Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) - Can Can

Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) is song that I love because of its funny, witty and silly lyrics. The lyrics makes me smile every time I hear them.

Here is a version of Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) that is sung by Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine in a scene from the movie Can-Can from 1960.

Check out an other bubbly performance of Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) by MaryAnne (ysabellabrave).

What do you think of this video clip with Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine? Please comment.

It's time to dance Madison

When I looked at the stats of this blog today, I once again saw a increased interest in dances from 1961. In January I asked "What is so interesting about dances from 1961?" Well, aparantly it's a clue in a crossword and the solution is "Watusi".

I thought I would feature another dance from the 1960's: The Madison. The video clip above is from the film "Bande a Part" (Band of Outsiders) from 1964.

I love the combination of attitude and casual style and also the surrealistic moment when the music stops during the voice-over but the dancers continue to dance.

A friend of mine run a film marathon once a year where everybody watches 5 or 6 movies in a row, each movie has a different style I think this movie would be a perfect candidate in the "surrealistic section" of the evening.

Do you sometimes dance without music?

What do you think of the video clip with people dancing the Madison? Please comment.

Benny Goodman and the art of improvising

In a tv program from 1967 Benny Goodman and some other jazz musicians talk about and show what it means to do jazz improvisation.

In the first clip they show how a new song can be born through improvisation on a another one, here they play In a Mellow Tone and Rose Room at the same time.



In the second video clip they talk about what they feel when they are playing jazz and the role of the rhythm section in a jazz band. They then decide on playing Airmail Special.

Benny Goodman also refers to Airmail Special as Good Enough To Keep. I suppose there is a story behind those names, does anybody have more info about that?



The other musicians are Clark Terry (trumpet), Zoot Sims (saxophone), Ed Shaughnessy (drums), Hank Jones (piano), Gene Bertoncini (guitar) and Milt Hinton on bass.

Some of the things they say can be applied at dancing as well, for example Ed Shaughnessy says: "Even when I play simple things, I try do do it with feeling". I belive that often you don't have to do very fancy moves, you can have a fantastic dance just by doing basic stuff with feeling.

I think that the leader in a dance couple is similar to the rhythm section in a band, the leader provides the pulse and basic structure and upon that the follower can improvise.

A band got to have a good rhythm section if they are going to be great, I have several examples of bands that have very good soloists that plays the melody, but the drummer plays in a mechanical way without feeling and that destroys the tune once you notice that.

What do you think of the video clips with Benny Goodman talking about jazz improvisation? Tell me.

What is so interesting about dances from 1961?

The last couple of days many people have arrived at my blog while searching for "dances from 1961" or "dance of 1961".

It can't be a coincidence, something is happening, but I don't know what, do you? Tell me.

Most people found the list of dances included in the book Social Dancing in America: A History and Reference Volume 2 Lindy Hop to Hip Hop, 1901-2000 that I listed here in the interview with author Ralph G. Giordano.

Is it a new tv series that has started or are people really interested in dances like The Fish, The Pachanga, The Watusi or The Twist?

Tell me what's going on.

Harry James - Don't Be That Way

Here's a video clip with Harry James and his orchestra playing Don't Be That Way. An uptempo song with great energy. The video clip was recorded in 1965.



What do you think of Harry James and his orchestra playing Don't Be That Way? Tell me.

Dat Dere - Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

A couple of days ago I mentioned the song Dat Dere by Bobby Timmons. I started looking for versions of that song and found this video clip of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers performing Dat Dere in 1961.



I don't usually listen to bop jazz very much but when it has such a great swinging rhythm section like in this video clip, it's a joy. I love the piano solo. I have to start looking into the music of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers to see if I can find more stuff like this. Got any suggestions?

What do you think of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers playing Dat Dere? Does it appeal to you hard core swing music fans as well? Tell me.

Ella Fitzgerald sings Sweet Georgia Brown in Stockholm

Take a look at this great video clip with Ella Fitzgerald singing Sweet Georgia Brown in Stockholm 1966. A fantastic up tempo delivery of Sweet Georgia Brown, this is Ella Fitzgerald at her best. This is why she has been called "The first lady of jazz". Enjoy!


Oow! It's hot. So much energy. If that didn't make you move your feet, I don't know what will.

Take a look at other versions of Sweet Georgia Brown that I've blogged about.

What do you think of this video clip with Ella Fitzgerald singing Sweet Georgia Brown? Tell me.

Ella Fitzgerald: Lady Be Good & Mack the Knife

In this video clip from 1961 Ella Fitzgerald sings something you don't hear every day: a ballad version of Lady Be Good. In fact all versions I've heard up 'til now has been uptempo. Very nice and sweet, sometimes strings can be too sweet but once in a while it's ok.

Ella Fitzgerald continues with Mack the Knife and picks up the pace. Now it's really swinging! I dig the piano playing (does anyone know who plays?)



What do you think of Ella Fitzgerald singing Lady Be Good and Mack the Knife? Tell me.

Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer

Right now the Tribeca Film Festival is going on and one of the movies that has it's premiere there is a documentary about jazz singer Anita Oday called: "Anita O'Day: The Life of a Jazz Singer".

Take a look at the trailer for the documentary at Anita O'day's official website. If you're at the Tribeca Film Festival you can see the film on Friday and Sunday.

Anita O'day passed away in the end of last year. She will be remembered as a great jazz singer. What I admire about Anita O'day is her marvelous phrasing, one outstanding example of her phrasing can be heard on the following video clip from the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 where Anita O'day sings Sweet Georgia Brown in three different styles .



I especially like the way she presents the line in the lyrics that goes: "I don't lie... much".

The video clip is from the documentary "Jazz on a Summer's Day" from 1960 by Bert Stern.

You can compare her version with the other versions of Sweet Georgia Brown that I've posted.

What do you think of Anita O'day? Tell me.

Louis Armstrong - Paris Blues - Jam Session

Do you want high energy swing music? Well, here you go! Here is a great video clip from the movie Paris Blues with Louis Armstrong.

Paul Newman and Sidney Poitier plays musicians playing in a jazz club when Louis Armstrong and his band comes crashing in (that's how you make a entrance!) and challenge each of them in a jam session.



In beginning of this video clip there is some swing dancing. I just love the energy of the music and I love the joy they express. It truly shows what swing music is all about.

Paris Blues was released in 1961.

What do you think of this video clip from Paris Blues with Louis Armstrong. Tell me.

Louis Armstrong sings Mack the Knife (1962)

Louis Armstrong sings Mack the Knife at a concert in Stockholm in 1962.



The music is written by Kurt Weill and the lyrics by Marc Blitzstein and Berthold Brecht.

What do think of this video clip where Louis Armstrong sings Mack the Knife? Tell me.