[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Los Straitjackets — Sing, Sing, Sing
Album: The Velvet Touch Of...
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2460









Released: 1999
Length: 3:16
Plays (last 30 days): 2
(Instrumental)
Comments (196)add comment
Costumes bad.  Music good.
 B_Van wrote:

Saw these guys in Vancouver earlier this summer as they supported Nick Lowe, who was the opening act for Elvis Costello’s kick off of his world tour. The “Los Straitjackets” we’re very tight - Nick let them play a couple of their instrumentals on their own in addition to his stuff. They played in their Mexican wrestling masks. Everyone was in great form. The evening closed with Nick and Elvis singing “Peace, Love and Understanding.” So moving!



Me too. I saw them this summer at Tanglewood in MA.  Great show!!
I saw these guys last year, they backed Nick Lowe, who backed Elvis Costello. Great band, "different" stage presence. 
 B_Van wrote:

Saw these guys in Vancouver earlier this summer as they supported Nick Lowe, who was the opening act for Elvis Costello’s kick off of his world tour. The “Los Straitjackets” we’re very tight - Nick let them play a couple of their instrumentals on their own in addition to his stuff. They played in their Mexican wrestling masks. Everyone was in great form. The evening closed with Nick and Elvis singing “Peace, Love and Understanding.” So moving!




You lucky duck.  I wish that I could have been there too!
Saw these guys in Vancouver earlier this summer as they supported Nick Lowe, who was the opening act for Elvis Costello’s kick off of his world tour. The “Los Straitjackets” we’re very tight - Nick let them play a couple of their instrumentals on their own in addition to his stuff. They played in their Mexican wrestling masks. Everyone was in great form. The evening closed with Nick and Elvis singing “Peace, Love and Understanding.” So moving!
 brucefessier wrote:


I was close with Krupa's long-time friend and publicist for his first big band. Gene might have used Benzedrine because many musicians did for those long road trips. I didn't hear of him using heroin, but his "girl singer," Anita O'Day, certainly had a problem with it.  All that matters today is, they made great music.


Longtime RP member (and hopefully not former) misterfixit has posted in RP song comments that he got to know Gene Krupa when he came to visit misterfixit's dad and mom at their home. Dad was IIRC a nightclub owner and sometime jazz musician. 

Apparently Gene was a great guy but had trouble standing or sitting still and would frequent the bathroom. I believe misterfixit surmised in retrospect that Gene was "powdering" his nose. 
Some Stray Cats here :-)
100mph of GREAT!!  Thanx RP!   
 RSpill wrote:


The only thing Krupa ever got in trouble is for marijuana. I've never heard a thing about heroin.  "Amphetimines or Cocaine " are often attributed to any hyperactive individual. It's a false rap that I've dealt with myself. Please respect the dear departed. 


I was close with Krupa's long-time friend and publicist for his first big band. Gene might have used Benzedrine because many musicians did for those long road trips. I didn't hear of him using heroin, but his "girl singer," Anita O'Day, certainly had a problem with it.  All that matters today is, they made great music.
 TLynneHenry wrote:
Are you spying on me?



Spying no - joining Yes!!
 TLynneHenry wrote:
Are you spying on me?




YES!!   
 eileenomurphy wrote:
Chair dancing time!!   
Are you spying on me?

 buddy wrote:

I was just going to post the same thing. Not to be missed live. Actually great musicians and the music isn't just a novelty act.


like straights cats ? like brian setzer ?
Chair dancing time!!   
This is a great fun piece of music.
PLEASE PLAY MORE TUNES BY THIS GROUP!!!  THANK YOU!!!
This was written by Louis Prima with lyrics. It was also covered by Benny Goodman who made it famous! YouTube has great videos of Prima & Goodman with their big bands. It was also covered in a great dance/ fight scene in the movie 1941 w/ John Belushi!
I love all versions of this tune!!! Los Straitjackets  does a a KICK ASS version!!!!
 jmkate wrote:

Chair dance break!



I AGREE!!!!!!
 Misterfixit wrote:


Gene Krupa, who was a friend of my father, Zebe Mann, was a frequent visitor to our house when he was on the west coast.  He acted like what we would call "Manic" today.  Later on I discovered that when he wasn't on Heroin he was on Amphetimines or Cocaine.  He was still one of the top 5 drummers every.  He was funny, and never stood still for a moment even at the dinner table.


The only thing Krupa ever got in trouble is for marijuana. I've never heard a thing about heroin.  "Amphetimines or Cocaine " are often attributed to any hyperactive individual. It's a false rap that I've dealt with myself. Please respect the dear departed. 
 lewisv66 wrote:

The original, written by Louis Prima, does have lyrics, and he recorded it with them included. But Benny Goodman made it famous, without the lyrics, and most subsequent covers covered Goodman's arrangement, not Prima's. The Andrews Sisters also recorded a cover with lyrics.

