♪♪♪ male announcer: From beautiful Solana Beach, this is San Diego's Musical Showcase: live at the Belly Up.

In tonight's episode, San Diego-based Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra bring their vibrant mix of swing, blues, and jazz while adding a modern twist.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ Sue Palmer: Thank you so much, everybody.

Sue: When someone comes to our show, I expect they will have fun, enjoy themselves, and go home feeling better than when they started.

And that's the way I feel, too, cause I feel like the dancers and us, or the audience, or whatever, it's all a big-- we're--we need each other.

So, you know, I hope that I can provide that for everybody, as much as possible.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Every lonesome robin calls upon the tree.

♪ ♪ Mmm, every lonesome robin calls upon the tree.

♪ ♪ Well, the man of mine don't bother calling on me.

♪ ♪ Well, I'm climbing up the mountain ♪ ♪ to call that man of mine.

♪ ♪ I said I'm climbing up the mountain ♪ ♪ to call that man of mine.

♪ ♪ When he calls on me, he's so doggone fine.

♪ ♪ Oh, yeah.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Well, a friend of mine, he stays high all the time.

♪ ♪ Oh, I said that friend of mine, ♪ ♪ he stays high all the time.

♪ ♪ When he can't get a whiskey, ♪ ♪ he'll settle for a glass of wine.

♪ ♪ They were all good-looking but we all gotta go someday.

♪ ♪ I said we're all good-looking but we all gotta go someday.

♪ ♪ Well, give me some of your lovin' before we pass away, ♪ ♪ yeah, ow!

♪ Sue: Yeah!

One, two, three, four!

♪♪♪ ♪ I don't hurt anymore, ♪ ♪ all my teardrops are dried.

♪ ♪ No more walkin' the floor ♪ ♪ with that burnin' inside.

♪ ♪ Just to think it could be, ♪ ♪ time has opened the door.

♪ ♪ And at last I am free, ♪ ♪ no I don't hurt anymore.

♪ ♪ No use to deny, ♪ ♪ I wanted to die ♪ ♪ the day you said we were through.

♪ ♪ But now that I find you're out of my mind, ♪ ♪ and I can't believe that it's true.

♪ ♪ I've forgotten somehow ♪ ♪ that I cared so before, ♪ ♪ and it's wonderful now ♪ ♪ that I don't hurt anymore.

♪ ♪ Just to think it could be, ♪ ♪ time has opened the door.

♪ ♪ And at last, I am free, ♪ ♪ I don't hurt anymore.

♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Just to think it could be, ♪ ♪ time has opened the door.

♪ ♪ And at last, I am free.

♪ ♪ I don't hurt anymore.

♪ ♪ No use to deny, ♪ ♪ I wanted to die ♪ ♪ the day you said we were through.

♪ ♪ But now that I find you're out of my mind ♪ ♪ and I can't believe that it's true.

♪ ♪ I've forgotten somehow ♪ ♪ that I cared so before, ♪ ♪ and it's wonderful now ♪ ♪ that I don't hurt anymore.

♪ ♪ Yes, it's wonderful now ♪ ♪ that I don't hurt anymore.

♪ ♪♪♪ Sue: All right, here's a little tune from a wonderful guy named Roy Milton who had a--my favorite piano player named Camille Howard, playing Boogie Woogie with him.

This is called "Reelin' and a-Rockin'."

One, two, one, two, three, four.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ You've got me reelin', you've got me rockin', ♪ ♪ you've got me almost out of my mind.

♪ ♪ You've got me reelin', you've got me rockin', ♪ ♪ you've got me almost out of my mind.

♪ ♪ Please tell me if you love me, ♪ ♪ tell me if I'm wasting my time.

♪ ♪ I'm yours when it's hot, yours when it's cold, ♪ ♪ can't get enough of you to save my soul.

♪ ♪ You got me moanin', you got me groanin', ♪ ♪ you got me almost out of my mind.

♪ ♪ Please tell me if you love me, ♪ ♪ tell me if I'm wasting my time.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ I'm yours when it's hot, yours when it's cold, ♪ ♪ can't get enough of you to save my soul.

♪ ♪ You got me moanin', you got me groanin', ♪ ♪ you got me almost out of my mind.

