Ok so I hope some of the totally obsessed dj types read this. I've finally decided to stop just randomly buying a cd here or there, but instead make a decided effort to start a collection. One that has the staples, one that has depth, one that will educate me and entertain me.
So I'm asking for help.
Assume I don't own a single jazz CD.
And then list the Top 20 CDs everyone should have in a dance-able swingin' jazz collection - go!
(you can list more if you want to)
Thanks in advance for the help!
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20 cds? wow...that's a huge amount to pick from...
If you're talking swinging collection, my absolute first pick would be Frankie Manning's "Really Swingin" which has a great variety of music and tempos:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000006FDD/qid 3D1091215027/sr 3D11-1/ref 3Dsr 5F11 5F1/002-3940540-5932857
After that, it's really up in the air. Even though I do not like listening to the music that much, I think Indigo Swing's "All Aboard" is a great practice CD for Lindy with good music at a range of tempos.
I also really like Frank SInatra's Reprise "The Very Good Years"
Oh yea, if you ever talk to any hardcore DJs, they will tell you don't buy compliation if you can help it. And if you have to, don't buy any that has 'Swing' in the title, with the exception of Frankie's Pick and Swing Suck. They actually have a really good collection of music for laymen.
That's an interesting point... I would agree there because with compilations you may end up with the same song on multiple cds..
however, in the case where you may only be buying a few cd's like 20 or less, I would say a compilation gives a great variety. (so if you're starting a collection, a ratio of somewhere like 5:1 of non-comp:comp cds is a good number until you get well over 30cds)
I would spread the collection around a bit. Buy a few different genres and build on them. I would not go into the 60s or later unless you've got some solid classic selections.
Compilations...
Really Swingin' : Frankie Manning's Big Band Favorites
Jumpin' Like Mad (good calls Suey)
Oscillating Rhythm
Swing Kids Soundtrack
Wild, Cool and Swingin' Vol 1&2 (even one is about 1/2 good)
Also...
Louis Armstrong, Satch Plays Fats
Ella Fitzgerald, Bluella
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Ella & Louis
Benny Goodman, Live at Carnegie Hall (2 CD)
Wynton Marsalis, Mr. Jelly Lord (Standard Time 6)
LCJO, Live in Swing City
Cab Calloway, Are you Hep to the Jive
Count Basie, Best of Early Basie
Django Reinhardt, Djangology
Slim Gaillard, The Complete Verve
Bob Wills, King of Western Swing
Barbara Morrison, 9:20 Special
I could give you a million recommendations (and I may, later), but instead, I'll suggest this: go find the music that you like for dancing, and buy that music. There are so many styles, types, musicians, etc., involved in creating "swing" music, that you could buy 100 highly-recommended CDs and still not have much music that you'd enjoy.
In order to find the music that you do enjoy, a few compilations can be very helpful. I buy them when I want to sample a wide variety of sounds and styles. For example, I've recently been building my blues collection, and I bought a cheap, 4-CD blues compilation, even though I was pretty sure the sound quality would stink (it did), just so that I could familiarize myself with many blues musicians. (I don't recommend buying tons of stuff with low-quality sound, but if it can help you find other stuff that you'd love...)
Another great way of finding stuff you'd like is to listen to online radio stations. In addition to Yehoodi Radio, Live365 has other stations that play swing. Each of those broadcasts lists the song being played, as well as the musician and album the song came from. I've found some of my favorite stuff through Live365.
Also, many DJs participate in the discussions in the SwingDJs forum, and there are some great threads on all sorts of musicians and music.
Count Basie, The Count Basie Story (4CD) - Awesome Proper Box set that covers 100 "Old Testament" Basie tunes. Great liner notes too, if you ever see a Proper Box set, grab it. See Hamp below.
Count Basie, At Newport - One of the best examples of "New Testament" Basie, with a who's-who of supporting players: Jimmy Rushing, Lester Young, Jo Jones, Illinois Jacquet, Roy Eldridge, Joe Williams, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Freddie Green...
Cab Calloway, Are You Hep to the Jive? - Vintage Cab hits with nearly all of the 22 tracks fit for dancing.
Ray Charles, Blues Jazz (2CD) - Nice compilation of Ray's stuff, nice for groove/blues flavor.
Duke Ellington, The Blanton-Webster Band (3CD) - I'm trying to pick just one or two from each artist, and it's hard picking my favorite Duke stuff. The B-W band is considered by many to the the highlight of Duke's recording career & this has it all.
Ella Fitzgerald, Bluella: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Blues - Another compilation, Ella on some great blues tunes, includes "Smooth Sailing," "Duke's Place," "I'm Walkin'" & "Basella" - also features great backing bands (incl. Basie's).
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Best of Ella & Louis - Collects the best of Ella & Louis and Ella & Louis Again. I've got both original albums, but for a starter this is a great option.
Lionel Hampton, The Lionel Hampton Story (4CD) - Another Proper Box set, runs the gammut of great Hamp tunes & again has fantastic liner notes
Buddy Johnson, Walk 'Em: The Decca Sessions - Buddy's was a house band at the Savoy in the 50's. Great tunes with some early R&B feel.
