DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #25: Shipyard Ramble

Sometimes it is difficult to explain how it feels like when you hear a certain song and you just want to dance to! Do you know this feeling too?

One of these songs making me immediately dance is Shipyard Ramble by Erskine Hawkins and his Orchestra.

Erskine Hawkins started playing trumpet when he was 13 and while attending the Alabama State Teachers College, he became the leader of the college band The Bama State Collegians.

1934 the band went to New York and became the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, where they started making records in 1936. By 1938 they were quite successful and loved by swing dancers and jazz admirers alike.

Hawkins was able to keep the big band together all the way until 1953; some of their later sessions were more R&B-oriented yet never without jazz interest.

(source: allmusic.com)

Shipyard Ramble is a beautiful swinging tune, great for Balboa dancing.

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

Now Check Out:

• Song of the Week #24: “I've Found A New Baby (Live)” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra
• Song of the Week #23: “Muskrat Ramble” by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five
• Song of the Week #22: “Six Feet Down” by Tuba Skinny