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Swing has hit 1998 in a very big way with bands blowing not just the airwaves and music television stations worldwide, but packing the ever-increasing number of swing clubs in cities across North America. Bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and the Brian Setzer Orchestra have all had hit singles and CD's. They have packed venues just as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington did during the hey-day of the Cotton Club in New York City.
For these flash new singers, it was alot of shows in alot of empty clubs until, surely enough, the kids started to realize a connection with the flamboyant style of swing. Influenced by forefathers such as Louis Prima, these talented artists are heard to pay homage to the greats. For example, in concert, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy consistently salutes one of their biggest influences: Cab Calloway. Lead singer, Scotty Morris, indulges the crowd with a bit of Cab's history and serves up the scoopon "Minnie the Moocher". Then they play their rousing rendition, with a cosoicuous 90's translation. The rising popularity of swing also lent it's slick style to advertising campaigns. Yes, that the incomparable Louis Prima swing out in the GAP's commercial for it's khaki pants.
What's the reason for the resurgence of interest in this impeccably swank art form (hey, what can I say? I'm a fan.)? Well we could attribute it to the movies ("Swingers") or commercials (the GAP). We could also just be feeling a little sentimental. But that's too easy. I don't think that's what's got kids swilling martinis to "The Duke".I think it has to do with joy. The joy that this music evokes is unmistakable. We have for too long now listened to the woe-begotten, angst - ridden gurglings of our young artists from the early 90's. This newfound popularity is indicative of a new force in all of our lives, a force that has us dancing. From a musical style born in the 30's, in a world standing on the outskirts of a war, this glorious music has traveled through time to reach out to all of us once again. Hey...People are dancing again!
Enjoy it right here. There is a great mix of artists on this compilation "Jump Jive and Wail: The History of Swing". You get the best of both worlds here, past and present. A great introductory CD and a fantastic addition to any collector's music library, "Jump Jive an' Wail" will take you back to where swing has come from to where it is. If you listen closely, you can here where it's going.