Jimmie Lunceford, Lunceford Special or Swingsation - Two nice compilations of Lunceford stuff with very little overlap as I recall. Incedentally the "Swingsation" series is a nice primer on any artist they covered.
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Live in Swing City - Wynton Marsalis & the gang cover Duke in fine fashion, recorded live at The Supper Club in NYC. You've probably heard all of these recordings a million times but they're still awesome.
Lucky Millinder, Jumpin' at the Savoy - Great stuff from 1941-1947, with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. You've undoubtedly heard "Shout, Sister, Shout" and "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well," but the rest of the album is nice too.
Barbara Morrison, Live at the 9:20 Special - You've probably already got this but I've still got to mention it. Full of dancers' favorites & you can't beat the passion for the music that flows through Barbara's vocals. I just love that you can tell she's having fun at this performance.
Joe Salzano & The Blue Devils, Savoy Nites - I have no idea if you can still find this anywhere, but the whole album is great. Plus it's the first band I danced to live.
Buster Smith, The Legendary Buster Smith - The producer dragged Buster out of semi-retirement in the 50's in Texas to record this gem. It's a shame it's all he recorded on his own, and it's only 7 tracks, but they are all out-of-this-world. Buster played with Basie very early on in K.C.
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, One Hour Mama - Great voice, phenominal band, and good song selection from what some still call a "neo" band. It's too bad they got clumped in with BBVD & CPD since they are all great jazz artists.
Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five, Crazy Rhythm - Just came out a couple of months ago, but already one of my favorites. Great song selection & great reproduction of the Swing Era sound.
Fats Waller, A Handful of Keys- I sure do love me some Fats and this is probably the best compilation of his stuff. I could listen to "Yacht Club Swing" all day long.
Jimmy Witherspoon, Jazz Me Blues - Yet another "Best Of" compilation. The title pretty much says it all, not straight-forward swing but dancers love the jazz/blues/R&B mix.
I've got tons more that I love, if you want to hear more let me know. :)
Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra - Live at the Hollywood Palladium, others
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - One Hour Mama, Everybody's Talkin' About Miss Thing (excellent variety for dance music, authentic feel and moods!)
Indigo Swing - self-titled, All Aboard
Royal Crown Revue - Mugsy's Move, The Contender, Greetings from Hollywood (All 3 great albums for dance, not all authentic but the swing, jazz and the moods are there, and excellent modern fast songs.... the latter album being available only from RCR.com and having a good mix of swingin' covers n' jazzy originals.)
IS and RCR were the groups I listened to the most during the Neo-swing period, the former being much more towards authentic swing sound and feel than a rock/punk/ska/other "neoswing" feel, and the latter being a group that swings, rocks, rolls, and has their own cult for something very close to jump swing and jump blues with a twist IMO.
Buddy Rich Big Band - Burning For Buddy I & II, others (danceable, but not a swing/dance group of songs purposely, more jazzy)
Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (a classic jazz album, and some songs are danceable but beware -- this was the first jazz record with unorthodox time signatures and changes in time!)
Al Jarreau - various (great modern jazz vocalist, also gonna be at the 2004 Long Beach Jazz Festival coming soon)
Maynard Ferguson (& Big Bop Noveau, other groups) - so many different albums and favorites they're all pretty good. A crazy (IMHO :D) jazz trumpeter, one of the first screamers.
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU to all who have posted here.
Post more if ya want. I am planning a major "buy me CDs" campaign with all friends and family (some owe me from my birthday this year and the holidays are coming up) so I could potentially get a buttload of music without even starting to spend money. I really want to expand and have something more comprehensive.
Basically, I've bought random CDs here and there for years but never put any thought into having a collection that made sense in any kind of way. And now I realize I have a lot of crappy music or disjointed selections or songs that don't work for dancing, etc (and spent a lot of money on that stuff). And now that I'm acknowledging the fact that I'm a "lifer" in this thing called swing I want to be smarter about my music.
Who knows, maybe I'll even consider trying my hand at some minor DJing sometime in the distant future...
I have a genuine love for the music and I know that's where it all starts.
Anyway, keep it coming. I can't wait until I have so many songs that I don't even know what I have :wink:
Well, I'd like to help you out with some specific suggestions, but there's too much to suggest. What kind of music do you like? Fast, slow, vocals, instrumentals, classic, groove, big bands, small groups, piano, guitar, etc. Is there anything that strikes your fancy right now - anything to narrow the field a bit?
Quoted from "Matthew" Well, I'd like to help you out with some specific suggestions, but there's too much to suggest. What kind of music do you like? Fast, slow, vocals, instrumentals, classic, groove, big bands, small groups, piano, guitar, etc. Is there anything that strikes your fancy right now - anything to narrow the field a bit?
Yeah I know this is a very tall order. I'm not asking for a complete list. I'm asking for a kind of top 20-40. Obviously that won't cover everything (or come even close - duh) but it could send me in a good direction for checking what I already have and getting new stuff.