♪ ♪ Please tell me if you love me, ♪ ♪ tell me if I'm wasting my time.

♪ ♪ Oh, don't go, baby!

♪ ♪ You're on my mind.

♪ ♪ Oh, I love you, baby!

♪ ♪ So please be mine.

♪ ♪ Please tell me if you love me, ♪ ♪ tell me if I'm wasting my time.

♪ ♪ Oh, yeah.

♪ ♪ All right, now.

♪ Sue: It's a swing band.

I call it "motel swing" cause it's kind of bluesy swing, or swingy blues.

And we do a lot of rhythm and blues, a lot of some standard type things and some originals, but they're in that category, some New Orleans-y stuff, but it's basically swing.

And so I have a big giant swing dance following.

Sue: This is a tune called "I Put a Hex On You."

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ I left it on your doorstep on a moonlit night.

♪ ♪ You did me wrong before, you can't make it right.

♪ ♪ You thought it was so easy.

♪ ♪ You didn't have a clue.

♪ ♪ Marie Laveau's my homegirl.

♪ ♪ I put a hex on you.

♪ ♪ I put a hex on you.

♪ ♪ You better watch your back.

♪ ♪ I'm hiding in the shadows, ♪ ♪ there ain't no turning back.

♪ ♪ Your luck is changing.

♪ ♪ You don't know what to do.

♪ ♪ You know you had it coming.

♪ ♪ I put a hex on you.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ I got a voodoo grigri ♪ ♪ and a piece of your hair.

♪ ♪ I sing an incantation, ♪ ♪ you ain't got a prayer.

♪ ♪ I burnt your picture ♪ ♪ with a black cat bone.

♪ ♪ Stuck a needle in a doll ♪ ♪ that looks like you, all along.

♪ ♪ I put a hex on you, ♪ ♪ you're gonna pay the price.

♪ ♪ You wanna be messing me over, ♪ ♪ no more Mrs. Nice.

♪ ♪ I could have been so gentle ♪ ♪ and always good, too.

♪ ♪ But now you've gone and crossed me.

♪ ♪ I put a hex on you.

♪ ♪ Because you messed me over, ♪ ♪ I put a hex on you.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ Sue: Just a warning to dancers, this is a tang--a combination of a tango and swing and it's called "Swango."

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Swango.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Swango.

♪ [singing in foreign language] ♪ Swango.

♪ [singing in foreign language] ♪ Swango.

♪ [singing in foreign language] ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ [singing in foreign language] ♪ Swango.

♪ [singer vocalizing] ♪♪♪ Sue: Thank you so much, thank you very much.

All right, we're gonna go back to--a little further back and play a tune from the Gershwins and Fats Waller, it's kind of a medley.

♪ I got rhythm, I got music, I got my guy, ♪ ♪ who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪ I got daisies in green pastures.

♪ ♪ I got my guy, who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪ Old man trouble, I don't mind him ♪ ♪ You won't find him around my door.

♪ ♪ I got starlight, I got sweet dreams, ♪ ♪ I got my guy, who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪ Who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ The joint is jumping.

♪ ♪ It's really jumping.

♪ ♪ Come in, cats, and check your hats, ♪ ♪ I mean, this joint is jumping.

♪ ♪ The piano's thumping, the dancers bumping, ♪ ♪ this here spot is more than hot, ♪ ♪ in fact, the joint is jumping.

♪ ♪ Check your weapons at the door, ♪ ♪ be sure to pay your quarter.

♪ ♪ Burn your leather on the floor, ♪ ♪ grab anybody's daughter.

♪ ♪ The roof is rocking, the neighbor's knocking.

♪ ♪ We're all bums when the wagon comes, ♪ ♪ I mean, this joint is jumping.

♪ ♪ Cause I got rhythm, I got music, ♪ ♪ I got my guy, who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪ I got daisies in green pastures.

♪ ♪ I got my guy, who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪ Old man trouble, I really don't mind him, ♪ ♪ you won't find him hanging around my door.

♪ ♪ I got starlight, I got sweet dreams, ♪ ♪ I got my guy, who could ask for anything more?

♪ ♪ Who could ask for anything more?

