DJ Chrisbe

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #147: Mele Kalikimaka

24.12.2012 by Chris

I was wondering if I should feature a Christmas song. Because when you're listening to the Spotify playlist “DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week” during the year, then you probably don't want to listen to Christmas music.

But hey, it's a nice swinging tune, there is some ukulele in it, so I decided to choose this one anyways:

Mele Kalikimaka

Here is what I found about it on Wikipedia:

“Mele Kalikimaka” is a Hawaiian-themed Christmas song written in 1949 by Robert Alex Anderson. The song takes its title from the Hawaiian phrase, “Mele Kalikimaka,” meaning “Merry Christmas”.

The phrase is borrowed directly from English but since Hawaiian has a different phonological system – Hawaiian does not have the /r/ or /s/ of English and its phonotactic constraints do not permit consonants at the end of syllables or consonant clusters – “Merry Christmas” becomes “Mele Kalikimaka”.

One of the earliest recordings of this song was by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters in 1950 on Decca 27228 (78 rpm) / 9-27228 (45 rpm) and it has been covered by many artists.

The Puppini Sisters

Inspired by the Andrews Sisters, who took the genre of singing in close harmony to the top (one hundred and thirteen songs in the American charts between 1938 and 1951), Marcella Puppini created a new Sisters group with Kate Mullins and original member Rosanna Shura (later replaced by Stephanie O'Brien and since July 2012 by Terrianne Passingham).

The idea was not to try and copy the enchantments of a historical songbook: rather to create an individual sound, which would encapsulate the trio’s eclectic influences.

As they write about themselves, the Puppini Sisters have long become synonym with the intoxicating mix of music and style they call Swing-Pop, and have won hearts all over the world.

On October 5, 2010, the Puppini Sisters released their third album Christmas With The Puppini Sisters and this week's song is taken from that album.

Title: Mele Kalikimaka
Artist: The Puppini Sisters
Recorded: 2010
Album: Christmas With The Puppini Sisters
Tempo: 206 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes EU ･ iTunes US ･ Amazon DE ･ Amazon US ･ ~~emusic~~

What do you think about this version? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #146: Four Or Five Times

17.12.2012 by Chris

This is the third time I'm featuring “Four Or Five Times”, one of my all-time favorite songs. This version sounds differently, though.

Listen yourself:

Four Or Five Times

Personnel: Muggsy Spanier – trumpet, Sidney Bechet – soprano sax, Carmen Mastren – guitar, Wellman Braud – bass.

Muggsy Spanier

Francis Joseph Julian “Muggsy” Spanier (Nov. 9, 1906 – Feb. 12, 1967) was a solid cornet player cultivating the Dixieland style. Some say he was a bit predictable but always enthusiastic and expressive.

He started playing the drums, switching to cornet at age 13. Two years later, he started playing professionally. His style was influenced by King Oliver and Louis Armstrong.

In the 1920s, he was part of the Chicago jazz scene, then he played with Ted Lewis for seven years (1929-1936), before joining Ben Pollack‘s big band from 1936-1938.

He became seriously ill and had to stay in hospital for three months. After recovering, he formed his octet, the Ragtimers. They recorded 16 sides in 1939. The band was set up too early, although they inspired the Dixieland revival a few years later, they didn't get enough jobs.

Spanier joined Bob Crosby‘s orchestra in 1940 and one year later, he led his own big band during 1941-1943. After breaking up the band, he spent the rest of his career in Dixieland settings, mostly as a leader.

Title: Four Or Five Times
Artist: Muggsy Spanier feat. Sidney Bechet
Recorded: 1940
Album: All Star Jazz Quartets 1928-1940 – Disc A
Tempo: 116 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes EU ･ iTunes US ･ Amazon DE ･ Amazon US ･ Amazon UK ･ emusic

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #145: Organ Grinder’s Swing

10.12.2012 by Chris

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of “a capella” style of jazz, but this here is a nice version by The Mills Brothers.

The Mills Brothers

The Mills Brothers, originally billed as “Four Boys and a Guitar” were an American jazz and pop vocal quartet that had grew into one of the longest-lasting oldies acts in American popular music. They made more than 2'000 recordings that combined sold more than 50 million copies.

The four brothers were John, Jr., (born in 1910), Herbert (1912), Harry (1913), and Donald (1915). Their father owned a barber shop and founded a barbershop quartet as well, called the Four Kings of Harmony. His sons obviously learned their close harmonies first-hand, and began performing around the area.

At one show, Harry Mills forgot his kazoo – the group's usual accompaniment – and ended up trying to emulate the instrument by cupping his hand over his mouth.

The brothers were surprised to hear the sound of a trumpet proceeding from Harry's mouth, so they began to work the novelty into their act, with John taking tuba, Donald trombone, and Herbert a second trumpet.

The act was perfect for vaudeville, and the Mills Brothers also began broadcasting over a Cincinnati radio station during the late 1920s.

After moving to New York, the group became a sensation and hit it big during 1931 and early 1932 with the singles “Tiger Rag” and “Dinah”.

