Christmas Dance Playlist

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turin · #1 Post by **turin** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:14 am

I've been asked to Dj a christmas dance, and don't know many quality swing songs that also fit into the Christmas song category. So, I thought I'd ask the best and get some ideas.

What's going on your list?

lipi · #2 Post by **lipi** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 1:28 pm

i don't have my library handy right now, but i'll try to post something tonight. the only thing that comes to mind immediately is ella's xmas album (she recorded two, but only one has danceable tunes).

in the mean time, check jesse's latest podcast. he covers his favourite xmas tracks.

turin · #3 Post by **turin** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:42 pm

I need more!! More!

Seriously though, I suck at finding music.

dancin_hanson · #4 Post by **dancin_hanson** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:53 pm

"Cool Yule" - Louis Armstrong
"Stay a Little Longer, Santa" - Shemekia Copeland

russell · #5 Post by **russell** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 5:57 pm

Refer to thread

http://www.swingdjs.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=466

Toon Town Dave · #6 Post by **Toon Town Dave** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 6:47 pm

A word of advice: just because it's a Christmas dance doesn't mean you need to play mostly Christmas songs.

Phrased another way, play a few Christmas songs but don't go overboard. Play tunes you might play any time of year if they didn't refer to Christmas or have a recognizable x-mas tune melody.

Campus Five · #7 Post by **Campus Five** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:00 pm

There is rather small amount of great, danceable swing christmas music, excluding post '45 stuff. There's plenty of traditional swing x-mas tunes, but many of them are ballads, or are cartoon-y/showtune-y (with that kind of manic boom-chic that doesn't really swing).
Most of the stuff that has been mentioned is pretty groovy, and I think there is very, very little traditional swing christmas stuff that really works for dancing. There definitely is no single CD I have found.

Goodman's "Jingle Bells"
Oh, and the middle section of "Happy Holidays" by Bing/Andrews Sisters - the part about "Holiday Inn" - is pretty jumpin' for christmas. Unfortunately its sandwiched between the slow part.

Eyeball · #8 Post by **Eyeball** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 11:50 pm

Two over looked versions of SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN -

Woody Herman circa 1943

King Sisters - circa 1941

zzzzoom · #9 Post by **zzzzoom** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:40 am

Louis Armstrong - Zat you, Santa Claus?
Nat King Cole - All I Want for Christmas
Lionel Hampton - Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
Eartha Kit - Santa Baby
Fats Waller - Swingin' Them Jingle Bells
Ralph Flanagan - Winter Wonderland
Benny Goodman - Winter Weather

And I agree that one or two of these a night is sufficient. Less is more.

Eyeball · #10 Post by **Eyeball** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:50 am

Christmas Night in Harlem - Jack Teagarden with Ben Pollack orchestra, IIRC

la musette · #11 Post by **la musette** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 6:53 am

Just go out and buy Jessica Simpson's Christmas album. Oh yeah it is sooo good. She is SUCH a good singer. My favorite for sure. Uh huh.

Albert System · #12 Post by **Albert System** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:19 pm

Boogie Woogie Santa Claus- Lionel Hampton

Christmas Time New ORleans- Louis Armstrong

Christmas Time in Harlem- Louis Armstrong

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm- Billie Holiday w/ Teddy Wilson

russell · #13 Post by **russell** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:18 pm

Check out "Santas Secret" by Johnny Guarnieri and Slam Stewart (on iTunes - in Australia at least). Santa has a secret habit

Surreal · #14 Post by **Surreal** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 8:03 pm

Some random ones:
Winter Weather - Peters Drury Quartet
I Believe - Frank Sinatra
And of course the highly inappropriate: Below Me It's Christmas - HB Radke

Toon Town Dave · #15 Post by **Toon Town Dave** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:17 pm

Just heard: Dixieland Band From Santa Claus Land - Jimmy Dorsey