♪ Sue: My band started in about 2000 and I, of course, asked a lot of the people I knew that lived here in San Diego that I've been playing with in the 80s and 90s, here, a lot of them from the Belly Up, almost all of them.

And almost all of them are here tonight.

And for years, for like 40 years, I've played with April West, who plays trombone, and Sharon Shufelt on drums.

And we've played in various bands, and they sing, and they do anything that we need to do musically, you know, and it always worked out really well.

Anyway, I have all the bases covered in this band.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Looking for a parking place.

♪ ♪ Looking for a space for me.

♪ ♪ Damn, I need a parking place ♪ ♪ the weather's still a mystery.

♪ ♪ Gotta park it, where to park it, need to park it, ♪ ♪ have to park it.

♪ ♪ Get me to the stage.

♪ ♪ Another car just cut me off.

♪ ♪ Another trip around the block ♪ ♪ Another light has just turned red, ♪ ♪ the constant ticking of the clock.

♪ ♪ Gotta park it, where to park it, need to park it, ♪ ♪ have to park it.

♪ ♪ Get me to the stage.

♪ ♪ Oh, no, that sign's yellow!

♪ ♪ Oh, no, that one's white.

♪ ♪ That sign says “No Parking After Ten At Night”.

♪ ♪ Here we go.

♪ ♪ That street right outside, ♪ ♪ I know you know what I'm talking about.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Looking for a parking place.

♪ ♪ Looking for a space for me.

♪ ♪ Damn, I need a parking place, ♪ ♪ the weather's still a mystery.

♪ ♪ Gotta park it, where to park it, need to park it, ♪ ♪ have to park it.

♪ ♪ Get me to the stage.

♪ ♪ I gotta park and grab my gear.

♪ ♪ I gotta be on stage at eight.

♪ ♪ I gotta find a spot, right now.

♪ ♪ I just can't make my people wait.

♪ ♪ Gotta park it, where to park it, need to park it, ♪ ♪ have to park it.

♪ ♪ Get me to the stage.

♪ ♪ Oh, no, that sign's yellow!

♪ ♪ Oh, no, that one's white.

♪ ♪ That sign says “No Parking After Ten At Night”.

♪ ♪ I know you know what I'm talking about.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Gotta park it, where to park it, ♪ ♪ need to park it, have to park it.

♪ ♪ Gotta park it, where to park it, need to park it, ♪ ♪ have to park it.

♪ ♪ Get me to the stage.

♪ ♪ I am calling out Gaslamp District for parking right now ♪ ♪ from this stage because they're the worst.

♪ ♪ But you know what, it's pretty good up here in Solana Beach.

♪ ♪ How about it for the parking here at "Belly Up?"

♪ ♪ Woo, yeah.

♪ ♪ Because I've got the swings.

♪ Sue: The swing thing started up heavily in like the mid-80s and 90s, and so every band I was with was trying to cater to them.

So it's what--I like it, it's fun.

I like to see people having fun and they've been very loyal.

It made me look like I had a following.

♪ Well for years and years they say that money has been ♪ ♪ the root of all evil to a lot of men.

♪ ♪ But if you ask me to have my pick, I'll take the money, ♪ ♪ you can have the chick.

♪ ♪ I'm gonna have myself a ball.

♪ ♪ I'm gonna have myself a ball.

♪ ♪ I'm gonna have myself a ball ♪ ♪ Because you sure don't know when you got to go.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Now there's one thing I always say, make everyday a holiday.

♪ ♪ When you kick the bucket, it's just too bad.

♪ ♪ Life's too short, don't make it sad.

♪ ♪ Have yourself a ball, yes have yourself a ball.

♪ ♪ Oh, have yourself a ball ♪ ♪ 'Cause you sure don't know when you got to go.

♪ ♪ You work and work and have no fun, ♪ ♪ you'll find out you're the lazy one.

♪ ♪ Taxes are high, and rent is too, ♪ ♪ but there's one thing you can always do.

♪ ♪ You can have yourself a ball, you can have yourself a ball, ♪ ♪ you can have yourself a ball, ♪ ♪ 'cause sure don't know when you got to go.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Now money is short, and time is long.

♪ ♪ If you had a ball, you can't go wrong.

♪ ♪ Had plenty money when I started out ♪ ♪ but the chicks beat me down, now I'm down and out.

