Dance Books, Videos and Music

Dance Books, Videos and Music to buy On-Line

These are links to external sites, over which I have no control (or responsibility !)

Multmedia

Walter Laird

Ballroom Dance Pack Instruction book for both Ballroom and Latin-American dancing, with photos and foot templates/charts, plus a CD of specially recorded music at practice and normal tempo. This package should give you all that you need to get started (except a partner !)

Dance Music

Frank Sinatra

Songs for swinging lovers - Superb foxtrot after foxtrot from Old Blue Eyes. Recorded on the Capitol label. There are many other great dancing tracks by Sinatra, far too many to list here, on both the original recordings and the compilation albums. Generally the live performances are not the best to dance to.
If you have a favourite album I'll put a link to it from here.
Strictly Come Dancing

Following on from the very popular UK TV series (now adopted in the US) where celebreties dance with former professional ballroom & latin-american champions
Mijares

Maria Bonita - not all strict-tempo, but some great emotional Rhumbas. Palabras De Mujer and Mujer are great, the latter having a longish (30 seconds) introduction before it gets going. I enjoy just relaxing and listening as much as dancing to this one. (Capitol/EMI Latin H2 4687)
Linda Ronstadt

Frenesi - A change of style from her pop music, this album has a Latin-American flavour throughout, some great cha cha's (Elektra 961383-2)
Orchestra Ambros Seelos

Let's Go Dancing - A strict tempo Latin-American album from this German Orchestra, also look out for his album called "Typical Latin" that has some rythm only tracks for practice (Koch 3-4009-2)
Andy Ross & his Orchestra

Live at the International - Multi-talented English Orchestra, recorded live at the International championships at the Royal Albert Hall in London. I think I was competing there that year !

Andy Ross & his Orchestra

Come Dancing - The longest running BBC light entertainment television program now has Andy Ross as their orchestra in residence. I believe that in the early years of the show it was the Victor Silvester Orchestra and that the competeing dancers were filmed on separate dance floors around the country with the judges watching TV monitors.

Books

Victor Silvester

Modern Ballroom Dancing - A classic work by the famous dancer and band leader, last revised in 1993. Although written many years ago this book has relivance to todays dancing.
As they say, quality never goes out of style.
Alex Moore

Ballroom Dancing- The first edition was 1936, but still a very useful book today.
For example, a short quote "The most important differences between a good dancer and an outstanding dancer are in softness and expression."
Guy Howard

The Technique of Ballroom Dancing - As used by students and teachers in the IDTA - International Dance Teachers Association
Walter Laid

The Technique of Latin American - by the recognised expert in the field, this book is also used by the IDTA in student and teachers examinations

Last Updated: 03/07/06
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Frank Sinatra	Songs for swinging lovers - Superb foxtrot after foxtrot from Old Blue Eyes. Recorded on the Capitol label. There are many other great dancing tracks by Sinatra, far too many to list here, on both the original recordings and the compilation albums. Generally the live performances are not the best to dance to. If you have a favourite album I'll put a link to it from here.
Strictly Come Dancing	Following on from the very popular UK TV series (now adopted in the US) where celebreties dance with former professional ballroom & latin-american champions
Mijares	Maria Bonita - not all strict-tempo, but some great emotional Rhumbas. Palabras De Mujer and Mujer are great, the latter having a longish (30 seconds) introduction before it gets going. I enjoy just relaxing and listening as much as dancing to this one. (Capitol/EMI Latin H2 4687)
Linda Ronstadt	Frenesi - A change of style from her pop music, this album has a Latin-American flavour throughout, some great cha cha's (Elektra 961383-2)
Orchestra Ambros Seelos	Let's Go Dancing - A strict tempo Latin-American album from this German Orchestra, also look out for his album called "Typical Latin" that has some rythm only tracks for practice (Koch 3-4009-2)
Andy Ross & his Orchestra	Live at the International - Multi-talented English Orchestra, recorded live at the International championships at the Royal Albert Hall in London. I think I was competing there that year !
Andy Ross & his Orchestra	Come Dancing - The longest running BBC light entertainment television program now has Andy Ross as their orchestra in residence. I believe that in the early years of the show it was the Victor Silvester Orchestra and that the competeing dancers were filmed on separate dance floors around the country with the judges watching TV monitors.

Victor Silvester	Modern Ballroom Dancing - A classic work by the famous dancer and band leader, last revised in 1993. Although written many years ago this book has relivance to todays dancing. As they say, quality never goes out of style.
Alex Moore	Ballroom Dancing- The first edition was 1936, but still a very useful book today. For example, a short quote "The most important differences between a good dancer and an outstanding dancer are in softness and expression."
Guy Howard	The Technique of Ballroom Dancing - As used by students and teachers in the IDTA - International Dance Teachers Association
Walter Laid	The Technique of Latin American - by the recognised expert in the field, this book is also used by the IDTA in student and teachers examinations