I’ve been listening to American (and British and Canadian) dance band music for nigh-on 50+ years, and thought for a minute that I had not heard this group before as I did not remember them! Multi-talented producer Bryan Wright has written eloquent and beautifully written liner notes to accompany this sprightly collection featuring this multi-purpose orchestra originating out of New England (primarily Springfield, Massachusetts). According to the liner notes, this group also played classical music at its venues, as well as dance music for dancers when they played in public.
An example of how this affected their dance music is the first track, “Desert Isle.” After hearing pizzicatti strings accompanied by notes in the high range of the piano, then the cowbells, then unusual mutes for the trumpets, the listener is provided long quotes from the “New World Symphony.” Knowing about the versatility of this band helps in understanding the arrangements, all of which are punctuated by very tight ensemble work.
Another favourite of mine from this album, “Spanish Shawl” makes great use of “Spanish rhythms.” Then the saxophones play a chorus, followed by good use of mutes by a solo trumpet, with an effective use of the brass bass at the end. For a while, I thought that this was based on an arrangement from elsewhere. However, I wound up remembering that I had initially heard t
