High energy/slower tempo

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Soupbone · #1 Post by **Soupbone** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 11:34 am

I'm pulling this into its own thread, because I'm hoping it gets some more attention this way. In the indoor/outdoor thread Mike mentioned the concept of keeping the energy level up while reducing the tempos.

I struggle with this quite a bit, because by in large the dancers here are not able to deal with a whole evening of uptempo tunes. But, too often our dances have been turned into sloggy slush fests with not enough energy.

I've been able to strike a pretty solid balance on most occasions. But, I am curious as to what tracks or artists or albums people would consider to have high energy at slower tempos.

List 'em or give comments!

julius · #2 Post by **julius** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 11:44 am

I like Jive at Five, In a Mellow Tone, Things Ain't What They Used To Be, and "slow burn" songs to dance to as far as keeping the room alive. By slow burn I don't mean intense blues numbers, but more like songs that feel or start slow but rather pick up the intensity as it goes along. Unfortunately I can't think of any examples offhand. I'd have to go home and listen a bit.

I theorize that when you drop below a certain range, it really does not matter what you play; it really does sap the room of "lindy hop" energy and refocuses it into "interpersonal connected dancing" energy.

Roy · #3 Post by **Roy** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 12:02 pm

Shuffling and a Rolling and Lil'Darlin by Buddy Johnson jumps to mind immediatly, when I get home and get a chance to look at my CD's I'll post some more songs.

Nate Dogg · #4 Post by **Nate Dogg** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 12:02 pm

julius wrote: I theorize that when you drop below a certain range, it really does not matter what you play; it really does sap the room of "lindy hop" energy and refocuses it into "interpersonal connected dancing" energy.

What is lindy hop energy? Is there no interpersonal connection in lindy hop?

Seriously, I agree that at a certain BPM, traditional lindy moves (swingout, etc..) don't work very well. Even then, BPM is not sole indicator, BMP can be misleading.

CafeSavoy · #5 Post by **CafeSavoy** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 12:05 pm

Sent for you yesterday, Count Basie and the Mills Brothers

mark0tz · #6 Post by **mark0tz** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 12:46 pm

Apollo Jump - Lucky Millinder
Bangtail - Harry James

come to mind.

djstarr · #7 Post by **djstarr** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 1:09 pm

Four or Five Times - Jimmie Lunceford "Stomp it Off"
Happy Go Lucky Local, C Jam Blues, Bli Blip - LCJO "Live at Swing City"
Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well, Farethee Well Deacon Jones - Lucky Millinder "Apollo Jump"
Going back to Chicago - Ernestine Anderson "When the Sun Goes Down"
Any Old Time - Artie Shaw w/Billie Holiday
Things Ain't What they used to be, Don't get Around much Anymore, Centerpiece - Gene Harris SuperBand - "Big Band Soul"
Back Room Romp - Rex Stewart and his 52nd St. Stompers - "Duke Ellington Ken Burns Jazz Collection"

Lawrence · #8 Post by **Lawrence** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 1:59 pm

There are so many.... Blues and Jump Blues provide the best low-tempo, up-energy dance songs. But there are jazz songs, too.

Gene Harris: Don't Get Around Much Anymore 125
City Rhythm Orchestra: Things Ain't What they Used to Be
Basie: Splanky (live versions more than studio) 125ish
Mighty Blue Kings: Big Mamou 125
The Dominoes: Sixty Minute Man 130ish
Jeannie & Jimmy Chetham: Take the Wrinkles Out Your Birthday Suit 130
Charles Brown: Bad, Bad Whiskey (live) 137
Rod Stewart: Having a Party (Unplugged) 127

julius · #9 Post by **julius** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 5:16 pm

Well, I feel like I've said this a million times, but to me lindy hop projects outwards, while "interpersonal connected dancing" does not. See, I'm trying not to use That Certain Word here, ok? Work with me, man.

Yakov · #10 Post by **Yakov** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 8:01 pm

hehe...

i vote for
"knock me a kiss," gene krupa (proper box)
"bli blip," ella fitzgerald (duke ellington song books)
"bli blip," lincoln center/dianne reeves (live in swing city)
"bli blip," duke ellington/ray nance (blanton-webster)
"let it roll", lucky millinder (proper pair ["apollo jump"])
"baby's gonna go bye-bye", louis jordan (proper box)
"your feet's too big," fats waller

but really, how slow are you looking for?

-yakov.

Roy · #11 Post by **Roy** » Fri Aug 15, 2003 8:04 pm

For Big band and swing era stuff that is slow with high energy that I would reccomend:

Blue light blues-Benny Carter
Sugar-Benny Carter
Blue Moon-Cozy Cole
A Sunbonnet Blue-Billie Holliday
Georgiana-Count Basie
Black market Stuff-Nat King cole/buddy rich
I've got the sun in the morning-Les brown
Six Appeal-Benny Goodman Quintet
Life is fine-jimmy Lunceford
Shout sister shout-Lucky Milander
Oh lawdy mama-Sam price
Pent up in a penhouse-Fats Waller
Tuxedoe Junction-big 18
Don't get around much anymore-Ellington/Armstong
2 o'clock jump-Harry James
Marige-Johnny Otis

I'll make another list of post war jazz stuff