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| The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
A Musical Discovery
Recently I've started watching reruns of The Dinah Shore Chevy Show on the Jewish Life Television Network (JLTV), Does it ever bring back some memories!
My parents used to watch this show when I was a child so I was inclined to watch it with them if I wasn't doing anything else. While I don't recall much of what I had seen on her show, the iconic theme song "See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet" has stuck with me throughout the years.
Watching these episodes again I realized not only how innovative those shows were for their time (1956-63), but also the diverse talent that appeared on the shows. The roster of entertainers was a who's who of American show biz as well as talent from around the globe. For example, one stand out show that had a blues theme featured Andy Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Al Hirt, and the Perez Prado Orchestra. What a dynamite line-up that was.
Another episode was a musical tour of Copenhagen, Denmark which featured a very fine musical trio called The Swe-Danes. On the show they performed their song "Scandinavian Shuffle" which prompted me to look for it on YouTube later on that evening. When I discovered that many fine cover versions were available I was inspired to use a couple in a Battle of the Bands which I offer below...
Battle of the Bands
Scandinavian Shuffle (1960)
Composed by Danish vocalist/violinist Svend Asmussen for his group The Swe-Danes, "Scandinavian Shuffle" was a popular hit in Europe as well as hitting the Billboard chart in the U.S. Though his vocal trio was only around for a few years, Asmussen had an incredibly long history during which he played with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop. His career spanned a period from 1923 to 2010 and, though no longer performing, he is still alive at 100 years of age.
Here are the Swe-Danes with their original version of "Scandinavian Shuffle" (1960) in a live performance setting. This is for your reference only--DON'T VOTE ON THIS VERSION!
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The following are the versions for you to vote on:
The Real Group "Scandinavian Shuffle" (2015)
This Swedish a cappella group cites Bobby McFerrin as their inspiration for doing the music they do. The group was formed in 1984 and continues to perform and record great music. The Real Group has won numerous awards and has performed throughout the world. They've released over 20 albums singing in English, Swedish, and other languages. Their version of "Scandinavian Shuffle" is a tribute to the Swe-Danes.
(The performance starts at about :20)
Mads Tolling Quartet "Scandinavian Shuffle" (2014)
A renown jazz/classical violinist/violist/composer, Mads Tolling is best known as the lead player with the Grammy award winning Turtle Island String Quartet and for his solo violin work with Stanley Clarke's band. Originally from Copenhagen, Denmark, Tolling now lives in San Francisco. His quartet has been together since 2008.
Time To Vote!
Which of these two song versions do you prefer? If you don't like either then try to play along and tell us which version you think is the least innocuous to you.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Cherdo on the Flipside
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
J. A. Scott
Winner Announced Wednesday December 7th
The outcome of this Battle will be revealed next Wednesday along with my #IWSG post. I'll be continuing my President Trump Acclimation Series next week as well. My next installment, a continuation of the post on "racism" which begins here, will be on either Monday or Friday depending on my willingness to get it done. No matter what though, be here to see what's going on when it's going on.
Do you miss the variety shows of days gone by? What was your favorite television variety entertainment show? Which do you prefer most--vocal or instrumental music?
