The Contender

Royal Crown Revue

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 25, 1998)
• Original Release Date: August 25, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000009OQ2
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,551 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Retro Swing

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Before there were khaki-pantsed swing dancers on TV and zoot-suited clubgoers in every major American city, Royal Crown Revue plied their proudly retro sound and look in underground L.A. nightspots. But what began as a curiosity blossomed into a national sensation. With The Contender, RCR are back to claim their title as the Johnny Appleseed of swing. Name-checking the right cultural icons (including Marlon Brando and Bettie Page) and covering a variety of classic tunes, from a breezy doo-wop take on "Stormy Weather" to a hard-boppin' version of the Dizzy Gillespie classic "Salt Peanuts," the group has clearly done its homework. Original tunes such as the single "Zip Gun Bop (Reloaded)," "Big Boss Lee," and the title track rock harder than the songs of the era they mean to emulate but are impressive nonetheless. This isn't the musical equivalent of your father's Oldsmobile. Your grandfather, on the other hand, would think it's just swell. --Daniel Durchholz

Rolling Stone
[Royal Crown Revue] rock, mastering complicated beats at fast tempos, using horns for gallivanting hooks more than for gratuitous honks.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hoppin', August 15, 2002

By	"moonjava" (Texas) - See all my reviews

I've always loved swing music and RCR is one of my favorite bands. There is no end of fun to their music; every song is distinctive and high-energy. They evoke one of my favorite eras with the 1940s musical vibe and the name-dropping of such celebs as Marlon Brando ("Walkin' Like Brando") and Bettie Page ("Port-Au-Prince", a favorite). I have CDs by several well-known swing bands, and Royal Crown Revue - specifically "The Contender" - is the one I always come back to.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good, solid contemporary swing album. You'll find no filler here., November 16, 2005

By	Bob Evans (USA) - See all my reviews

Nice album. Great beats, good energy and and nice crisp original sound. This type of swing music, is great to play at parties, from start to finish.

These guys sounds like a modern rendition of the old swing bands from the 30's and 40's. If you are open to hearing something different, that has a pulse, I would strong recommend this album.

Also, if you like this album, check out Royal Crown Revue's previous album, "Mugzy's Move". A great album as well.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Combination 1, 2, to your ears, September 12, 2002

By	The Machetti porkboy zine (IL United States) - See all my reviews

If you loved everything prior to this album you will the contender. RCR puts together amazing expert jazz musicianship with the cool lyrics. Best track is travels with Betty Page. Dedicated to my favorite Pin-Up queen.