| Subtopic | Posts | Updated | ||
| Archive through March 19, 2001 | 50 | 03/19 01:39pm |
     By Reuben Brown (Gurureuben) on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 01:44 pm: Edit |
It's that fuzzy math of his. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Monday, March 19, 2001 - 04:06 pm: Edit |
Hey Andy, by that logic, the stock of whatever company Reuben works for ought to be soaring! |
| By Ron (Ron) on Thursday, May 03, 2001 - 12:16 am: Edit |
New reviews this month: Kenny Burrel, Stacey Kent, J.J. Johnson/Al Grey, Blues Jumpers, Floyd Dixon. I made Bill Elliot's live CD the featured CD. You'll be hearing me play that CD some more, as well as the new Stacey Kent, which I love. Excellent jazz vocalist. I've already played "Let Yourself Go" (165 BPM) a couple times, and "I Won't Dance" (140 BPM). And I'll be playing more of that song that I played at LBTB: "Big Game Hunter" (165 BPM) by Steve Gibson's Red Caps, which I got in a mix from a friend. "I'm a big game hunter, got a big game hunter's gun... yeah!" and "..I shot to the right, shot to the left, shot so much I nearly killed myself.." (Gee, I wonder what he's singing about.) I'm digging the new (to me, famous in 1968) Kenny Burrell for late night: the song "Midnight Blue" (154 BPM) for groovy jazz-guitar based swing. What are my other top swing songs this month. Hmmm, still "Summertime" (150 BPM) by Chris Connor. That song rocks. And "Wade in the Water" (115 BPM) by Eva Cassidy. And I'm going to keep playing "Honeysuckle Rose" (161 BPM) by Kay Starr until y'all get the breaks right! I'm trying out "It Must be Jelly" (182 BPM) by Glenn Miller again for sure, too. And I'm on a big Basie kick recently, so you'll continue to hear "Splanky" (127 BPM) among other Basie tunes. For the dancer that likes to play with the music, "Splanky" has all the great elements: steady groove, call and responses, loud and soft dynamics and that hard-driving chorus repeating Dat-DAAA, da DAAA DAT! And back on 50's R&B, I still think my fairly new Roy Brown is pretty good.. "I've Got the Last Laugh Now" (163 BPM) is my favorite driving jump blues song from that artist, I think. I featured him at the Firehouse a few weeks back. I'll play a lot of the Dinah Washington I've got recently, too. I featured her last Thursday. She's the one that sings the "I Diddle" song that no one seems to get sick of no matter how much I play it. "I diddle ooh-kay i-kay ooh-kay i-kay... it means think what you want, but you better not say it!" and "..its too late now, I got used to it! leaving me, you better not do it!" But I have plenty of other good songs by her. And lots of 50's doo-wop by the Dominoes and the Orioles that I think I can get some more mileage out of. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Thursday, May 03, 2001 - 03:03 pm: Edit |
Oh yeah, the link: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html |
| By Ron (Ron) on Sunday, August 05, 2001 - 04:21 pm: Edit |
I updated my review pages today, finally. I made Jennie Lobels newest, He Ain't Got Rhythm, the featured review. Anyone who doesn't have it should get it! I only had three new reviews. But I really liked all three CDs: o Charlie Christian - The Genius of Electric Guitar (**** 1/2, LL 1/2) o Corner Pocket - Easy Does It (*** 1/2, LLL 1/2) A band of two Lindy hoppers playing Lindy Hop dancers favorite songs... o Sweet and Lowdown soundtrack (**** 1/2, LL) Rent the movie and you'll probably buy the soundtrack. |
| By HopMichael (Mhwang) on Sunday, August 05, 2001 - 05:11 pm: Edit |
Ron, Larry Kang from NYC was playing 2 tracks off Corner Pocket's "Easy Does It" at the Late Night dance at the Seattle Lindy Exchange last night. At 4:30 AM, we were treated to "Blues for Stephanie" and "Things Ain't What they Used to Be" Amazing piano playing!!! And the solid bass kept sleep-deprived Lindy Hoppers grooving until the sunrise! Looks likes Jesse Miner's hyping spam bore truth! It's a difficult CD to find, so I'll reprint the e-mail I received. -Hop "The well runs deep" Michael |
