Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Non-swing fans won't understand this CD, March 21, 2003
By A Customer
First off let me commend the original score by James Horner, it goes along very well with the movie and stands on its own outside.
Second, I'll explain why the swing recordings on this CD are a must have even though they've been recorded before. I've read one review saying that you can get these songs on other original artists' CDs for better quality. It's not true. The sound quality is alright, nothing special, but it's the ARRANGEMENT that the film makers put in these songs that makes them unique. My favorite is "Shout And Feel It", which was originally recorded by Count Basie with all-big-band style. On Swing Kids, however, they replaced the brass section with Django-Reinhart-style guitar solo, which I think is just priceless! My only drag on this CD is the shortenning version of Benny Goodman's originally 8-minute-long hit "Sing Sing Sing," but one good thing about it is there's less of the annoying Harry-James-style trumpet interlude. "Bei Mir Bis Schon" is another highlight. Originated with names like Benny Goodman and the Andrews Sisters, whose flowery singing was too much of a distraction for audiences to appreciate the beautiful tune of the song. This version with Janis Seigel is much better, since they simplified the singing and put more emphasis on the instruments, giving it a smooth flow. However, the ULTIMATE STROKE OF GENIUS is combining Benny Goodman's "Life Goes To A Party" with Count Basie's "Jumping At The Woodside." Those songs on their original recordings were kind of bland, but mixing them together with a few instrumental rearrangements created a whole new exciting piece.
Over all, Swing Kids would be a great addition in anyone's swing collection, but you have to be a real avid fan of swing to fully appreciate this CD.
|
|
|
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Swing Kids: Music From The Original Motion Picture, May 23, 2001
By A Customer
I LOVE this CD!! My husband is sick of me playing it all the time. The well-selected old favorites are beautifully interpreted by modern musicians (read: excellent sound quality). The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I don't really enjoy the original music written for the film. Nothing against these pieces- they serve their purpose in the movie- but they don't go well with the energetic uplifting swing numbers that I bought the soundtrack for.
|
|
|
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Found Appreciation, May 7, 2001
When I first saw Swing Kids back when it started showing on premium TV I was dumbfounded. I had never really heard big band swing before. From the first second of the movie I wanted to get up and dance. I also wanted to become a musician. I was about 12 years old at the time. I am now a 20 year old musician and I feel the music the same way I did when I first heard it. I will never forget the movie and its music that introduced me to one of the most incredible genres of music in the world. And not only is the swing music an incredible selection, but the original scores are moving as well. You can feel the fear that the people living in Nazi Germany were feeling. It brings tears to my eyes as I listen to the story the songs are telling. If you ever buy a soundtrack in your life, this is the one to buy. And mind you, I am not your typical jazz listener. I am in love with the likes of the Cure, RHCP, Jane's Addiction, Bjork, SP, and Primus as well as Debussy, Tchaikovsky, and Schubert. So, take it from me, whatever you listen to, this will be something that will pull you into the swing mood and will never lighten its grip.
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
DVD ~ Robert Sean Leonard
~ Jack Feldman
~ Fabulous Collection (Series)
~ Various Artists - Jazz - Swing/Big Band
~ Cherry Poppin' Daddies
, recommendations and new releases on SoundUnwound 
