Phil. Michael Barr said that he was not in favour with vocal discs for ballroom dancing. But I think they are here to stay.There are no vocalist at Blackpool.
If you want to test your skill a Waltz that is played quite often in studios is Norah Jones Come Away with Me.. Behind the singer the beat is as it should be , but if you listen to the singer it could cause trouble. There is a eight bar introduction. But the singer starts singing on the 3rd beat of the first bar, and does so throughout the disc. So block out the singer and listen to the back ground.
If you listen to a good recording for ballroom dancing. See if you can see how bar seven and bar eight are played with the same intensity ,followed by a strong one. This is how to tell when the new phrase is comiing up.Some people have what is refered to as Elephant Ears. If they walked into a room and the music was playing, they could tell you what bar was being played. It's a gift. Anybody who is serious about dancing should learn to count in bars, Foxtrot the same only this time 4/4 . four beats to a bar.1st beat is strong, second light. third strong but not as strong as one, fourth light. Counting in bars 1234 2234 3234 through to 8234. Which brings me to Billy Irvine who teaches that the first quick Foxtrot 3rd beat is strong, which it is if you listen to the music is correct. Not as strong as one but never the less more intense that the second or fourth. I also like Judy Garland . The film I enjoyed the most was with Gene Kelly in. For Me and my Gal. Made in 1942. The tunes are still being played today.