SwingDJs

it seems like the one thing we can all agree on is that "wade in the water" sucks -- why is that?

Actually, I don't think it sucks. It's a classic spiritual, and Eva Cassidy's version is quite pleasant.

But, it became the poster child for a) being played out and b) the westie influence on the lindy hop community.

So, it gets a lot of heat for those reasons.

Because we are all sheep.

I don't hate it. Then again, I don't hate as much music as other DJs do.

I don't play it very often because it is overplayed. If people request it, I usually play it.

Funny thing is that it is not overplayed to the newer dancers who have started dancing within the past year (at least locally). It is a new tune to them.

I don't hate it either. Will play it if I feel like it, and will most likely play it if someone requests it. But it is now getting to the point that if you admit that you like a song deemed "overplayed" that you have to join a 12 step group or something.

What I find funny is that everyone I've met always associates "Wade" with the "Westie" scene when I heard it in Lindy circles for a long time before I heard it at a Westie dance. I also associate the song with a particular dancer that I like, so I guess that's another reason why "Wade" doesn't bother me that much.

Tina

I think my current favorite "Wade in the Water" is the Ramsey Lewis version.

it's funny, there's a guy who DJs alternative tango nights, where he plays a mix of classic tango stuff and other, totally non-tango stuff - and it shouldn't have been any surprise to here Wade in the Water when he was DJing - because it has to become overplayed in every possible dance scene.. I dunno how it's gonna make it into salsa, but it will.

Swifty wrote:I think my current favorite "Wade in the Water" is the Ramsey Lewis version.

If you like that one, check out an album called Live at the Bohemian Caverns 1968 by the Young Holt Trio (Lewis' drummer and bassist). Not a dance album, but very funky. Their version is a.k.a. "Wade In The Money."

My current favorite version is by Mavis Staples. on Sprituals & Gospel: Dedicated to Mahalia Jackson (1996), which also has an amazing version of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" and "I'll Fly Away."

I still like it, and enjoy dancing to it. I'll play it in Portland, but wouldn't play it out of town because I know so many people are sick of it.

Just wait a couple of years. Then it'll be "old skool" and you'll be cool for playing it.

Seriously, it is a great song and a great version. I don't dislike it, it has just been overplayed. I am unlike most people, I think, in that I don't get sick of songs being played too much. Unless the song is lame, of course.

Mike wrote:Just wait a couple of years. Then it'll be "old skool" and you'll be cool for playing it.

Tina

Jake wrote:If you like that one, check out an album called Live at the Bohemian Caverns 1968 by the Young Holt Trio (Lewis' drummer and bassist). Not a dance album, but very funky. Their version is a.k.a. "Wade In The Money."

My current favorite version is by Mavis Staples. on Sprituals & Gospel: Dedicated to Mahalia Jackson (1996), which also has an amazing version of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands" and "I'll Fly Away."

Make sure you bring both out next Saturday so I can give them a listen.

Yep, I hate it. It's overplayed. For ahwhile almost every DJ was playing this song. Hearing this song multiple times at exchanges, and hearing it almost every time I went out swing dancing it became too much, for a song I didn't like that much in the first place.

CafeSavoy wrote:Because we are all sheep.

Man, that woke me up.

It's a great tune, but yes, it's over played. I think it actually has more of a Lindy feel than a westie feel -which might explain why is lasted longer in the Lindy community (the westies liked it for about a year).

My current favorite version is Marcelo's.

I like the version by Charlie Haden and Hank Jones on this album and will play it on occasion - it's a subtle version and it's interesting to see who will ask about it.

The one time I was requested to play it I asked if they wanted to hear a different version or the Eva Cassidy one; they of course wanted Eva - it's a nice tune, I didn't mind playing it.