Doug
06-25-2004, 08:22 AM
New thread since the the ECS thread was getting some major drift. Here is a portion of a set I played recently for a bunch of Balboa dancers. (I didn't play it in alphabetical order!!) Tempos tend to be in the 170-240 range and (nearly) all the songs have good "drive". Go below 170 and even most, but not all :-), the diehard Balboa dancers will Lindy. Over 240 and people generally fall apart. Nearly all the songs have strong 4/4 rhythm which was one of the characteristics of most swing in the 30's and early 40's. One frequent problem is that DJ's will mistake fast music for Balboa music. Fast and "jittery" or mushy does not work. 185-220 with good rhythmic properties seems to be the sweet spot. Balboa dancers also seem to have a stronger preference for classic swing than most Lindy hoppers due to the lack of "Groove Bal" (Thank Goodness!!!). BTW - some of these are certainly NOT traditional balboa pieces - like Cliff Bruner. This is merely an alphabetized set list from part of the All Bal weekend that I had conveniently at hand.
Al Cooper-Second Balcony Jump
Artie Shaw - The Grabtown Grapple
Bennie Moten-Moten Swing
Benny Goodman-Georgia Jubilee
Blanche Calloway - I Gotta Swing
Blanche Calloway - Line-A-Jive
Bunny Berigan - Sing You Sinners
Bunny Berigan-Blue Lou
Casa Loma Orchestra-I Got Rhythm
Chick Webb-Lindyhopper's Delight
Cliff Bruner - That's What I Like About The South
Cootie Williams - Diga Diga Do
Duke Ellington - The C Jam Blues
Earl Hines-Up Jumped The Devil
Eddie Chamblee - Caravan
Eddie Condon - Impromptu Ensemble No. 1
Erskine Hawkins-Riff Time
Fletcher Henderson-Harlem Madness
Frankie Trumbauer-I'm An Old Cowhand
Harlan Leonard-Ride My Blues Away
Jay McShann-The Jumpin' Blues
John Kirby-Kansas City Caboose
Johnny Hodges - Castle Rock
Johnny Hodges - Empty Ballroom Blues
Kansas City Band-Tickle Toe
Lucky Millinder - Mason Flyer
Roy Eldridge - Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip
Sidney Bechet - Blackstick
Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Blue Lou
Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Swing Shift
Willie Lewis-Lady Be Good
Al Cooper-Second Balcony Jump
Artie Shaw - The Grabtown Grapple
Bennie Moten-Moten Swing
Benny Goodman-Georgia Jubilee
Blanche Calloway - I Gotta Swing
Blanche Calloway - Line-A-Jive
Bunny Berigan - Sing You Sinners
Bunny Berigan-Blue Lou
Casa Loma Orchestra-I Got Rhythm
Chick Webb-Lindyhopper's Delight
Cliff Bruner - That's What I Like About The South
Cootie Williams - Diga Diga Do
Duke Ellington - The C Jam Blues
Earl Hines-Up Jumped The Devil
Eddie Chamblee - Caravan
Eddie Condon - Impromptu Ensemble No. 1
Erskine Hawkins-Riff Time
Fletcher Henderson-Harlem Madness
Frankie Trumbauer-I'm An Old Cowhand
Harlan Leonard-Ride My Blues Away
Jay McShann-The Jumpin' Blues
John Kirby-Kansas City Caboose
Johnny Hodges - Castle Rock
Johnny Hodges - Empty Ballroom Blues
Kansas City Band-Tickle Toe
Lucky Millinder - Mason Flyer
Roy Eldridge - Hi Ho Trailus Boot Whip
Sidney Bechet - Blackstick
Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Blue Lou
Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Swing Shift
Willie Lewis-Lady Be Good