Customer Reviews

Swing Fever

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Being a fan of the big band sound for the past thirty years or so, I was positive that someday someone would recreate that sound and introduce it to a new generation which would appreciate good music more than most of my generation seems to do. That person is Bill Elliott, who can not only assemble a fine-sounding band, but also write and arrange for it too. While I certainly enjoy the neo-swing groups, it's great to have a band emulate the dance bands of the 30's and 40's. Listening to this CD, I kept having the feeling that I should know a particular tune, only to read the liner notes to discover that it is an Elliott original sounding just like something out of my collection. Scattered about are a few cuts which really are out of the past. Is this really the first time "The Best Things Happen When You Dance" has been done since the movie? "Dickie's Weather Jive" is a hoot! A really great band and outstanding vocals, too. No wonder Elliott is in such demand in Hollywood.

Okay, while the new swingers are re-interpreting the sound, let's pay homage to the old sound, which while not influenced by punk or ska like the new stuff, still had some energy. Bill Ellot's group is the only modern swing band which fully captures the energy and jump of those earlier groups. After listening to both Elliot discs, you realize that the Bill Elliot Orchestra could be bodily transported back to the 1930s and hold their own with Goodman, Shaw, Miller, Dorsey, and Basie. In fact, "Bill's Bounce" is one of the best swing killer-dillers ever. The trumpets even sound like Goodman's killer trumpet section of Harry James, Ziggy Elman, and Chris Griffin. It's a joy to hear, and you're going to find yourself playing it over and over. This is a treat for all ages! Thank you Bill Elliot, and please tour the midwest and do more albums!!!!!

If this band doesn't get more recognition for its superb, high energy, super-musical arrangements, instruments, and vocals, there is no justice in the new world of swing. Not only does this band stand out among the current crop of neo-swingsters, it makes the bands from the 30s and 40s seem tired and uninteresting. The Andrew Sisters have nothing on these vocal harmonies, and the wit of the lyrics is inescapably hip. This is a solemn promise: not a single track on this CD will disappoint, not even slightly. "I Want to Talk about Love" and "Dickie the Weather Man" are classics.

When I was growing up in the 70's, my dad who was a DJ at a station then aired OLD STANDARDS from the late 20's-early 50's. When I heard Bill's Orchestra play at the Palladium . . . I thought sure I had backstepped some thirty or fourty years into a BIG BAND/Swing time anomoly!
This band can cut a rug and jive!
One can say I caught the swing bug early in my time . . . when others were into r&r or CW I was a "swingin'! Later entered into radio an got that bug too. Every station I would complile a big band show, when Bill Elliott came on the scene, I would play his music and a few others and mix it with Earlier recording Shaw, Miller & Goodman. I would have listeners call in "remembering that song back in the fourties". In raelity when I informed them of this new emergence of Swing they too were hooked.
The Bill Elloitt Swing Orchestra carries on the great traditions of the ealier Swing/Big Band musicians of yesteryear with clarity and the excitement of Today! I have seen this Orchestra in person on TV and in Yes, Film. This is explosive stuff!

Great retro big band music! Bill Elliott is probably one of the best composers and performers of neo-swing era. This is his first album. I bought it because i heard "Bill's Bounce" on swing compilation "Swing This, Baby". And I can tell you, the band is great and Vocalworks, his singin' quartet, are singin' great too! Ten originals and four covers.

Without question, Mr. Elliott has emerged as the leader in today's swing revival with elegent tunes along with his own outstanding compositions. The Southern California Lindy Hop community ranks his orchestra their favorite, and for good reason. It's fun, very melodic and you get to meet some of the leading Lindy Hoppers from Southern California in his "Mildred" song. Quality work from a quality man. No question, the best in the business.

For all of you swing lovers out there this is an outstanding CD to have. Bill Elliot has written most of the songs on this CD and it fits very well into the Big-Band era of music. His band consists of 15 artists, and 5 vocalists. As this recording was done in 1993, it is of superior quality to those recordings done in the original swing era. I hope Bill Elliot gets the exposure he deserves as he is a very talented artist.

Swing Fever is a great cd. The Elliott Orchestra is a throw back to the great swing bands of the 30's, complete with 4 part vocal harmony, lovely ballads, and rip roaring instrumentals. It's music that is fun to listen to, and wonderful to dance to with your sweetie. If you're only going to buy one cd this month, this is the one. Enjoy.

This guy Elliott really has something here.Takes me back to the forty's when this is the kind of music you heard. Like a friend of mine once said," it winds you up and sends you home sideways". Nice stuff, gang!! HIGHLY recommended.

It Swings wildly like Goodman, Kaiser, & Miller, and it's Juke Box Saturday Night all over again. All that's missing is the Big Colorful Flashing Wurlitzer Juke Box! Put your Saddle Shoes or Socalites on and go Jumpin' Gate ! It's Solid Jack ! All-Reet!