Jazz

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #128: Me, Myself And I

13.08.2012 by Chris

Eleanora Harris*, better known as Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959), nicknamed “Lady Day” by her friend saxophonist Lester Young, changed the art of American pop vocals forever, as John Bush writes on allmusic.com.

Before her, jazz and pop singers were tied to the Tin Pan Alley tradition and rarely personalized their songs.

*Before she switched to the stage name Billie Holiday, she called herself Eleanora Fagan, which was her maternal grandfather's last name and was also used by her mother.

Billie Holiday Mini Biography

Note: This is a flash movie and therefore not visible on IOS devices. Sorry about that.

Me, Myself And I (Are All In Love With You)

There are several clips on YouTube, I have chosen the one, which has the lyrics included in the description.

The music was written by Irving Gordon with lyrics by Allen Roberts and Allen S. Kaufman. It was first recorded in 1937 by several artists including Billie Holiday and Her Orchestra, Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, Bob Howard and His Orchestra, and Dick Jurgens and His Orchestra with vocalist Eddy Howard.

This is just one example how Billie Holiday put a lot of spirit and expression into a song. Her bluesy style of singing is unique. Aside from that, “Me, Myself And I” is a great song to dance to.

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B0013AT2OQ” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P4CuVc2bL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B0013AKT84″ locale=”us”]Me, Myself And I[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra
Recorded: 1937
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B0013AT2OQ” locale=”us”]The Quintessential Billie Holiday Volume IV[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 156 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001UKC9H6″ locale=”de”]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B0013AKT84″ locale=”us”]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001UBE6LW” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about Billie Holiday? 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.

[catalyst_hook_box name=”adboxsotwbottom”]

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #123: Russian Rag

09.07.2012 by Chris

Tuba Skinny from New Orleans are very productive, at least recording wise. Every year since 2009, they are releasing a new album.

After “Tubaskinny” in 2009, “Six Feet Down” in 2010 and “Garbage Man” in 2011, Tuba Skinny just recently released their brand new album “Rag Band”.

We don't learn that much about the fourth album 😉

Our newest album “Rag Band” is done!
After many many months of recording and re-recording, we are happy to say our new album “Rag Band” is finally complete. Thanks for your patience!

The short statement on Tuba Skinny's website.

They recorded the album in October 2011 and April 2012 in the Holy Cross, New Orleans with the help of Cassidy Holden. “Squeeze Me” (Track 14) was recorded live at the Spotted Cat.

Russian Rag

When you listen to this album, then you feel put back in time. That's how it must have sounded many decades ago in New Orleans. Good to know that there are still bands cultivating the traditional New Orleans sound!

One of my favorite tunes from “Rag Band” is “Russian Rag”. I like the harmony and the breaks. And I'm a big fan of Erika Lewis' authentic vocals! Not an easy song for dancers, though.

Tuba Skinny are: Todd Burdick – Tuba, Ryan Baer – Banjo/Guitar/Harmonica/Vocals, Barnabus Jones – Trombone/Guitar/Banjo, Shaye Cohn – Cornet/Piano/Fiddle, Robin Rapuzzi – Washboard/Bass Drum, Erika Lewis – Vocals.

Special Guests on the album: Jon Doyle – Clarinet/Tenor Sax, Ewan Bleach – Clarinet, John James – Dobro, Sam Doores – Bass Drum, Cassidy Holden – Bass Drum.

Artist: Tuba Skinny
Released: June 23, 2012
Album: Rag Band
Tempo: 202 bpm
Dance: Charleston, Lindy Hop, Balboa

Buy this album! It's USD 10 or more.

Do you like to dance to New Orleans Jazz? 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.

[catalyst_hook_box name=”adboxsotwbottom”]

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #59: Four Or Five Times

18.04.2011 by Chris

Another all-time favourite song of mine is Four Or Five Times and there are many versions out there to dig for. Here is a nice version by the great jazz vocalist Joe Williams.

Joe Williams (12.12.1918-29.03.1999) was born as Joseph Goreed and came as a child to Chicago where he got in contact with the thriving music scene of the 1920s. During his mid-teens he started performing as a vocalist.

In 1938 he was invited by Jimmie Noone to sing with his band. Shortly later, he started touring with different bands. In 1942, he was hired by Lionel Hampton. They toured together for several years.

Joe Williams made his big breakthrough when he was hired as the male vocalist in 1954 by Count Basie. He remained with Basie until 1961 and had some major hits as jazz and blues singer.

After leaving the Count Basie Orchestra, Williams continued to have a successful career with his own band. He and Basie remained on good terms and he would regularly appear with the orchestra.

Joe Williams worked until his death in 1999 in Las Vegas.

Sources: Wikipedia

Title: Four Or Five Times
Artist: Joe Williams
Recorded: ?
Tempo: 138 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon

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:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #56: C Jam Blues

28.03.2011 by Chris

C Jam Blues is another jazz standard every swing dancers should know. For this series I have chosen the very first recording from 1941.

The tune with the former title “C Blues” was recorded by a small group out of Duke Ellington‘s orchestra and was released under the name of Barney Bigard & His Orchestra.

In the following year, Duke Ellington recorded “C Jam Blues” with his big band for RCA Victor Records.

As jazzstandards.com states, clarinetist Barney Bigard is likely the originator of the tune, but Duke Ellington was the one who arranged it for the big band.

In the late 1950s, some words were added (“Baby, take me down to Duke’s Place”…) and the song got the name “Duke's Place“

C Jam Blues

The title says it all. C Jam Blues is a blues with the twelve-bar form in the key of C major. The band soloists usually jam around this structure.

Title: ‘C' Blues (C Jam Blues)
Artist: Barney Bigard & His Orchestra
Released: 1941
Tempo: 198 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

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:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #54: Summertime

14.03.2011 by Chris

Sometimes I dig into the catalogues of different music services and search for interpretations of certain songs such as Summertime.

A while ago I found a version by a Canadian jazz and blues artist who also is a multimedia journalist, writer and photographer: her name is Angela Scappatura.

This song was released on her debut album in 2007 and it seems that she has not released another album in the meantime.

Usually, Summertime is played in a slower tempo. Here we have a medium-tempo version with a “boom-cha” rhythm and the guitar as the main solo instrument. Angela's soulful voice rounds off this nice tune.

Angela Scappatura - A Little Bit Of Sugar

Title: Summertime
Artist: Angela Scappatura
Released: 27.3.2007
Tempo: 140 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

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.

Jazz

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #128: Me, Myself And I

Billie Holiday Mini Biography

Me, Myself And I (Are All In Love With You)

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #123: Russian Rag

Russian Rag

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #59: Four Or Five Times

Now Check Out:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #56: C Jam Blues

C Jam Blues

Now Check Out:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #54: Summertime

Now Check Out: