Customer Reviews

Glen Gray / Casa Loma Orchestra 1939-1940

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Splendid collection of one of the great swing bands of the thirties. Standouts in my opinion are the band's theme "Smoke Rings", exquisitely performed by the full band, trombonist Rauch and clarinettist Hutchenrider (and, as a bonus opossed to the commercially released 1937 recording, Pat Davis on tenorsax), "It's Funny to Everyone But Me","Day In, Day Out", sporting rich orchestal textures and a delicious version of that other Glenn's perennial hit, "In the Mood". Very good value for little money and a virtual must for the lover of "old" big bands.

A rather good selection of the Casa Lomans' later output when they were already past their heyday in the swing department.
The band had by now lost a good deal of it's identity and on this compilation the band stylistically veers between Glenn Miller influenced instrumentals such as No Name Jive and In the Mood, through the dixieland styled High Society (with a spiffing ride-out that out Crosbies Bob Crosby!), no-nonsense foxtrot stuff like It's Funny To Everyone But Me to society band items like Day In Day Out.
Contrary to popular belief, the band did have it's share of good soloists, like Dorsey rival Billy Rauch on the sweet trombone, Grady Watts on trumpet, the much featured Clarence Hutchenrider (vastly underrated) on clarinet and altoist and trombonist Murray McEachern (ex-Hylton and Goodman). There are also the unpredictable tenorist Pat Davis (who is completely his own man on the instrument, sounding like no one else) and high note trumpetters Cy Baker (not always very tasteful) and Sonny Dunham whose sole contribution is his feature Memories of You.
More impressive than the soloists however is the ensemble sound of the trombone and saxophone sections. There is a great, rich sounding sax-special (led by Art Ralston on soprano) on Meet Me Tonight, beautifully executed section work on Hindustan and Memories of You that are very worth while listening to.
The creamy vocals by Kenny Sargent may not be everybody's cup of tea, but here he is only featured three times. Peewee Hunt, the capable rhythm singer gets one selection.
The remastering is a touch too heavy on some tracks (compared to the original LP and the Circle CD releases which share some of the same tracks).

Of the recordings on this cd I really liked only 2 or 3, but I am satisified with those. I just skip the others.