♪ ♪ So I'm gonna have myself a ball.

♪ ♪ I'm gonna have myself a ball.

♪ ♪ I'm gonna have myself a ball, ♪ ♪ 'cause I sure don't know when I got to go.

♪ ♪ I'm gonna give you some good advice, ♪ ♪ take this jive and take it twice.

♪ ♪ Get a little bit of that hard-earned pay, ♪ ♪ but put some away for a rainy day ♪ ♪ and have yourself a ball.

♪ ♪ Oh, have yourself a ball.

♪ ♪ Oh, have yourself a ball ♪ ♪ 'cause you sure don't know when you got to go.

♪ ♪ If you have a ball, if you have a ball, ♪ ♪ if you have a ball ♪ ♪ 'cause you sure don't know when you got to go.

♪ ♪ Let's have a ball, let's have a ball, ♪ ♪ let's have a ball ♪ ♪ 'cause you sure don't know when you got to go.

♪ Sue: I like having dancers.

It's really fun cause they-- it's just what you're supposed to do, and it--that's not happening.

It feels a little bit weird, so that's why I like to play at the "Belly Up."

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Do I move you?

♪ ♪ Are you willing?

♪ ♪ Do I groove you?

♪ ♪ Is it thrilling?

♪ ♪ Do I soothe you?

♪ ♪ Tell the truth, now.

♪ ♪ Do I move you, are you loose now?

♪ ♪ The answer better be yes.

♪ ♪ That pleases me.

♪ ♪ Ooh, ♪ ♪ are you ready for this action?

♪ ♪ Does it give you satisfaction?

♪ ♪ Are you hip to what I'm saying?

♪ ♪ If you are, ♪ ♪ then let's start swaying.

♪ ♪ The answer better be yes.

♪ ♪ That pleases me.

♪ ♪ Mmm.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ When I touch you do you quiver?

♪ ♪ From your head down to your liver?

♪ ♪ If you like it let me know it ♪ ♪ don't be psychic or you'll blow it.

♪ ♪ The answer better be yes.

♪ ♪ That pleases me.

♪ ♪ Mmmm ♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Well, I'm longing for my daddy ♪ ♪ and I'm so alone.

♪ ♪ It's been a long time since he's been gone.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy, hurry back to me.

♪ ♪ I can't eat, can't even sleep ♪ ♪ unless I'm counting a million sheep.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee!

♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh wee.

♪ ♪ Mmm ooh wee, sweet daddy, hurry back to me, yeah.

♪ ♪ Like Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall, ♪ ♪ when I saw you I just fall, fall, fall.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee!

♪ ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh wee.

♪ ♪ Mmm yeah, ooh wee, sweet daddy, hurry back to me, ♪ ♪ yeah, yeah, yeah.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ Sue: Jonny Viau, everybody.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Yeah, if you don't hurry back, I'm gonna lose my pride, ♪ ♪ but if you come back, I'll be so proud, proud, proud ♪ ♪ Ooh wee, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh wee.

♪ ♪ Yeah, ooh wee, sweet daddy, ♪ ♪ hurry back to me, yeah, yeah.

♪ ♪ If you don't hurry back, I'm gonna lose my pride, ♪ ♪ but if you come back, I'll be so proud, proud, proud ♪ ♪ Ooh wee!

Ooh wee, baby!

♪ ♪ Yeah, ooh wee sweet daddy, ♪ ♪ hurry back to me, yeah, yeah.

♪ ♪ All right, Timmy.

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy.

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy, hurry back to me, yeah!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy!

♪ ♪ Ooh wee, sweet daddy!

♪ ♪ Hurry back to me, ♪ ♪ yeah.

♪ ♪ Woo!

♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ female announcer: "Live at the Belly Up" is brought to you by "Pacific Coast Grill," with an oceanfront venue featuring Pacific Coast cuisine, including an oyster bar, sushi rolls, and a variety of seafood.

Since 1995, PCG has used fresh, local, free-range ingredients to inspire singular menu creations, hosting seaside special events for groups of 12 to 220.

For reservations and event information, visit pacificcoastgrill.com.

female announcer: Support for this program comes from the KPBS Explore local content fund, supporting new ideas and programs for San Diego.