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2000 Such Sweet Thunder
SQ Issue:  Winter 2000 - Volume 11, Issue 1

 Musicians:

Vocals:  Aria Hendricks; Reeds: Matt Hong, Jerry Dodgion, Dan Block, Mark Hynes, Jay Brandford; Trumpets: Bob Millikan, Steven Bernstein, Brian Pareschi, Irv Grossman; Trombones: Noah Bless, Joel Helleny, Wayne Goodman; Piano: Isaac ben Ayala; Bass: Dennis Irwin; Drums: Jimmy Madison.

David Berger is leader of The Sultans of Swing, a premiere 16-piece swing dance ensemble with a vocalist.  Acclaimed for their superior musicianship and a sound that is both sophisticated and earthy, the Sultans of Swing create a natural bridge from the great bands of the 1930s and ‘40s to the hepcats of 21^st century swing audiences. – press release

This is one bridge to be on!  The talent and musicianship of this band is unmatched.   This band includes members of the Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Lionel Hampton Orchestras.

Every song on this CD has impeccable musicianship.  The solos by the trumpets, clarinets and saxophones will blow you away.  Each one takes their turn showing you what a great musician can do with their instrument.  These solos are displayed throughout the CD but you can really feel it in Good Queen Bess and Are You Fer It. 

The tempos are moderate to fast; usually staying between 130 – 200 beats per minute, daring dancers to leave the dance floor.

There are a couple questionable tunes on here.  From a technical standpoint, Exactly Like You is musically up to par with the rest of the CD but I don’t necessarily care for the disjointed arrangement.  Oops, My Bad! should never have made the cut.   The vocals don’t have the street sound that go along with the lyrics of the ‘hood.  They should have left it with the Yalloppin’ Hounds, who do a great job on it.

Overall, with the quality of the rest of this CD, you will quickly overlook these minor negatives and just dance, dance, dance.  This CD should be on every dancer’s Christmas list!

Bottom Line:  To buy or not to buy…..BUY