Shuffle Projects

Swinging Projects for Lindy Hop & Balboa Dancers

DJ Chrisbe

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #4: I Found A New Baby

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Kenny Clarke 1964
Mallory1180 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

I Found A New Baby (also: I've Found A New Baby) is one of my favourite Jazz standards and I can't stop hunting for new versions of that great song.

For this week I have chosen a version you can find on an Edgar Hayes compilation. Kenny Clarke (1914-1985), who played drums and vibes (plus piano and trombone during school) joined Edgar Hayes‘ Big Band 1937.

In 1938, they made an European tour and Kenny Clarke got the opportunity to lead his own recording session in Sweden. The group was named Kenny Clarke's Kvintett and they recorded four songs, one of them is our song of the week.

In my ears it sounds like Kenny Clarke is playing a xylophone with that muffled, warm sound, though some sources state he's playing vibes. Pretty weird are the vocals by James Anderson in the second part of the song. But because of that strange combination of different sounds, this version is so appealing to me.

Title: I Found A New Baby
Artist: Kenny Clarke's Kvintett
Recorded: March 8, 1938, Stockholm SE
Tempo: 234 bpm
Dance: Balboa

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.

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #3: Spooks

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Louis Armstrong Recording Studio 1959


This funny song in a medium tempo range starts with a squeaking door and a deep laughter. Is it spooking in the house?

Often there is a murmur in the dance crowd when the intro starts and the majority of the dancers don't know the song: Is that a Swing tune? Yeah, it is!

There are strings and a choir supporting the orchestra which gives the song an additional mood.

Title: Spooks
Artist: Louis Armstrong feat. Gordon Jenkins And His Orchestra
Recorded: 13.4.1954 New York, NY
Tempo: 152 bpm
Dance: Lindy

I like this song! Steve Leggett on allmusic label it «utterly goofy». Make up your own mind!

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.

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #2: When I Get Low I Get High

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Somewhen in autumn 2006, I signed up for myspace (anyone remember?), it was my first step into social networks.

Right from the beginning, I got tons of invitations by musicians and bands to listen to their music and become friends.

It was great! It was an amazing source to discover new and independent bands.

When I Get Low I Get High

After a short while browsing, I heard this version of the song «When I Get Low I Get High» and I loved it from the very first moment.

On the one hand because of the New Orleans sound, and on the other hand because of Linnzi Zaorski's distinctive voice: She sings some notes out of tune on purpose which gives that song an unique flavour.

Since then, this tune is like my business card as a DJ. More often than not, I start my set with it and I'm immediately in possession of the crowd :-)!


Title: When I Get Low I Get High
Artist: Linnzi Zaorski & Delta Royale
Released: 2004
Tempo: 164 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Louisiana Music Factory


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

Do you like Linnzi's voice? Share your thoughts below.

Now Check Out