Swing Shift Shuffle

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.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Blues On The Bluff This Saturday!

Aside from being the Summer's best party, Blues on the Bluff is a major fundraiser for WEVL, home of the Swing Shift Shuffle. So join us this Saturday night for great music, great food, great views and great fun. The silent auction returns, with lots of special items, including bicycles, TV's, holiday packages, art and more. Discounted advanced tickets are on sale now until Friday at midnight. I'll be there, and I hope to see you there too!

Sunrise Serenade: Fifty-Second Street

This morning's Sunrise Serenade was "Fifty-Second Street" by Louis Prima and His New Orleans Gang. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Playlist For July 17, 2013

The playlist for the July 17, 2013 broadcast of the Swing Shift Shuffle has been added to the playlist filing cabinet.

Flash Lightning

As posted on Pappy's Golden Age Comics Blogzine, Sure-Fire Comics introduced "Flash Lightning" in 1940. Aside from the similarity to Flash Gordon, apparently legal problems with DC regarding its character, the Flash, led the creators to drop the F, and go with Lash Lightning. Apparently, schooled in the sciences of ancient Egypt and an armed with an ancient weapon, he can hurl lightning to destroy the forces of evil.

Sunrise Serenade: I'm Prepared To Tell The World It's You

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "I'm Prepared To Tell The World It's You" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Live Music At The Lindy Hop

The Red Hot Lindy Hop lesson and session continues this Friday night at the Rumba Room with live music from Jeremy Shrader's Quintessentials. Free lesson at 7:00 p.m., and $7 band cover. Lesson by Mike and Angela. Dress like you are going out!

Rumba Room

303 South Main

Memphis, TN 38103

Sunrise Serenade: Git Along

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "Git Along" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Monday, July 15, 2013

The Third Man (1949)

One of my favorite movies, and one that represents a classic example of film noir, is The Third Man (1949). MovieFanFare posted an informative review of this great film, which starred Orson Welles, Joseph Cotton, Trevor Howard, and Alida Valli.

Sunrise Serenade: The Man From Harlem

Today's Sunrise Serenade was "The Man From Harlem" by Cab Calloway and His Orchestra. Click on the song title to listen courtesy of Jazz On Line.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Little Lulu: Bored of Education

This encore post from 2009 reveals that Little Lulu suffers from the same problems that many of us had in school. From the Internet Archive, here is the 1946 animated short Bored of Education.