Customer Reviews

Fabulous Ballroom Collection

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the best CD for ballroom dancing, and especially for latin (cha cha, tango, rumba, merengue, samba, mambo). These sections are from two old Arthur Murray records by Ray Carter and Bill Stagmeyer. All sections are strict tempo. The latins are fabulous, with the right feeling and tempo. There is over an hour of music on this CD. The two "rock and roll" tunes are awful, in my opinon, but danceable triple swing and good for beginners. Get a Glenn Miller CD for good swing. There is also a waltz that I don't like, which for Viennese. I paid $20 for this years ago and was glad to get it. The one weakness is only 5 Fox Trot, Waltz and Swing, and conversely the strength of this CD is 19 Latins.

Arthur Murray (born Moses Teichman in 1895) became a franchising legend in the 30s and 40s as he sold rights to teach his "footstep" dance patterns across the United States. He opened his first franchised dance studio in 1938, and these numbered more than 3,500 at their peak. Following the Second World War, he put heavy emphasis on the "Latin American" dance steps that he adapted from several long visits to Cuba. Part of his genius was borrowing the "strict-tempo" dance rhythm ideas he heard from Victor Silvester and the best of the British dance bands. With the exception of a slight retard at the end of the song, a strict tempo made it easier for men to count their steps and help their partners look better.

The tempos - appropriate in 1960 - tend to be a little faster than current DanceSport preferences. With due respect to other esteemed reviewers, tracks 8 and 18 need not be labeled rock-n-roll. Try dancing West Coast Swing to track 8 and Lindy-hop to track 18 and your feet will feel oh so good! This collection is indeed a "fabulous" bargain at $11.99.

Please click on "See all my reviews" for reviews of more than 100 ballroom dance albums.

I have been dancing for years and this is my absolutely favorite CD I've found! It is mostly Latin (cha-cha, merengue, mambo, tango, samba), though, there are a few waltzes, foxtrots, and "Rock and Roll" songs. It has great, classy 'vintage' sound to it (like a 1940's live orchestra). Unlike many ballroom dance CDS, the music can stand on its own feet AND the beat is definite enough to make this suitable for practice as well. I highly recommend this to any ballroom dancer!!

My wife & I are ballroom beginners, and we have found this to have lots of tunes that are great for practice. The single waltz is too fast for beginners, and swings should be supplemented by anything Glen Miller. See "Let's Dance: The Best of Ballroom" for some really great foxtrots and waltzes.

After taking several beginner ballroom dancing lessons, I purchased this cd to practice at home. It's great - just what I wanted!

I ordered the CD in order to have a variety of music for dancing and will be using it. It is not as good as a couple of other CDs I ordered; however, it is more than passable.

It's rather old but the tempos are good. Music is fine. Very danceable.

This is a very good collection of classic dance music by Arthur Murray Orchestras.

I do not have this CD but I listened through the samples. It sounded like bunch of latin music with a little bit of standard music. However one thing that I will tell you about this CD is that if you are planning to dance any International style ballroom dancing, this CD is not for you. If you are dancing American style and enjoy old music from 50's buy it.

I am not taking Ballroom dancing yet ...but listening to this CD has made me seriously consider it. I cannot stop moving to this music!! It is really fabulous - great fun and NOT vulgar or offensive in the way much music is today. Love it!