Song of the Week

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #131: Tabby The Cat

03.09.2012 by Chris

Stanley Newcomb «Stan» Kenton (Dec. 15, 1911 – Aug. 25, 1979) was a white pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader of original and often controversial bands.

Kenton grew up in California and learned playing piano as a teenager. Throughout the years, he performed with various territory bands, theater groups and dance bands. His early influence on piano was Earl Hines.

In 1940, Kenton formed a rehearsal band, later named «Artistry in Rhythm» after his theme song, and in the summer of 1941, they were playing regularly at the Rendezvous Ballroom in Balboa Beach, CA, and were gaining a strong following.

Like Jimmie Lunceford, Kenton loved screaming trumpets and thick-toned tenors. He admired the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, but he wanted to go in another direction.

During 1941-1942, he made his first recordings, but they didn't sell well.

The orchestra struggled for a couple of years. In late 1943, the orchestra began its 25-year association with Capitol by recording the hit «Eager Beaver». Singer Anita O'Day and tenor saxophonist Stan Ketz were with the orchestra for a brief moment.

Tabby The Cat

From that period is our song of the week. Although it was never Stan Kenton's goal to lead a band that played swing for dancers, this tune works great for dancing.

A nice, relaxed song with the typical «sharp» Stan Kenton big band sound!

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B0050LKMQQ» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61jbqJt-KwL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B0050LKOH8″ locale=»us»]Tabby The Cat[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Anita O'Day with Stan Kenton & His Orchestra
Recorded: 1944
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B0050LKMQQ» locale=»us»]Great Big Band Singers – 25 Song Collection[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 132 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004YX5QJY» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0050LKOH8″ locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004YXQ5GM» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about the 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.

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #130: Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue

27.08.2012 by Chris

Our song of the week is a legendary one. As a (Balboa) dancer, you love it or you hate it, there's nothing in between. I belong to the group of lovers.

What is so special about this song you may ask.

Well, read further 🙂

Diminuendo In Blue And Crescendo In Blue

Paul Gonsalves at Newport Jazz Festival 1956 — Paul Gonsalves. Photograph: Paul Hoeffler/Redferns

Duke Ellington wrote «Diminuendo In Blue» and «Crescendo In Blue» in 1937. The songs were recorded individually on opposite sides of a 78 rpm record and they were performed as separate pieces until 1951.

At the Birdland club in that year, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves asked Duke for a solo between “Diminuendo” and “Crescendo”. Duke agreed and Gonsalves soloed for nearly 26-28 choruses (depends on the source) bringing the people to crying out and jumping on their chairs.

A few years later, Duke Ellington almost gave up his orchestra due to slackening demand in big band music, but then there was this legendary performance that rejuvenated Duke's career.

Sources: Wikipedia, Citypaper

Live at Newport Jazz Festival 1956

The story of a riot, that was almost created… 27 choruses solo… a platinum blond woman dancing… watch the clip!

And here is the full track, at least audible: 14 minutes and 14 seconds.

I really love that song! There is so much energy in there and you hear the musicians cheer Paul and pushing him even more. How I wish to have seen this performance with my own eyes.

Don't forget, it was in 1956, the same year when Elvis Presley and Rock 'n‘ Roll became big! And Duke Ellington and his band brought big band music back on the radar.

DJ'ing Diminuendo And Crescendo in Blue

It's obvious, that you only can play this song at special occasions. 14+ minutes is far too long for a DJ'ed song for dancers.

Here is how DJ Kyle Smith does it. For example, he plays that song every year at the All Balboa Weekend, dedicating it to Sylvia Sykes. So, he announces the song, the length of the song and that it's totally okay to switch partners during the song. That way, you can decide yourself if you prefer dancing or having a drink.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B0013DDOCO» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61f7UoaU7ZL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B0013CRKRA» locale=»us»]Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue (Live)[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Duke Ellington
Recorded: 1956
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B0013DDOCO» locale=»us»]Ellington At Newport 1956[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 196 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B004A08JLS» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B0013CRKRA» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001GTIY8Y» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

Are you a lover or a hater of that tune? 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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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #129: At The Clambake Carnival

20.08.2012 by Chris

Cabell “Cab“ Calloway III (Dec. 25, 1907 – Nov. 18, 1994) was one of the most famous black stars in the 1930s-40s.

