I have a 10 piece dance band and we get more and more requests for playing West Coast Swing numbers. I'm not sure exactly what defines this music ... we haven't been able to get a clear answer from local dancers, nor have I found anything definitive on the internet other than strong 4/4 rhythm, swung 1/8 notes, tempo range 90-130. If anyone can offer further guidelines I would be very thankful.

To me, WC music has the same beat as east coast swing music, only slower. You often see couples who don't know WC doing really slow EC to the WC music. Some good examples of WC songs...

That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly
Something to Talk About - Bonnie Raitt
Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett (in my opinion the easist song to WC to)

I've seen WCS danced to jive tempii but locally a slow blues seems to work best (but not too too slow).

"Fever" - Peggy Lee - is an earlier excellent non-country example

Perhaps not the best song but a terrific example of what to listen for in "countrified" WCS is:

"Make Love to Me" by Anne Murray. The WCS rhythm/tempii is un mistakeable.

Also, the Pointer Sister's version of Bruce Springsteen's "Fire" (I'm drivin' in my car. I turn on the radee-oh-oh. You move a liddle closuh. Ah just say no-oh!)

OB

BQ,

WC Swing 28-32 mpm/ 105-115 bpm

EC Swing 34-36 mpm/ 130 bpm (triple step) to 150-180 bpm single step

Jive around 38-44 mpm

I've often thought "Rocky Mountain Way" by Joe Walsh (James Gang/Eagles) would have been an interesting WCS too. (But I grew up in the 60's).

The important thing is the feel. EC is much more out of the floor than WC which really is a walking dance. Not a stomp, just a very steady and expressive sensual walking action.

Many slow R&B tunes from the 60/70s have the feel.

OB

Sometimes WCS can be danced to a bluesy International foxtrot:

Minnie the Moocher (Cab Calloway)

or

Maddest Kinda Love

Both of the above are done by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (with Minnie changing tempo in the middle).

OB

I had a WC group class last night and I completely forgot about a classic..

Patsy Cline's Walkin' After Midnight.

If you're looking for a perfect WC song, this is it.

dancer,

Do you have a preference for WCS danced to Blues/Fox swing or country swing?

I tend to prefer the non-country (but still like both).

OB

I don't really have a preference for type of music. I do prefer slower WC songs that give you plenty of time to "play" with the beat.

Some that I like:

Give me one Reason (Tracey Chapman)
I'm the Only One (Melissa Ethridge)
Let's Stay Together (Al Green)