The Charleston is a dance named for the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson which originated in the Broadway show Runnin' Wild and became one of the most popular hits of the decade. Runnin' Wild ran from 29 October 1923 through 28 June 1924. The peak year for the Charleston as a dance by the public was mid-1926 to 1927.
While the Charleston as a dance probably came from the "star" or challenge dances that were all part of the African-American dance called Juba, the particular sequence of steps which appeared in Runnin' Wild were probably newly devised for popular appeal. "At first, the step started off with a simple twisting of the feet, to rhythm in a lazy sort of way (this could well be the Jay-Bird). When the dance hit Harlem, a new version was added. It became a fast kicking step, kicking the feet, both forward and backward and later done with a tap." Further changes were undoubtedly made before the dance was put on stage.
The Charleston was one of the dances from which Lindy Hop and Jazz Roots developed in the 1930s. A slightly different form of Charleston became popular in the 1930s and '40s, and is associated with Lindy Hop. In this later Charleston form, the hot jazz timing of the 1920s Charleston was adapted to suit the swing jazz music of the '30s and '40s. This style of Charleston has many common names, though the most common are Lindy Charleston, Savoy Charleston, '30s or '40s Charleston and Swing(ing) Charleston. In both '20s Charleston and Swinging Charleston, the basic step takes eight counts and is danced either alone or with a partner.
This compilation captures the sounds of the 20's craze about as well as anything. Great titles, especially by Paul Whiteman, "I'd Rather Charleston" by Fred and Adele Astaire with George Gershwin accompanying, "South Wind", by Roger Wolfe Kahn's Orchestra, a great arrangement and spirited playing, plus tracks from Jelly Roll Morton and George Olsen among others. A well remastered collection of hard-to-find recordings.
1 Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra– Charleston
2 Nat Star & His Orchestra– Chili Bom Bom
3 Ben Selvin & His Orchestra– Don't Bring Lulu
4 Manhattan Dance Makers– Brown Eyes, Why Are You Blue?
5 Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra– Sweet And Low Downdon parker
6 Don Parker– My Cutey's Due At Two-To-Two Today
7 Roger Wolfe Kahn And His Orchestra– Down And Out Blues
8 Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra– Sweet Child (I'm Wild About You)
9 Sam Lanin, Broadway Bell-Hops– Let's Talk About My Sweetie
10 Debroy Somers– Fascinating Rhythm
11 Fred Astaire and Adele Astaire– I'd Rather Charleston
12 George Olsen's Music– Lucky Day
13 Johnny Hamp's Kentucky Serenaders– Black Bottom
14 Jan Garber And His Orchestra– Baby Face
15 Jack Hylton And His Orchestra– By The Tamarisk
16 Frank Raymond's Dance Orchstra– Meadow Lark
17 Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers– The Chant
18 Jay Whidden And His Band– Let's All Go To Mary's House
19 Paul Whiteman And His Orchestra– It All Depends On You
20 Irving Aaronson And His Commanders– Crazy Words, Crazy Tune (Vo-Do-De-O)
21 Roger Wolfe Kahn And His Orchestra– South Wind
22 Carroll Gibbons And The Orpheans– The Blue Room
23 Ted Weems And His Orchestra– Miss Annabelle Lee (Who's Wonderful, Who's Marvellous?)
24 George Olsen's Music– Because My Baby Don't Mean "Maybe" Now
25 Savoy Havana Band– At Sundown
