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Lester Young

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”]

Related Songs:

Song of the Week #127: “I Like Pie, I Like Cake” by The Four Clefs
Song of the Week #126: “I Want A Little Girl” by Jimmy Rushing
Song of the Week #125: “Jeep Jockey Jump” by Glenn Miller
Song of the Week #124: “Cherokee” by Charlie Barnet & His Orchestra
Song of the Week #123: “Russian Rag” by Tuba Skinny

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Billie Holiday, Blues, DJ Chrisbe, Jazz, Lester Young, Lindy Hop

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #106: The Goon Drag (Gone Wid De Goon)

12.03.2012 by Chris

Samuel “Sammy” Blythe Price (Oct. 6, 1908 – Apr. 14, 1992) was a blues and boogie-woogie-based pianist and bandleader.

He first learned to play alto saxophone (another source states alto horn) in his home town before he started to study piano in Dallas.

During 1927-1930, he was a singer and Charleston dancer with Alphonso Trent‘s band. In 1929, he recorded one solitary side under the title of “Sammy Price and His Four Quarters.”

After a few years in Kansas City, he lived in Chicago and Detroit before he settled in New York.

In 1938, Price became the house pianist for Decca in New York and played on countless blues sides, mostly with singers such as Trixie Smith and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

He led his own band on records in the early 1940s. In 1948, Price played at the Nice Festival with Mezz Mezzrow. 

During the 1950s he spent time both in Texas and New York, playing clubs and recordings. Most notable was his partnership with Henry “Red” Allen which lasted a decade. Also in the 1950s, he played on many rock & roll sessions.

Sammy Price was active until near his death in 1992, more than 60 years!

The Goon Drag (Gone Wid De Goon)

As mentioned before, in the early 1940s, he led his own band called Texas Blusicians (or: Texas Bluesicians) on records which also included Lester Young and Buddy Johnson on one session in April 1941. [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHUZYM” locale=”us”]The Goon Drag[/easyazon-link] is one of the recorded sides.

The line-up is excellent: Shad Collins & Buddy Johnson (t), Don Stovall (as), Lester Young (ts), Sammy Price (p), Dough Jones (b) and Harold “Doc” West (d).

I don't know, what the title exactly means or where it comes from. But who cares when the song is great!? 🙂

It's not a spectacular one with rhythm or energy changes or crazy solos. It's a tune with a lot of feeling in it, which leaves plenty of room to improvise on the dance floor.


[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B001BHWLD0″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Eys10ASrL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHUZYM” locale=”us”]The Goon Drag (Gone Wid De Goon)[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Sam Price & His Texas Blusicians
Recorded: April 3, 1941, New York City, Decca
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHWLD0″ locale=”us”]I Can't Get Started – Lester Young[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 140 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU
 ・ iTunes US ・ [easyazon-link asin=”B002CI9BW6″ locale=”de”]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ・ [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHUZYM” locale=”us”]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ・ [easyazon-link asin=”B002CIEVWG” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ・ eMusic


Do you like this song? 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.

Related Songs:

Song of the Week #7: “No More Love” by Buddy Johnson
Song of the Week #51: “Jack, I'm Mellow” by Trixie Smith
Song of the Week #75: “Blue Lester” by Lester Young
Song of the Week #80: “Shout, Sister, Shout!” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe w/ Lucky Millinder
Song of the Week #105: “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” by Ella Fitzgerald w/ Chick Webb


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Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Buddy Johnson, DJ Chrisbe, Lester Young, Lindy Hop, Sammy Price

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #75: Blue Lester

08.08.2011 by Chris

Beside Coleman Hawkins (Song of the Week #52) another tenor saxophonist is regarded as one of the most influential saxophonist of the jazz era: Lester Wills Young (27.08.1909-25.03.1959), nicknamed “Prez” or “Pres” (from president) by Billie Holiday.

Lester Young came to prominence while a member of Count Basie's Orchestra. His characteristic light sound and elegant way of playing stood in complete contrast to Coleman Hawkins's more powerful approach of playing the instrument.

Blue Lester (also know as Lester's Blues) is a slow swinging song and especially suitable for beginner Lindy Hop dancers.


DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #75: Blue Lester by Lester YoungTitle: Blue Lester
Artist: Lester Young
Recorded: 1944
Tempo: 120 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop



Click the link to buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
Amazon


How many stars would you rate this song? Please leave a comment!

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.

Related posts:
Song of the Week #52: “On The Sunny Side Of The Street” by Coleman Hawkins
Song of the Week #74: “Black Coffee” by Careless Lovers
Song of the Week #73: “Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai” by Andy Iona And His Islanders
Song of the Week #72: “Lafayette” by Hot Lips Page
Song of the Week #71: “Bearcat Shuffle” by Andy Kirk

Filed Under: Music, Song of the Week Tagged With: Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, DJ Chrisbe, Lester Young, Lindy Hop, Swing

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Welcome, I'm Christian Bossert. Since 1999, I‘ve been passionate about Swing dances as well as their culture and history. I‘m a Swing dance instructor and international Swing DJ Chrisbe, based in Zurich Switzerland. Read More…

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