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September 15 2004

James Deans Swings?
You've certainly all heard the name James Dean before but perhaps not in
association with Swing Music. Well if you have any inclination toward the
big band sound of the 30's and 40's you need to get familiar with the
modern day Jimmy Dean. At the start of this year Jimmy and his band
tracked a live CD called "Swingin'" at The Whiskey Cafe' in Lyndhurst, New
Jersey. This collection of songs many of which contain original
arrangements, sounds so good you'll think you are listening to a studio
recording. In actual fact though, all thirteen tracks were laid down in
just three hours, live onstage. James credits arrangement guru Billy
VerPlanck for giving the band its signature sound saying "Billy's
arranging abilities made this CD what it is". You may recall back in the
mid nineties there was a resurgence of the Swing sound in lots of clubs in
the area but its momentum seemed to fade by the decade's end for whatever
reason. Some die hard devotees of Swing were part of that comeback but
many were just bandwagon jumping opportunities. Not so for James and his
band. He has been gettin' dance floors scorching hot since 1966 and if you
go see his band play this Sunday September 19th when they return to The
Whiskey you'll see that they still are. That night is also the release
party for the disc so it could be extra special. If you do show up don't
expect to find a club full of people that look like your grandparents.
Rather, the place will be inhabited by people who are mostly under forty
and not hard on the eyes. At all. :) You'll experience and are welcome
to partake in dances like the Lindy, Shorty George and the Jitterbug to
name just three. And it will be unlike your usual night out in more ways
than I can put into print here. Open your mind and see what's shakin'
Daddy O. Call The Whiskey at (201) 939-4889 for more info.

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