SwingDJs

Here's a dilemma I'm sure lots of you have run into.

A beginner lindy hopper is looking for a good album to dance to. Ie, They are looking for something slower (100-150 bpm), and I want to recommend something that swings. Well, it can even be bad swing music - I don't care. All they want is something they can practice to... great music can come later.

Any recommended albums? artists? compilations? box sets?

I would suggest something like Buddy Johnson's Walk Em: Decca Sessions

Lots of slower tempos and easy-to-follow beats, decent sound quality and sitting nicely between old skool and later stuff.

Apollo Jump by Lucky Millinder would be another one. Lots, and lots of vocals. Wide variety of tempos, with plenty in that range. Sort of encompasses the transition from classic swing to jump blues, and you get two CDs for the price of one.

Oh, and there's tons of good stuff out there, so don't settle for anything else.

The Peanut Vendor wrote: A beginner lindy hopper is looking for a good album to dance to. Ie, They are looking for something slower (100-150 bpm), and I want to recommend something that swings. Well, it can even be bad swing music - I don't care. All they want is something they can practice to... great music can come later.

Any recommended albums? artists? compilations? box sets?

This is a good triple CD compilation. Great music with quite a few slower numbers ...

http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/ ... 225&ITM=13

Were I you, I would be inclined to burn my own CD of slow danceable stuff. However, if you're looking for one ready-made, I would recommend:

Alien Fashion Show - Alien Fashion Show (at least 3 good slow Lindyable songs)
Campus Five - Crazy Rhythm (I use a lot of their stuff for my beginner students)
Various - Giants of Swing (alternates between Balboa-style and slow Lindy; weird but fits your criteria)

I'd stay away from Alien Fashion Show myself.

The Campus 5 stuff is great for lessons though.

A growing number of people don't like ripping off songs/cd's that they haven't bought. Since I run the same club I instruct for, I'd rather not take chances by burning CD's for students, and keep a positive image for everyone. Plus it's less work

I've been going the box-set route for getting my music rather than buying compilations, and it's hard to recommend a box set. Actually, there is one box set that wouldn't be too bad...
JSP's Away From Base has a number of nice Billie Holiday tracks, mixed in with recordings from several other orchestras.

Great feedback so far! Thanks guys.

The Peanut Vendor wrote:A growing number of people don't like ripping off songs/cd's that they haven't bought. Since I run the same club I instruct for, I'd rather not take chances by burning CD's for students, and keep a positive image for everyone. Plus it's less work

I've been going the box-set route for getting my music rather than buying compilations, and it's hard to recommend a box set. Actually, there is one box set that wouldn't be too bad...
JSP's Away From Base has a number of nice Billie Holiday tracks, mixed in with recordings from several other orchestras.

Great feedback so far! Thanks guys.

In that case why not have them get Frankie Manning's: Really Swinging Big Band Favorites. It has a bunch of good slow to medium tempo songs.

1 Shiny Stockings Basie, Count Orchestra 5:19
2 Swingin' at Newport Basie, Count Orchestra 8:00
3 Jersey Bounce Benny Goodman 2:53
4 'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That You Do It) Jimmie Lunceford 3:03
5 Begin the Beguine Artie Shaw 3:13
6 Hamp's Boogie Woogie Hampton, Lionel & H ... 3:13 Performed by: Hampton, Lionel & His Septet
7 Let's Get Together Ellington, Duke & H ... 2:37 Performed by: Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra
8 Tuxedo Junction Hawkins, Erskine & ... 3:16 Performed by: Hawkins, Erskine & His Orchestra
9 Segue in C Duke Ellington ... 8:23 Performed by: Duke Ellington, Count Basie
10 Posin' Jimmie Lunceford 2:57
11 In the Mood Glenn Miller 3:33
12 Tippin' In Hawkins, Erskine & ... 3:18 Performed by: Hawkins, Erskine & His Orchestra
13 Flying Home Hampton, Lionel & H ... 3:11 Performed by: Hampton, Lionel & His Septet
14 Take the "A" Train Ellington, Duke & H ... 2:52 Performed by: Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra
15 One O'Clock Jump Basie, Count Orchestra 3:01
16 Corner Pocket Basie, Count Orchestra 4:45

CafeSavoy wrote:In that case why not have them get Frankie Manning's: Really Swinging Big Band Favorites. It has a bunch of good slow to medium tempo songs.

That would be a good solution if it was available. Unfortunately, it's not ...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000006FDD

Never give up. Never surrender!

http://www.dancecatalog.com/cdfmreallyswingin.html

Chances range from good to high that they will still have copies.

Grab a swing skirt, too.

And you can get it from savoystyle.com as well:

www.swingdanceshop.com/franmanbigba.html

Jesse

Thanks - didn't realise it was available from those sources.