Swing Around the World

Various Artists (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 26, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B0009UVCOO
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,601 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Van Enkulu

2. Mari Niça Swing

3. Pallin' With Al

4. Mumbles

5. Fotoromanza

6. Swing Pan Alley

7. Mamma Mi Piace il Ritmo

8. Blue Drag

9. Gypsy Fire

10. Opihi Man

11. Hey, Rock

12. Minor Swing (To Django)

Editorial Reviews

Putumayo gets the whole world swinging with this collection of 12 jazzy numbers that will bring everybody to their feet, dancing and swaying to the infectious beats of artists from an interesting variety of countries and cultures. Proceeds from the sale of this be-bopping, show-stopping CD will benefit the non-profit National Dance Institute, an organization that brings innovative dance and music programs into New York City public schools and affiliated educational organizations around the country.

Swing music took the world by storm after its initial craze in the United States during the 1930s and 40s. Artists in places as far-flung as southern Africa, France and Hawaii blended swing and jazz into their own local music to create unique expressions. Jacob Edgar, Vice President of A&R at Putumayo World Music, had a lot of fun finding tracks for Swing Around the World. "Swing is such an accessible kind of music. Anyone can enjoy it. Like reggae, it’s been adopted and arranged by artists everywhere." Edgar notes the wide variety of interpretations on Swing Around the World, from the African inflections of the Cool Crooners of Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), the bayou flavors of the Jambalaya Cajun Band to the minor key gypsy style tribute to Django Reinhardt served up by the Children of the Revolution. "Swing was the rock and roll of its time, and it still engages people today. It’s just good-time, feel-good party music," says Edgar. Of course, American bands like the Squirrel Nut Zippers, the New Orleans Jazz Vipers and Duke Heitger and his Swing Band all embody the swing spirit and keep audiences jitterbugging and lindy-hopping all over the country.

The CD will include artist and cultural information, color photographs, and liner notes in English, Spanish and French.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite fun, June 18, 2006

By 

Random Reviewer (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swing Around the World (Audio CD)

This was playing in a store where I was browsing. (Not for music.) It was so distractingly good, I couldn't concentrate on shopping. By the time "Mumbles" came on, I had to ask a clerk what on earth we were listening to. That's how I ended up buying it.

That's how good. Swing from the damnedest places you've ever (or maybe never) heard of. ...Do you know how HARD it is to write an Amazon review while you're dancin' in your chair?

The liner notes are illuminating, about each band and each individual song (and they're in English, French and Spanish); I only wish the lyrics to the non-English songs had been included. But there's not a weak cut on this album. It's charmingly energetic and guaranteed to lift the saggiest mood.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, with some interesting surprises, January 15, 2006

By 

E. Walk (San Diego) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swing Around the World (Audio CD)

My husband and I are 40-somethings who just finished an intro West-coast swing class. We were looking for something a little different for practicing our new moves, even though we love the standards. This collection has some truly unusual twists on the swing genre, with a variety of tempo and mood that make for interesting repeat listenings. My only complaint is that I would trade one more of the English-language tracks for something more exotic.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Putumayo Yet!, May 18, 2007

By 

G. Rice (Hanford, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swing Around the World (Audio CD)

I love all the Putumayo albums but this is the best. I haven't shared it with anyone who hasn't loved it! My fourth graders sing along and the other teachers went to get copies.