the entire Big Band Era, especially the first two songs listed:

"Opus No. One" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRIaFOKYN0k
"On The Sunny Side Of The Street" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5JSvpMM6t4
"I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67XIT6f0KDE
"Boogie Woogie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxlL8l48qcM
"Marie" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1uS0xkbpb8
"Star Dust" (vocal Frank Sinatra) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq2jnp6jIEc
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GLENN MILLER:
"In the mood" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJE-onnw2gM
"Moonlight Serenade" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92ATE3IgIs
"Caribbean Clipper" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TewglDSKHpo
"String of Pearls" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k373tmJ1MwU
"Tuxedo Junction" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9goQh6HC1Q
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COUNT BASIE:
"One O'clock Jump" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSRkXAfFlGM
"Jumpin' at the Woodside" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxSccg5l9fw
(and several others from the 30s-40s, but can't find them on youtube)
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ARTIE SHAW
"Oh, Lady Be Good" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPicEYPONgo&feature=fvw
"Begin the Beguine" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNcPnEc99UE
"Everything is Jumpin'" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLIh6e-U708
"Nightmare" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W59FzOwYIs
"Nonstop Flight" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFZhAKoZvaQ
"Stardust" & "Dancing in the Dark" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv_Vblovh8o
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BENNY GOODMAN
"Don't Be That Way" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkCAmtGqpz0
"Bugle Call Rag" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDqG5ic1xYA
"Stompin' At The Savoy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rifhroClGI
"Sometimes I'm Happy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yle056CeiLc
"Moonglow" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ7Cf9dcNag
"And The Angels Sing" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uJEqSujxvw
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....and once you're ready to TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL:

DUKE ELLINGTON: A fine acquired taste which transcends all other swing band music:

"What Am I Here For" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWPe7tJ3cPU
"Take the "A" Train" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWbvJsxeSUY
"Warm Valley" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-83vpVQYs0s
"Flamingo" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzdK666DPF8
"The Girl In My Dreams" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW85VWfoMpo
"Cottontail" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaTIRt15XhI
"Dusk" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvPGKozkJi8
"After All" (1940's version not on youtube; go to iTunes.)
"Chelsea Bridge" (1940's version not on youtube; go to iTunes.)
"Chlo-e (Song of the Swamp)" (not on youtube; go to iTunes.)

- CH

 

[Chas]

The definitive jazz version of "Body & Soul" - recorded in one take, in the fall of 1939 by Coleman Hawkins (as an afterthought)at the conclusion of a recording session with RCA. It is considered the first modern Jazz recording, and a complete masterpiece of improvisation. I have a copy
[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5s04lbnu3T8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5s04lbnu3T8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

Benny Goodman Quintet with Charlie Christian; the finest version of Rose Room, ever. Hands down.
[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x4H7M2YFK0s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x4H7M2YFK0s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

Hot Lips Page.
[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/olYF54PZUn0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/olYF54PZUn0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

Lester Young. Pretty much, what everyone needs to know.
[YOUTUBE]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z10gZTxdHhQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Z10gZTxdHhQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/YOUTUBE]

 

[BinkieBaumont]

"Chas & Cousin, thank-you so much for all the trouble you have gone to, in posting all those links, I'm sure we all really appreciate it "