Essential Ballroom Music Collection

[pygmalion]

Everywhere I look, I find ballroom CD's claiming to cover the essentials of ballroom music -- usually some foxtrots and waltzes, with a couple other dances thrown in for good measure. If you put together your own "essential" ballroom collection, what would be in it?

[Adwiz]

I just love the music for all 10 ballroom dances so much, I'd have a hard time choosing. I suppose if I had 20 songs to choose from they would include 1 Paso and 2-3 of everything else.

Since I use iTunes and have a pretty extensive collection of about 1,000 ballroom dance tunes already, I have many different playlists including some "DJ" lists that are organized into two-song groupings for each dance.

For Standard music, I just love the authentic old sounds of Al Martino, Nat King Cole, Ella and Bobby Darrin. For Latin music, I prefer the more recent artists with authentic Latin flavoring whenever possible.

[Larinda McRaven]

For foxtrots, right now I really enjoy Bryan Ferry.
He has a great album full of foxtrots that have a rather old, romantic, sentimental sound.

[pygmalion]

George Michael has a couple nice foxtrots. And cha chas, come to think of it. I'll watch the DVD and post song titles.

Stay away from the Rod Stewart CD of standards, though. The tempi are all over the place -- hard to dance to, IMHO.

[etchuck]

George Michael has a couple nice foxtrots. And cha chas, come to think of it. I'll watch the DVD and post song titles.

Stay away from the Rod Stewart CD of standards, though. The tempi are all over the place -- hard to dance to, IMHO.

In addition to the ballroom-specific discs that are out there, I tend to try to mix in a lot of recognizable music. I can't really export my playlist on my computer... haven't figured it out yet.

George Michael (if you're referring to the guy who used to be with Wham!): I guess you're thinking "Kissing a Fool", which could be a foxtrot I guess. But I do like "Father Figure" as a rumba. I also have a real affinity for the music of Sting and have been playing many of my favorite songs of his as rumbas (When We Dance... 6 minutes!) I also like Elton John's "Sacrifice" as a faster American-style rumba. I think you detect a pattern, though I have others that I also like out there (instrumental version of "In Da Club" by 50 cent for WCS... boy, did I get looks for playing that).

I agree with the Rod Stewart opinion though. I do have Storytellers Anthology from him, which includes "This Old Heart of Mine", but that might be the only song of his I may use at a dance.

[pygmalion]

Here's a link which names George Michael songs with the proper dances (some instrumental covers :cry: )

http://ballroomdancemusic.info/Album/GeorgeMichael1719.htm


I'd add "Outside" a hustle and "Fast Love" a cha cha. And, for American style, I'd substitute bolero where this list says rumba.

My first dance teacher was totally obsessed with George Michael. I mean down to fantasies about meeting him. So we danced to at least three George Michael songs every forty minute lesson. George Michael has made some good dance music. It's been a year and a half since I saw that teacher. I really miss that guy, but at least I still have the George Michael DVD and CD's. :D

[Neil]

I tought that "Breathless" by the Coors was very good for Hustle. "Game of Love" was nice for Cha-cha. "Follow Me" by Uncle Kracker made a nice slow West Coast Swing.

Whoops, you're talking about ballroom music. "Sam" by Olivia Newton John and "Dancing Like Lovers" by Mary MacGregor are the good old standby's for Waltz. I can't think of anything good for Tango.

[pygmalion]

That's the problem, Neil. Why does everybody think milque toast when they think ballroom? There's no reason why ballroom music can't be interesting.

[Neil]

You don't find those Waltz songs interesting?

[pygmalion]

No. No offense. I thought those were great waltzes. Maybe I misunderstood or was using a different definition of ballroom than you. "Ballroom" people here do hustle, cha cha, WCS, and lots of other dances, not just waltz.

