Customer Reviews

Swing! (Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It seems that even as I write these words the joint is jumpin' at the St. James Theatre in New York City to a new review called <Swing!> [what would they do without exclamation marks?] and the score is now available on a Sony release (SK 89122). For those of us who lived through the 40s--and I was a mere youth when the decade started--these tunes will elicit many many memories of the war that WW I was supposed to have made impossible and of the transformation of some forms of jazz into the Swing that was both a symptom of the uneasy times and a way of coping with them.

Here a talented cast--headed by Ann Hampton Callaway, Everett Bradley and Laura Benati--recreate the musical times with songs that have "It Don't Mean a Thing" as a framing theme and include "jammin'" numbers like "Bounce Me Brother," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," and "Stompin' at the Savoy" mixed with very lovely ones like the classic "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Blues in the Night."

Of course hearing the original versions of all these by the singers who introduced them and the bands that played them is a far more valuable experience historically. But from what I hear, the arrangers for this production have treated the material with respect and the soloists are "In the Mood" (I believe) that was intended by the composers. A worthwhile salute to an historical period and a joy to hear today.

I saw the show in November and when I found out the CD wasn't released yet, I was mad. I've been waiting for 3 months now, but I assure you it was worth every second I waited. This CD is everything you could ever need in swing. It has every kind of swing possible, and every song is so well done that you'll listen to it again and again until you have to buy another one because the first one got worn out. I totally reccomend it! BUY IT RIGHT NOW.

While I'm a dancer and actor, I've still been a little skeptical of dance shows on Broadway being considered musicals. I was even more wary of this show after seeing its performance on the 2000 Tonys, mainly because in two years, three Broadway dance shows included Sing Sing Sing as a number. However, when I saw Broadway on Broadway this past October and Ann Hampton Callaway's electric performance of 'Blues in the Night,' I decided to give Swing! another chance. Being a fan of swing music, I was familiar with almost all of the numbers. I found that the cast and orchestra gave WONDERFUL reneditions of the numbers, restoring them to the glory that they reached in the 30s and 40s. I've heard many of the songs played on the local Jazz/Swing station here, and my grandparents especially enjoy the album as they were around to hear the original versions. There is some fabulous dancer/musician interaction that must be seen on stage to carry its true merit, but the CD captures the energy and vivacity of the show beautifuly.

Any who have seen "Swing" on Broadway know that the dancing is fantastic. But those who love swing music, good singing, and superior musical arrangements will love this recording. The singing is top-rate, no matter who is doing it; and the arrangements are complex and delightful. I can't stop listening to this CD. So, if you love swing, go for it!

SWING is by far the best CD that has touched the music of swing! It contains a superb cast that are all so talented. There is nothing else that really can be said. If you sow the Broadway show, this is just as good. You feel like you are there and it is a wonderful experience that you need to have. Ship this in a day; do not wait for the longer shipment. How could I ferget, after you hear the voices of Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael Gruber, Casey MacGill, Everett Bradley, and Laura Benanti, you will never want to hear another person swing swing music. They are the best!! It needs to be in your CD played now. You are missing something if you don't have that swing!

I seen the show last month on broadway and just loved it. I was never a fun of musicals that doesn't have any stories, but this musical changed it all. right after the show, i bought the cd and would recommend it to everyone.

Even though you never seen the show, one might buy this cd and still love it for many reasons. For many of the songs, like "It Don't Mean a Thing" or "In The Mood" are very reconizable to most people, and they would enjoy the album. However, this does not mean that you should not watch the show. It might even be recommendable to listen to the music first before watching the show, so that one may be familiarize themself with the music.

Therefore, i would recommend it 100%

Best big band CD I ever heard... in all respects: content, sound quality, musicians, song arrangements and selection, vocals, etc. And if you are a musician and like to play an instrument with CDs, buy this one for sure. Better yet, next time you are in NY, catch the show on Broadway - it was fantastic.

Got the CD a few months ago and really wanted to see the show. I can't get to New York, but SWING is in Los Angeles...til mid Jan 2001 I think... Anyway, I saw the show on Thanksgiving weekend and it is hot, hot, hot. Now I'm here to buy more CD's to combine with tickets as Xmas gifts for a couple of my swing partners.

I had the great honor of seeing this Broadway musical live on Broadway. I remember that I loved every act and song. The performers were excellent and I floated out of the theatre. We had a chance to meet the performers after the show and they all were very welcoming and each one signed our original copy of the Swing CD that we bought that night. It's a memory I will cherish always. I highly recommend this show if you love to be entertained from beginning to end. My favorite part was the Blues In The Night performance and also I'll Be Seeing You. I walked away with tears of joy! Enjoy!

I grew up attending Jazz concerts at the Masonic Auditorium in Detroit, Michigan in the forties. I never realized that I would ever play an instrument and I didn't but as time wore on I went off to school, married and eventually had three children each of them musically talented.

But the one that struck a spark as a precosious (sp.) six year old was Jonathan, he went on to play in the high school jazz orchestra and studied music as an undergraduate and in graduate school at the Manhatten School of Music. He worked hard and presto!-he has a show on Broadway. The family all went to the preview last November and we all were astounded with the energy, the excitement and the professionalism shown by all in the crew.

My only thought after musing it over is that Broadway deserves this guy. Go see it and enjoy.

Sincerely, father of the musical director.