Swing Kids: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
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Free Music Notes for Swing Kids: Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Free Music Review: Non-swing fans won't understand this CD
Hit: 5 Stars
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.
Free Music Review: The DEFINITIVE version to own of Sing Sing Sing
Hit: 5 Stars
I've heard "Sing Sing Sing" before, but when I heard it on episode 8 of "Glee" the sound quality was AWESOME and I HAD to have that version. After scouring the internet and iTunes and coming up with false hits, I finally found THIS version of the song which I'm certain is the same version used on Glee. This version was freshly recorded for the movie in absolutely EXCELLENT sound quality. A vast departure from the "Benny Goodman" recordings you'll find everywhere else. Plus the length of this version (5:05) is just right (I would think you'd get sick of listening to the full 8 minute version).
There are other awesome NEW recordings in this CD as well like "Shout and Feel It", "Daphne", "Life Goes to a Party" and "Bei Mir Bist du Schon". It's as though Benny Goodman's band was transported to today and freshly recorded their music using today's technology.
The CD also includes some original versions of songs (as well as the scratchiness of an old vinyl recording) like "Swingtime in the Rockies" which still sounds good. The "oldest sounding" award has to go to "It Don't Mean a Thing" which sounds like you're listening through an old Victrola.
Then of course peppered throughout the CD are the somber tones of Horner's original music for the movie.
This is a "must have" for great sounding, hi fidelity Swing Music.
Free Music Review: New Found Appreciation
Hit: 5 Stars
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.Free Music Review: Bei mir bist du schon... means that you're grand!
Hit: 5 Stars
The score/filler tracks leave a lot to be desired, after all, they are up against Benny Goodman and other relentlessly lively swing standards... so, like another reviewer urged, skip those. But definitely drink in the other songs... you will want to dance... in fact it will be impossible to stay in your chair. You will want to listen to it loud and listen to it often. You can't help it. This music is infectious and addictive! The album starts with the absolutely fantastic "Sing Sing Sing..." and later showcases the fantastic "It Don't Mean a Thing, If It Ain't Got that Swing..." among other jumping, swingin tunes... who can help but fall in love with it? It is impossible.
"Goodnight my Love" and "Bei Mir Bist du Schon" are other favourites... excellent complements to the rest of the album. Perfectly put together.
Free Music Review: You Don't Understand
Hit: 5 Stars
Swing Kids was the first movie I ever saw that had me in tears, running down my face. It sparked in me a long-time interest in the Holocaust and the millions of lives it destroyed. I'm sorry to see that so many people think so little of the original score. The swing songs are great, I'll wholeheartedly agree, but for me, the songs that really tug at my soul are "The Letter" and "Swing Heil", because they remind me of the scenes from the movie which they went along with so well, which introduced me to a very dark part of the human experience. If all you want to do is dance, then fine, skip over the score songs, but I recommend seeing the movie and listening to the score if you understand music as a form of understanding the human soul.