Either way, with or without, it's the best tune of the Swing Era.


good to know the background of such a great tune...thanks
Seems like some Stray Cats would go well after this.
 b_bebbington4139 wrote:
Isn't it ironic that a piece called 'Sing, Sing, Sing' is an instrumental.  Albeit a great instrumental.
 
The original, written by Louis Prima, does have lyrics, and he recorded it with them included. But Benny Goodman made it famous, without the lyrics, and most subsequent covers covered Goodman's arrangement, not Prima's. The Andrews Sisters also recorded a cover with lyrics.

Either way, with or without, it's the best tune of the Swing Era.
Isn't it ironic that a piece called 'Sing, Sing, Sing' is an instrumental.  Albeit a great instrumental.
Love the album cover. Reminds me of Pro wrestling back in the 'early" days when Mil Mascaras came on the scene. 
Good, but please play the original. Thank you.
This is fantastic ..
OMG:  (1) Papa Wemba, (2) Santana's Jingo, then (3) Los Straight Jackets.  
I believe Sal Mineo starred in the GENE KRUPA STORY.   



Gene Krupa, who was a friend of my father, Zebe Mann, was a frequent visitor to our house when he was on the west coast.  He acted like what we would call "Manic" today.  Later on I discovered that when he wasn't on Heroin he was on Amphetimines or Cocaine.  He was still one of the top 5 drummers every.  He was funny, and never stood still for a moment even at the dinner table.
 

Saw ‘em live in NYC back in the early 2000s. The Knitting Factory I think. Great show.
They let the drummer out of his straitjacket on this. Is it Jimmy Lester?
Their Christmas album is great too!
Chair dance break!
 kandrewq420 wrote:
hello
 

hello
I give the band name a 9
 ziggytrix wrote:

I'm sure this list is incomplete, but as far as major releases go, there are a TON!
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/26461/versions
 
Here's one, probably not on that list: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iOQk8Sdv-g
 unclehud wrote:
Wonder how many folks have recorded this tune?

 
I'm sure this list is incomplete, but as far as major releases go, there are a TON!
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/26461/versions
Play the 1939 Carnegie Hall version of this song, or the entire album.  It's been dogs years since I hear "Bei Mir Bist Du schon"  {#Notworthy}
If this doesn't make you tap your foot or just start chair dancing, yer dead.
 poetdancer wrote:
This band is great live. Catch 'em if you have a chance.

 
I was just going to post the same thing. Not to be missed live. Actually great musicians and the music isn't just a novelty act.
This band is great live. Catch 'em if you have a chance.
Big Band Surf? Dig it!
The now eighty year old recording by Benny Goodman is the gold standard others revere. Truly amazing composition and performance you don't hear these days.
I've always loved Benny Goodman's recording of it.
Wonder how many folks have recorded this tune?
 kcar wrote:

Misterfixit, you have so many cool stories to tell. Please, share them with us! Your childhood sounds like it was a bit crazy but a LOT of fun. 

Had no idea that Krupa was amped up so often. The mother of a high school friend said that she saw him perform when she was in her teens or twenties and he was so mesmerizing that she got up from her chair and started walking towards the stage like she'd been hypnotized. Two waiters had to hold her back. 

Gene shows up in an early scene of "Ball of Fire", a really good 1942 Howard Hawks screwball comedy with Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. You get to see his technique up close as he and Barbara perform "Drum Boogie", once with the Gene Krupa Orchestra and again at a stage-side table as Gene drums with a pair of wooden matches. Here's the clip: 

https://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/377588/Ball-Of-Fire-Movie-Clip-What-Does-Boogie-Mean-.html

 
Thanks for that clip!

Whoa On_The_Beach cool footage of Mickey Dolenz!  
https://viralgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/chimp_drummer.gif?fb43fe
This cover is excellent on just so many levels. Bear in mind that for most of it there are only three tracks, ( Second guitar track added in some parts.)

Would love to hear Keith Moon bang the skins on this one! 
Lovin this
That song just about put me in a straightjacket!
Thought it was Link Wrey for a sec.
Love hearing them on the radio. I usually only get to enjoy them in person!
Well, that was fun (but now I gotta take a robaxacet)!
Love the swing-meets-surf treatment. Fun!

"Oh, you know, every song is 'Wipeout' to him..."


 Misterfixit wrote:


Gene Krupa, who was a friend of my father, Zebe Mann, was a frequent visitor to our house when he was on the west coast.  He acted like what we would call "Manic" today.  Later on I discovered that when he wasn't on Heroin he was on Amphetimines or Cocaine.  He was still one of the top 5 drummers every.  He was funny, and never stood still for a moment even at the dinner table.

