Song of the Week

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #136: There Ain’t No Sweet Man That’s Worth The Salt Of My Tears

08.10.2012 by Chris

The longest title ever for a «Song of the Week»!

When I started dancing Lindy Hop in 1999, «Frim Fram Sauce» by Canadian singer and pianist Diana Krall (* Nov. 16, 1964) was one of the songs that were played all the time on the dance floor.

At the beginning of October 2012, Krall released her 11th album «Glad Rag Doll» and it sounds completely different. The album features songs from the 1920s and 1930s.

The sexy album cover – which of course is related to the topic and the song choices of the album (or just a clever move by the marketing department?) – created a lot of buzz months before the album was released.

Diana Krall & T Bone Burnett about Glad Rag Doll

Elvis Costello interviews his wife Diana Krall and record producer T Bone Burnett about «Glad Rag Doll».

«Glad Rag Doll» is not typical swing album, but there are a few songs that work great for swing dancing.

There Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth The Salt Of My Tears

The song was written by Fred Fisher and first recorded in 1928. In the Paul Whiteman movie «The King Of Jazz» from 1930, it was sung by the Rhythm Boys: Bing Crosby, Harry Barris and Al Rinker.

As a I wrote before, «Glad Rag Doll» is not only about swing but it's a beautiful jazz and blues album that I can highly recommend!

Title: There Ain't No Sweet Man That's Worth The Salt Of My Tears
Artist: Diana Krall
Released: October 2012
Album: Glad Rag Doll (Deluxe Edition)
Tempo: 131 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

How you like Diana Krall's new album? 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:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #135: Moten Swing

01.10.2012 by Chris

Bennie Moten (Nov. 13, 1894 – April 2, 1935) was a fine ragtime-oriented pianist who led the top territory band of the 1920s, an orchestra that really set the standard for Kansas City jazz.

Moten formed his group (originally a sextet) in 1922 and in 1923, they made their first recordings.

During 1926-1932, Moten's Orchestra recorded for Victor and, although none of his original musicians became famous, the later additions included his brother Buster Moten on occasional jazz accordion, Harlan Leonard, Jack Washington, Eddie Durham, Jimmy Rushing, Hot Lips Page, and (starting in 1929) Count Basie.

The most famous Bennie Moten recording session was also his last one, ten songs cut on December 13, 1932 that found the ensemble strongly resembling Basie's five years later. The band at that point also starred Ben Webster, Eddie Barefield, and Walter Page and one of the high points was the debut of «Moten Swing» (or «Moten's Swing»).

Bennie Moten tragically died in 1935 after a unsuccessful tonsillectomy operation. Many of its top members (including Lester Young) eventually became members of Count Basie's newly formed orchestra.

Source: allmusic

Moten Swing

There are many versions of «Moten Swing» out there, most of them just have the main melody line and not the more complex structure of this recording. Not an easy track to dance to.

By the way, check out «Harlem» (Song of the Week #120), there's a remarkable resemblance…

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B005K8JJMM» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41MBXuGzbwL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B005K8JJPY» locale=»us»]Moten Swing[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Bennie Moten's Kansas City Orchestra
Recorded: 1932
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B005K8JJMM» locale=»us»]Stomp and Swing[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 202 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0026XC85O» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B005K8JJPY» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0026GTCM8″ locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about this version? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #134: I Ain’t Got Nobody

24.09.2012 by Chris

I have to warn you: this is a damn hot version of I Ain't Got Nobody 😉

Lew Stone

Lew Stone (June 28, 1898 – Feb. 13, 1969), born in London UK, was an extremely popular bandleader, arranger, and pianist throughout the 1930s.

Beginning in 1927, he was as a freelance arranger for numerous bands for four years.

In 1931, Stone joined Roy Fox's orchestra as a arranger and pianist, playing at the Monseigneur Restaurant. Stone took over the leader's position when Fox needed to rest because of illness. He turned the band into the most popular one in London.

