SwingDJs

Beginners respond well to Runaround Sue. It is not my favorite song, but I play it when I want something that is familar and danceable for both lindy and six count.

Nate Dogg wrote:Beginners respond well to Runaround Sue. It is not my favorite song, but I play it when I want something that is familar and danceable for both lindy and six count.

True. I get requests from local teachers who's students are wanting something slow to dance to. I know what they also mean is "something slow with a beat that will knock you over the head". Rock-ish tunes have that, so I tend to consider those as "beginner friendly". Plus, even though I DJ probably 90% classic swing (ala what you'd hear at Sugarfoot Stomp these days), the local scene aren't music snobs, and tend to enjoy just about anything. I'm very pleased with my local dance scene when it comes down to it.

This could get pretty bad:

Swingin' to Michael Jackson: A Tribute

I have played some of these tracks before to some really mixed reviews... Mostly a love it/hate it attitude... Some awesome looks from the dance floor once people realize what they are swing dancing to...

John...

All copies of Rod Stewarts American Songbook should be purchased and burnt in the mother of all bonfires. What a travesty! Why do old crusties like Rod think that anyone can make a swing album. His voice has to be the absolute WORST for swing vocals.

'The Jitterbug Stroll Song' makes me want to hang myself if I ever hear it (thankfully rarely these days).

Segue in C wrote:All copies of Rod Stewarts American Songbook should be purchased and burnt in the mother of all bonfires. What a travesty! Why do old crusties like Rod think that anyone can make a swing album. His voice has to be the absolute WORST for swing vocals.

'The Jitterbug Stroll Song' makes me want to hang myself if I ever hear it (thankfully rarely these days).

Agreed on all accounts. You know that Satan is bumpin' Rod Stewart in Hell right next to Pat Boone.

Right on!

I'll tell you a non-swing song that I have always loathed, 'Walkin' on Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves. I only need to hear the firts note to make a swifty exit.

Segue in C wrote:Right on!

I'll tell you a non-swing song that I have always loathed, 'Walkin' on Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves. I only need to hear the firts note to make a swifty exit.

They don't play that in swing venues do they? The horror!

No...just thought I'd mention it. Sometimes you hear it on commercial radio, out shopping etc...makes me cringe!!!!

Segue in C wrote:All copies of Rod Stewarts American Songbook should be purchased and burnt in the mother of all bonfires. What a travesty! Why do old crusties like Rod think that anyone can make a swing album. His voice has to be the absolute WORST for swing vocals.

'The Jitterbug Stroll Song' makes me want to hang myself if I ever hear it (thankfully rarely these days).

To be fair to Rod Stewart, I don't think anybody involved was trying to make a swing album. It was a standards album focusing on slow love songs.

A lot of the less educated folks who bought his song book albums may have otherwise never have been exposed to those songs. I can imagine that a few of his fans may have been inspired to pick up a Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald album after hearing the Rod Stewart version.

So, I think the albums were a good thing, not that I would play them at a dance.

Nate Dogg wrote:

Segue in C wrote:All copies of Rod Stewarts American Songbook should be purchased and burnt in the mother of all bonfires. What a travesty! Why do old crusties like Rod think that anyone can make a swing album. His voice has to be the absolute WORST for swing vocals.

'The Jitterbug Stroll Song' makes me want to hang myself if I ever hear it (thankfully rarely these days).

To be fair to Rod Stewart, I don't think anybody involved was trying to make a swing album. It was a standards album focusing on slow love songs.

A lot of the less educated folks who bought his song book albums may have otherwise never have been exposed to those songs. I can imagine that a few of his fans may have been inspired to pick up a Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald album after hearing the Rod Stewart version.

So, I think the albums were a good thing, not that I would play them at a dance.

Though that is true, re the swing thing, it's still not good, in my opinion.

Yep, I just see it as someone trying to cash in on the 'crooners' bandwagon. With his voice, its just painful to hear.

Almost everything on that Steven Mitchell album is a contender- like "SavoyStyle"- ughh....shivers... lyrics make me laugh " Say it loud..I swing and I'm proud!"

The guy can move like crazy, but his music career is iffy.

I came to think of this old thread when I listened to Mary Ann DeVries' excellent guest DJ set on Yehoodi Radio. She spins the great, original version of In the Mood by Edgar Hayes. AMG writes

"In the Mood" really changed the face of popular music during the 1930s and early '40s. Based on a lick borrowed from Wingy Manone, the tune became an international hit after Glenn Miller came out with a close cover using the same arrangement about a year and a half after this version was recorded.

This version proves that the song is not bad at all - only subsequent covers. Stompy as hell, and probably excellent for balboa. Thank you, Mary Ann!

Ah, thanks!

anton wrote: This version proves that the song is not bad at all - only subsequent covers. Stompy as hell, and probably excellent for balboa. Thank you, Mary Ann!

I have a blues harmonica version by Walter Horton from "Sun Records 25 Rare Blues Classics" (2003). It's up on emusic.com if you want to check it out.