If ya want somewhere to start, maybe add to the list Swifty threw out there? He listed a bunch, maybe add to the list he started to make a more complete grouping? How's that sound?
As for my personal preferences, that's the problem. I pretty much like it all. If you asked me what kind of music I liked I would say "good music". I could walk into a store and want everything. I really do enjoy the old stuff, the new stuff, and everything in between. So I have nowhere to start really.
Anyway, like I said, any suggestions are helpful. I know there's no right answer to this question, just looking for some smart people to help me get going.
Quote Jimmy Witherspoon, Jazz Me Blues - Yet another "Best Of" compilation. The title pretty much says it all, not straight-forward swing but dancers love the jazz/blues/R&B mix.
You can't mention Jimmy Witherspoon without including "Evenin' Blues." A great Jump Blues record that features T-Bone Walker on guitar. Not Jazz, but a hot live recording, none the less. It's so live that you'll feel like you're in the room!
Oh, but I'm gushing... :lol:
I actually have started buying a lot of the Ken Burns Jazz CD's. Each one is about 75 minutes overview of a great artist's best recordings spanning their whole career. I have Basie, Ellington and Goddman so far, and they are all great. A good place to start.
I would also recommend for vocals:
-Any of the Ella Fitzgerald Songbook Series CD's on Verve
-Any of the Louis and Ella duets on Verve.
-Sinatra recordings with Billy May- "Come Dance With Me" and "Come Swing with Me" on Capital
-Nat King Cole- After Midnight Sessions- The King Cole trio with drums, and guest soloists on each tune- Sweets Edison, Stuff Smith, Juan Tizol Etc. Really nice and swinging!
I also recommend any of the Goodman/ Charlie Christian compilations.
And I love the Lunceford CD "For Dancers Only".
And for Hot Jazz I Like:
Sidney Bechet (damn near anything)
Edmond Hall on Blue Note
Kid Ory in Calfornia
Django and his American Friends- a compilation of Django with guests from USA like Coleman Hawkins and Buck Clayton and others.
Anything by Fats Waller!!!
BTW- are you coming to Pittsburgh anytime soon?? We have some good dances coming up!
Have you visited Ron Bloom's website: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html? Check out his recommended essentials; I already have several, am getting others that are readily available, and am searching for ones not readily available. I like his reviews, there are hundreds of them, he writes about his own tastes and inclinations so we can consider the reviews in a context, and he replied to my e-mails.
There is a nice summary of Ron's work on another website worth visiting: http://www.lindygroove.com/djs.htm
Ron Bloom has been spinning swing music in San Diego for three years. He can be heard regularly at the Firehouse. He's also played at Swingout
Northwest, and exchanges in Denver and Chicago. Ron tastes aren't limited to any one style of swing, he plays anything that will get a crowd moving, from Jump Blues to Big Band to groovy jazz. His swing CD review website features reviews of over 400 Swing CDs and is a well-known source of information, recommendations and links for swing music lovers. See: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html
Ron's recent favorite CDs:
The Swing Session - Whispering Grass
Ramsey Lewis - Finest Hour
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance & Barbeque
Gene Harris - Best of the Concord Years
Stacey Kent - Let Yourself Go
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue
Jennie L bel - He Ain't Got Rhythm
Mary Stallings - Manhattan Moods
Ron's always favorite CDs:
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella & Basie
Benny Goodman - B.G. in Hi-Fi
Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - Swingin' the Century
Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis - Live In Swing City
Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train
Glenn Miller - The Secret Broadcasts
Maxine Sullivan and her Jazz All-Stars - A Tribute to Andy Razaf
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Mighty Blue Kings - Meet Me in Uptown
Jellyroll - Hoo-Dee-A-Da
Indigo Swing - All Aboard
Various Artists - Oscillatin' Rhythm
Risqu Rhythms - Nasty 50's R&B - Various Artists
Quoted from "Tanguero56" Have you visited Ron Bloom's website: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html?...I like his reviews, there are hundreds of them, he writes about his own tastes and inclinations so we can consider the reviews in a context...
Oooh, good point! I hadn't thought to mention that. Yeah, Ron's reviews can be very helpful. As mentioned above, Ron is very clear in explaining what he likes and doesn't like, and offers other viewpoints, as well. After noting his preferences and reading his reviews, I think that my tastes probably are pretty different from his (I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet), but I still find the reviews helpful, because he writes about objective aspects of the music (tempo, vocal qualities, instrumentation, etc.). Yeah, his site's a gold mine, and isn't mentioned nearly enough.
OHmygoodness! The second CD in this anthology is amazing. I don't think I've had a CD with so many songs in a row that make me want to get up and MOVE.
I just got this (and a buncha other stuff) after perusing this thread because I was bored with my selection. Thank you!
If you want good things, and maybe some stuff not everybody has, I would check label catalogs for the time period you're probably looking for, especially Verve, Decca, Bluebird 1920's-1950's... if you can get something that has been digitally remastered (particularly for the really early stuff) do it.
