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Swinging Projects for Lindy Hop & Balboa Dancers

Gene Krupa

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #114: Smiles

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Back in November 2010, I posted “Smiles” by Swiss alto saxophonist Flavio Ambrosetti as the Song of the Week #35.

Five years earlier, Benny Goodman recorded “Smiles” with his quartet, featuring Lionel Hampton on vibraphone, Teddy Wilson on piano and Gene Krupa on drums.

Smiles

Let's listen to two versions.

First, the studio version (it's a bit scratchy…)


And now, a live version, obviously from the same year (although, I don't have any evidence for that)

Smiles is wonderful song, both for Lindy Hop and Balboa. Because of the clear rhythm, it's especially useful for Balboa (beginner) classes.

Probably, I have written this before: I definitely recommend the album “The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings“. All the songs were carefully remastered in 1996 and it is one of my favorite compilations of Swing music ever!


Title: Smiles
Artist: Benny Goodman Quartet
Recorded: 1937
Album: The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings
Tempo: 154 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop, Balboa



Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ Amazon.de･ A'zon.com ･ A'zon.co.uk ･ emusic


Do you like small groups or do you prefer big bands? 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.


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Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #93: Moonglow

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I'm a big admirer of Benny Goodman's small group recordings from 1935 to 1939. He recorded with different group sizes and what I like is the relaxness in the songs, there is so much joy of play hearable.

The sound is full and often, you get the feeling, there were many more musicians involved than actually were.

Most of the recordings were done as a quartet, with Gene Krupa on drums, Teddy Wilson on piano and Lionel Hampton on vibes.

Please note, that two of the musicians (Wilson and Hampton) were black. It was quite uncommon at that time to have mixed orchestras. In fact, Benny Goodman was hesitating for a long time to perform with black musicians on stage because of race discrimination.

Moonglow (or Moon Glow) was recorded by the quartet in 1936 and there are two existing takes. Take two is a tad faster than take one and is our song of the week. The same tune was a number one hit two years before, recorded by Goodman's freshly organized permanent performance orchestra.

Moonglow is a quite slow Lindy Hop tune, which suits perfectly to the winter season we have right now in Europe. Imagine, it's cold outside and you are attending an afternoon swing event. You drink some hot tea, eat a piece of cake and dance to this song.

I recommend “The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings” for every swing dancer and music lover, it's one of the best compilations I've ever bought. The remastering is softly and respectfully done without damaging the original sound feeling.


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #93: "Moonglow" (Take 2) by Benny Goodman QuartetTitle: Moonglow (Take 2)
Artist: Benny Goodman Quartet
Recorded: 1936
Album: The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings
Tempo: 114 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



Click the link to prelisten and/or buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
iTunes CH/EU — iTunes US — Amazon.de — Amazon.com


What do you think about Benny Goodman's small group recordings? Let us know 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.

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more music tips and swing DJ resources!

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #40: Piano Stomp (Shine)

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Frenchie Balboa Festival (FBF) is over! Another great Balboa weekend with great dances and great music.

If you would like to improve your speed in Balboa dancing and especially shuffling, here is my song of the week which will be a challenge for sure.

This is one of the fastest song I've ever danced to: A breathtaking version of Shine with 300 bpm!!

Lionel Leo Hampton (20.04.1908-31.08.2002) was one of the swing giants, he was the first jazz vibraphonist, but also pianist, percussionist, band leader and actor.

1936 he was discovered by Benny Goodman, shortly afterwards he played and recorded with Goodman, Teddy Wilson and Gene Krupa as the Benny Goodman Quartett. Six weeks after he officially joined Benny Goodman.

In 1937, he started recording regularly as a leader for Victor with specially assembled all-star groups that formed a who's who of swing.

Source: allmusic.com


Lionel Hampton Piano Stomp (Shine)Title: Piano Stomp (Shine)
Artist: Lionel Hampton
Recorded: 1937
Album: Lionel Hampton 1930-1938 Vol. 1
Tempo: 300 bpm
Dance: Balboa



Click the link to prelisten and download the song (mp3/mp4a) at
iTunes — Amazon.de (CH/D/A) — Amazon.com — eMusic


Do you like this series? What do you think about this tune? Please share your thoughts!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“. Sign up for the weekly blog update by email and get the newest edition directly in your inbox.


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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #8: Alreet

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I often get asked what makes a Swing song a typical Balboa song. This is a very good question but from my point of view only a subjective answer could be given.

Generally we could say – and this is broken down to a very simple quote – that danceable Swing music from the 30s and the first half of the 40s is a good source for Balboa dancing, while R&B from the later 40s and 50s is not suitable.

Of course we could go now much more in details but I rather show you good examples. Let's start with the tune Alreet by Anita O'Day (1919-2006) and Gene Krupa & His Orchestra.

The rhythm section with bass and drums is great and pushes the song forward. When I hear this song I wanna dance Balboa immediately!


Title: Alreet
Artist: Anita O'Day with Gene Krupa & His Orchestra
Recorded: 12.03.1941
Album: In Memoriam 1919-2006
Tempo: 190 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop



Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU – iTunes US – Amazon.de – Amazon.com – emusic.com


By the way, there is a documentary about Anita O'Day's career:

Anita O'Day – The Life Of A Jazz Singer




What do you think about this song? Do you like this entry? Please share your thoughts!

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

Related Posts:

Song of the Week #7: “No More Love” by Buddy Johnson
Song of the Week #6: “The Gal From Joe's” by Charlie Barnet
Song of the Week #5: “The Game Of Love” by Fairground Attraction
Song of the Week #4: “I Found A New Baby” by Kenny Clarke's Kvintett
Song of the Week #3: “Spooks” by Louis Armstrong


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