SwingDJs

From Billboard.com, 4/11/06

Michael Bolton gets assistance from his actress girlfriend Nicollette Sheridan on his upcoming album, "Bolton Swings Sinatra." Due May 23 via Passion Music Co./Concord, the set features Sheridan's vocals on Sinatra's 1963 hit "The Second Time Around."

Elsewhere, Bolton takes on Sinatra-popularized tunes like "That's Life," "My Funny Valentine," "Fly Me to the Moon," "New York, New York" and "Night and Day." The project was engineered by longtime Sinatra collaborator Al Schmitt.

"Sinatra sang with such power and such vulnerability," Bolton says. "He was a great storyteller. I just tried to tell some of these stories in my own way.

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

For the record, I think the upcoming Christina Aguilera and Outkast jazz forays have the potential to have something interesting and cool on them, we will see, they are due soon.

I think the Paul Anka's swinging rock covers record is good for what it is. Some songs are fun. There is a place in the world for fun, swinging covers of Van Halen songs.

I think a lot of the "rock/pop stars sing the classic songbook" albums end up being dull, my favorite ones are Willie Nelson's, although they are not great for dancing. To me, the Rod Stewart albums were more boring than bad. Looks like Rod has started a trend.

This new one is funny. Aside from Kenny G, is there anybody easier to pick on than Michael Bolton?

For some danceable covers albums with a bit of style and panache try these two Sydney based Australian artists. I use some of their stuff in my sets.

Frank Bennett has some jazz arrangements of classic songs
check out (unfortunately no samples on the listings)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000GBHJ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009U73EW

Jeff Duff has this great album where he does Bowie songs like Sinatra and Sinatra songs like Bowie. Check out

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/duffo