A great site for used CD's (well, new also) which always has a great collection of jazz is www.djangomusic.com. The company started in Portland, OR so I've been shopping there since I was a kid... the best dj item I picked up was a Verve 4-cd comp called "jazz singing"... not every song is danceable (some pretty torchy) but many are and some really unique versions (Lullaby of Birdland in French) as well as classic renditions. All famous-name musicians and great songs (I really like Fred Astaire singing "No strings" and Oscar Peterson "Mumbles")...
Be careful in the purchase of compilations that it is a reputable label unless you've actually heard the specific cd. The sound quality can be very compromised (potentially so as to be un-djable) if it is just some random label that tried to cash in on some artist's or swing's popularity.
Of course, you won't go wrong with anything on Jesse's or Paul's pages- both a good bet.
Quoted from "Matthew" Also, many DJs participate in the discussions in the SwingDJs forum, and there are some great threads on all sorts of musicians and music.
This one bears some repeating ... some useful threads:
By the way, if you're looking for places to buy cds, I've found a lot of treasures at great prices right around the corner from Dance Manhattan at Academy Records, on 18th bet 5th and 6th. Also, what I love about it is if you bring your own discman, you can listen to the used cds (and listen while you're still looking; it's not like you have to walk to grab a bunch of cds and walk to the corner where the listening stations are)
My other favorite is Jazz Record Center, 236 W 26th St, 804 (www.jazzrecordcenter.com). You need to buzz to get in. It's all jazz; tons of LPs and CDs. It's a Mom and Pop shop, and the owner knows everything about jazz. The cool thing about it is that all their cds are only 10, whether it's new or used. And you can also bring your discman here and listen while you look.
St Mark's Place (8th St bet 2nd and 3rd Ave) has a few used cd stores that are all ok, but the best store in that area is actually right around the corner on 3rd Ave bet 7th and 8th St. It's called Normans. It's mostly new, but prices are pretty good, and they have a great jazz section including a bunch of imports.
J&R Music World right across that City Hall Park also has a great jazz selection. Not used stuff, but once again, fairly good prices.
Greenwich Village has a bunch of random used cd stores, but quite frankly, none are that great with jazz selections, and most are pricey ( 9 and up for used stuff, rarely great 5- 7 bargains)
And I hate to admit it, but the two Virgin Megastores (Times Sq and Union Sq) and the two Towers (Washington Sq and Lincoln Center) actually have amazing jazz sections. I hate selling out to The Man, but indeed I've gotten some great stuff at all those spots.
So that's my little summary My recommendation if you got a couple hours and want to go hunting is to start at Jazz Record Center, than head to Academy (15 minute walk) and then if you still have time it's a 7 minute walk to the Union Sq Virgin Megastore and then another 7 minute walk to St. Mark's Place to check out those stores and Norman's around the corner. Start up and walk/work your way down.
Hope this helps. Let me know how you do. Good luck!
Mary Lou Williams - I have Story 1930-1941. Many of the tracks are by a band she was with, Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, and don't feature her (she was a pianist) as much as I'd like. I still like the CD, though.
Oscar Aleman - some people say he was better than Django Reinhardt. Whatever the case, I think Swing Guitar Masterpieces is a very fun 2-CD set.
Quoted from "mousethief" I would spread the collection around a bit. Buy a few different genres and build on them. I would not go into the 60s or later unless you've got some solid classic selections.
Compilations...
Really Swingin' : Frankie Manning's Big Band Favorites
Jumpin' Like Mad (good calls Suey)
Oscillating Rhythm
Swing Kids Soundtrack
Wild, Cool and Swingin' Vol 1&2 (even one is about 1/2 good)
Also...
Louis Armstrong, Satch Plays Fats
Ella Fitzgerald, Bluella
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Ella & Louis
Benny Goodman, Live at Carnegie Hall (2 CD)
Wynton Marsalis, Mr. Jelly Lord (Standard Time 6)
LCJO, Live in Swing City
Cab Calloway, Are you Hep to the Jive
Count Basie, Best of Early Basie
Django Reinhardt, Djangology
Slim Gaillard, The Complete Verve
Bob Wills, King of Western Swing
Barbara Morrison, 9:20 Special
Help me start a collection!!!
mouth
Ok so I hope some of the totally obsessed dj types read this. I've finally decided to stop just randomly buying a cd here or there, but instead make a decided effort to start a collection. One that has the staples, one that has depth, one that will educate me and entertain me.
So I'm asking for help.
Assume I don't own a single jazz CD.
And then list the Top 20 CDs everyone should have in a dance-able swingin' jazz collection - go!
(you can list more if you want to)
Thanks in advance for the help!
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gatorgal
Have you checked out Jesse Miner's site? I believe he has a list that would help you start out.
Tina 8)
bluesSHOUT! 2010 is coming to Austin!
http://www.bluesshout.com
Favorite Tim Tebow-ism: Jesus opens presents on Tim Tebow's birthday. :)
byau213
20 cds? wow...that's a huge amount to pick from...
If you're talking swinging collection, my absolute first pick would be Frankie Manning's "Really Swingin" which has a great variety of music and tempos:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000006FDD/qid 3D1091215027/sr 3D11-1/ref 3Dsr 5F11 5F1/002-3940540-5932857
After that, it's really up in the air. Even though I do not like listening to the music that much, I think Indigo Swing's "All Aboard" is a great practice CD for Lindy with good music at a range of tempos.
