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Various Artists

On The Dancefloor With A Fingersnap (31 Pops To Make The Party Shake!)

Review by Gary Hill
The theme here is music that’s danceable, but more importantly features a finger-pop percussion. The mix leans toward soulful bluesy jazz and old school rock and roll, but there are variants within and outside of those headings. Everything here works pretty well, although there is one tune I found really cringey. There are definitely some highlights, too. All in all, this is one of the more effective various artists collections from Bear Family. I should mention that I previously reviewed a few of these songs on other albums. I’ve used or adapted those track reviews for use here for the sake of consistency.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2025  Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2025.
Track by Track Review
Joe Henderson –Snap Your Fingers

Old time rock and roll is on the menu here. This has a good groove and works pretty well.

The Coasters – Three Cool Cats

This track really does ooze style and cool. I like it better than the song that preceded it. It’s all class.

B. B. 'Blues Boy' King – 16 Tons

This is a different kind of tune than I expect from B.B. King. It features horns and a lot of style and charm.

Peggy Lee - Fever

have always loved this tune. This version captures the cool and magic of the song so well. It is largely stripped back to mostly just vocals, but that serves it nicely.      

Steve Gibson And The Original Red Caps– Big Game Hunter

I really love the guitar solo on this thing. The tune has a great groove and a lot of charm. It features some piano and low register vocals. There is a skit with spoken female voice later in the tune.

Little Willie John– My Nerves

Jazz, blues and lots of soulful style merge on this track. This is a highlight of the disc for me.

Pat Morrissey– Trapped In The Web Of Love

The piano and vocals sell this, but the bass really brings a lot of charm to it, too.

Roger Miller– King Of The Road

This is a classic tune, and it holds up well with its retro pop rocking sound.

Connie Francis – Fallin'

I love the groove and style of this number. It really swings and has some tasty guitar. This is another highlight of the set.

Nappy Brown– Coal Miner

The wailing sax makes up a lot of this track. This has a lot of charm and a great bluesy vibe.

Al Brown And His Tunetoppers – Sweet Little Love

The horns bring a lot of magic here. I love the guitar fills, too. The whole thing swings with style.

Brook Benton– Hotel Happiness

A slower, bluesy number is the concept here. I’m not crazy about the backing vocals, but the song works reasonably well despite them.

Chuck Miller – Lookout Mountain

This has a lot of passion and a great energy built into it. The horns and piano lend their charms to the mix in fine fashion.

Ruth Brown– Walk With Me Lord

A gospel sort of slow blues groove is on display here. The tune is strong, but not one of my favorites. That said, the vocal performance is so strong and evocative.

Hank Thompson And The Brazos Valley Boys – I Cast A Lonesome Shadow

There is a lot of country music in the mix here. This brings some drama and variety, but it’s not a highlight for me.

Wynonie Harris– A Tale Of Woe

I really dig this blues stomper. It has some jazzy vibes and it’s a lot of fun.

Bill Haley And His Comets – Hawk

I love the bass on this along with the echoey vibes. This thing is packed the brim with cool.

Dr. Horse – Jack That Cat Was Clean

I dig everything about this song. The piano really drives a lot of it. The nearly spoken vocal performance is classy, too. The whole track really pleases.

Ronnie Love – Chills And Fever

This is another classy retro rocker. It’s not a big revelation, but rather just an effective piece of music.

Dick Penner – Cindy Lou

The guitar on this really creates something interesting. It really gets a lot of opportunity to take the spotlight.

LaVern Baker– Tiny Tim

I dig the soulful jazzy vibe of this track a lot.

Elvis Presley– Fever

I’m a little torn here. I’m a big fan of this song, but I really don’t care for Elvis Presley. This version is no real revelation, but it is competent.

Jimmy Dean– Sixteen Tons

I like this version the track, but it’s not as good as the B.B. King one we heard before.

Tommy Sands– Doctor Heartache

Now, this is all class. I love the dramatic arrangement. The organ is a nice touch, and the whole tune just works so well. It has almost an Animals vibe to it.

Dean Reed– Pistolero

This is more of a cowboy tune. As such it has a lot of country in the mix, but it’s more along the lines of contemporary pop music.

Sanford Clark– Love Charms

There is a mellower drama and mystique to this tune.

The Platters – My Heart Belongs To Daddy

This song seems really creepy to me from a lyrical point of vibe. It has a jazzy groove, but is sort of a contemporary pop number. Those lyrics pretty much ruin it for me, but the over the top arrangement doesn’t help.

Steve King And The Echelons – Satan Is Her Name

This guitar rocker is classy. It’s fun.

Birdie Green – Tremblin'

A bluesy, soulful number, this isn’t a big change, but it’s a solid tune.

The Collins Kids – Heartbeat

Piano is a big part of the arrangement on this rock and roller.

Ben Harper – I Can't Takit No Longer
This bluesy number works well. It’s not one of my favorites here, but it’s pretty great.
 
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