I am constantly making playlists on my Amazon music account. Lori, my better half, is always teasing me that I spend more time making playlists than actually listening to them. While I beg to differ, I know better than to debate with Lori. Liking a wide variety of music can present a problem for me because I would get bored with one style and move on. I have playlists that concentrate on punk, metal, new wave, country, glam and the 60's British Invasion. Recently, I have developed an affinity to listen to some very nostalgic music performed by somewhat contemporary artists. I began with swing, but began including ragtime, jazz, boogie woogie, some Broadway music and pop standards. Keeping in tune with my fascination of the steampunk style, I have also included electro swing.
Pictured above is the Asylum Street Spankers. Their "Monkey Rag" is elevated by some amazing raspy scat work. Sometimes, I just get a hankering for a Scott Joplin rag. Sue Keller displays her mastery of the black and white keys on "Yakatat Piano Man," which even though it isn't a Joplin tune it is a contemporary equivalent. One of my favorite piano players came out of the band Squeeze. Of course, I am referring to Jools Holland, whose recording of "Bumble Boogie" I once owned as a vinyl 45rpm. One of my other favorite tickler of the keys is the original New Orleans night-tripper Dr. John. His recognizable voice makes you feel like you are standing on Bourbon Street regardless of where you are listening to his music.
Some of the tunes I've included almost border rockabilly. This is especially true with the inclusion of The Brian Setzer Orchestra ("Nosey Joe"), Big Sandy And His Fly-Rite Boys ("The Greatest Story Ever Told") and Rosie Flores ("Till The Well Runs Dry"). Much of the swing is provided by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Royal Crown Revue, Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Jive Aces, the Anti Sarpila Swing Band and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
The electro swing sound combines swing with a heavy dance beat utilizing producers/DJs to electronically enhance the sound. Believe it or not, it really works! Some examples of those songs that fall into this category are 11 Acorn Lane's "Spend My Time With You," Caravan Palace's "Tattoos," The Speakeasies Swing Band's "Bright Lights, Late Nights," Wolfgang Lohr's "Sing, Sing, Sing," Totsy's "Speak Easy" and Tape Five's "Swing Punk."
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox is another favorite act of mine. I had the pleasure of seeing their Christmas show at the Count Basie Theater a few years ago. They're known for taking modern classics and putting a vintage spin on them. They have reworked songs such as "All About That Bass" and "Creep." I have also included standards performed by Tony Bennett with Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison and Ringo Starr. There is something special about hearing Van Morrison perform "Bye Bye Blackbird."
Some of the acts that I have added to the playlist can't be defined by one genre of music. Nevertheless, they all maintain that vintage sound. It would be too long and monotonous if I listed them all but some of them include Buster Poindexter, The White Ghost Shivers, The Puppini Sisters, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Pokey Lafarge, The Ditty Bops and Ian Whitcomb. If nothing else, the music is fun and worth checking out!