I also really like Frank SInatra's Reprise "The Very Good Years"
Moonmist
Tina beat me to it... def. Jesse's site also Lindygroove list their guest DJs and each of their picks. check that out too.
Also, www.paulandsharon.com, they listed a really good guide.
Personally:
Bluella
Carmen McRae-Concord Heritage Series
Harry James - Best of
Betty Roche - Take the A Train
Barbara Morrison - 9:20 Special
I can name only 5 on top of my head, I'm not nerdy enough to name things off without my collection in front of me.
Good luck.
Moonmist
Oh yea, if you ever talk to any hardcore DJs, they will tell you don't buy compliation if you can help it. And if you have to, don't buy any that has 'Swing' in the title, with the exception of Frankie's Pick and Swing Suck. They actually have a really good collection of music for laymen.
byau213
That's an interesting point... I would agree there because with compilations you may end up with the same song on multiple cds..
however, in the case where you may only be buying a few cd's like 20 or less, I would say a compilation gives a great variety. (so if you're starting a collection, a ratio of somewhere like 5:1 of non-comp:comp cds is a good number until you get well over 30cds)
something like that :)
suey
Jumpin' Like Mad - Cool Cats & Hip Chicks Non-Stop Dancin' - 2 CD set.
Capitol Records
Frankie Manning's Really Swingin' Big Band Favorites
Sony Music Entertainment
8)
suey
I just bought this on Amazon and love it:
Jazzhole - Circle of the Sun
8)
funkyfreak
Anyone can start with just one purchase:
40 CD Box Set
Big Band
Click on "Used & New" for 50 price
-FF
mousethief
I would spread the collection around a bit. Buy a few different genres and build on them. I would not go into the 60s or later unless you've got some solid classic selections.
Compilations...
Really Swingin' : Frankie Manning's Big Band Favorites
Jumpin' Like Mad (good calls Suey)
Oscillating Rhythm
Swing Kids Soundtrack
Wild, Cool and Swingin' Vol 1&2 (even one is about 1/2 good)
Also...
Louis Armstrong, Satch Plays Fats
Ella Fitzgerald, Bluella
Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald, Ella & Louis
Benny Goodman, Live at Carnegie Hall (2 CD)
Wynton Marsalis, Mr. Jelly Lord (Standard Time 6)
LCJO, Live in Swing City
Cab Calloway, Are you Hep to the Jive
Count Basie, Best of Early Basie
Django Reinhardt, Djangology
Slim Gaillard, The Complete Verve
Bob Wills, King of Western Swing
Barbara Morrison, 9:20 Special
Kalman
Matthew
I could give you a million recommendations (and I may, later), but instead, I'll suggest this: go find the music that you like for dancing, and buy that music. There are so many styles, types, musicians, etc., involved in creating "swing" music, that you could buy 100 highly-recommended CDs and still not have much music that you'd enjoy.
In order to find the music that you do enjoy, a few compilations can be very helpful. I buy them when I want to sample a wide variety of sounds and styles. For example, I've recently been building my blues collection, and I bought a cheap, 4-CD blues compilation, even though I was pretty sure the sound quality would stink (it did), just so that I could familiarize myself with many blues musicians. (I don't recommend buying tons of stuff with low-quality sound, but if it can help you find other stuff that you'd love...)
Another great way of finding stuff you'd like is to listen to online radio stations. In addition to Yehoodi Radio, Live365 has other stations that play swing. Each of those broadcasts lists the song being played, as well as the musician and album the song came from. I've found some of my favorite stuff through Live365.
Also, many DJs participate in the discussions in the SwingDJs forum, and there are some great threads on all sorts of musicians and music.
Swifty
For a fairly broad range I'd recommend:
Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington, The Great Summit - The Master Takes (2CD) - Classic Duke & Louis at their best. Also available as a one-disc version.
Count Basie, The Count Basie Story (4CD) - Awesome Proper Box set that covers 100 "Old Testament" Basie tunes. Great liner notes too, if you ever see a Proper Box set, grab it. See Hamp below.
Count Basie, At Newport - One of the best examples of "New Testament" Basie, with a who's-who of supporting players: Jimmy Rushing, Lester Young, Jo Jones, Illinois Jacquet, Roy Eldridge, Joe Williams, Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Freddie Green...
Cab Calloway, Are You Hep to the Jive? - Vintage Cab hits with nearly all of the 22 tracks fit for dancing.
Ray Charles, Blues Jazz (2CD) - Nice compilation of Ray's stuff, nice for groove/blues flavor.
Duke Ellington, The Blanton-Webster Band (3CD) - I'm trying to pick just one or two from each artist, and it's hard picking my favorite Duke stuff. The B-W band is considered by many to the the highlight of Duke's recording career & this has it all.
Ella Fitzgerald, Bluella: Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Blues - Another compilation, Ella on some great blues tunes, includes "Smooth Sailing," "Duke's Place," "I'm Walkin'" & "Basella" - also features great backing bands (incl. Basie's).