[rebounder]

La Valse D'amelie vw
fever sf
inmigrante - tanghetto t
libertango - bond t

[kimV6]

for standard, mine would be (assuming three of each dance):

Hayley Westerna - Dark Waltz
Any semi-modern version of Appassionata (originally by Secret Garden)
Hollywood Movie Strings - Brothers (Theme From Pearl Harbor)
El Tango de Roxanne
Tango from Cirque de Soleil
Carlos Ortega - Argentino Paso
VWaltz from Moi Laskoviy I Nezhniy Zver
Valse de Amelie
Theme from Papillon
Eva Cassidy - Wade in the Water
Michael Buble - Fever
Gloria Lynne - Speaking of Happiness
Paul Anka - Wonderwall
Van Alexander - Let's Get Together
Any moderate-tempo version of Sing, Sing, Sing (I wanted to be Benny Goodman for a time)

and since my opinion on latin is less stringent, i'll go with just my favorite round
Celia Cruz - Rie y Llora
King Africa - E-O-Zumba-E
Ana Belen and Victor Manuel - No Se Por Que Te Quiero
Espana Cani (you know, the one version that sounds different than the others :P)
The Powder Blues - Thirsty Ears

i clearly put way too much thought into this. it's either that or study for my exam tomorrow.

[gclarke]

What practice music would you guys suggest for a beginner learning social foxtrot? I understand it's likely to be slower tham the standard foxtrot?

[Pirate Smith]

Tango of the Roses.. it is now an obsession.........OK.. ever since I found out that the orginal Tango .. in the original movie version of the " Mummy" was the song "Tango of the Roses".. I just can't keep from collecting different versions.. the only problem is.. I can't find the James Last version... does anyone know where he recorded it.. or can post a link.. Thank you Pirate Smith

by the way.. a great.. and I really think it is great newer Tango.. is on Mario Frangoulis's album.. the only draw back I have found, here in Amurika.. that they don't like that it is in Greek.. very narrow minded.. check it out.. I think you will like it... Thx Pirate Smith

[White Chacha]

I tought that "Breathless" by the Coors was very good for Hustle.

Oh dear. I'm afraid I think Breathless makes only a marginal hustle at best.

[Pirate Smith]

gclarke..may I respectfully suggest... "Dream A Little Dream of Me... by Laura Fygi"... or.. " In a Mellow Tone...by Manhattan Transfer".. or " Beyond the Sea.. by George Benson".... I find they give me time to still think about what I have to lead next... ROTFL..........I also like " Lullaby in Rythm.. M. Feinstein".. just some thoughts... Pirate Smith

[gclarke]

Many thanks for those. I do like that Laura Fygi version - not heard it before. Sorry for the late reply - just back of hols.

Gay

gclarke..may I respectfully suggest... "Dream A Little Dream of Me... by Laura Fygi"... or.. " In a Mellow Tone...by Manhattan Transfer".. or " Beyond the Sea.. by George Benson".... I find they give me time to still think about what I have to lead next... ROTFL..........I also like " Lullaby in Rythm.. M. Feinstein".. just some thoughts... Pirate Smith

[BasicsFirst]

OK, 99.9% of the time I don't care for "pop music" (loosely termed) subbed in for ballroom music, BUT my one exception is "Charmed Life" by Diana Krall as a foxtrot. BTW, your social foxtrot music for practice IMO doesn't have to be slower than normal.

[gclarke]

Lol - I think 'pop music' is very loosely termed there. Thanks for that though.

I guess I was just quoting what I've read but I'm not too bothered about being purist about bpm etc.

Personally I like faster better in most things. Currently I am so excited that our instructor has decided to spend more time on his teaching so now we can do medals and get private lessons.

Now we abandon the rock and roll for a faster jive. I love it but my husband is going to find the speed harder I think - stiff ankles!

OK, 99.9% of the time I don't care for "pop music" (loosely termed) subbed in for ballroom music, BUT my one exception is "Charmed Life" by Diana Krall as a foxtrot. BTW, your social foxtrot music for practice IMO doesn't have to be slower than normal.