Big band/swing music?

cmk22302 · July 2010

Hi,

I just posted this same question on the music board but then realized this is probably a better group to pose my question to. We're having our ceremony and reception in an old train station so I thought it might be cool to use big band/swing music (slower, more romantic songs before the ceremony and fun songs after). We will most likely be programming an iPod because we're running out of money.

I have some ideas for pre-ceremony, but could use some more, as I expect to play music for about 30 minutes before the ceremony. The only idea I have so far for the processional (not really big band/swing music though) is an instrumental version of Unchained Melody. I'm afraid this song will totally make me break down though so I am looking for other ideas. And I'm at a total loss for the recessional.

Any suggestions???

weddingspinster · July 2010

There are SO many possibilities!!!!

If you want a peppy tune for your recessional, you might use a really vintage version of ALL OF ME. People are still recording that one, but I heard a vintage recording of it at a swap meet recently and it was fantastic! There should be many vintage choices out there, for you.

LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY and NIGHT AND DAY are other vintage favs of mine, but I don't know if they would be the best choices for your processional.

You might try going to www.jazzandblues.org between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. CALIFORNIA TIME on Saturday and Sunday. A guy named Chuck Cecil plays terrific vintage swing/jazz records, and you'll be able to listen to the broadcast on your computer. Also, on that website, they'll list the song titles and recording artists, to help you track down the songs you're interested in.

www.the1920snetwork.com/streams/index.html also plays vintage music, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The iTunes page will appear on your computer screen while you're listening to their shows (in fact, it's kind of difficult to turn the station off; you'll have to disconnect from your internet connection), and you'll see the name of the songs, and I think artists, there.

Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmie Lunceford -- just some of the names you might want to look into if you go the "big band" route.

If you have a Tuesday Morning discount store nearby, they often sell big band CDs really cheap, then you could transfer what you like to your iPod (if you have the right equipment to do that sort of thing).

BTW, you know that Glenn Miller has a song called CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO, don't you? (And his MOONLIGHT SERENADE is a classic.)

I could go on and on (clearly!), but hopefully, this will get you started!

www.weddingspinster.com

cmk22302 · July 2010

Thanks for all the suggestions! I didn't know that about Tuesday Morning either. Will check it out. Am happy to share the list I've been developing with anyone else that is interested.

decobelle · August 2010

Well how about that? Our wedding is in a vintage train station too!!!

We are also going the big band/swing route for entertainment. My good friend is part of a classical trio, though, so they are providing classical music for the prelude music, processional and recessional.

Here are some songs I though of: It had to be You, Night and Day, Always, Blue Skies, At Last, Funny Valentine, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Someone to Watch Over Me, Til There Was You, Tenderly.

And as weddingspinster says, there are LOTS of train songs from the era (go figure) such as Take the A Train, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Night Train, and Tuxedo Junction.

We should share notes on our wedding details, cmk!

Genevieve04 · September 2010

In the Mood by Glenn Miller and his orchestra makes for an awesome recessional!

Big band/swing music?

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