Saffyre's Music and
More Reviews.

I love swing, but I can honestly admit that some is better than others. Here are some of my personal favorites. And remember, if you like it, click on the name to but it at CDNow.

Squirrel Nut Zippers

First and formost on my choice picks of new style swing is the band Squirrel Nut Zippers. All of thier albums, of which they have 6, are excelent. But, if you really want me to pick my favorites of them all, I would rank them as such.

1. Perennial Favorites

I suppose that this one is my favorite because I got to see them live, on tour, in Dallas doing the songs of this album. Lots of fun to dance to, and fun to listen to also.<>

2. The Inevitable

This is the Zipper's first album, and proves that it was fate for the album to come. All the songs are great, and it can make for a fun dancing disc.

3. Hot

I do love this album, but it is just to "hot" for me. Some of thier styles get into a sort of Mexican sound to me. Still, over all, it is great. It is sort of the Zipper's tribute to Louisianna. And, just like honey on the sopapia, the cd to this album is computer interactive.

4. Christmas Caravan

On this one, you will find alot of swingin' goodies, but aslo some other styles that SNZ are into, like Blue Grass.

The others are simular to single album, with the best being "Sold Out" followed by "Roasted Right."

As Swingable as SNZ is, they do not qualify themselves as a Swing band, and some of thier music shows that. But, undoubtable, they still swing strong.



Review: Cherry Poppin' Daddies

Cherry Poppin' Daddies

These guys are great musicians, and make great music to East Coast and Lindy Hop to, but thier lyrics can be a bit vulgar. Because of that, I was hesitant to buy the CD for myself, and only got the cd by chance from my cousin, who had bought it and listened to it, and hated it. (Thanx Jen.) Well, I got it, and did not think that I would like it, but I love it, and it has become on of my fav's. I have not heard anything of thier other albums but the one she gave me, which was Zoot Suit Roit, but I hear that thier earlier stuff was not to swing, but rather Ska.

I was also one of the lucky few that have seen CPD in concert. I also got to dance to them, and it was great, except the dacne floor was too crowded. The best thing about this band though, was they sounded as great live as they did on tape. The only way I knew that the lead singer was not lip sinking was when he messed up once. Over all, a great performance.


Review: Brian Setzer Orchestra

Brian Setzer Orchestra

Setzer is good music, but it is the style is a later style than swing. If you like old fashion Rock, he is you man. His style is much more simular to the 50's era music rather than 30's-40's swing. But as far as his qualification into neo-swing, he fits just fine. The one song of his The Dirty Boogie cd that I love the most is Jump, Jive, an' Wail," a remake of the Louis Prima song from the 50's. There are other songs on thier that are good to, but for sake of me boring my audience, I will stop thier.


Review: Big Bad Voodoo Daddies

Big Bad Voodoo Daddies

These guys are aslo great, though, like CPD, thier subject matter is a bit if-y. In my opinion, they seem a little conceited in thier music, even, because they mention themselves in atleast 3 different songs, in a very direct way. Still, these guys got swing. Thier album is self titled.

Here, I will not name albums, only artists. If you can find them on cd, great. Even better though, check out old junk stores for thier records, if you have a record player. It just sounds so much better to listen to them in thier first and best form.

Glen Miller and his Orchestra

Miller is a great if thier ever was one. Between him and my next fav, they defined what we now know as swing. Some of my favorite songs of his are "In the Mood" and "Perfidia," as well as "The American Patrol" and "Tuxedo Junction." Try and find him, if you can.

Benny Goodman and his Orchestra

Benny is best know for the song, that to me, defines what swing is--"Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)." This is the swingiest, jivin'est song there ever was. Other greats by him are "Stompin' At the Savoy," "Jumpin' at the Woodside," and his version of the theme to the popular radio show "Let's Dance." Get Benny on what ever you can find him, tape, cd or record. He is a must for any entheusiest.

The Swing Kids Soundtrack

This soundtrack is great. It has some essentials like "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "It Don't Mean a Thing" as well as some other great sounding hit of this era. The movie is great too, and was the one movie that completely convinced me to learn how to swing dance.

Thier are many movies that relate to swing music. I will soon have reviews of various kinds of these movies, but for now, I can only make a few suggestions. They are:

I will more movies cataloged here soon, but I just do not have the time or information now. Also, if you want to find any of these movies, check out the link below.

Movie Title Actor or Actress

Well, that is all for now. I will have more later.

Last update: 3-7-99.

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