| By HopMichael (Mhwang) on Sunday, August 05, 2001 - 05:13 pm: Edit |
From Jesse Miner of SF: As most of you probably know by now, I'm not one to be sending out hype about new swing releases all that often, if ever. Last night I returned home after a trip to LA/San Diego to find Corner Pocket's new live CD "Easy Does It" waiting for me. If you're not familiar with the band, they are comprised of two (yup, just two!) swinging members, Solomon Douglas on piano and Chris Arcand on bass. Hailing from Toronto, both are lindy hoppers as well as fabulous musicians. The music speaks for itself here: Solomon and Chris are solid and expressive, always laid-back and swinging. These 13 tracks are recorded live (exactly how swinging jazz is meant to be recorded!) at two dances, on June 3rd, 2000 and April 21st, 2001. Each track is a gem. Check out the track listing for yourself: 1. Easy Does It (106 bpm, 3:42) 2. Blues To Warm Up (111 bpm, 4:19) 3. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (124 bpm, 4:18) 4. Perdido (182 bpm, 5:11) 5. Things Ain't What They Used To Be (98 bpm, 4:21) 6. Corner Pocket (155 bpm, 3:50) 7. Blues For Stephanie (127 bpm, 4:52) 8. Pennies For Heaven (136 bpm, 4:10) 9. In A Mellow Tone (133 bpm, 5:18) 10. Red Top (129 bpm, 3:31) 11. All Of Me (157 bpm, 4:30) 12. Stompin' At The Savoy (154 bpm, 4:17) 13. Easy Does It (93 bpm, 4:40) As I listen to the CD, I keep thinking "Damn, this is one of my favorite songs!" as pretty much each and every song comes on. This is a self-released effort that seems to be a labor of love made by and for swing dancers and jazz lovers. I highly recommend you order a copy from Solomon if you enjoy swinging small combo jazz music in the vein of the Oscar Peterson Trio. You will not be disappointed. Below is all the information you'll need. Also, be sure to catch them live if you get the chance. Mmmmm...pure dancing pleasure! Take it easy. Jesse Jesse Miner rudeboy@waste.org dj@jesseminer.com www.jesseminer.com/dj ----- Original Message ----- Due to popular demand, Corner Pocket has finally released our first CD! If you haven't heard of us, we are a duo of Toronto lindy hoppers: me on piano, and Chris Arcand on bass. In addition to many Toronto performances, we have appeared at the Ithaca Lindy Exchange (May 2000), the Big TOE (April 2001), the Boston Lindy Exchange (May 2001), and the Montreal International Swing Dance Festival (July 2001). With Gordon Webster filling in for Chris, we'll be playing at Swing Out New Hampshire this year (under the name "Back Pocket" due to the change in instrumentation). We have received wild unsolicited praise from such luminaries as Dawn Hampton, Bill Borgida, Virginie, and Norma Miller, and from countless lindy hoppers all over the world. The album is 57 minutes long, and contains 13 tracks, digitally recorded live in Toronto. You also get attractive black-and-white cover art, with the name of the album written in my own handwriting on the surface of the CD-R! In American money, the price is $10 plus shipping. Shipping (first-class) to the US is $2.65 for one disc, $3.35 for two. Airmail to Canada is $3.00 for one disc, $3.75 for two. (To convert to Canadian funds, please exchange at 154%.) To order your copy, please send money via PayPal to srcd@alum.mit.edu, or send cash or cheque to Solomon Douglas, 5939 Broadway Ave., Cleveland OH 44127. (I accept American and Canadian cash and personal cheques). I personally guarantee that you will not be disappointed! - Solomon |
| By Ron (Ron) on Monday, August 06, 2001 - 11:37 am: Edit |
I liked it too, and my review goes into some detail. Its pretty cool that two Lindy Hoppers started such a band. Its not Oscar Peterson, but its pretty good. Note, I think Solomon has updated the shipping prices, so you might want to contact him first. |
| By Reuben Brown (Gurureuben) on Monday, August 06, 2001 - 01:39 pm: Edit |