Dumbfounded listeners hardly believed the notice accompanying the records: “No musical instruments or mechanical devices used on this recording other than one guitar.”

Though the primitive audio of the era lent them a bit of latitude, the Mills Brothers indeed sounded exactly like they'd been backed by a small studio band.

John, Jr.'s sudden death in 1936 was a huge blow to the group, but father John, Sr. took over as bass singer and Bernard Addison became the group's guitarist.

Read the full biography at allmusic.com.

Organ Grinder's Swing

A simple and minimal but oh so swinging version.

Title: Organ Grinder's Swing
Artist: The Mills Brothers
Recorded: 1937
Album: The Mills Brothers (1930's) Vol 3
Tempo: 150 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes EU ･ iTunes US ･ Amazon DE ･ Amazon US ･ Amazon UK ･ emusic

What do you think about this song? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #144: Swingin’ In The Promised Land

03.12.2012 by Chris

If you are a Balboa dancer, then this tune is familiar to you. Maybe you don't be aware of the title or the artist but I'm sure you have heard it countless times on the dance floor.

It's “Swingin' In The Promised Land” by Edgar Hayes & His Orchestra.

Edgar Hayes

Edgar Junius Hayes (May 23, 1904 – June 28, 1979) was an African-American pianist, arranger and bandleader. He never became a major name but he worked steadily throughout his long career.

Hayes graduated with a music degree from Wilberforce University.

From 1931, he played and arranged for six years for the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, which was taken over by Lucky Millinder in the meantime.

During 1937-1941, Hayes led his own orchestra including sidemen such as Kenny Clarke among others. In the spring of1938, they toured through several countries of Europe and Asia.

An interesting fact is, that Hayes' band was the first to record Joe Garland's composition “In The Mood” on February 17, 1938 for Decca. This tune became a swing classic, when Glenn Miller recorded it more than a year later.

In the same session, Hayes recorded their most popular title “Stardust” which became a surprise hit.

He disbanded the orchestra and moved to California in 1942, where he formed a quartet called his “Stardusters” and played throughout the 1940s, then he performed mostly solo into the 1970s.

Swingin' In The Promised Land

Because of the tempo, it's also often used for Balboa competitions.

Title: Swingin' In The Promised Land
Artist: Edgar Hayes & His Orchestra
Recorded: November 14, 1938
Album: Complete Jazz Series 1937 – 1938
Tempo: 233 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes EU ･ ~~iTunes US~~ ･ Amazon DE ･ ~~Amazon US~~ ･ Amazon UK ･ emusic

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #143: Splanky

26.11.2012 by Chris

With “Let's Do The Hop” – a compilation of songs closely linked to Frankie Manning – the Cologne/Germany based group “Hop Spot” just released a non-profit CD.

100% of the profit from selling this CD goes directly to the Frankie Manning Foundation.

I've chosen Dawn Hampton's selection for the CD “Splanky” as our Song of the Week.

George Gee Swing Orchestra

On “Let's Do The Hop”, the version of this Count Basie classical is performed by the George Gee Swing Orchestra.

Without Count Basie, there wouldn't be a George Gee Swing Orchestra, though:

His college radio show was a huge hit! The station asked George to interview his idol – William “Count” Basie – before a campus concert. That extensive, exclusive conversation would change George’s life forever.

The next day, he assembled his own 17-piece big band – the Make-Believe Ballroom Orchestra! Staffed by student players, the band quickly became the darling of the campus community.

That was back April 26, 1980, when George Gee, a Chinese-American born in New York, started his big band when actually no one was interested in big band jazz.

In 1998, Gee formed his 10-piece band “Jump, Jive & Wailers” and put a new twist on big band favorites and delivered all-out “rollickin’ roadhouse boogie”! (Quote from his website).

With this group, which George lovingly calls his “Economy Big Band,” they have been able to travel around the United States and the world headlining swing and Lindy Hop dance events.

Splanky

Splanky was written by Neal Hefti, who worked with Count Basie from 1950-1962. The song first appeared on the album “Count Basie Big Band” from 1954.

This tune is a classical among Lindy Hoppers. It contains a lot of breaks and energy changes, simply great for improvising!

Title: Splanky
Artist: George Gee Swing Orchestra
Recorded: 2005
Album: Let's Do The Hop
Tempo: 132 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to order CD (15€ + 5€ shipping)
and support the Frankie Manning Foundation:
www.frankiemanning.de (Link is not active anymore)

Do you like to dance to “Splanky”? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

DJ Chrisbe

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #147: Mele Kalikimaka

Mele Kalikimaka

The Puppini Sisters

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #146: Four Or Five Times

Four Or Five Times

Muggsy Spanier

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #145: Organ Grinder’s Swing

The Mills Brothers

Organ Grinder's Swing

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #144: Swingin’ In The Promised Land

Edgar Hayes

Swingin' In The Promised Land

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #143: Splanky

George Gee Swing Orchestra

Splanky

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