What's your favorite REALLY oldie?

Cafe Society
1

Go back, back, back, … past the 70s, 60s, before Doo Wop, … What is your favorite music from the years of the Big Bands and crooners?

I think the best Big Band song, and in general one of the best songs overall, ever, was Sing Sing Sing, most famously recorded by Benny Goodman. Another fave is [Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy](boogie woogie bugle boy), most famously recorded by the Andrews Sisters (I wish I knew what band was backing them up), and later a hit again for Bette Midler.

For crooning, it doesn’t get much better than Bing Crosby backed by Les Paul singing It’s been a Long Long Time. I’m also a fan of Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again.

I’d love to find some more great songs to appreciate from that era, so I’d be grateful to hear about your favorites.

2

It’s way before my time but Locomotion is the #1 rock and roll song of all time. Really, it’s got it all: classic rock n’ roll beat and great lyrics, and it’s all about moving and dancing and having fun.

3

Thanks for not reading the OP.

4

Minnie the Moocher. Maybe not my favorite, but the one that comes to mind.

5

I’d have to say In The Mood. It was the first chart put in front of me when I was asked to join a dance band in my neighborhood in Junior High School. I never had any experience with pre-rock 'n roll, or non-classical piano performance, so I played exactly what was on paper, ump-cha, ump-cha, rhythm only. Later I found out that wasn’t the hip thing to do – a big band piano player is supposed to ignore everything except the harmony outline and create ad-lib fills.

6

When I saw the thread title, “Sing, Sing, Sing” was the first thing that came to mind. A phenomenal song. But since that was taken, I’ll offer another: “Harlem Congo” by Chick Webb. Almost punk-like in its energy.

ETA: Link

7

+1 for “In The Mood.” Awesome song.

As for crooners, I don’t think you can beat Dean Martin. He had that “just havin’ fun and don’t give a rat’s ass about anything” attitude down pat.

8

Enjoy yourself by Louis prima.

9

Take the “A” Train

10

Hard to know where to start, but here’s a few:

“Let Me Off Uptown”, Gene Krupa with Anita O’Day

“Going to Chicago”, Count Basie with Joe Williams. (I believe Jimmy Rushing was the vocalist on the original version, but I do love Joe Williams.)

“How High the Moon” by Ella Fitzgerald. (This is just a snippet.)

Since the OP specified Big Band/crooners, I won’t get into Louis Jordan, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller…

11

A thousand pardons I was answering the title question. Big band is waaay before my time but I’ve heard that one song Pennsylvania five six thousand (?) something like that and it is a good one. Also anything by Frank Sinatra especially Luck be a Lady Tonight (“A lady doesn’t wander all over the room, And blow on some other guys dice”) Classic!

12

I think my favorite has to be “I’ll Fly Away.”

I took a history of Rock and Roll class and my favorite sections were the early, early portions, such as Gospels, Spirituals, and so on.

I hated once we got into the Progressive Rock era.

13

My favorite as well. And another from Duke Ellington “Satin Doll”:

14

I’ll go with “St. Louis Blues” as my favorite REALLY oldie.

If we stick to the Big Band era, I’ll go with “Lullaby of Broadway.” (A little early, but I prefer the music of the 1930s to the 1940s.

15

“Sing Sing Sing” is my old favorite, but this is my new favorite: Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra doing “Marie.”

I’ve liked the song “Marie” since I heard Leon Redbone perform it back in 1975. It’s only been within the last couple of years that I’ve been listening to Dorsey’s version, and it’s all because of Bunny Berrigan’s trumpet. His solo kicks in around 1:41 of the youtube track, and it will make your jaw drop! Man, that guy had some chops!

16

This is another Andrews Sister one. I hope it qualifies (and yes, i am deliberately not revealing what it is).

17

From that era I like Sing, Sing, Sing and In the Mood. The other song that goes on my playlist is Lili Marlene

I think most people like the Marlene Dietrich version but my preference is for Lale Anderson. Not a fan of the Vera Lynn recording.

18

Glen Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade”

19

I’ve got a ton. My wife and I made Pennsylvania 6-5000 our first dance at our wedding.

Also love Ol’ Buttermilk Sky, Minnie the Moocher, St. James Infirmary Blues, and anything by Louis Jordan (Caledonia, Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie, Beans and Cornbread, Beware…)

20

I love this kind of music! Love it!

One O’Clock Jump, but even better is Woodchopper’s Ball with Woody Herman, 1939. I bet that got 'em up and dancing back in the day. (I’ve loved it ever since I first heard it on the Gong Show, of all things, back in the 70’s).

Even older, It’s Winter Again, Hal Kemp, from the 30’s. I love the 30’s!