Click the song name for a Windows Media Sound Sample

Overall we really like this CD sampler a lot. It’s got songs for every musical taste and dance style. There was only one song we really didn’t care for and a couple more we felt indifferent to, but there were many songs we rated “A”. We hope Bradley House releases this compilation pretty much as the sampler was produced. They could probably replace a couple of songs and make this a killer CD that everyone would want to own. 

The production quality of this CD seems to be high. The sound quality is good although there were a couple of songs where the artist didn’t seem to have the greatest vocals. Song selection is good with quite a variety of song styles appealing to a large audience. 

We’d really like to see Bradley House promote their CD’s a little better. There seems to be little or no information on their web site or else it’s hidden so well we can’t find it. We know Bradley House is geared to recording but don’t seem to promote the CD’s that heavily. We’d love to see more information on their web site about CD’s which carry the Bradley House label. 

We’re going to give this CD an overall rating of “A”. We think it will appeal to a wide audience and should be a hot seller when it’s finally released. Look for it at your favorite beach music supplier.

I'm Free (Tony Howard)

DJ Jim: Kinda’ slow for our Boppers but Shaggers should find it acceptable although they might like it better with a little positive pitch. Nice and bluesey. DJ Mike:  I agree, plus it about 3 percent and you’ve got a song for either Boppers or Shaggers. Definitely a great voice for this kind of song.

DJ Mike: Take a great old song, mix in a stronger beat, add a good vocalist and you’ve got a winner. Our people are already responding to this great old Corsairs hit. DJ Jim: Right on Mike. Our dancers will hear this one as a Cha Cha but Shaggers should like this tune as well. I like it better than the original.

DJ Jim: A gospel tune and Lord knows I love em’ but I don’t care for this as a dance tune. I think you could Shag to it just fine and our Boppers would be ok with it, I’m just not crazy about the beat. DJ Mike: Definitely doesn’t grab you at first and the vocals strike me as being a bit muddy but it grows on you as you listen to it. Still, it’s probably not one I would play often.

DJ Mike: Gosh what am I gonna’ say about this one, it’s nice but the vocals seem a little flat. Talking instead of singing. Doesn’t seem to grab ya’. DJ Jim: I agree, I don’t find the vocals to be very exciting. The song isn’t bad but it doesn’t have an exciting sound. Kick it up a bit and it’s got the potential to be a great Bop style tune. It’s probably not one I’d play often.

DJ Jim: Now this one’s got soul. A great Gospel tune with a sound Shaggers should love but I can tell you Boppers will be all over the floor. This girl’s got a great gospel voice. I really like this song.  DJ Mike: Our dancers love songs with a gospel slant. This one is definitely “In The Pocket”. It gives you a good feeling while you’re dancing, something you can’t say about every song we play.

DJ Mike: Well Jim, I think we’ve found the one “clinker” in the bunch. Sound’s like karaoke night at the lounge. This song just isn’t up to par with the rest of the album. DJ Jim: Well, I know what you mean. Some of the vocals on this song actually warble. I don’t mean to be unkind but I find myself wondering what type of dance to do to this song. I don’t hear it as a Shag song, it definitely isn’t a Bop tune, I can’t imagine West Coaster’s liking it. I just don’t know what to do with it. It’s kinda “cute” just not a play song for me.

DJ Jim: Can this be the same singer? Now we’re talkin’. Sounds like old school, I hear the fifties, Shakin Stevens, Shaggin’ or Boppin’. I can’t say the vocals are much different than the last tune but I love the sound of this song. DJ Mike: Obviously Mr. Kool is more comfortable with the stilted style of fifties songs. This song plays well as a Cha Cha and probably will be played a lot.  Our age group will definitely know the song and the sound will keep them on the floor.

DJ Mike: Cool, put on your dancin’ shoes you’ll be hittin’ the floor on this one. Tony puts a slightly different spin on an old favorite. Our group considers this song one of their signature songs as do our friends up north, The Cincinnati Bop Club. I’m already getting a tremendous reaction to this song, it’s definitely a keeper. DJ Jim: Oh Yeah! Man I couldn’t agree more. This song really cooks. I’ve always loved Move Across The River and I think I like this version best of all. Needless to say Boppers will love this song but I think Shaggers will dig it as well. It might be a bit fast for some Shaggers but I still think it works well. It’s got a great beat that keeps your feet movin’.

DJ Jim: I’m used to hearin’ this one as Blue Moon Of Kentucky an old Bill Monroe Bluegrass song. This song has a great sound. Kind of Rock-A-Billy country bop. This song works equally well for Boppers and Shaggers. I think this song will play well in our part of the country. DJ Mike: Once in a “Blue Moon” you hear a remake that makes your ears perk up. This is that song. Joe’s done a great job incorporating two great states in one great song. I plus it 2 to 3 percent but it works straight up as well. Great job Joe Graziani.

DJ Mike: Another “floor filler” from The SugarBees, who’ve been on a roll lately. It’s got everything you need for a hit song. Great vocals, great instrumentation, and a hook that really pulls you out of your seat. We’ll be playing this one for a long time. DJ Jim: Off The SugarBees CD “My Baby’s Got It” . This is one great song off one great CD. I’ve been playing this one for quite some time and I can tell you from experience it’ll draw Boppers to the dance floor by the droves. I like to Shag personally and this one's got the perfect beat and speed to make the Shaggers happy, happy, happy. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, “The SugarBees Rock!

DJ Jim: Well, the vocals aren’t as good as The Stylistics version but it’s definitely more up-tempo. I think the original version is definitely a Shag tune although I’d probably plus it just a bit. I think this version is too fast for Shagging and I’m not playin’ it for Boppers. It’s too fast for the West Coast crowd so I guess I’ll just have to keep this one in the case. DJ Mike: Definitely aimed at Swing dancers although I’d probably minus it about 3 percent. It’s not a bad song but not one that would be in my rotation on a regular basis. I’d probably play it to get an initial reaction and go from there.

DJ Mike: Nice Shag Smoothie that should play well with the West Coast crowd. Ample opportunity to show off your Shag or Swing moves. I might minus it a few percent for the Swing dancers. DJ Jim: I agree, the Shaggers and Swing dancers should really like this song. It won’t play to Bop dancers but hey, that’s the breaks. Personally, this isn’t my kind of sound. I really like songs with a hard hittin’ beat and this is a little smoother than I usually like but it’s a good song.

DJ Jim: Aaahh Yes! Joe Simon, man this guy exemplifies Gospel for me and this song is just great. Shaggers should eat this one up. It’s got just the right tempo to really shine and it makes you feel great at the same time. Our group just loves this kind of song. What can I say, I love it. DJ Mike: I agree, although I think it drags just a little bit in the beginning it builds as it goes along until it has you clapping your hands in the end. We could have a Sunday morning gospel hour with Joe Simon songs. He does a great job, welcome back Joe.