SwingDJs

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:57 am**

Instead of just saying "oh, so and so died", why not talk about their best music? Nina Simone had a lot of great music and a great voice. I've found a lot of the late Nina Simone's songs slow and sleepy and unsuitable for dancers. But the ones that are suitable, are kick-ass.

My favorite Nina Simone songs for dancers:
"My Baby Just Cares for Me" (118 BPM)
"Love Me Or Leave Me" (166 BPM)(one of my all-time favorite Lindy songs)
"Jellyroll" (130 BPMish) (very long, great for a steal dance)

OK:
"Gal from Joes" (120 BPM)

For blues dancing:
"Blues for Mama" (60 BPM)
"Do I Move You" (69 BPM) (Love this song!, Version 2, not the one from the Blues CD)
"Backlash Blues" (70s-ish)

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:04 pm**

I'd have to add, "You Put A Spell On Me" for blues dancing...

Also, I kinda like "You Better Know It". The version I have of her doing this is from the crappy recording quality on The Tomato Collection.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:06 pm**

I just picked up the CD with "Jellyroll" on it last week. Good song. Rather than playing all 8 minutes, I am planning on fading in at around 3:00.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 12:12 pm**

I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
Gimme A Pigfoot
Forbidden Fruit

I think those are the only three I play from time to time.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:07 pm**

Nate Dogg wrote:I just picked up the CD with "Jellyroll" on it last week. Good song. Rather than playing all 8 minutes, I am planning on fading in at around 3:00.

Nathan... buddy... PLEASE don't fade that song at 3:00!!!

That's when it just starts getting good!

(If that is the song I'm thinking of, which is the standard "steal dance" song, and which is BY FAR my favorite Simone tune.)

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:26 pm**

Lawrence wrote:
Nate Dogg wrote:I just picked up the CD with "Jellyroll" on it last week. Good song. Rather than playing all 8 minutes, I am planning on fading in at around 3:00.
Nathan... buddy... PLEASE don't fade that song at 3:00!!! That's when it just starts getting good!

(If that is the song I'm thinking of, which is the standard "steal dance" song, and which is BY FAR my favorite Simone tune.)

No, you got me reversed, I am fading IN, that means I start the song right when it is getting good.

I still might play it as a steal/snowball/birthday dance. But, fading in allows me to play under normal circumstances as well.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 3:52 pm**

Sorry, my mistake.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 5:11 pm**

"Sugar In My Bowl"
One of my all-time favourite songs for a blues dance.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:30 pm**

I get teary-eyed every time I hear her live version of "Trouble in Mind" that's on Bittersweet: The Best of Nina Simone. I have several other versions of this tune, and I have never since listened to any of them, I think it's that good.

The other tune on there that I really dig is a long, bluesy number named something like "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black."

I have always loved the poeticism of of the lyrics of "Love Me or Leave Me" and her piano soloing, but I've never much cared for dancing to this song.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2003 11:56 pm**

Drew wrote:I get teary-eyed every time I hear her live version of "Trouble in Mind" that's on Bittersweet: The Best of Nina Simone.

I have a similar reaction to "I Put A Spell on You" off of that same album. It's as powerful a song as I've ever heard.

And for the love, Nate Dogg...find a situation where it's appropriate to play the entire Jelly Roll song if you can. It's such a great surprise for the dancers when her vocals come in and it practically starts a whole new song.

_david

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:42 am**

morte100 wrote:
Drew wrote:I get teary-eyed every time I hear her live version of "Trouble in Mind" that's on Bittersweet: The Best of Nina Simone.
I have a similar reaction to "I Put A Spell on You" off of that same album. It's as powerful a song as I've ever heard.

And for the love, Nate Dogg...find a situation where it's appropriate to play the entire Jelly Roll song if you can. It's such a great surprise for the dancers when her vocals come in and it practically starts a whole new song.

_david

Outside of jams, snowballs, live music, etc... In a DJ environment, is there every a good time to play an 8 minute song? Sure, if you are paired up with the right partner, the 8 minute song is awesome. But, for those souls who are not with the ideal partner, the 8 minutes seems like eternity and they know where to look in anger, the DJ stand.

In my opinion, Long songs can come off as a DJ being indulgent.

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2003 10:43 am**

It's not a swing song per se, but Simone rendition of, "Here Comes The Sun" is by far my favourite of her songs. "Ne me quitte pas" comes a close second.

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2003 11:06 am**

Nate Dogg wrote:is there ever a good time to play an 8 minute song?...In my opinion, Long songs can come off as a DJ being indulgent.

It's definitely something you have to be careful with. But a steal song (as was mentioned above), a last song of the night (with appropriate disclaimer), a (very) late night, etc. can all work. I wouldn't (and don't) play it at all regularly, but it has come off well every time I have. Besides, occasional DJ indulgence can be fun for all concerned.

Posted: **Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:03 am**

aroyscc: thank you so much for the CD!
aroyscc: my favorite is the last one
GuruReuben: the nina simone more classical style one?
aroyscc: no
aroyscc: the one with the guy singing
aroyscc: and long piano solo
aroyscc: thingy
GuruReuben: oooh
GuruReuben: wait
GuruReuben: that is nina simone
GuruReuben: hahahah
aroyscc: oh
aroyscc: then yes that one
GuruReuben: guy singing... HAHAHA
aroyscc: i thought it was a guy
aroyscc: ahahha
aroyscc: opps
aroyscc: hahah
aroyscc: sorry nina
aroyscc: seriously it's a chick?
aroyscc: hahaha
aroyscc: that is funny
GuruReuben: yeah

Posted: **Fri Apr 25, 2003 12:08 pm**

ahaha, someone else made such a statement to me, too, once. nice log.