"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.

- The Badger Herald