Stone continued to utilize some of Fox's musicians for his own band. They played on the radio once a week and made quite a number of recordings.

During the 1940s, Stone led the Stonecrackers and the Novatones. He also led the orchestra at the London Coliseum. He and his band continued to play across England and Scotland during the 1950s. From 1959 to 1967, he was leading a sextet.

During his career, Stone was a musical director for almost forty films and several theater productions.

Source: allmusic, wikipedia

I Ain't Got Nobody

It's a bit scratchy in the clip, the sound quality of the recording below is better.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B004A8F9X6″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61qZfw6yrlL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B004A8KVR0″ locale=»us»]I Ain't Got Nobody[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Lew Stone
Recorded: ??? (Let me know, if you have an idea)
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B004A8F9X6″ locale=»us»]The Golden Age Of British Dance Bands: Those Dance Band Hits[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 178 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004A5JKA2″ locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004A8KVR0″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004A55BHI» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #133: I Found A New Baby

18.09.2012 by Chris

It's time to introduce another version of my all-time favorite song «I Found A New Baby«.

Tiny Grimes

Lloyd «Tiny» Grimes (July 7, 1916 – March 4, 1989) began his musical career as drummer and worked as pianist.

As one of the earliest electric guitarist, he started playing the electric 4-string tenor guitar in 1938. Two years later, he joined The Cats and the Fiddle as guitarist and singer. During 1943-1944, Grimes was part of a classic Art Tatum Trio which also included Slam Stewart.

After leaving Art Tatum, he started recording under his own name. In September 1944, he led a session including Charlie Parker. They made four recordings that are considered early bebop jazz.

In the late 1940s, he put together an R&B-oriented group, Tiny «Mac» Grimes and the Rocking Highlanders.

Tiny Grimes was active up until his death, playing his swing/bop transitional style and recording as a leader for different labels.

Source: allmusic, wikipedia

I Found A New Baby

This version was recorded for the famous «The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions».

I'm a big fan of electric guitar jazz. I love Grime's melodic playing and my favorite part are the melody lines top down starting around 3:57.

DJs, please consider the song length of 5:21 minutes.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B00150I4U2″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vnpVZVYEL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B00150G1N4″ locale=»us»]I Found a New Baby[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Tiny Grimes
Recorded: 1974
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B00150I4U2″ locale=»us»]Some Groovy Fours (France, 1968-1974) (The Definitive Black & Blue Sessions)[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 204 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001R769TQ» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B00150G1N4″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001LXAQ8Q» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

Do you like this tune? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #132: Hummin‘ To Myself

10.09.2012 by Chris

The Washboard Rhythm Kings (which had different personnel on each session) played jubilant jazz that defied the soothing musical trend of the early Depression years, featuring a washboard player and usually a couple of horns along with spirited group vocals.

The emphasis was on basic goodtime music that fell between Dixieland and swing.

First, they were named the Alabama Washboard Stompers in 1930, then became The Washboard Rhythm Kings in 1931, and by 1934-1935 the name changed again to Georgia Washboard Stompers.

Some of the personnel have never been identified, but among the known players are guitarist Teddy Bunn; trumpeters Taft Jordan and Valaida Snow; singer Leo Watson; and such regulars as singer Jake Fenderson, Steve Washington on banjo and vocals, and Ben Smith on clarinet and alto.

Source: allmusic.com

Hummin‘ To Myself

A melancholic tune from 1932. Just beautiful!

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B0026JECKM» locale=»de» height=»159″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51n13WTBCxL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B0026JECKM» locale=»de»]Hummin‘ To Myself[/easyazon-link]
Artist: The Washboard Rhythm Kings
Recorded: 1932
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B0026JK0RQ» locale=»de»]Best of Washboard Rhythm Kings[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 139 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ ~~iTunes US~~ ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0026JECKM» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ ~~A'zon.com~~ ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B00261E4QC» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ ~~emusic~~

It seems that the song is currently unavailable on U.S. music platform. Sorry about that.

Do you like this tune? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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