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-MC-MC GREAT! jC+Cjt GOOD LISTENING
-MC FAIR < -K IT'S? YOUR
case, whatever is Delius, the essence . . . the tranquility . . . the deliberation . . . all is skirted and skimmed over. This orchestra, I hasten to add, is the finest musical organization in the world. It is capable of technically bringing the maximum of realization to any work.
These Delius works cry for the very best of dynamic playing. Their form resides, almost entirely, in coloristic and textural relief. These pieces are not rigidly-wrought intellectual works which can stand up to a mediocre reading.
Delius's music is a highly personal and stylistic expression. It requires in
vestigation and love. The fact that it is structurally-weak musical expression should make the searching into it more intensive. Obviously, Mr. Ormandy did not discover the Delian secrets, for very little of what is on this album is what I like to think Delius is. "In a Summer Garden" was done horribly.
Some of the tempos were out of hand. One, in particular, was so fast that it literally bypassed a climax which is possibly one of the most beautiful parts of the work. However, the easier places in all these pieces are conducted competently enough. They could play themselves.
It's the variations of volume, rhythm and texture, the seeking out of Delius's strands of leit-motiv and making them prominent, that can make these works continue to live. That alone.
I suggest, if Columbia Records would like to honor Frederick Delius, that they re-issue the classic Beecham interpretations and sell them at a dis
count, or make a 3-L.P. set, containing "Appalachia," "North Country Sketches" and "The Mass of Life." This, with Beecham conjuring the reactivation of Delius's truths . . . this would be a proper honoring of Delius.
JAZZ
***Sonny Stitt and the Top Brass, Sonny Stitt; arr. and cond. by Tadd Dameron and Jimmy Mundy (Atlantic) — Sonny Stitt, though one of the great jazz-players, has never really got the credit due him. This album, although Sonny has some sen
sational moments, doesn't help much towards getting him that credit. Musically, the written music doesn't hold up as it should. It's scant and anything but organic. Sonny is constantly saving the tracks; his solos make you forget how sad some of the writing on this album is.
Of the better tracks, "Souls Valley" is the strongest. It's a root-y kind of blues, wrought with agitation. This is the one track that's up to Sonny's vital improvising level, in its written components. In spite of his bland and often dated settings, Sonny drives throughout showing his power and talent.
The logical inheritor of the Charlie Parker mantle, Sonny has rarely ever been put into a situation where his talents have had a 24-karat setting. He is a ruby constantly surrounded by a rhinestone setting. Time and far-sighted producers of recordings, I hope, will one day honor his talent by presenting it properly. (The stars are for Sonny.)
PIECES OF EIGHT
• Bobby Darin quite busy producing recordings for his own record label. The Newton Brothers are one of Bobby's "finds." . . . Vic Dana touring the South Pacific.
Mel Torme looks like he's done it with a single record finally. "Comin' Back, Back," I believe it's called.
Bob Crewe has made it two hits in a row with his group, The Four Seasons. This time, it's "Big Girls Don't Cry." . . . Little Eva is getting marvelous comment on her new album.
Creed Taylor, of Verve Records, is the fella responsible for the newest surge, "Bossa-Nova." He produced the Stan Getz record of "Desafinado." . . . Adam Wade is getting closer and closer to the "Bright" circle.
If you haven't heard the score of Japan's prize-winning film, "Yojimbo,"
tune in. It's the wildest! On MGM
Timi Yuro's deejay tour has done wonders for this lassie.
Capitol Records has just bought its way into Broadway through a fund which will be used for Feuer and Martin productions.
Mercury A&R-man Sheldy Singleton has been booted up to a vicepresidency. . . . Does this mean that Nashville is supplanting New York and California as the record center?
Peter, Paul and Mary did standing-room-only at Carnegie Hall. . . . Jackie Paris and his lovely and talented wife Ann Marie working on their new supper-club act with dancerteacher Steve Condos.
How about that "First Family" album on Cadence? Something else, I tell ya!
Why is spoken word not getting the needed action? I find such albums priceless when done well. The companies are goofing. . . . Twist albums no longer come in. What can that mean?
Sorry to say I received a Bobby Vee album and Connie Francis album, both Christmas vehicles, too late to review them. My regrets for not having a chance to salute their fine efforts.
What do you think of a poll? Best singers, instrumentalists, etc. ... I t think it would be a good way of sum V marizing each year. Let me hear from R you about it. . . . Till next month.
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