SwingDJs

I just love the song "Roxie" from the movie soundtrack Chicago, and it seems like a lot of other dancers love it, too. Its 133 BPM with lots of fun breaks, but it has enough of a steady rhythm to make it suitable for dancing (unlike a lot of other songs from musicals). While dancing I think its fun to sing out all the lyrics, like "... their gonna recognize my eyes, my hair, my cheek, my boobs, my nose!" which is particularly ironic coming from a male. And its fun to hit the breaks... "Roxie!"

I'm sure I'm not the only one to discover this song. In fact, when I played at Lindygroove last Thursday, I asked, and someone said some other DJ had played it there already. Darnit!

Every once in a while I find a song or two on a movie or theatre show soundtrack that's pretty decent. Some selections:

"Dance With Me" from That Thing You Do . Its a 50's style rock and roll song that doesn't swing, but its fun.
"Life Goes to a Party" and "Shout and Feel It" from Swing Kids. I still play these songs.
"King of the Road" by Roger Miller, from Swingers
"This Business of Love" by Domino from Mask. This one was played to death years ago... and I almost forgot,
"Hi De Ho" by K7 from Mask. Hip hop.
"Your Red Wagon" (120 BPM) by Bill Elliott Orchestra from Introducing Dorothy Dandridge . OK song.
"3:00 am Blues", from Sweet and Lowdown . OK song, but long. Great movie, by the way.

There was Hollywood Swing and Jazz, but I didn't find anything on there I was willing to play for dancers. Maybe you've found differently. And I didn't find anything on Swing!

What other good songs are from movie soundtracks?

Some of the gals here have bought the "Kissing Jessica Stein" soundtrack. Includes stuff you might have in your collection, but the focus on female singers brought them to the attention of our locals.

I semi-regularly play from these soundtracks:

Dvine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood:
- Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now: Taj Mahal
- My Mother's Son In Law: Macy Gray

The Majestic (Spencer Wyatt Big Band???):
- Blue Note Boogie - kick A** Boogie Woogie with bull band (208bpm)
- Beguine the Beguine (144bpm)
- Blues in the Bucket - Awesome swing blues tune (118bpm)

Hi there,
Actually in France there's a publicity for adidas climacool with a song that i play several times which is very fun:
"Too darn hot" Ella Fitzgerald

Paul

In thinking about my soundtracks, I don't usually DJ from them, but here are a few worth mentioning for your listening pleasure:

Johnny Depp playing Minor Swing and Caravan in "Chocolat" - Bireli Lagrene does it better, but I like the simplicity.

I also give props to the entire "Sweet and Lowdown" soundtrack. Arlen is the shizit.

The soundtrack for "Eraserhead" is where I discovered my love for Fats Waller - it's worth checking out.

Duke Ellington's soundtrack to "Anatomy of a Murder" has some amazing alternate takes. Lots of subtle stuff - shows him as a painter of mood. There are some swinging moments but if you like Duke for everything that he has to offer, this is cool. I LOVELOVELOVE Flirtibird - makes me want to cry every time.

While you're at it, rent "Paris Blues" - Duke, Louis, Paul Newman, and *swoon* Sidney Poitier in 1961. Battle Royale kicks muhf*ckin' arse.

And if you have been living in a cave, the "Kansas City" soundtrack has 12 out of 12 beautiful tracks - tons good for dancing.

In addition, my favorite soundtrack ever was for "Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Part 2" - there isn't any swing, but it certainly depicts my musical tastes at 17.

I've heard local djs play some soundtrack songs...they go over pretty well with most of the dancers, but I'm not a big fan of most of them.

Chicago - When You're Good to Mama
That Thing You Do - That Thing You Do
Moulin Rouge - Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Rushmore - Here Comes My Baby (by Cat Stevens)
Swing Kids - assorted favourites, including Sing Sing Sing, and Bei mir bist du schoen

"Flying Home" by Doc's Rhythm Cats on the soundtrack to A League of Their Own is my current favorite version of that song.

There is a decent version of "Jumpin at the Woodside" on the Out to Sea soundtrack.

I too use "Kansas City" and "Swing Kids".

Another soundtrack I occasionally use is "Bridges of Madison County", It's got a good version of It's a Wonderful World performed by Irene Kral and Junior Mance.

-phil

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the "Del Paxton" song "Time to Blow" on the "That Thing You Do" CD, especially since at least two people have mentioned other songs on that soundtrack. It's one of the best Lindy Hop songs out there: very piano-based, Groove Swing; nice, rolling tempo and feeling. Really phenomenal: worth the price of the CD just for that one song.

("Del Paxton" was a fictitious name for a character in the movie)

ugh.

kalman

paulo wrote:Hi there,
Actually in France there's a publicity for adidas climacool with a song that i play several times which is very fun:
"Too darn hot" Ella Fitzgerald

Paul

that's because it swings.

kalman