 
Misterfixit, you have so many cool stories to tell. Please, share them with us! Your childhood sounds like it was a bit crazy but a LOT of fun. 

Had no idea that Krupa was amped up so often. The mother of a high school friend said that she saw him perform when she was in her teens or twenties and he was so mesmerizing that she got up from her chair and started walking towards the stage like she'd been hypnotized. Two waiters had to hold her back. 

Gene shows up in an early scene of "Ball of Fire", a really good 1942 Howard Hawks screwball comedy with Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. You get to see his technique up close as he and Barbara perform "Drum Boogie", once with the Gene Krupa Orchestra and again at a stage-side table as Gene drums with a pair of wooden matches. Here's the clip: 

https://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/377588/Ball-Of-Fire-Movie-Clip-What-Does-Boogie-Mean-.html
 ThePoose wrote:
I keep seeing The Mask witrh Jim Carrey in my mind's eye.

  Same here


Still getting nothin done in my office this afternoon  {#Drummer} 
msymmes wrote:
I think Benny Goodman invented Rock N' Roll...

 


I keep seeing The Mask witrh Jim Carrey in my mind's eye.
Got to love these guys.
These guys are a hoot!  Had the opportunity to see them perform this live, including Mexican wrestling masks and it was a lot of fun.
There's a lot to be said for frenetic drumming.
I've never heard a version of this that I didn't enjoy. So fun and sexy!
HooHa - my butt is worn out from chair dancing!
I'll play sing, sing, sing...if you sing play, play, play.
 gypsyman wrote:
This is great!
 
It's nice. Horner's is great.
This is great!
Thank you!!!! <3
Was thinking Prima with my request, yet LOVE the shake up!!!!  ;D
Santana - Jingo
Los Straitjackets - Sing, Sing, Sing

The hangover set.
 WonderLizard wrote:

Benny Goodman with Krupa on the skins. Prima's band may have done it, but I haven't heard that one.
 
Louis Prima wrote this tune, and recorded it first, though Goodman's version is probably the best known.  This is a good version too.
plain fun, whomp boppa loooaaa and whoa bam  booo...
 NickDanger wrote:
Louis Prima.
 
Benny Goodman with Krupa on the skins. Prima's band may have done it, but I haven't heard that one.
Dancing with myself in my office.  Getting nothing done !



 Misterfixit wrote:


Gene Krupa, who was a friend of my father, Zebe Mann, was a frequent visitor to our house when he was on the west coast.  He acted like what we would call "Manic" today.  Later on I discovered that when he wasn't on Heroin he was on Amphetimines or Cocaine.  He was still one of the top 5 drummers every.  He was funny, and never stood still for a moment even at the dinner table.
 

Thanks for the anecdote. 
 thewiseking wrote:
kitsch

 

Kitsch tends to stick to acting, so far as I know, Friday Night Lights, John Carter.  The guy is a stud, but as far as I know he is not in this band.

Taylor Kitsch, 2012.jpg
I think Benny Goodman invented Rock N' Roll...
Wow! That certainly upped my energy level...bing, zap, pow! {#Guitarist}
 shutter wrote:

Wholeheartedly agree.  These guys work their tails of and put on a hell of a fun show!

 

Water for the elephants!

Why Rock - "super sacko"!

Lost Straight Jackasses
Almost sounds like Gene Krupa on the drums!

 keller1 wrote:


When my drum teacher, who is a jazz drummer, first heard this, he said "You'd swear it was written as a surf song."

I play this tune, and so I've spent a lot of time listening to alternative versions of it. Listen again to the Benny Goodman version, all 7+ minutes of it, and you'll wonder how Gene Krupa stayed awake, although the groove is a bit deeper than on this version. For dynamics, though, the Straitjackets, hands down.
 

Gene Krupa, who was a friend of my father, Zebe Mann, was a frequent visitor to our house when he was on the west coast.  He acted like what we would call "Manic" today.  Later on I discovered that when he wasn't on Heroin he was on Amphetimines or Cocaine.  He was still one of the top 5 drummers every.  He was funny, and never stood still for a moment even at the dinner table.
I saw these guys earlier this year at the 14th annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in, of course, Las Vegas.  My friend behind the mixing console actually stepped back and gave me a turn at it so I had the pleasure of mixing a few songs (I was also on the crew).  The band was a lot of fun and they put on a great show!  I managed to snap one good photo that night:
Los Straightjackets at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend #14

 CarpePotus wrote:
They are great in concert... see them if you get the chance!
 
Wholeheartedly agree.  These guys work their tails of and put on a hell of a fun show!

Louis Prima.
Good fun, but I prefer the rollicking original. 'Tis a decent and respectful cover, though, and preserves the essential stompety-stomp of the original - 7 from the Nottingham jury.
 polkadude wrote:
My son's 7th grade band played the original version of this in concert. No wonder he loves percussion.
Is it swing?
Is it jazz?
Is it rock?
Is it surf?
Is it rockabilly?
Who cares,just enjoy!
 

