On the Dancefloor with a Fingersnap Compilation

Bear Family Records have continued their “On the Dancefloor with” series of compilations, with a selection focused on recordings featuring a “finger snap”.

This is most in evidence with numbers such as Joe Henderson’s opener Snap Your Fingers and Roger Miller’s King of the Road, with other peppy and rhythmic selections like Jimmy Dean’s Sixteen Tons, The Coasters’ Three Cool Cats and Nappy Brown’s Coal Miner providing the impetus for dance.

Many of the songs included here have the type of beat which demands either a finger snap or a toe tap. They may not all be fast-paced tunes which immediately conjure the image or desire to dance, but they have a strong, sometimes intense rhythm. Numbers such as Bill Haley and His Comets’ Hawk, The Collins Kids’ Heartbeat, Elvis Presley’s Fever and Ruth Brown’s Walk With me Lord.

Sound Quality

The sound quality is, for the most part, clear and full. There are some differences between tracks due to the variations in production techniques, recording dates and studios. However, there is nothing which takes you out of the listening experience or interrupts the flow of the compilation.

A Little Something Extra…

As with other entries in the series, the 1-CD compilation comes packaged in a digipak. The included booklet contains biographical information on each artist and group featured on the compilation. There are also photos, posters and images associated with the songs. All of this adds extra enjoyment to the listening experience as a companion to the music.

Conclusion

On the Dancefloor with a Fingersnap is a moody and potent collection of songs. As a whole, the listening experience is very pleasant and moving one. This would work equally well as the background to a gathering and as an album to listen through from start to finish while reading through the accompanying booklet.

There is enough balance here between prompting movement and stillness. There are many numbers which are not only rhythmic and musically enticing, but also somewhat thought-provoking and emotional.

This would be a welcome addition to a music shelf, especially one which already holds the previous titles in the On the Dancefloor With… series.

Tracklisting

1. Joe Henderson – Snap Your Fingers
2. The Coasters – Three Cool Cats
3. B. B. ‘Blues Boy’ King – 16 Tons
4. Peggy Lee – Fever
5. Steve Gibson and The Original Red Caps – Big Game Hunter
6. Little Willie John – My Nerves
7. Pat Morrissey – Trapped In The Web Of Love
8. Roger Miller – King Of The Road
9. Connie Francis – Fallin’
10. Nappy Brown – Coal Miner
11. Al Brown & His Tunetoppers – Sweet Little Love
12. Brook Benton – Hotel Happiness
13. Chuck Miller – Lookout Mountain
14. Ruth Brown – Walk With Me Lord
15. Hank Thompson and The Brazos Valley Boys – I Cast A Lonesome Shadow
16. Wynonie Harris – A Tale Of Woe
17. Bill Haley and His Comets – Hawk
18. Dr. Horse – Jack That Cat Was Clean
19. Ronnie Love – Chills And Fever
20. Dick Penner – Cindy Lou
21. LaVern Baker – Tiny Tim
22. Elvis Presley – Fever
23. Jimmy Dean Sixteen Tons
24. Tommy Sands – Doctor Heartache
25. Dean Reed – Pistolero
26. Sanford Clark – Love Charms
27. The Platters – My Heart Belongs To Daddy
28. Steve King and The Echelons – Satan Is Her Name
29. Birdie Green – Tremblin’

On the Dancefloor with a Fingersnap released by Bear Family Records is available from Amazon.

On the Dancefloor with a Fingersnap

£14.99

7.5

Rating

7.5/10

On the Dancefloor with a Snap at Amazon