Bands That Can Boogie Woogie - CD - Various

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Boogie-Woogie piano had been around a long time before bandleaders got hold of the eight-to-the-bar and sent it to college. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra recorded one of the earliest examples - circa 1938 - to hit the big time, showcasing their pianist Howard Smith. It was a sanitised version of the original Pinetop's Boogie Woogie. It proved to be an overnight sensation and fired up yet another Boogie-Woogie craze. Many swing bands, anxious not to be left out, altered their repertoire accordingly. The result was phenomenal. Even vocal groups, such as The Andrews Sisters helped feed the international craze with their "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" and "Rhumboogie". Just about every instrumental imaginable, from harp to bassoon, was into producing a Boogie Woogie beat. Big Band Boogie was here to stay, and stay it did, until it was gradually nudged aside by small groups adapting the Boogie beat to rock 'n' roll during the 1950s. You may find a foot tapping, an arm twitching or ever some head nodding whilst experiencing some of these fine eight beats, but don't worry, it's a natural reaction that seems to effect most living souls. Listen to tracks that you'd never expect to be given the Boogie Woogie treatment. Also includes tracks never previously issued on LP or CD. Includes Stan Kenton, The Skyrockets, Billy Penrose, T-Bone Walker, Big Jay McNeely & such luminaries of the genre as Count Basie, Will Bradley, Pete Johnson, Freddie Slack etc. Includes a comprehensive discography. A full five hours of infectious foot tapping.