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong, Best of Ella & Louis - Collects the best of Ella & Louis and Ella & Louis Again. I've got both original albums, but for a starter this is a great option.
Benny Goodman, Sing, Sing, Sing or B.G. in Hi-Fi - My two favorite Goodman CDs, it's hard to pick between the two.
Lionel Hampton, The Lionel Hampton Story (4CD) - Another Proper Box set, runs the gammut of great Hamp tunes & again has fantastic liner notes
Buddy Johnson, Walk 'Em: The Decca Sessions - Buddy's was a house band at the Savoy in the 50's. Great tunes with some early R&B feel.
Jimmie Lunceford, Lunceford Special or Swingsation - Two nice compilations of Lunceford stuff with very little overlap as I recall. Incedentally the "Swingsation" series is a nice primer on any artist they covered.
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Live in Swing City - Wynton Marsalis & the gang cover Duke in fine fashion, recorded live at The Supper Club in NYC. You've probably heard all of these recordings a million times but they're still awesome.
Lucky Millinder, Jumpin' at the Savoy - Great stuff from 1941-1947, with Sister Rosetta Tharpe. You've undoubtedly heard "Shout, Sister, Shout" and "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well," but the rest of the album is nice too.
Barbara Morrison, Live at the 9:20 Special - You've probably already got this but I've still got to mention it. Full of dancers' favorites & you can't beat the passion for the music that flows through Barbara's vocals. I just love that you can tell she's having fun at this performance.
Joe Salzano & The Blue Devils, Savoy Nites - I have no idea if you can still find this anywhere, but the whole album is great. Plus it's the first band I danced to live.
Buster Smith, The Legendary Buster Smith - The producer dragged Buster out of semi-retirement in the 50's in Texas to record this gem. It's a shame it's all he recorded on his own, and it's only 7 tracks, but they are all out-of-this-world. Buster played with Basie very early on in K.C.
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, One Hour Mama - Great voice, phenominal band, and good song selection from what some still call a "neo" band. It's too bad they got clumped in with BBVD & CPD since they are all great jazz artists.
Jonathan Stout & His Campus Five, Crazy Rhythm - Just came out a couple of months ago, but already one of my favorites. Great song selection & great reproduction of the Swing Era sound.
Various Artists, An Anthology of Big Bang Swing 1930-1955 by the Decca Label, in my opinion the best compilation out there.
Fats Waller, A Handful of Keys- I sure do love me some Fats and this is probably the best compilation of his stuff. I could listen to "Yacht Club Swing" all day long.
Jimmy Witherspoon, Jazz Me Blues - Yet another "Best Of" compilation. The title pretty much says it all, not straight-forward swing but dancers love the jazz/blues/R&B mix.
I've got tons more that I love, if you want to hear more let me know. :)
4^(1/2) = Rainbows
Basswind
A few newer ones here....
Bill Elliot Swing Orchestra - Live at the Hollywood Palladium, others
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - One Hour Mama, Everybody's Talkin' About Miss Thing (excellent variety for dance music, authentic feel and moods!)
Indigo Swing - self-titled, All Aboard
Royal Crown Revue - Mugsy's Move, The Contender, Greetings from Hollywood (All 3 great albums for dance, not all authentic but the swing, jazz and the moods are there, and excellent modern fast songs.... the latter album being available only from RCR.com and having a good mix of swingin' covers n' jazzy originals.)
IS and RCR were the groups I listened to the most during the Neo-swing period, the former being much more towards authentic swing sound and feel than a rock/punk/ska/other "neoswing" feel, and the latter being a group that swings, rocks, rolls, and has their own cult for something very close to jump swing and jump blues with a twist IMO.
Just a bit o' the newer stuff. 8)
Basswind
For more jazz though....
Buddy Rich Big Band - Burning For Buddy I & II, others (danceable, but not a swing/dance group of songs purposely, more jazzy)
Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out (a classic jazz album, and some songs are danceable but beware -- this was the first jazz record with unorthodox time signatures and changes in time!)
Al Jarreau - various (great modern jazz vocalist, also gonna be at the 2004 Long Beach Jazz Festival coming soon)
Maynard Ferguson (& Big Bop Noveau, other groups) - so many different albums and favorites they're all pretty good. A crazy (IMHO :D) jazz trumpeter, one of the first screamers.
8)
mouth
THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU to all who have posted here.
Post more if ya want. I am planning a major "buy me CDs" campaign with all friends and family (some owe me from my birthday this year and the holidays are coming up) so I could potentially get a buttload of music without even starting to spend money. I really want to expand and have something more comprehensive.
Basically, I've bought random CDs here and there for years but never put any thought into having a collection that made sense in any kind of way. And now I realize I have a lot of crappy music or disjointed selections or songs that don't work for dancing, etc (and spent a lot of money on that stuff). And now that I'm acknowledging the fact that I'm a "lifer" in this thing called swing I want to be smarter about my music.
Who knows, maybe I'll even consider trying my hand at some minor DJing sometime in the distant future...
