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.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Take Mom For A Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room.  Free lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Free admission before 7:00, and $5 cover at the door afterwards.  Lesson by Phil and Amanda with music by Alexis.  Dress like you are going out!
303 South Main
Memphis, TN 38103

The Tiger Rag progressive dance lessons and guided practice sessions are in full swing at the Madison Dance Studio in Minglewood Plaza, 1555 Madison Ave Memphis, TN 38104.  Learn more and register here

Sunrise Serenade: I'll See You In My Dreams

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I'll See You In My Dreams" by Ella Fitzgerald.  Enjoy the video from YouTube.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Cylinder-Winged Aircraft Portent Of The Future

The subject of this article in the February 1934 issue of Popular Science, posted on Modern Mechanix, is an early attempt at the "ducted fan" combined with a "tilt rotor" concept of aircraft propulsion.  The USMC Bell Boing V-22 Osprey is a current operational example of a tilt rotor aircraft, minus the ducts.  Although the Navy apparently experimented with a four engined ducted fan/tilt rotor aircraft in the 1960's, the combined concepts have yet to catch on. 

Sunrise Serenade: Kickin' The Gong Around

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Kickin' The Gong Around" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Toby The Pup: In The Museum

This 1930 cartoon is another example of the early animation weirdness factor.  Not much of a story:  Toby the Pup is a janitor in a museum, and has some fun with the animated artifacts.  Perhaps slighly more interesting than amusing, but worth a watch once.  From the Internet Archive, here is Toby the Pup:  In the Museum.

Sunrise Serenade: Free Wheeling

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Free Wheeling" by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Sunrise Serenade: Bumble Bee Stomp

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Bumble Bee Stomp" by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra.  Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Playlist For May 1, 2013

The playlist for the May 1, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet

Painting A Cow

Once again, a look into history reveals things that, while obvious at the time, would not occur to us today.  Retronaut posted this photo, and an explanation of why this woman is painting this cow.  During World War II, a blackout of all lights, including car headlights, was a necessary defense tactic.  While vehicle headlights were not completely blacked out, they were severly restricted in the amount and distance of light projected on the road.  In rural Britain, you might find a cow roaming the roads at night, so the farmers painted the cow with these stripes to make them more visible to drivers during a blackout.

Sunrise Serenade: Crazy Rhythm

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Crazy Rhythm" by Harry James and His Orchestra.  Enjoy the video from YouTube