The Swing Shift Shuffle is a radio program of swing, big band, jazz, boogie woogie and other popular music from the 1930's and 40's that airs every Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (US Central Time) on WEVL 89.9 FM in Memphis, Tennessee, with a live webcast at wevl.org. In addition to the radio show, this blog is dedicated to all aspects of the Swing Era, including art, automobiles, cartoons, comics, history, movies, music, news, science, technology, and anything else that happened during that time. It also includes announcements about events in the Memphis/Mid-South area related to the Swing Era, such as classic movies, concerts, dances, lectures, etc. If you see something that fits the description, send it to me at tim@wevl.org. If you would like more information about the radio show, just go to the Radio Show FAQ page.

Monday, July 31, 2017

Sunrise Serenade: She's Funny That Way

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "She's Funny That Way" by the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube

Friday, July 28, 2017

Sunrise Serenade: Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Coconut Oil

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Mama Don't Want No Peas An' Rice An' Coconut Oil" by Count Basie and His Orchestra with Jimmy Rushing on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Sunrise Serenade: I've Heard That Song Before

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I've Heard That Song Before" by Harry James and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Playlist For July 26, 2017

The playlist for the July 26, 2017 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

The Blue Lady


According to Four Color Shadows, the Blue Lady was one of the few female superheroes to precede Wonder Woman, and this story from 1941 was her final appearance.  Apparently, she possessed an exotic ring that gave her super powers.  The limits of her powers are not clear from this issue, but it seems she can turn into a mist, uproot trees and break chains, although gas does incapacitate her. 

Sunrise Serenade: You Turned The Tables On Me

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "You Turned The Tables On Me" by Ella Fitzgerald and the Daydreamers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Last July Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lessons and sessions continue at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 p.m. and $5 thereafter.   

303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Moonglow

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Moonglow" by Benny Goodman.  Enjoy the video below from YouTube.

Monday, July 24, 2017

V-Mail

US poster encouraging use of V-Mail, World War II. Read more: "Victory Mail in World War II" on Sarah Sundin's blog
Sarah Sundin is an author who specializes in World War II-era romance.  I'll freely admit that, when I even have time to read, "romance" is not on my list of genres.  That being said, I do follow her blog, where she posts about events and other interesting facts from WWII.  That is where I saw her post about Victory Mail or V-Mail, the U.S. military's solution to the logistical problem of millions of letters from military personnel to the folks back home.  V-mail was written on pre-printed forms, and then photographed onto microfilm, which was transported to the recipient's overseas theater of operations.  Once there, the V-Mail was reprinted from the microfilm back onto paper at one quarter the size, and then delivered to the recipient.  Never mandatory, it was apparently successful, and the military saved room for around five million tons of cargo using this system. 

Sunrise Serenade: Perdido

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Perdido" by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Taking A Break

Like the person in this 1940 photo from the Library of Congress, I'm taking a break for the rest of the week, but I'll be back on Monday.

Sunrise Serenade: Somebody Stole My Gal

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Somebody Stole My Gal" by Fats Waller and His Rhythm.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Friday, July 14, 2017

Farm Frolics


This trip to the farm has a couple of good period jokes, including the horse's imitation of singer Eddie Cantor, and the owl's asking "Whose Yehoodi?"  Posted on YouTube by CCCartoons, enjoy this 1941 Warner Bros. short, Farm Frolics

Sunrise Serenade: Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive" by Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Dorothy Lamour


For some reason, I just felt like posting this photo of Dorothy Lamour, originally posted on Film Noir Photos.  I'm not sure why, but it may be because she was the star always mentioned in the vintage cartoons as the irresistible beauty.  Well known for her team ups with Bing and Bob in their Road to [pick somewhere] movies. 

Sunrise Serenade: In A Little Gypsy Tea Room

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "In A Little Gypsy Tea Room" by Louis Prima and His Gang.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Playlist For July 12, 2017

The playlist for the July 12, 2017 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

V-J Day In Honolulu


Vintage Everyday posted this color film footage from V-J Day, August 14, 1945, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  While I like Jimmy Durante, I would not have minded if they had not put his song over the sounds of the film. 

Sunrise Serenade: Easy As Pie

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Easy As Pie" by Les Brown and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Summer's Heating Up With The Red Hot Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lessons and sessions continue at the Rumba Room this Friday night.  Free beginner lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00 p.m. and $5 thereafter.   

303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: What's Your Story, Morning Glory?

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "What's Your Story, Morning Glory?" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, July 10, 2017

Sunrise Serenade: Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Friday, July 7, 2017

A Day At The Zoo


Here is a fun little excursion to the local zoo from Warner Bros. in 1939.  Posted on YouTube by CCCartoons, here is A Day At The Zoo

Sunrise Serenade: Cow Cow Boogie

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Cow Cow Boogie" by Freddie Slack and His Orchestra with Ella Mae Morse on vocals.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, July 6, 2017

The Shadow In Vengeance Bay


Unlike some other heroes who branched out into radio, serials and feature films, the Shadow did not start in comic books, but rather in pulp fiction, from which he later moved to the comics.  Although these pulp stories had illustrations, it was the imagery in the prose that told the story.  Comics, Old Time Radio & Other Cool Stuff posted this review of a March 1942 issue of The Shadow magazine.

Sunrise Serenade: A String of Pearls

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "A String of Pearls" by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Playlist For July 5, 2017

The playlist for the July 5, 2017 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has now been added to the playlist filing cabinet.  

Sunrise Serenade: Little Joe From Chicago

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Little Joe From Chicago" by Andy Kirk and His Twelve Clouds of Joy.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Monday, July 3, 2017

TCM Programming In July

Ronald Colman
The Hollywood Revue's preview of July programming on Turner Classic Movies is out.  The Star of the Month is one of my favorites, Ronald Colman; and there will also be a spotlight on 50 Years of Hitchcock.