Customer Reviews

Yule B Swingin

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Last year this was the holiday cd I kept in my car. Everyone who heard it wanted to know either 1) where I got it 2) could I pick one up for them or 3) if I would let them borrow it. Well, needless to say, I hung on to it. This year I bought a pile of them to give as gifts. Regardless if you're a notch baby, a boomer, or a GenXer - if you're an American living in the 20th Century, you've got to love Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, Les Brown, and Pete Fountain. This cd doesn't just swing...it rocks !

Many of the Christmas albums the proclaim themselves swing seem either to include a few swing numbers mixed in with other styles or simply feature mediocre selections; this one lives up to its name and includes many better-than-average tracks. Louis Prima's "What Will Santa Claus Say . . ." starts things off on the right track with the real thing and plenty of fun. Satch's "Cool Yule" is classic. The "Jingle Bells" featured here is the better of the two Glenn Miller versions that float around. Can you go wrong with Ella Fitzgerald? A few of these selections pop up on dozens of compilations (Satcho's, Ella's, and Deano's numbers), but there are some pleasant surprises here, too. In particular, Pete Fountain's "Medley" is a delight and swings with the best of them. If you're lookin' to swing this holiday, this is probably the CD to get.

The previous reviewer from Finland was pretty harsh with their review. Unless you don't understand this American swing music as well as these versions of top Christmas songs, you should find them very enjoyable indeed. In fact, I myself liked this collection so much I would love to see a volume 2 come along in the near future. You don't have to get up & dance to them, but they're a guaranteed hit if you put this on at your next holiday gathering or office party. Enjoy & may all your Christmas dreams come true.

Now this is the type of Christmas album I've been waiting for and hope there are more like it! Not a bad tune in the bunch, either. You get classic swingin' versions of holiday hits by Lionel Hampton, Glenn Miller, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson & many other greats. Hope to see a Part 2 next year! Great CD for your Christmas party, whether at home or at the office!

My husband and I picked up the CD a couple of years ago on the sale rack. What a find! We love it, and I am buying it to send to my mother this year for Christmas. This one will please multiple generations - our kids love it too!

This is such a great Christmas gem! You won't be disappointed! I bought it when it came out in the 90's and have bought a second copy because my first one was stepped on! The second song on the cd by Louis Armstrong is so great to dance to...this cd will add pep to your Christmas prep!

One reviewer ventures a guess that these songs emanate from the late 1940s to early 1950s and in that assumption is partially correct. But the opening tune by a young Louis Prima dates all the way back to 1935/36 when he was billed as Louis Prima & His New Orleans Gang. It can also be found on the CD 1935/36 by Louis.

What passes for liner notes (a two page listing of the selections and that's it)provides dates for only three, but from that list we discover that track 8 by Kay Starr goes back to 1959, while tracks 13 (Nancy Wilson) and 14 (Dean Martin) date from 1963 and, again, 1959. I would venture a guess too that the Pete Fountain cut (track 10) is from his early 1960s heyday.

I do know that the Glenn Miller version of Jingle Bells, with vocals by Tex Beneke, Ernie Caceres (relating a hilarious experience with Christmas in Mexico), and The Modernaires was a # 5 hit in 1941. As for the rest, your guess is as good as mine but I agree that they do have that late 1940's/early 1950s feel to them.

Whatever, this is a happy little album sure to bring sheer delight to both young and old during the holiday season. Grab a copy now.

14 clear tracks. Our favs are Louis Prima & Louis Armstrong, #1& #2. They're upbeat, fast & different. Then it bogs down. Kind of loses the "Swingin'" concept and moves into a jazzy feel. But, still a good listen if you find a copy cheap enough.

A great collection of upbeat, happy and swingin' tunes from (my guess) mid -to- late forties to fifties. Even if you are a "modern" rock&roller, this is definitely a "hip-o" record for the holidays. No sad songs here, but Lous Prima swinging with Santa, Louis Armstrong having fun in New Orleans, Kay Starr swinging with the Santa man, etc. It's funny, but all ages of hipsters really dig this album (very rare with everyone's diverse tastes). No joke, buy this one.

Every year I pop this CD out of the Christmas box and it rarely leaves my CD player. Quirky and fun, this CD is an absolute riot! Classic swing sound with a bit of a twist. Buy it!