squirrel nut zippers

larrycohen · January-15th-2004, 04:11 PM

We have a Squirrel Nut Zippers CD at home, and my daughter has a question. She asked me what bands, as in jazz (big?) bands, should she listen to in order to hear similar stuff. In other words, she wants to go back to the roots. Got any suggestions?

Pete C · January-15th-2004, 05:30 PM

Based on what little I remember of what little I heard by SNZ:

Don Redman? Cab Calloway? Fats Waller?

Jonny Miner · January-15th-2004, 05:30 PM

Well, the All Music Guide says of SNZ: "Roots and Influences: Billie Holiday, Dean Martin, Louis Jordan, Frank Sinatra"

...Hmmm... While Louis Jordan may be close, Cab Calloway or Louis Prima might be closer. Then again, I've only heard that SNZ song that charted, so I could be off-base.

Your daughter's impulse to go back to the roots of something she likes is commendable, as is your encouragement! I think it's great!

Pete C · January-15th-2004, 05:32 PM

I think the Zippers took their influence from earlier artists than most of the neo-swing poseurs.

Jonny Miner · January-15th-2004, 05:38 PM

Wow, simultaneous Calloway posts!

Yeah, Calloway, for starters...

Pete C · January-15th-2004, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jonny Miner
Wow, simultaneous Calloway posts!

In bbs parlance it's known as simultaneous Cabgasms.

Jonny Miner · January-15th-2004, 05:45 PM

That was my first! I'm blushing!

chuckyd4 · January-15th-2004, 06:18 PM

Were they the ones with that "Zoot Suit Riot" song? If that's them, I'd second some Prima.

Though I'd say throw in a little New Testament Basie to keep her rockin, and give her a little more of the music's real roots.

Sergio Zamora · January-15th-2004, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chuckyd4
Were they the ones with that "Zoot Suit Riot" song? If that's them, I'd second some Prima.

No, I forgot the name of that group, but the Squirrel Nut Zippers seemed to be riffing more on older music from the 20's, like more traditional New Orleans jazz - as opposed to the mixture of swing, jump blues, and Sinatra that the other groups appropriated. I always thought their music was (comparatively) more fun and less based on po-mo kitsch, though admittedly I'm only familiar with the songs that got airplay.

John B · January-16th-2004, 08:20 AM

larry -

try asking the band themselves. There is an email address for questions to the band on their website: info@snzippers.com

larrycohen · January-16th-2004, 10:34 AM

Thanks for all the answers!

I believe "Zoot Suit Riot" was the Cherry Poppin Daddies, but you've got the right general idea. I think Sergio is correct, however, there's a little more New Orleans in the Squirrel Nut Zippers.

For those of you who don't know - their big hit was "Hell"
(the D and the A and the M and the N and the A and the T and the I O N).

John B - good idea - I hadn't thought of emailing the band.

Dick Trickle · January-16th-2004, 12:08 PM

I was an alto player for the Daddies... I'm only on one track of that Zoot Suit thing... but anyway, that was another time and place.

Tell your daughter to check out the Louis Jordan for sure... and I know it's not exactly the roots, but I would also check out some Bobby Darin. I think PBS did a good series on him and the band was pretty cool, the material was neat to listen too. He definately makes me happy to hear. The story will make it fun for her too.

The Zippers weren't exactly a big band... so it would be hard to pigeonhole as being big band. I would suggest some Billie Holliday is an influence on the female vocals. I would also look into some of the Duke and Ella recordings. Remember... you can use Yahoo shopping to get those little samples of Mp3's off of for sale records to see if it is what she is looking to put into her collection.

Good luck to your daughter. Rex