The best version of this song for me is Benny Goodman's band, playing in the Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert in January 1938. It always struck me as one of the first rock n' roll songs, even though it clocks in at 12+ minutes. 

I stumbled across my parents' LPs of this concert when I was in the 8th grade and proceeded to play the hell out of them...One of the best live concerts I've ever heard. 
If you get a chance, see these guys in concert.  They put on a really good show and work their butts off. Lotsa fun.
I will say AGAIN:

To cover a song and make it different and interesting - without insulting the original singer and/or songwriter is extremely creative. Since many covers are done of songs that are considered "anthems" or "classics" or defining of one genre or another, I consider it more difficult at times than performing one of your own original pieces. Of course, that is IMHO...
 chucklesalmon wrote:

That's like saying that "if someone thinks it's in tune, it is."  Somethings groove, some things do not.  This does not.
 

No, it's quite different, actually.  You can measure whether something's in tune objectively.

Groove is completely subjective.  For instance, I can't hear a groove (or, as a sidenote, even a melody) in most of the Radiohead stuff I hear and yet a lot of the locals here tell me they do.

Look at some of the videos of these guys doing this on YouTube.  The audience pretty obviously thinks it grooves.  That's all that matters.


 chucklesalmon wrote:

That's like saying that "if someone thinks it's in tune, it is."  Somethings groove, some things do not.  This does not.

Who died and made you the grooveking?

 keller1 wrote:


That makes no sense.  If someone thinks it grooves, then it does.
 
That's like saying that "if someone thinks it's in tune, it is."  Somethings groove, some things do not.  This does not.
 chucklesalmon wrote:

Like all the people who think this version grooves.   Fact:It doesn't.
 
 

That makes no sense.  If someone thinks it grooves, then it does.
 secretsauce wrote:
Why do some people just never miss an opportunity to demonstrate that they don't know *crap* about music.

 
 
Like all the people who think this version grooves.   Fact:It doesn't.
 
 lawman wrote:
Oh Yes It Does! One part of being a musician is having "that" embedded deep in your guts - these guys obviously do!
 
But no, they don't.  They really don't.  Listen to the original if you want to hear 'that'.
They are great in concert... see them if you get the chance!

I love this band.


 Los Straitjackets.. for the Win!
support your RP!
!
Cartoon music
Oh, that was Sing Sing Sing.  I was sitting here thinking "hey!  that's a little like a Krupa thing.  Gotta pay more attention.
Like it!
...ye gads, this song is such a blast to play...
Still like the original so much better. Although the cover art reminds me of The Aquabats.


My son's 7th grade band played the original version of this in concert. No wonder he loves percussion. Is it swing? Is it jazz? Is it rock? Is it surf? Is it rockabilly? Who cares,just enjoy!
I love this piece! Kudos to Bill for playing a fun cover!
cc_rider wrote:
Awesome. Only a buncha nuts like these would 'surf up' a big band classic. The drum part is not NEARLY as good as the original though: when Benny's skins-banger lays into those first few beats, you KNOW it's gonna rock. c.
When my drum teacher, who is a jazz drummer, first heard this, he said "You'd swear it was written as a surf song." I play this tune, and so I've spent a lot of time listening to alternative versions of it. Listen again to the Benny Goodman version, all 7+ minutes of it, and you'll wonder how Gene Krupa stayed awake, although the groove is a bit deeper than on this version. For dynamics, though, the Straitjackets, hands down.
fretman wrote:
What a wacked out bunch o' guys, eh? Southern Culture on Tequila.
You say that like it's a bad thing! =^)
Awesome. Only a buncha nuts like these would 'surf up' a big band classic. The drum part is not NEARLY as good as the original though: when Benny's skins-banger lays into those first few beats, you KNOW it's gonna rock. c.
kitsch
Cool, daddy-o! I dig these cats.
chucklesalmon wrote:
Oh, jjust play the original. Or at least a cover by some better musicians. It doesn't even groove...! oof.
Why do some people just never miss an opportunity to demonstrate that they don't know *crap* about music.
chucklesalmon wrote:
Oh, jjust play the original. Or at least a cover by some better musicians. It doesn't even groove...! oof.
Take it from me, I've played this one ... it's not as easy as it sounds.
el horrible!
suenan muy frescos MUY BUENOS
Stray Cats?
Benny Goodman, Carnegie Hall, 1938. That version of "Sing, Sing, Sing" cannot be beat. End of story.
chucklesalmon wrote:
Oh, jjust play the original. Or at least a cover by some better musicians. It doesn't even groove...!
Oh Yes It Does! One part of being a musician is having "that" embedded deep in your guts - these guys obviously do!