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Viewing 11 through 20
Bluella, Ella sings the Blues
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Ella Fitzgerald
Reviewed by mity 
I have long been torn between Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday as the greatest jazz vocalist. This record has made my choice even more difficult. Not only does Ella have perfect voice, she sings with such emotion on this record. This record includes “Smooth Sailing” and “Fine and Mellow". Definite buy for any one either loves Ella or hasn’t listened enough to her (since you can’t hate Ella Fitzgerald).
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Live At Carnegie Hall
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Benny Goodman
Reviewed by mity 
Truly one of the turning point at how jazz and swing music were perceived by the mainstream America. Although the quality of the recording is not top notch, it’s not bad either. What you get here is Goodman and his band at their best trying to prove ( to mainstream America, since lots of people knew that already) that jazz and swing is music and not noise. The CD consists of tracks played by the big band, by smaller band and finally by Goodman’s trio. This is a MUST for any jazz lover. I know I say this a lot, partly because there are a lot of musts for jazz lovers, but that doesn’t make it any less so. Listen to Gene Krupa’s drums as he tries to wake up the rest of Carnegie Hall, and give some chutzpa to the rest of the band. Listen to the jam between Count Basie and his band members against Benny Goodman and his men on “Honeysuckle Rose”. And finally look at this line up: the quartet consisted of Goodman, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton and Teddy Wilson ...supplemented at this Carnegie concert by Harry James, Count Basie, Lester Young and, from Ellington's killer band of that time, Johnny Hodges and Harry Carney.
Buy this album for its historical significance and listen, and dance, to it for its musicality.
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Life is a Game
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The Jive Aces
Reviewed by CCKitty 
Songs are fast and typically neo-swing - 6 count swing or fast lindy tempos. The musicians are competent and the vocals adequate. Most music on the CD is original. Not much for slower or medium tempo lindy hop. Not classic old-timey swing.
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Wicked Swing
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RCA Victor
Reviewed by mity 
The first thing you need to do when you buy this CD is to throw out the cover. I pass by this CD on numerous occasions because I assumed that the CD was full of neo swing. However, once I turned it over and saw the play list, I was in love. If you are interested in fast lindy or balboa and down have enough music to practice. Or if you are just too lazy to make a CD full of nothing but fast tunes, then this CD is for you. Please consult your physician before dancing to it. Some dancers experience chest pains and shortness of breath.
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Swingin' Away -LIVE
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George Gee
Reviewed by mity 
If you want to hear the best band (second best, but the other one doesn’t have a CD) New York City has to offer then you have come to the right place. This recording was done for dancers specifically. It was recorded at the birthday party for Frankie Mannining. On “Stompin' At The Savoy" track you could actually hear him calling out Shim Sham. None of the songs are original, most are covers of Count Basie, but as a cover record this one is really good.
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First Time! The Count Meets the Duke
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Count Basie & Duke Ellington
Reviewed by mity 
I don’t even know where to start. I guess I would start by saying that on this record Count Basie Orchestra and Duke Ellington Orchestra are playing together. To hear both giants of swing playing the same time is truly inspirational. I don’t know what else I could say to make this CD more appealing, but I will try. The last track on this CD is a battle between Duke Ellington Orchestra and Coutn Basie Orchestra. Enough said.
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Cradle of Jazz
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Compilation (Boxed set - Import)
Reviewed by mity 
Ok, this is a very expensive purchase but you do get a lot of value for this. It price is between $66 to $85. However, this box set does include 40(!!!!) CDs, and in total has 785 tracks. I know words like “ the only CD you will ever need” get thrown around. However, in this case this is true. If you are going to make only one purchase, this is it. You get, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Condon, Wild Bill Davison, Bud Freeman, Scott Joplin, 'Jelly Roll' Morton, Jabbo Smith, Pee Wee Russell, Bennie Moten and many more. As the title of the box set suggests he music is all from the early part of 20th century, so if you prefer later material this is not for you. However, if you like early jazz then this is definately for you.
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Who's Yo' Daddy
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Blues Swingers
Reviewed by Lars 
These guys from Chicago are the real deal! A well crafted combination of old tunes, (I can't say standards, because you would have to dig deep for some of these) and fine originals. A nice mix of 6-count & Lindy rhythms. This disc is one of our swing favorites.
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Colin James & his little Big Band
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Colin James
Reviewed by Lars 
This band is no "Johnny-Come-Lately to swing with this 1998 release. His 'Little Big Band' CD from 1993 establishes him as one of the first (and one of the best) to toss his fedora into the swing-ring. Blues tinged swing is his thing and his association with Stevie Ray (he used to open for SRV) is apparent on his guitar solos. Great CD!
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