Sounds of Darkness

Here’s another compilation of real old-timey big band Halloween music, similar to “The Haunted House - 20 Tracks to Make You Jump in the Night”. So similar, in fact, that they start with the same track … “The Haunted House” by the New Mayfair Dance Orchestra … a classic with an introduction that can’t be beat.

Much of the disc is just as terrific. Most tracks have vocals, but every 3rd or 4th one is an instrumental. My favorites are “Mysterious Mose” by the Radio All-Star Novelty Orchestra, Glenn Miller’s “Swingin’ at the Séance”, and Cab Calloway’s “The Ghost of Smokey Joe”. You can’t help but be impressed by how precise some of these musicians sounded, and there are some complicated arrangements in here. Gene Kardos’ saxes get a real workout during “Zombie”, but they nail it. The CD hits a slow spot towards the end … a couple tracks by Charlie Barnet’s Orchestra sound a little out of place (“Redskin Rhumba”? Really?) but those tracks are bookended by sexy-sounding sirens Dorothy Claire and Kay Starr.

It’s a tremendously fun CD … and a real treat to have the opportunity to hear such classic recordings, most of which are 70 – 80 years old. Definitely worth a listen.

Halloween Stomp