A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
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A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
There's a somewhat uptempo, reasonably well-recorded version of "Tuxedo Junction" where a man shouts, near the beginning, "Tux-edo!"
Apparently, it is by Erskine Hawkins and comes off a box set called "Over There: Music of World War II."
You'd think I'd be happy enough, having found a link to buy it. However, I don't really feel like shelling out $20 + S&H for a box set that might be 80% recordings I'd never DJ or already have in higher sound quality.
Worldcat thinks "Over There" is a Hindsight record from 1994, but Hindsight doesn't claim it on their web site. Allmusic, Amazon, CDUniverse, Google, etc. have pretty much never heard of it.
Does anyone know some sort of serial number for this recording of "Tuxedo Junction?" (My guess is it was on a V-disc, but which one?) A date? A place? Etc.
And if no one can come up with any more information about the track or what other albums (with sound samples) I might find it on, can anyone who owns this album say how many tunes (and perhaps even which ones) are gems for the lindy hop dance floor? Maybe I'll buy it if it's chock full of them.
Apparently, it is by Erskine Hawkins and comes off a box set called "Over There: Music of World War II."
You'd think I'd be happy enough, having found a link to buy it. However, I don't really feel like shelling out $20 + S&H for a box set that might be 80% recordings I'd never DJ or already have in higher sound quality.
Worldcat thinks "Over There" is a Hindsight record from 1994, but Hindsight doesn't claim it on their web site. Allmusic, Amazon, CDUniverse, Google, etc. have pretty much never heard of it.
Does anyone know some sort of serial number for this recording of "Tuxedo Junction?" (My guess is it was on a V-disc, but which one?) A date? A place? Etc.
And if no one can come up with any more information about the track or what other albums (with sound samples) I might find it on, can anyone who owns this album say how many tunes (and perhaps even which ones) are gems for the lindy hop dance floor? Maybe I'll buy it if it's chock full of them.
If it's the version I'm thinking of (where the guy yells out 'tuxedah!' at around 0:15, and the song is approx. 5:46), then you can get it off of iTunes (if that's your thing) on the album 'This is Jazz': http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSt ... =260213219
Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
It's not always easy to find stuff on those websites. Anyway, I found that CD on Amazon and allmusic. Only $8 on Amazon Marketplace. No track listing or samples though.kitkat wrote:There's a somewhat uptempo, reasonably well-recorded version of "Tuxedo Junction" where a man shouts, near the beginning, "Tux-edo!"
Apparently, it is by Erskine Hawkins and comes off a box set called "Over There: Music of World War II."
You'd think I'd be happy enough, having found a link to buy it. However, I don't really feel like shelling out $20 + S&H for a box set that might be 80% recordings I'd never DJ or already have in higher sound quality.
Worldcat thinks "Over There" is a Hindsight record from 1994, but Hindsight doesn't claim it on their web site. Allmusic, Amazon, CDUniverse, Google, etc. have pretty much never heard of it.
Does anyone know some sort of serial number for this recording of "Tuxedo Junction?" (My guess is it was on a V-disc, but which one?) A date? A place? Etc.
And if no one can come up with any more information about the track or what other albums (with sound samples) I might find it on, can anyone who owns this album say how many tunes (and perhaps even which ones) are gems for the lindy hop dance floor? Maybe I'll buy it if it's chock full of them.
Looks interesting, with some unusual tracks. I often find WWII wartime compilations to be disappointing. They usually have a lot of slushy vocal tracks, poorly recorded. This one might be an exception though, just by the titles and the artists, some of those tracks look quite promising. For sound samples, you can get an idea by looking on allmusic.
I think the version of Tuxedo Junction you are referring to is a live 5 m 44 secs long one, on this CD. It's a real high-energy version compared with the popular 3 m 14 secs one. I'm sure other people can give you more details.
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This version is also on an album called "Holiday for Swing" which features live versions of the title track, and what I think is the version of Tuxedo Junction you're talking about. It's my favorite version of the song. Good tempo, pretty long, and full of energy.
I love this album: http://wm04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=a ... fexql0ldae
The quality is good, and it's a single album... a lot less than the box set I'm sure
( Allmusic says from $9.88 )
Track Listing and notes:
1 Junction Blues - Slow bluesy number
2. Sweet Georgia Brown - Uptempo, great faster tune suitable for Lindy/Bal
3. Five O'Clock Whistle - Not a bad version of the song if you like it. Dancable... I can take it or leave it.
4. Put Yourself in my place - Slower, but good and danceable
5. Nona - Slow, lots of guitar... good tune, dancable
6. Riff Time - Mid/Uptempo, dancable... I like this one.
7. Blue Sea - Mid Tempo, dancable... good tune
8. Shipyard Ramble - Mid Tempo, dancable. Great tune
9. Lucky Seven - MIdTempo, dancable. Good tune.
10. Bear Mash Blues - Very Slow Blues number
11. Tuxedo Junction - Mid tempo, good energy.... see above.
12. Tippin' In - Mid Tempo. Popular dance tune, people like it.
13. Good DIp - Mid Tempo, danceable Ok tune.
14. Sneakin' Out - Similar to Tippin' out. (same tempo/feel).
15. Holiday for Swing - Uptemp, great energy. Love this one.
16. Hawk's Boogie - Uptempo Boogie. Love it.
17. Coast to Coast - Mid Tempo, dancable. Interesting tune.
18. Corn Bread - Mid/Uptempo R&B style tune. Sounds like something Stompy Jones should do. Nice Baritone Sax
Dancable.
19. After Hours - Bluesy Piano piece.
20. Black out - Slow piece.
So about 80% is Lindy Dancable, and a few are probably suitable for blues (i'm no expert there).
I highly recommend the album. Let me know if you have any questions.
