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Keely smith and the Frankie Capp Orchestra: Swing, Swing, Swing

By C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2000
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No Nouvue Swing. Long Associated with the late bandleader Louis Prima ("...the Sheik of Sicily"), Dorothy Jacqueline Keely, aka Keely Smith, has been performing since the late 1950s. Nearing 70 years young, Ms. Smith shows no intention of slowing down with her recent Concord Jazz release, Swing, Swing, Swing. This disc is a sprite collection of swing favorites played with a very large and tight big band. This is music that aims to please. Rather than riding the coattails of the recent "New Swing" movement, Ms. Smith stomps on those coattails, pulling off the coat of the nouveu swing to reveal it for what it is...nothing new.

Compared to the new wave of swing, Swing, Swing, Swing breaks with the guitar-led big band, replacing it with the more traditional, piano-led incarnation. There is a greater emphasis on horn solos (most particularly, tenor saxophone) and the real difference is the vocalist herself. Ms. Smith sings with spunk, obviously enjoying herself with the material. Smith's "Jump, Jive, and Wail" sports a staccato chorus much more exciting than Brian Setzer's. The title song is what one would expect: a dance rave-up that is reprised in an extended form on the disc. A consummate professional delivers all of these chestnuts with a confident aplomb able to please the entire spectrum of big band enthusiasts.

Track Listing

When You

Personnel

Keely Smith

vocals

Keely Smith- vocals; Sal Lozano, Danny House- alto saxophone; Don Menza- clarinet, tenor saxophone; Pete Christlieb, Joel Peskin- tenor saxophone; Jack Nimitz- baritone saxophone; Frank Szabo, Rick Baptist, Carl Saunders, Pete Candoli- trumpet; Andy Martin, Charlie Loper, Charlie Morillas- trombone; Jim Self- trombone, tuba on "Yata Hei" and "Palm Springs Jump;" Chuck Berghofer, Richard Simon- acoustic bass; Ken Wild- electric bass; Pat Tuzzolino- guitar, backup vocals; Frank Capp- drums; Don Williams- percussion; Dennis Michaels- piano, backup vocals; Toni Prima, Luanne Prima- backup vocals.

Album information

Title: Swing, Swing, Swing | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

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Instrument: Vocals

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