He was a (underrated) vocalist, performer and bandleader of one of the most popular African American big bands during that era with the Cotton Club as his home stage.

Cab Calloway was known to hire the best musicians and pay them top wages. He was convinced that when he had top sidemen it made him look good.

His sidemen included such great musicians as trumpeters Doc Cheatham, Dizzy Gillespie and Jonah Jones, tenor saxophonists Ben Webster, Chu Berry, Illinois Jacquet, Ike Quebec and Sam Taylor, pianist Bennie Payne, guitarist Danny Barker, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Cozy Cole, and others.

I highly recommend to watch the Cab Calloway documentary «Sketches» (1 hour).

At The Clambake Carnival

The song starts at 1:33. The sound quality is poor but you get the idea ;).

Because Cab Calloway isn't singing in that song, it's not so obvious that it's by him and his orchestra.

«At The Clambake Carnival» is a lightly swinging tune with a simple base rhythm. Therefore it's also very suitable for (Balboa) beginner classes.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B000QZYYS8″ locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61P9HsPO1DL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B000QNZMDQ» locale=»us»]At The Clambake Carnival[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Cab Calloway
Recorded: 1938
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B000QZYYS8″ locale=»us»]New York 1937-1938, Vol. 2 Disk B[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 191 bpm
Dance: Balboa, Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001S6TSO4″ locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B000QNZMDQ» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B001FJFP9Q» locale=»uk»]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ emusic

What do you think about Cab Calloway's music? 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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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.

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #127: I Like Pie, I Like Cake

06.08.2012 by Chris

This week's song is a very popular tune among swing dancers, equally for social dancing and performances.

The Four Clefs

The Chicago based group consisted of William Marshall on drums & vibraphone, James Marshall on piano, Johnny «Happy» Green on guitar – he was also group leader & musical director – and Melvin «Chappie» Chapman on bass.

All four of them sang. William Marshall was the lead singer and some of their records feature Marshall as solo vocalist.

Between 1939 and 1945, The Four Clefs recorded for the Bluebird label.

Technically, The Four Clefs are rhythm & blues artists, but what they played was a sort of mélange of entertainment styles; William Marshall's solo singing was influenced by Bing Crosby, the group's singing is close-voiced in the style of the Ink Spots, and the instrumentals are lightly swinging and uncomplicated.

Source: allmusic.com

Quite often, the group is mistakenly called «The Four Chefs».

I Like Pie, I Like Cake

A fun clip by DJ Rug Cutter on YouTube

To be honest, I never liked the song very much. That's probably, because it was played all over again and again when I started Lindy Hopping more than ten years ago.

In the meantime I can at least admit, that it's a good song.

[easyazon-image align=»left» asin=»B007PUNF6E» locale=»us» height=»160″ src=»https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yl-YS5AcL._SL160_.jpg» width=»160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=»B007PUO7WA» locale=»us»]I Like Pie, I Like Cake[/easyazon-link]
Artist: The Four Clefs
Recorded: 1941
Album: [easyazon-link asin=»B007PUNF6E» locale=»us»]The Human Orchestra[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 172 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B007PX982Q» locale=»de»]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B007PUO7WA» locale=»us»]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=»B007PTECFS» 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.

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Song of the Week

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #131: Tabby The Cat

Tabby The Cat

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #130: Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue

Diminuendo In Blue And Crescendo In Blue

Live at Newport Jazz Festival 1956

DJ'ing Diminuendo And Crescendo in Blue

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #129: At The Clambake Carnival

At The Clambake Carnival

Related Songs:

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 #127: I Like Pie, I Like Cake

The Four Clefs

I Like Pie, I Like Cake

Related Songs: