Showcasing Janesville, Wisconsin’s, new season
of professional performances called, “Janesville Presents,” at the
illustrious Janesville Performing Arts Center Saturday, November 20, was the swing-timing,
syncopating, percolating White Ghost Shivers.

The
White Ghost Shivers come from deep in the south of Austin, Texas, where they
have been rated as one of the city’s top bands since 2006. With their
combination of jazz and old time swing, they turned the cozy venue of the
Janesville Performing Arts Center (JAPC) into a lively party strait from the
era of prohibition. 

When
band members first got on stage, swing oozed from their every fiber. Infectious and honky-tonk stage
mistress Cella Blue captivated audiences with her wild and rambunctious bird
hat and flapper dress combo. She said of their music, “It’s an infectious
good time for all people,” and this proved to be more than true. This same
spirit was carried through with the rest of the band members with their plaid
slacks and flashy suspenders, which added to their old time feel.

White
Ghost Shivers’ best quality was their stage presence. Lanky front man Shorty
Stump had us all laughing with his swinging hips and jazzy kicks. Being close
to a lengthy seven feet tall, his gangly arms and legs only added to the wildly
entertaining world of the speakeasy. 
Other band members played with along with the same energetic intensity often
times carrying out their own sorts of animated fun, which sucked the audience
strait into the forgotten music.

Aside
from their festive showmanship, the band members where clearly skilled
musicians and never skipped a beat in the fast paced world of swing. Classic
instruments such as the double bass, violin, and banjo where perfect
accompaniments in their sweet love songs such as, “Honey I Need You
So,” where funky tones kept the people swinging and clapping in their
seats.

As the
show progressed, White Ghost Shivers changed their tone to convey the many
moods of swing. “China Town” was introduced as a darker song to their
primarily light and energetic set list. Gritty vocals, eerie violin tones, and
sultry guitar chords brought listeners to the underground world of western
swing kept the primarily upbeat atmosphere from becoming too stagnant.

When the
show had finished, one last encore was demanded from the cheers of the JPAC
crowd. “Toot Your Whistle” was the amazing end
to a history defying performance. The Band members left it all out there in a
loud and fun-loving song with a slight sexual innuendo that left a smile on
everyone’s faces.

The
White Ghost Shivers were successful in reintroducing jazz and swing to the
hearts of the crowd and showing spectators everywhere what the true meaning of
jukebox fun is. White Ghost Shivers were the perfect prelude to the new season
of “Janesville Presence,” and will surely attract the attention of
listeners old and new with their invaluable tribute to old time swing.