This must be that CD you bitched about not getting a comp copy of. Funny that even came up in Seattle on our little shopping trip. Good to see you shut up and bought it. HA HA HA |
| By Ron (Ron) on Monday, August 06, 2001 - 04:13 pm: Edit |
Actually, he sent me a comp. |
| By Reuben Brown (Gurureuben) on Tuesday, August 07, 2001 - 08:33 am: Edit |
Really? That even funnier. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 08:34 pm: Edit |
Updated my swing CD review pages again this month with 15 new reviews. I decided to go back to the past for my featured CD this month, The Complete Atomic Basie. gotta love Splanky! http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html |
| By Shawn (Adminorama) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 12:53 pm: Edit |
Thank you Ron. Your reviews are a fantastic resource. |
| By Shawn (Adminorama) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 12:54 pm: Edit |
Frankly, they are an inspiration to all red blooded Americans. And should be required reading for any true patriot. |
| By CatThyme (Valorie) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 01:22 pm: Edit |
Sam Adams was a brewer and a patriot... |
| By HopMichael (Mhwang) on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 01:56 pm: Edit |
Wouldn't you like to be a patriot too? -Hop "Dr. Pepper" Michael |
| By Shawn (Adminorama) on Tuesday, October 09, 2001 - 07:58 am: Edit |
Ha! |
| By Ian Campbell (Ian) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 10:20 am: Edit |
How do you define red blooded American? |
| By Ron (Ron) on Friday, January 04, 2002 - 02:47 pm: Edit |
I updated my website and am featuring Swing Sessions's new CD Whispering Grass. I gave it **** for Listenability, and LLLL for Lindyability. http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html I added a short capsule reviews section, because I doubt many people get beyond the first page. Again I have to thank you guys for the great tips on great CDs. I played the song In Crowd from Ramsey Lewis at our exchange here in San Diego over New Years, and got lots of compliments. Here they are: Jane Monheit - Never Never Land (NCoded Music - 2000) Reviewed: 18 Dec. 2001. Ratings: ****, LL½ Ballads and mellow jazz. At 22, Monheit should have a great future. Perfect intonation and wonderful dynamics. No matter how soft she sings, it sounds great. Joe Carroll - With the Ray Bryant Quintet (Sony - 2000) Reviewed: 2 Jan. 2002. Ratings: ****, LLLL A favorite of Lindy Hop DJs, for good reason. This stuff totally swings, the songs are happy and high-energy, and there are great breaks for dancers to play with. "Jump Ditty" (133 BPM). Ramsey Lewis - Finest Hour (Verve Records - 2000) Reviewed: 2 Jan. 2002. Ratings: ****, LLL "The In Crowd" (141 BPM) is an infectious live song that isn't a strict straight swinging song, but its so good, you can't help but dance. It has great loud and soft dynamics, clapping, and cheering. Alex Pangman - Can't Stop Me From Dreaming (Sensation Records - 2001) Reviewed: 5 Dec. 2001. Ratings: ***, LL½ This is a fine CD filled with interesting songs from the late 20's and 30's. Pangman's voice is interesting, in a good way. Count Basie - Breakfast Dance & Barbeque (Roulette - 2001) Reviewed: 3 Nov. 2001. Ratings: ****½, LLLL½ Hold onto your hats and prepare to be blown away! This is awesome live Basie! If you aren't moving at least your head while you listen to this, check your pulse. As of this writing, this has my highest Lindy rating. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Monday, April 29, 2002 - 05:29 pm: Edit |
I just updated my reviews again. And Quint, notice I'm featuring Jimmy Witherspoon's Jazz Me Blues. That was the CD I said you should buy if you didn't have it already. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Saturday, April 26, 2003 - 06:30 pm: Edit |