I have a genuine love for the music and I know that's where it all starts.
Anyway, keep it coming. I can't wait until I have so many songs that I don't even know what I have :wink:
Matthew
Well, I'd like to help you out with some specific suggestions, but there's too much to suggest. What kind of music do you like? Fast, slow, vocals, instrumentals, classic, groove, big bands, small groups, piano, guitar, etc. Is there anything that strikes your fancy right now - anything to narrow the field a bit?
Zev
(YOU need a thread on Yehoodi for this??)
Threads like this always wind up costing me money.
For jump blues, get the comp called "Jiving Jamboree vol 1" and you're pretty good to go. (And there's always the ubiquitous Risque Rhythm)
"Style is originality; fashion is fascism.The two are eternally and unalterably opposed." - Lester Bangs
mouth
Yeah I know this is a very tall order. I'm not asking for a complete list. I'm asking for a kind of top 20-40. Obviously that won't cover everything (or come even close - duh) but it could send me in a good direction for checking what I already have and getting new stuff.
If ya want somewhere to start, maybe add to the list Swifty threw out there? He listed a bunch, maybe add to the list he started to make a more complete grouping? How's that sound?
As for my personal preferences, that's the problem. I pretty much like it all. If you asked me what kind of music I liked I would say "good music". I could walk into a store and want everything. I really do enjoy the old stuff, the new stuff, and everything in between. So I have nowhere to start really.
Anyway, like I said, any suggestions are helpful. I know there's no right answer to this question, just looking for some smart people to help me get going.
THANKS!!!
gorilla man
You can't mention Jimmy Witherspoon without including "Evenin' Blues." A great Jump Blues record that features T-Bone Walker on guitar. Not Jazz, but a hot live recording, none the less. It's so live that you'll feel like you're in the room!
Oh, but I'm gushing... :lol:
Albert System
I actually have started buying a lot of the Ken Burns Jazz CD's. Each one is about 75 minutes overview of a great artist's best recordings spanning their whole career. I have Basie, Ellington and Goddman so far, and they are all great. A good place to start.
I would also recommend for vocals:
-Any of the Ella Fitzgerald Songbook Series CD's on Verve
-Any of the Louis and Ella duets on Verve.
-Sinatra recordings with Billy May- "Come Dance With Me" and "Come Swing with Me" on Capital
-Nat King Cole- After Midnight Sessions- The King Cole trio with drums, and guest soloists on each tune- Sweets Edison, Stuff Smith, Juan Tizol Etc. Really nice and swinging!
I also recommend any of the Goodman/ Charlie Christian compilations.
And I love the Lunceford CD "For Dancers Only".
And for Hot Jazz I Like:
Sidney Bechet (damn near anything)
Edmond Hall on Blue Note
Kid Ory in Calfornia
Django and his American Friends- a compilation of Django with guests from USA like Coleman Hawkins and Buck Clayton and others.
Anything by Fats Waller!!!
BTW- are you coming to Pittsburgh anytime soon?? We have some good dances coming up!
PC
Tanguero56
Have you visited Ron Bloom's website: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html? Check out his recommended essentials; I already have several, am getting others that are readily available, and am searching for ones not readily available. I like his reviews, there are hundreds of them, he writes about his own tastes and inclinations so we can consider the reviews in a context, and he replied to my e-mails.
There is a nice summary of Ron's work on another website worth visiting: http://www.lindygroove.com/djs.htm
Ron Bloom has been spinning swing music in San Diego for three years. He can be heard regularly at the Firehouse. He's also played at Swingout
Northwest, and exchanges in Denver and Chicago. Ron tastes aren't limited to any one style of swing, he plays anything that will get a crowd moving, from Jump Blues to Big Band to groovy jazz. His swing CD review website features reviews of over 400 Swing CDs and is a well-known source of information, recommendations and links for swing music lovers. See: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html
Ron's recent favorite CDs:
The Swing Session - Whispering Grass
Ramsey Lewis - Finest Hour
Count Basie - Breakfast Dance & Barbeque
Gene Harris - Best of the Concord Years
Stacey Kent - Let Yourself Go
Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue
Jennie L bel - He Ain't Got Rhythm
Mary Stallings - Manhattan Moods
Ron's always favorite CDs:
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella & Basie
Benny Goodman - B.G. in Hi-Fi
Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - Swingin' the Century
Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis - Live In Swing City
Oscar Peterson Trio - Night Train
Glenn Miller - The Secret Broadcasts
Maxine Sullivan and her Jazz All-Stars - A Tribute to Andy Razaf
Jimmy Witherspoon - Jazz Me Blues
Mighty Blue Kings - Meet Me in Uptown
Jellyroll - Hoo-Dee-A-Da
Indigo Swing - All Aboard
Various Artists - Oscillatin' Rhythm
Risqu Rhythms - Nasty 50's R&B - Various Artists
Matthew
Oooh, good point! I hadn't thought to mention that. Yeah, Ron's reviews can be very helpful. As mentioned above, Ron is very clear in explaining what he likes and doesn't like, and offers other viewpoints, as well. After noting his preferences and reading his reviews, I think that my tastes probably are pretty different from his (I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet), but I still find the reviews helpful, because he writes about objective aspects of the music (tempo, vocal qualities, instrumentation, etc.). Yeah, his site's a gold mine, and isn't mentioned nearly enough.
naugess
OHmygoodness! The second CD in this anthology is amazing. I don't think I've had a CD with so many songs in a row that make me want to get up and MOVE.
