Customer Reviews

Calling All Jitterbugs

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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I first heard "12 Cylinders" on KLBB's "Music from the Club Lounge", hosted by Reed Hagen in the Twin Cities. I thought I was hearing a Jimmie Lunceford recording I've never heard before. When I found out it was Bill Elliot, I immediately ordered the CD. This guy really knows how to swing, and swing smoothly with restraint, like the original orchestras did in the 30s and 40s. I like Elliot's hot swing, and the vintage arrangements at the end are a real treat--very reminiscent of Ted Weems 1920s orchestra and a bit of Bing Crosby & Russ Columbo-like vocals. I do plan on ordering Bill Elliot's other CDs--They will go very well with my 78s

This CD came out in 1998. "Swing Fever" was Bill Elliott's first work and he was wading in new waters with his then new band. When he and his band struck gold with his first CD, he decided to upgrade his efforts. "Calling All Jitterbugs" is the CD that help establish his wonderful band to the staple of swing that it is today. "Streamliner" and "Twelve Cylinders" are wonderful Elliott original compositions which separates Bill's bands from many others. "On The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" let's Bill have his singing fun. But his wonderful singers, The Lucky Stars establish themselves with "I'm Beginning To Like It" (Which in some circles, has become America's swing motto.) But the song that captures the flavor of what today's Swing movement is about is "Mildred, Won't You Behave" which I guess you can consider Lindy's version of a rap song. (Without the offensiveness, that is.) It's great dancing to and it just a fun song, period. At the American Lindy Hop Championships in 2000, Bill's CD's were the most requested music. Lindy Hoppers I have spoken to have said that if there was one band they would travel to see in person or hear or dance to, Bill's band wins hands down. But why take my word for it? Purchase a CD of Bill's and you'll be convinced. Actor John Lithgow is. He uses Bill as his concert conductor along with Bill's Lucky Stars. His radio play is increasing on "American Popular Standard" stations. Need I say more? A Bill Elliott CD is MORE than worth the money! Bill's fans continue to like it!!!

Bill Elliott's Swing Orchestra is a featured artist on a various artists swing selection titled "Swing This Baby". Usually the artists on a compilation have their "Best" songs on such albums. However I found almost all of the selections on "Calling All Jitterbugs" to be of the same high quality. They are all High, Bright, and Clear with that swing bounce that all swing music lovers are looking for. Even the selection "Bill's Bounce" ( Which sounds almost as familiar as the "Jesry Bounce" of days gone by) although a live recording, is as good if not better than the rendition on "Swing This Baby" and that selection is available on another Bill Elliott title called "Swing Fever" Also available from Amazon.Com. Both of these Elliott titles are full of the classic sounds of swing music that you just can't help but grabbing someone and start dancing. The vocal selections include top artists like Amy Weston (also included on Swing Fever), The Lucky Stars, Cassie Miller, Jeff Gilbert, and Frederick Hodges. Most of these I have not heard before but are as smooth and clean as the Giant swing stars of yesteryear. Yes it's true I like swing music that has a up beat and a lively tune but who wants to feel bad when they listen to music, and this Album is as bright and lively as they come.

"Calling All Jitterbugs" BESO's second release has out done the elegance of this first release, "Swing Fever". On this release Bill truely envokes the stylings of Glenn Miller, which since Miller's death in '41 has been hard to replace. Elliott's understanding of swing music has earned him many honors and recognitions within the music industry which is why many artist's including, Royal Crown Revue, Indigo Swing and Bette Midler have turned to him to help create their best material in the roll of producer and sometimes co-writer. Bill also has worked in the movies including the 1989 hit "Dick Tracy". This CD will make any swing kid young or old want to tie on their two-tone shoes and hit the dance floor. For the young this is the closest that you will ever come to experiencing the classic sounds of the great Big-Bands of the 1940s. For the older listener BSEO will take you back to your youth when you danced in the great dance halls. The best tracks on this release are "StramLiner", "Mildred, Won't you behave?" and "12 Cylinders". This is a must have. Catch BSEO on tour this summer of '99 and be sure to pick up Elliott's other two releases, "Swing Fever" & "Swingin' The Century". Because here it is all about Swing.

This is an excellent CD! Bill Elliott is a composer who has really studied his models. He recreates a wonderful, authentic sound. The music is dance inspiring, and wonderful to dance to at that. If you're a Lindy Hopper, this one's for you! "Mildred, Won't you Behave?" is the gem of the CD; it shines and you won't be able to sit still. I highly reccommend this CD to anyone interested in Swing music. It's a refreshing change from much of the smaller combo Jump Blues being released these days. Put on your two-tones and hit the dance floor- this one's a keeper!

This middle CD of 3 productions is a let loose but disciplined parade of modern day Ellington, Cugat, Rudy Valley, Barnet, Pied Pipers, Modernaires and Basie brass - a variety befitting those and other brilliant artists. Even rockers could find something for them in this one - and no wonder considering Elliots musical roots. Took me two years to find this band. Now I can die happy.

The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra is said to be THE name in Hollywood (how would I know? I live in the Midwest), and from this disk you can tell why! Each track is great. There's a fabulous mix of vocals, inluding a great little singing group called the Lucky Stars. You can dance to everything. If all my swing CDs suddenly vanished except one, I'd keep this one. Yes, I really like it THAT MUCH.

Calling All Jitterbugs is better than almost any swing cd around. But it's not nearly as good as the first Elliot cd "Swing Fever." The problem with this one is the last 4 tracks. They are really weak. Completely out of the character of this great band. You'll like "Calling All Jitterbugs," but get "Swing Fever" first.

After listening to Calling All Jitterbugs and Swing Fever [the first CD from Bill Elliott], one can't help but wish that these folks could be popped into a time machine and transported back to 1938 or so-just to see how they would fare against the likes of Goodman, Miller & Company. My guess is that Bill Elliott would hold his own [and then some] against the giants of the Golden Age. Calling All Jitterbugs has a few rough edges: it has 4 tracks which were used as background in various films. They weren't meant to be heard as "stand-alone" music, and it shows. That minor quibble aside-the CD is terrific! Obey whatever instinct brought you here, and buy it! The opening cut [Streamliner] alone is worth the price of admission.

The second CD from this band which is a true "blast out of the past", just like the great dance bands of the big band era without copying any particukar band. With just one old tune, an excellent version of "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe", all show off Elliott's knack for writing and arranging as if he were working for Tommy Dorsey. The final cuts go even farther and demonstrate his versitility by recreating the sound from the pre-big band era of the early 30's. Again as on the first CD, vocals are unlike those heard elsewhere today, and Amy Weston (daughter of Paul Weston and Jo Stafford) makes another appearance. Altogether, a great follow-up to "Swing Fever". Both CDs belong in any collection, whether you like the old swing or the new.