Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Nachtexpress Nach Warschau - Erhard Bauschke
2. Everybody Sing - Erhard Bauschke
3. Rosalie - Erhard Bauschke
4. Ich Mochte Reich Sein - Erhard Bauschke
5. Esprit - Albert Vossen
6. Man With the Mandolin - Kurt Hohenberger
7. Warum, Weshalb und Wieso? - Kurt Hohenberger
8. Fermate - Willy Berking
9. Legato - Willy Berking
10. Rhythmus - Willy Berking
11. Tempo, Tempo - Willy Berking
12. Tip-Top - Willy Berking
13. Am Montag Fangt Die Woche An - Oscar Joost
14. Stomp - Hot Club Frankfurt
15. Jungfrau - Michael Jary
16. Hallo, Fraulein - Michael Jary
17. Bei Dir War Es Immer So Schon - Helmuth Zacharias
18. Allerschonste Aller Frauen - Teddy Kleindin
19. Der Schwarzen Panther - Willi Stanke
20. Berlin - Willi Stanke
21. Lilo - Willi Stanke
22. Grand Hotel - Willi Stanke
23. Karussell - Willi Stech
24. Was Geschah in Dieser Nacht? - Fud Candrix

Disc 2:

1. You're Driving Me Crazy - Charlie & His Orchestra
2. Stormy Weather - Charlie & His Orchestra
3. When Day Is Done - Charlie & His Orchestra
4. I Want to Be Happy - Charlie & His Orchestra
5. You Can't Stop Me from Dreaming - Charlie & His Orchestra
6. I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket - Charlie & His Orchestra
7. King's Horses - Charlie & His Orchestra
8. St. Louis Blues - Charlie & His Orchestra
9. Slumming on Park Avenue - Charlie & His Orchestra
10. I'll Never Say Never Again - Charlie & His Orchestra
11. Dinah - Charlie & His Orchestra
12. Goody, Goody - Charlie & His Orchestra
13. F.D.R. Jones - Charlie & His Orchestra
14. After You've Gone - Charlie & His Orchestra
15. Makin' Whoopee - Charlie & His Orchestra
16. Bye Bye Blackbird - Charlie & His Orchestra
17. Japanese Sandman - Charlie & His Orchestra
18. Lambeth Walk - Charlie & His Orchestra
19. You Stepped Out of a Dream - Charlie & His Orchestra
20. I Double Dare You - Charlie & His Orchestra
21. Miss Annabelle Lee - Charlie & His Orchestra
22. Hold Tight - Charlie & His Orchestra
23. Die Trommel und Ihr Rhythmus - Charlie & His Orchestra

Disc 3:

1. Honeysuckle Rose - Svend Asmussen and His Orchestra
2. Limehouse Blues - Svend Asmussen and His Orchestra
3. Japanese Sandman - Svend Asmussen and His Orchestra
4. Carry Me Back to Old Virginny - Valaida
5. Some of These Days - Kordt Sisters
6. Do You Wanna Jump Children? - Harlem Kiddies
7. Roulette - The Ramblers
8. Muziek Voor Mitzy - The Ramblers
9. Hilversum Express - The Ramblers
10. Steeple Chase - The Ramblers
11. Dr Heckyll and Mr Jyde - Frans Wouters
12. Johnson Rag - Piet Van Dyk
13. Dansstemming (Ballroom Jive) - Vant Hoff, Ernst
14. Vous Avez un Beau Chapeau Madame (Idaho) - Vant Hoff, Ernst
15. Oh, Lady Be Good - Charlie Nederpelt
16. Rosetta - Dick Willebrandts
17. Dallas Blues - Dick Willebrandts
18. Woodchopper's Ball - Dick Willebrandts
19. Boogie Woogie - Dick Willebrandts
20. Capucyners - M.A.U.I. Eilanders
21. Illusie - Klaas Van Beeck, Klaas Van Beeck
22. College Swing - Klaas Van Beeck
23. Rytmefeber (Rhythm Fever) - Rolf Syversen
24. Buvos Hegedu (Magic Violin) - Gabor Radics

Disc 4:

