Just starting out dancing and need help building my swing collection. Any suggestions for swing tunes that should be good for dancing for a novice (e.g., pronounced beat that doesn't fade in and out too often?)would be appreciated.

Thanks,

I will always recommend Indigo Swing to beginners because their songs have a nice distinct beat.

Trees are people too!
¡Viva los árboles!

Indigo Swing is best if you are doing Lindy Hop (8-count patterns), so if you are just starting and are doing ECS, you might prefer something else- try Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington (all the oldies... They're still great!)
Also, there is a cd out called "Swing Sucks" I know it doesn't sound great from the title, but if you want something that gives you a sampling of a lot of new swing bands, it ROCKS! There are lots of other good compilation cds, but this one is the best.
While kind of fast, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Brian Setzer, etc. are great. Royal Crown Revue is a pretty good band too.
Oh, and don't forget the Swing Kids soundtrack. If I had to choose three swing cd's for the rest of my life, it would be Indigo Swing's All Aboard, Swing Sucks, and Swing Kids.

How about "Hard Rock Cafe"? Some versions seems to be good for swing.

How about Lisa Stansfield's Swing album. I also like the Huey Lewis - Four Chords and Several Years ago album for great ECS. Chuck Barry did some great stuff too.

I love getting obscure dance music on Napster.

The Colin James CD "Little Big Band II" is an excellent swing CD. It is available through www.amazon.com . The tempo of the music is mid-range with a few slower numbers suitable for EC swing.

Blair

Tany,

It might help if you tell us where to get this music. Can we find it on Amazon, and if not, are there particular vendors that you might recommend?

Thanks!

Jonathan