This Joint Is Jumpin'

While it appeared a few years back that the swing revival was poised to make a big impression on the U.S. music scene, it never really took hold nationwide, and the swing band/dance craze has remained pretty much confined to huge markets such as San Francisco, Chicago and New York. This Joint Is Jumpin' documents not only the current swing scene, but also offers a very credible look at the history of the swing sound as it emerged from jazz in the 1930s. Loaded with great music from the likes of Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Cab Calloway, as well as present-day acts such as Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Indigo Swing and Royal Crown Review, the program also sports awesome dancing and informative interviews (including one with Frankie Manning, who basically invented the Lindy Hop in Harlem). As much fun as the music it documents, this extra-less DVD lays down a great music history lesson without missing a beat. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (P. Van Vleck)