I updated my review site again. I haven't been buying as many CDs recently, particularly during the 2 months I didn't DJ. I have to keep buying new stuff so I can keep both the dancers and myself from getting too bored. As usual, I review everything I buy. Latest reviews: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html Betty Roche's Take the A Train has been the featured CD recently. Recent capsule reviews: New! Frank Sinatra with Count Basie - Sinatra at the Sands (Reprise - 1998) Reviewed: 26 April 2003. Ratings: ****, LLL I'm not a big Sinatra fan but his excellent singing, along with the punch and the swing from Count Basie's band, makes me like Sinatra despite myself. Full review. New! Barbara Morrison - Live at the 9:20 Special (Springboard - 2002) Reviewed: 13 Dec. 2002. Ratings: ****, LLLL½ Recorded live in front of a dancing crowd at San Francisco's 9:20 special. High-energy jazz and blues songs sung by a dynamic singer and backed by a relentlessly swinging band. A must-have for Lindyhoppers. Full review. New! Ray Charles - The Birth of Soul (Atlantic - 1991) Reviewed: 3 Nov. 2002. Ratings: ****½, LLL½ This 3-CD boxset highlights Charles in his prime, 1952 to 1959. Has a few sweet Lindy songs like "Rockhouse" (124 BPM) and "Roll With My Baby" (128 BPM) and a few great blues like "Night Time is the Right Time" (78 BPM). Full review. New! Louis Armstrong - Satch Plays Fats (Columbia - 2000). Reviewed: 12 Oct 2002. Ratings ****, LLL½ This is a delightful collection of the great Louis Armstrong. Armstrong's sandpaper voice never sounded better. Sweet female vocalist. Excellent trumpet, piano and clarinet playing. Full review. New! Peter Davis - Goin' to Lindy Land (2002) Reviewed: 20 June 2002. Ratings: ***, LLL½ A CD for of fun songs that Lindyhoppers will be delighted with, including "Going to Lindy Land" (152 BPM). Full review. New! Kearney, Grams, and Bronsdon - To Go (Vitalegacy - 2001) Reviewed: 25 May 2002. Ratings: ***½, LLL½ A dancer's band plays dancer's songs like "Yum Yum Yum", "Do Me a Favour", and "One Scotch..." Fun breaks, fine piano playing, humorous banter and ragged singing characterize this live CD. Full Review. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 04:19 pm: Edit |
I just updated my reviews again and made the Campus Five CD my featured review. I gave it high ratings, check out my review if you haven't already bought the CD. Latest reviews: http://www.swingorama.com/music/ronsrevshome.html |
| By Campusfive (Campusfive) on Thursday, June 26, 2003 - 01:38 pm: Edit |
Thanks for the review. Glad you liked it! I would say that we're a decade later in repitoire that Mora's Modern Rhymists, so I don't see the similarity - but I won't hold that against you (heh, heh). Thanks again for the review - I'm very glad you enjoyed it! Anybody can check out samples and buy the album at www.campusfive.com Thanks! |
| By Yedancer (Yedancer) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 09:19 am: Edit |
Ron, I was going to ask why you said in your review that the Campus 5 were similar to Dean Mora, considering they play completely very styles of music. Then I noticed that Jonathan beat me to the punch. |
| By Ron (Ron) on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 12:25 pm: Edit |
The music of both bands has a bouncy, stacato feel. Both bands have a lot of songs that would appeal to fast classic swing lovers, or Balboa lovers. In general I'd say that if you liked one of the bands, you'd probably like the other. I'd say they are more similar to each other than either are similar to any other band we've had at the Aubergine, in feel. Maybe you would disagree. But they do play quite different music, so I should probably clarify my review. I can't imagine Dean Mora playing Ella Mae Morse! |
| By Ron (Ron) on Friday, February 20, 2004 - 11:31 am: Edit |
Well, I finally updated the music reviews and am now featuring the new Stompy Jones album. I've really slowed down in my CD buying habits. I used to buy 10-15 swing CDs/month.... I'm pretty happy with the CDs I do buy, however. And I no longer buy CDs for one danceable song, its just not worth it since I'm not djing as much anymore. |
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