I just got this (and a buncha other stuff) after perusing this thread because I was bored with my selection. Thank you!
rubylis
If you want good things, and maybe some stuff not everybody has, I would check label catalogs for the time period you're probably looking for, especially Verve, Decca, Bluebird 1920's-1950's... if you can get something that has been digitally remastered (particularly for the really early stuff) do it.
A great site for used CD's (well, new also) which always has a great collection of jazz is www.djangomusic.com. The company started in Portland, OR so I've been shopping there since I was a kid... the best dj item I picked up was a Verve 4-cd comp called "jazz singing"... not every song is danceable (some pretty torchy) but many are and some really unique versions (Lullaby of Birdland in French) as well as classic renditions. All famous-name musicians and great songs (I really like Fred Astaire singing "No strings" and Oscar Peterson "Mumbles")...
Be careful in the purchase of compilations that it is a reputable label unless you've actually heard the specific cd. The sound quality can be very compromised (potentially so as to be un-djable) if it is just some random label that tried to cash in on some artist's or swing's popularity.
Of course, you won't go wrong with anything on Jesse's or Paul's pages- both a good bet.
Lis
LindyChef
This one bears some repeating ... some useful threads:
What are you favorite songs right now?
Balboa/shag music recommendations
Last 10?
50's Bands for Swing Dancing
Albums you wish you never bought
I'm constantly getting new ideas on what to play and what to buy from that bb.
Shorty Dave
By the way, if you're looking for places to buy cds, I've found a lot of treasures at great prices right around the corner from Dance Manhattan at Academy Records, on 18th bet 5th and 6th. Also, what I love about it is if you bring your own discman, you can listen to the used cds (and listen while you're still looking; it's not like you have to walk to grab a bunch of cds and walk to the corner where the listening stations are)
My other favorite is Jazz Record Center, 236 W 26th St, 804 (www.jazzrecordcenter.com). You need to buzz to get in. It's all jazz; tons of LPs and CDs. It's a Mom and Pop shop, and the owner knows everything about jazz. The cool thing about it is that all their cds are only 10, whether it's new or used. And you can also bring your discman here and listen while you look.
St Mark's Place (8th St bet 2nd and 3rd Ave) has a few used cd stores that are all ok, but the best store in that area is actually right around the corner on 3rd Ave bet 7th and 8th St. It's called Normans. It's mostly new, but prices are pretty good, and they have a great jazz section including a bunch of imports.
J&R Music World right across that City Hall Park also has a great jazz selection. Not used stuff, but once again, fairly good prices.
Greenwich Village has a bunch of random used cd stores, but quite frankly, none are that great with jazz selections, and most are pricey ( 9 and up for used stuff, rarely great 5- 7 bargains)
And I hate to admit it, but the two Virgin Megastores (Times Sq and Union Sq) and the two Towers (Washington Sq and Lincoln Center) actually have amazing jazz sections. I hate selling out to The Man, but indeed I've gotten some great stuff at all those spots.
So that's my little summary My recommendation if you got a couple hours and want to go hunting is to start at Jazz Record Center, than head to Academy (15 minute walk) and then if you still have time it's a 7 minute walk to the Union Sq Virgin Megastore and then another 7 minute walk to St. Mark's Place to check out those stores and Norman's around the corner. Start up and walk/work your way down.
Hope this helps. Let me know how you do. Good luck!
:)
Matthew
O.K., I'll add to Swifty's list. He's got great stuff on there.
Chick Webb - I've got the Swingsation CD, and I like it. The DJs on SwingDJs also recommended Strictly Jive.
Bennie Moten - Band Box Shuffle documents the transitional period when Count Basie was in the band.
Billie Holiday - ANYTHING! I've got a lot of her stuff, but not any one CD I'd recommend.
Earl Hines - 1934-1937 and 1937-1939 and Blues and Things.
Fletcher Henderson - Indispensable 1927-36 and Tidal Wave.
Mary Lou Williams - I have Story 1930-1941. Many of the tracks are by a band she was with, Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, and don't feature her (she was a pianist) as much as I'd like. I still like the CD, though.
Oscar Aleman - some people say he was better than Django Reinhardt. Whatever the case, I think Swing Guitar Masterpieces is a very fun 2-CD set.
I could go on, but I'll stop there.
Miss Behave
Nice Breadth Kalman. I concur.
Charleston
A few of these are good if ya don't have them already:
http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=lindycharleston&completed=0&sort=3&since=-1
one000days
http://www.rhythmandbugs.com/gettingstarted.htm Check out this link my friend DJs this is a list he put up for some people trying to develop a collection... its pointed me in a good direction
Matthew
Corrected link: http://www.rhythmandbugs.com/gettingstarted.htm
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