BETTY JOHNSON-ELISABETH GRAY: Chattanooga Swing

Betty Johnson-Elisabeth Gray

Chattanooga Swing

© 2002 Bliss Tavern Music Production (769386122828)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

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Up-beat Big Band. Twenty-four great musicians-Betty and Elisabeth singing the popular Great American Popular Standards plus-a Spanish love love song-Tu Me Acostumbraste.

tracks

1 It Could Happn to You
2 Makin'whoopee
3 It's Alright With Me
4 I Get a Kick Out of You
5 Tuxedo Junction
6 Mack the Knife
7 You Make Me Feel So Young
8 Blue Moon
9 Spring Is Here
10 Tu Me Acostumbraste
11 Goody Goody
12 Somebody Loves Me
13 Chattanooga Choo Choo
14 Singing in the Rain(instr.)
15 Night and Day (instr.

notes

I have been singing for a very long time. I made Hits in the 50's and retired cold turkey to raise two beautiful daughters, Lydia and Elisabeth. They have the singing genes that were passed to me by my family, "The Johnson Family Singers."

Elisabeth lives in Madrid, Spain and is a regular singer with the Big Band. Happily they let me join them in concerts. Our Chattanooga Swing CD was a great treat for all of us. The Spanish musicians are wonderful and so admire American music. She is a University professor (day job), and raises two great children. Her husband, Carlos, attends and enjoys all recording sessions.

Lydia (Family Affair), is a talented singer as well and we have a special relationship. She manages the homes and the music business and manages to raise two beautiful children and keep her husband happy as well- quite an accomplishment. My mission is to keep the music playing and enjoy family and friends that I meet on the web and in concert.

REVIEW BY Steven Loewy

"Betty Johnson and daughter Elisabeth Gray take on the big band repertoire in this highly entertaining, swinging set of carefully selected standards. Further evidence of Johnson's remarkable comeback after years of retirement, this album finds the two vocalists fronting a steaming Madrid-based orchestra performing in the styles of decades past. Close your eyes and you are transported to another era when these great tunes (including "It's All Right with Me," "Tuxedo Junction," "Blue Moon," "Chattanooga Choo Choo,") held sway. Like her sister Lydia Gray (who can be heard to good effect with Johnson on Soft Lights & Sweet Music), Elisabeth has a fresh relaxed style, a fine affinity for the lyrics, and a naturally sultry banter. While Johnson's voice has deepened a bit through the years, it still manages to project a youthful exuberance. Together, the women communicate a certain innocence, a throwback to simpler times, and a sort of Apple Pie Americana that is appealing for its unselfconsciousness. Even on the somewhat difficult slower pieces, such as the lovely "Tu Me Acostumbraste" (sung in Spanish by Gray) or "Spring is Here," there is an upbeat lilting quality beneath the surface. Ultimately, Johnson and Gray regale in optimistic fare and good dance music of the toe-tapping variety, with a strong jazz feel. Great fun!"

Review by Jack Lebo's Big Band Report: DANCING USA

The new CD of Betty Johnson and Elisabeth Gray, knocked me out---Great Material---Great vocals--Great Arrangements----Betty Hit a Home Run This Time!

reviews

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  • Chattanooga Swing is a great surprise and treat
    author: The Haddon Herald and five other New Jersey weeklies

    Chattanooga Swing is a surprise in that to get a gBig Band that can play the classics-like Sinatra did with his musicians is a real treat and the singers are no basement bargin-they can sing and sing the lyrics so that you get every word and its meaning. It's rare and it is more than welcome. This revewier listens to this CD over and over again and it gets even better. Thnak you ladies and gracious(thank you in Spanish0superb Big Band.

  • Marvelous Big Band Swing difinitely adapted in a big band groove with this new r
    author: Dancing USA

    Fiftten tracks of big band classics,including Tuxedo Junction, Blue Moon, Goody Goody and of course, The Glenn Miller evergreen Chattanooga Choo Choo. Betty Johnson and Elisabeth Gray( a regular vocalist with the Big Swing Band of Spain does a great Spanish Classic in TU ME ACOSTUMBRASTE-what a team and what music. A must get. We look for the next output of these talented singers and musicians

  • author: Libby Stone agency, North Carolina

    Chattanooga Swing is just great. How wonderful that your daughters sing also-i will order Family Affair to hear the other one. You must be very proud. thank you.Keep me posted on your next SWING. Libby

  • i like the CD and the play samples
    author: Carol and Herb klitzner

    I eppecially like Blue Moon and the Spanish one. It was a whole new feeling listening to you with a big band. Very effecttive. Gives you a lot of room to do things, actually. You handle it well. I especially like the text you wrote, natural and informal and to the point. You both sound like you are relly enjoying yourselves and that makes us enjoy it more. Whe will you do another? Keep us informed. C-and H

  • "I was overjoyed to recieve you CD's and I love them.
    author: Marti Watson from MO.

    I love the songs and the way that the band sounds and the way that the singers give the meaning to the lyrics. I just want to dance and it makes me feel goo.

  • I Love this Cd.It's always at my finger tips!!
    author: Lean

    I could listen to this music over and over again!Two wonderful voices with the Big Band it's the best!

  • Gotta Dance!
    author: Katie

    I LOVE DANCING TO THIS CD!

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