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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #98: Wednesday Night Hop

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I have to bring this song, it's too good, although it might be a little bit overplayed right now, especially on the Balboa dance floors.

Well, some of you might know the song from «Lindy Chorus«, a routine choreographed by Frankie Manning. If you don't know what I'm talking about, here is an example of «Lindy Chorus» from 2011:

Now what's the song? It's Wednesday Night Hop by Andy Kirk.

Andy Kirk took over Terrence Holder's Dark Clouds Of Joy in 1928, renamed it first in Andy Kirk and his Dark Clouds Of Joy and then Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds Of Joy.

When the regular pianist missed a recording session in 1929, John Williams, who was the saxophonist in the band, suggested to hire his wife Mary Lou Williams. Andy Kirk agreed and as we know today, that was a wise decision.

Mary Lou Williams was the real star in the band. She was not only a great soloist but also arranger and composer for the band. A great portion of the credit, that the band was so popular and successful, belongs without doubt to her!

From 1931 to 1942, Mary Lou Williams was a full time member of Andy Kirk's Twelve Clouds Of Joy.

Wednesday Night Hop

Why is this song so appealing to me?

First, it's the staccato style. Then there are those monotone lines repeatedly appearing, by the horn section but also by some soloists. And lastly, the transition from these two characteristics to some softer solo phrases. You know, what I mean?

DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #98: Wednesday Night Hop by Andy Kirk

Title: Wednesday Night Hop
Artist: Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds Of Joy
Recorded: Feb 15, 1937 New York
Tempo: 214 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Do you think, Wednesday Night Hop is overplayed? Let me 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 or on 8tracks.

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #71: Bearcat Shuffle

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Andrew «Andy» Dewey Kirk (28.05.1898 – 11.12.1992) was a successful bigband leader in the 1930s and 1940s, but he never was considered as a major musician or arranger.

In 1918, Andy Kirk began as bass saxophonist and tuba player with George Morrison's orchestra. In 1925, he moved from Denver to Dallas to play with Terrence Holder's Dark Clouds of Joy.

Four years later he took over the orchestra and moved to Kansas City. The name of the orchestra was now Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy.

They made their first recordings from 1929-1930, after that there was a big break until 1936 without any recordings. In that year, they had a major hit with «Until the Real Thing Comes Along».

It's especially thanks to pianist Mary Lou Williams, that the band was so successful. She was arranger, composer and soloist in the band. Mary Lou stayed from 1929 to 1942.

Andy Kirk broke up the band in 1948. In the early 1950s, he shortly had another band and in the 1970s, he led occasionally some bands as well.

But in the meantime, he had different jobs: hotel manager, real estate broker and official in the Musicians› Union.

DJ Chrisbe's Song of the Week #71: Bearcat Shuffle by Andy Kirk

Title: Bearcat Shuffle
Artist: Andy Kirk & His Twelve Clouds of Joy
Recorded: 04.03.1936
Tempo: 156 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.

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