Customer Reviews

Swing Swing Swing

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This fantastic fun album marks the return to recording for Keely Smith. (Actually an album of Sinatra songs was made before this one but has not been officially released yet). Keely's in great voice and Frankie Capp's swinging big band is sensational as well. The arrangements ARE NOT BY BILLY MAY as stated in another review (by "me"). They are by Dennis Michaels and Don Menza. Debuting March 20 on the Billboard Jazz Chart at #17. Way to go Keely!

If you are a Keely Smith fan, or even if you are just a fan of swing music, you must own this CD. It's packed with fun, swinging numbers, including several that pay homage to the Prima style (check out "I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me" and "Sunny Side of the Street") Keely sounds amazing, and is embracing more of a jazzy style these days. I've been listening to this CD non-stop the past few days, and it's put me in a great mood! Go grab it! (Keely, if you're reading, you absolutely have to do a show in New York soon!)

Three simple words. This CD swings. From the first cut to the last, "Swing, Swing, Swing" will have you moving, if not dancing!
Backed by the Frankie Capp Orchestra, Keely still proves that she has the chops to sing these songs. Certainly, at 70 her voice is not the same as it was when she was 30, but it still remarkably strong, and quite honestly, her voice and talents clearly surpass many of today's so-called divas.
Some highlights of the CD are "Jump, Jive, and Wail," "When You're Smiling/The Shiek of Araby," and the extended version of "Swing, Swing, Swing."
My only complaint, and it's minor, is the CD length. At about 47 minutes, I was hoping to hear more. But still, if you like swing, jazz, or music that moves, this CD is highly recommended.

Until she releases her next CD (which I am really looking forward to) Keely Sings Sinatra, we have this CD which overall is enjoyable, however this is Louis Prima's music not Keely's. Keely is a ballad singer, not a swing singer, however the tribute is sincere and loving. I think her Sinatra tribute CD (coming out any day now) will be even better. Keely handles the swing/R&B tunes well, and their are no ballads, howevr I recently saw herin concert and she sang a ballad "It's Magic" and it blew the entire audience away, she really has improved as an artist since the 50's. Amd this CD really does swing, you can dance Jitterbug and Lindy to it, so pick it up support Keely Smith's comeback to the second era of swing.

Keely, where has she been?, I was always a GREAT admirer of Keely Smith, her swinging style, her vocal ability and the beauty and hippness of her pharasing, and not having heard of her in so long a time made me worry that perhaps she was gone for good, but, thanks to this recent release, those concerns have been dispelled, not only does she sound better than ever, but the Great big band behind her makes this cd a breath of fresh air when compared to the stuff thats out there now pretending to be swing

Oh yeah! This is great music!!! If you like swing jazz, you've gotta add this title to your collection. Keely is just wonderful! This is one of my favorite swing CD's. Some really hip, cool and swingin' tunes on this album!!! One of my favories is Oh Louie.

Keely's voice is quite spectacular, though it does show its age a bit on this recording, as is to be expected. No one should assume that this means Keely has lost the ability to swing it with style. Her voice still has that hip, swingin' and graceful, charming sound. She shows wonderfully here that she can still wail as good as any of 'em. Keely's voice, in my opinion, has that matured quality that all the great jazz singers have found with age. It's a goooood thing! Nothin' bad about that. :)

Personally, I have to admit that I tend to enjoy Keely's earlier music better (back when she was with Louis Prima) as her voice had a bit of a softer, smoother, youthful quality to it... dare I say "sexy?" Of course it did, because she was younger... I know, I know. It's just something that stuck out to me personally. :) Yes, her voice has changed noticably (though gracefully) over the years and you will most likely be able to tell the difference if you're also partial to or are particularly familiar with her earlier stuff, but regardless of this natural transformation it doesn't mean it is any less beautiful. I absolutely love Keely now and then... just, personally, then a little more.

The reason why this album did not quite hit a five star mark with me is because several of the bass lines on different tracks sounded too identical and the arrangements caused most of the songs to sound a little too much the same. I wish there had been at least one slower song on the album also. Don't get me wrong, this is a very, very high 4-star album that I enjoyed immensely (I almost gave it five stars because it is really good) and would recommend to any swing music fan, absolutely. The sound quality is amazing and sounds spectacular jamming on the house stereo! I play it often. I think the only other reason why it didn't hit at 5 stars with me is because I am such a fan of Keely's earlier music and I have some other swing albums that I just enjoy even more. All in all, however, this is a fantastic CD and I am proud to have it as a part of my collection!

Also, if you really like good swing music, I recommend you get the CD called "Wild Cool and Swingin'," which features Louis Prima, Dean Martin, Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis Jr., and several others. Other good bands that make great swing music are the bands Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

What a surprise to see a NEW album by Keely Smith. She is in great vocal form and this CD swings baby! One of our dinner traditions is listening to either Frank Sinatra, James Darren, or Louis Prima. Our 13-year old daughter is being well-versed in the language of classic pop and swing. This CD has been added to our dinner repertoire. Congratulations Keely on a wonderful recording. I've also been playing "Swing Swing Swing" on my radio show (radio.cwru.edu) and exposing our college crowd to the sweet voice of Keely.

With this all-swing album, recorded in 2000, sixty-eight-year-old Keely dramatically restarts her singing career after a fifteen year hiatus. Singing six songs that she either wrote or adapted, and many others written for her by her former husband, Louis Prima, she is at the top of her game here, singing in the swing style she has perfected over a long career. With a bright, clear voice still possessed of astonishing range, Keely's finger-snapping rhythms find their complement in Frankie Capp's enthusiastic, nineteen-piece orchestra.

In "Let the Good Times Roll," Keely wails. In the wonderful "Sunny Side of the Street," she sings scat. In "Giddy Up Ding Dong," she has fun with a novelty tune, and in the two versions of "Swing, Swing, Swing," adapted from Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing," she does everything--singing scat, sharing the melody with a clarinet (Don Menza), and providing plenty of room for the famous drum solo (done here by Frankie Capp). She never misses a note or a beat, and remains firmly on her throne as a queen of swing even after a long vacation from performing.

Most of the songs are short, with only five songs hitting the three-minute mark, and with only one song of four minutes (the grand finale version of "Swing, Swing, Swing). The short tracks enable Keely to maintain incredible energy throughout as she sings many of her most famous songs, "Jump, Jive, and Wail," "Yata Hei," and "House Party Tonight." Her entire performance is faultless, and the band is huge. For anyone who loves swing, this is a terrific addition to the collection--all-swing, big band music at its best. Mary Whipple

Ms. Smith is definitely the Queen of Swing... I own several of her earlier discs with Louis Prima along with earlier solo efforts, but this is the one that is always in circulation for play... the song choices are energetic, classic and I never tire of listening. Ms. Smith's voice is masterful and the music top-notch. Buy it today!

Keely still has her appealing Cherokee-Irish accennt "Aw Can't believe that you're in love with me." She hasn't lost any of her chops, in fact her delivery of a song has gotten better. I recently saw her live in Hollywood at the House Of Blues and she was great. This CD is excellent. I can't wain till "Keely Sings Sinatra" is released. Highly recommended