Rating:
Genre:
Jazz
Release Date: 08/06/1996
Run Time: 95:08
During a period of time when few
jazz-oriented
big bands existed outside of Harlem,
the Casa Loma Orchestra helped set the stage for the
swing era.
Gene Gifford's arrangements for the ensemble during 1929-1935 were later criticized for using some staccato phrasing and an excess of riffs, but the music still sounds quite exciting today.
Maniac's Ball mostly dates from 1931-1932, with one song from 1933, three from 1934,
Larry Clinton's
"A Study in Brown" from 1937, and a five-song session from 1936. In addition to a few
Clinton arrangements, many of
Gifford's best charts are here, including
"White Jazz," "Black Jazz," "Blue Jazz," "Maniac's Ball," and
"Wild Goose Chase." Of the four
Hep releases that on a whole feature most of the high points of the
Casa Loma recordings (skipping the more commercial
dance band records),
Maniac's Ball is the best all-round introduction to the music of
the Casa Loma Orchestra.
~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
;)
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