1. Eclats de Cuivres - Stan Brenders, Django Reinhardt
2. Dynamisme - Stan Brenders, Django Reinhardt
3. Tons d'Ebene - Stan Brenders, Django Reinhardt
4. Simplicite - Hubert Simplisse
5. Belleville - Fud Candrix, Django Reinhardt
6. Oubli - Fud Candrix, Django Reinhardt
7. ABC - Fud Candrix, Django Reinhardt
8. Rhythme Indien - Gus Deloof
9. When You're Smiling - Gus Viseur
10. Bois de la Cambre - Vant Hoff, Ernst
11. Porter 39 - Gus Viseur
12. Palm Beach - Andre Ekyan
13. Zazou-Zazou - Orchestre Swing Jo Reinhardt
14. Nuit et Jour (Night and Day) - Dany Kane
15. Agatha Rhythm (I Got Rhythm) - Dany Kane
16. Douce Georgette (Sweet Georgia Brown) - Joseph Reinhardt
17. Oeil Noir - Joseph Reinhardt
18. Chiffon - Quintette Francais
19. Juin - Quintette Francais
20. Bruxelles - Quintette Francais
21. Loin - Quintette Francais
22. 67 Rue Couperin - Christian Bellest
23. Elle et Lui - Christian Bellest
24. Hot Club Swing - Eddie Barclay

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #184445 in Music
• Released on: 2003-05-05
• Number of discs: 4
• Formats: Box set, Import

Album Description
Subtitled - Swing Music & Nazi Propaganda Swing During World War II. Swing & jazz music was considered undesirable by the Nazis who worked hard to suppress it during World War II, while using it at the same time for propaganda purposes on the airwaves. This is the story of the battle they lost against this irrepressible music. 95 tracks on four CDs. Includes 60-page booklet crammed with information about this fascinating period. Standard jewel cases housed in a box. Proper. 2003.

Customer Reviews

A fascinating historical document...
I have encountered a number of people who are intrigued by this collection but reluctant to purchase it because of the distasteful subject matter. If you are one of these fence-sitters, let me reassure you. This set is well worth the investment, both as a serious exploration of popular culture's determination to survive in an age of repression, and as a collection of darned fine swing music.

The disc covering German swing bands during the war years should, for the most part, be consigned to the "historical curiosity" pile, as the music is middle of the road at best. Things get interesting with the second disc, devoted entirely to a single Nazi propaganda band, Charlie & His Orchestra. These sides are recordings of popular swing favorites such as "Stormy Weather" or "I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket," with the lyrics changed into "Tokyo Rose" style attacks on Allied morale, in English, for broadcast to the Western front. The music is competent but nothing special, while the vocals never fail to catch the listener off guard. Even so, the lyrical content is more bemusing than frightening.

The remaining two discs are a musical treasure trove, featuring music from German-occupied countries (mostly the Netherlands, Belgium, and France). A number of highly talented artists remained in these countries throughout the war, and managed to get their music on record, either through the backdoor influence of local offficials who secretly loved swing, or by changing their names (and the titles of songs) to bypass the banned lists. Here you'll find little-known gems by Django and Joseph Reinhardt, Gus Viseur, Svend Asmussen, Dick Willebrandt, and many other artists who were unjustly forgotten due to the unfortunate circumstance of war.

The booklet is lengthy and provides a wealth of information on the subject. The box set, like all of Proper's releases, is simple but elegant, and a steal at the low list price. Check this one out.

WW II Propaganda
A Fine Example of the type of Propaganda that was prevalent during the war especially in Germany. The Music is clean and enjoyable to listen to,including the Parody Songs and stabs at Churchill.If you are a Vintage Music Collector this a must have Collection.

A Musical Anthology of Swing Under Nazi Occupation
This 4-CD set is a musical anthology of World War Two dance music under Nazi occupation. Each CD has its own distinctive flavour, namely:-

German Swing, Dance and Jazz Bands 1937-1944
Charlie and his Orchestra (Nazi Propaganda Swing)
Swing in Belgium and France, 1940-1944
Swing in Occupied Europe, 1940-1944

Enjoyment of the generous 95 tracks is embellished by a 60-page illustrated booklet by Joop Visser, explaining how this "undesirable music" managed to survive despite official disapproval. In fact Charlie and his Orchestra featured as part of the broadcasts by William Joyce (Lord Haw-Haw), and provided revised lyrics aimed at subverting the Allies.

Django Reinhardt and brother Joseph are well represented on Disc 3, and The Ramblers are included on Disc 4, together with a rare Valaida Snow side. Recommended unreservedly to all those with an interest in this period of history.