I love this album: http://wm04.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=a ... fexql0ldae
The quality is good, and it's a single album... a lot less than the box set I'm sure

Track Listing and notes:
1 Junction Blues - Slow bluesy number
2. Sweet Georgia Brown - Uptempo, great faster tune suitable for Lindy/Bal
3. Five O'Clock Whistle - Not a bad version of the song if you like it. Dancable... I can take it or leave it.
4. Put Yourself in my place - Slower, but good and danceable
5. Nona - Slow, lots of guitar... good tune, dancable
6. Riff Time - Mid/Uptempo, dancable... I like this one.
7. Blue Sea - Mid Tempo, dancable... good tune
8. Shipyard Ramble - Mid Tempo, dancable. Great tune
9. Lucky Seven - MIdTempo, dancable. Good tune.
10. Bear Mash Blues - Very Slow Blues number
11. Tuxedo Junction - Mid tempo, good energy.... see above.
12. Tippin' In - Mid Tempo. Popular dance tune, people like it.
13. Good DIp - Mid Tempo, danceable Ok tune.
14. Sneakin' Out - Similar to Tippin' out. (same tempo/feel).
15. Holiday for Swing - Uptemp, great energy. Love this one.
16. Hawk's Boogie - Uptempo Boogie. Love it.
17. Coast to Coast - Mid Tempo, dancable. Interesting tune.
18. Corn Bread - Mid/Uptempo R&B style tune. Sounds like something Stompy Jones should do. Nice Baritone Sax

19. After Hours - Bluesy Piano piece.
20. Black out - Slow piece.
So about 80% is Lindy Dancable, and a few are probably suitable for blues (i'm no expert there).
I highly recommend the album. Let me know if you have any questions.
if it's 4:17 (or 3:40, without the talking out-tro) or so long, then it's not from a v-disc, but from a 1944 afrs jubilee programme. you can get it on this cd:
http://www.amazon.com/Best-AFRS-Jubilee ... B000005G9U
and some guy yells "tuxedo" around 0:15 on this one, too.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-AFRS-Jubilee ... B000005G9U
and some guy yells "tuxedo" around 0:15 on this one, too.
Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
I'm not sure about "uptempo" - the one I'm thinking of is about 140 bpm.kitkat wrote:There's a somewhat uptempo, reasonably well-recorded version of "Tuxedo Junction" where a man shouts, near the beginning, "Tux-edo!"
But it definitely has that man shouting near the beginning.
You can download it for free here. :)
http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/mp3c/Mon038421.mp3
- GemZombie
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Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
It's not the same version.subst wrote:I'm not sure about "uptempo" - the one I'm thinking of is about 140 bpm.kitkat wrote:There's a somewhat uptempo, reasonably well-recorded version of "Tuxedo Junction" where a man shouts, near the beginning, "Tux-edo!"
But it definitely has that man shouting near the beginning.
You can download it for free here.
http://www.jazz-on-line.com/a/mp3c/Mon038421.mp3
Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
The same as what version? :)GemZombie wrote:
It's not the same version.
- GemZombie
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Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
The one she's asking about. It's not the same length or tempo.subst wrote:The same as what version?GemZombie wrote:
It's not the same version.
The version posted there is slower, and just sounds like someone trying to emulate the live version we're talking about.
At least, that's my opinion.
Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
How do you know the tempo or length of the version that Katie is talking about? :)GemZombie wrote: The one she's asking about. It's not the same length or tempo.
Trying to emulate?? Why should anyone? It is the same Erskine Hawkins :)GemZombie wrote: The version posted there is slower, and just sounds like someone trying to emulate the live version we're talking about.
At least, that's my opinion.
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Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
Man, argumentative much?subst wrote:How do you know the tempo or length of the version that Katie is talking about?GemZombie wrote: The one she's asking about. It's not the same length or tempo.
Trying to emulate?? Why should anyone? It is the same Erskine HawkinsGemZombie wrote: The version posted there is slower, and just sounds like someone trying to emulate the live version we're talking about.
At least, that's my opinion.
She is talking about a relatively up tempo version. The version you posted is decidedly not up tempo. It maybe Erskine, but it's certainly not the same (or as good imo) as the live version which has far more energy.There's a somewhat uptempo, reasonably well-recorded version of "Tuxedo Junction" where a man shouts, near the beginning, "Tux-edo!"
I'm relatively certain that the version I mentioned (on "Holiday for Swing") is the one she is asking about.
Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
The version I've posted is Erskine Hawkins - I'm certain about that. :)GemZombie wrote: She is talking about a relatively up tempo version. The version you posted is decidedly not up tempo. It maybe Erskine, but it's certainly not the same (or as good imo) as the live version which has far more energy.
I'm relatively certain that the version I mentioned (on "Holiday for Swing") is the one she is asking about.
And it's not much slower than the version you're talking about. Mine is about 140, yours is about 148. Not much of difference.
I just don't see the reason you are so sure about "what she meant" :)
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Re: A rare Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins - need help
156bpm actually.subst wrote:The version I've posted is Erskine Hawkins - I'm certain about that.GemZombie wrote: She is talking about a relatively up tempo version. The version you posted is decidedly not up tempo. It maybe Erskine, but it's certainly not the same (or as good imo) as the live version which has far more energy.
I'm relatively certain that the version I mentioned (on "Holiday for Swing") is the one she is asking about.
And it's not much slower than the version you're talking about. Mine is about 140, yours is about 148. Not much of difference.
I just don't see the reason you are so sure about "what she meant"
Because I find the version you posted decidedly less energetic than this version, therefore I feel confident of my statement. I in no way would consider that one "uptempo", while I would call the the one I've been talking about moderately uptempo.
I believe you that your version is also Erskine... totally besides the point. I really don't understand why we are going back and forth on this...