TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1955)

STEVE ALLEN'S TURNTABLE ^H ■^•■j |/ ' jM| | Hello, once more! It's about that time of the year — holiday time, that is, so happy jingle bells, and all that sort of thing. I suppose you're all busy as anything, buzzing about with your Christmas shopping list. And while you're looking for a certain "what" for a certain "whom," don't forget records. There are lots of interesting things on the platter shelf this month, including plenty of Yuletide stuff. And we might as well begin with "White Christmas." Firstly, there's an album by Decca with all the songs from the new Bing Crosby movie, sung by Bing, of course, Danny Kaye and Peggy Lee, with Joseph Lilley's orchestra and chorus. Peggy sings the tunes that Rosemary Clooney sang in the picture because Rosemary is under exclusive contract to Columbia Records. But if you're a Clooney fan, don't despair. She, too, has an album of "White Christmas," and she does the whole score — including all the Kaye and Crosby numbers. Speaking of Crosby, the junior edition, Gary, is with us again this month with his second solo effort. It's another good job by Bing's boy. Gary sings "There's a Small Hotel," the ballad oldie now being revived, plus a cute rhythm tune, "Ready, Willing and Able," from the Frank Sinatra — Doris Day movie, "Young at Heart." Buddy Bregman batons the orchestra. (Decca) "Noel and Gertie" is the name of a most interesting album — -and certainly a collector's item — starring Noel Coward and the late Gertrude Lawrence, with Yvonne Printemps, the French chantoosie. The album includes scenes and musical interludes from Coward's most successful plays and scores, all of which were originally recorded between 1929 and 1938. There are scenes from "Tonight at 8: 30," "Private Lives," and "Conversation Piece," and such well-remembered songs as "I'll See You Again," "Zigeuner," "Mad Dogs and Englishmen," "I'll Follow My Secret Heart," and the humorous "Don't Put Your Daughter on the Stage, Mrs. Worthington." (Victor) Don't look now, but here comes another vocal group. This time it's The Lancers, and they come through all right on "Mr. Sandman" and "Little White Light," with Van Alexander's orchestra. They've got a brand-new contract with Coral Records, and this is their first release. Coral also handed out a contract to Steve Lawrence, the young baritone on my Tonight show on NBC-TV. I think you'll agree he does a fine job on his first record, "Tell Me What to Do" and "Willow." Steve gets musical support from Dick Jacobs and his orchestra. Speaking of my TV show, did you catch Georgia Gibbs when she introduced her newest cutting, "Mambo Baby"? It really moves, and is a good contrast to the flipover side, a pretty ballad, "Love Me." Glenn Osser did the arrangements and conducts the band. (Mercury) Frank Sinatra is just about Capitol's number one record salesman these days, and no wonder. His latest disc is "The Christmas Waltz" and "White Christmas," accompanied by Nelson Riddle's orchestra and chorus. A newcomer to the Capitol roster, but certainly no newcomer to recorded music, is Woody Herman, one of our most talented musicians and conductors. Woody can always be counted on for a good band, and his present outfit shows off to advantage on its first waxings for Capitol, 10 Those ever-lovin' Chordettes — Marjorie Needham, Carol Bushman, Janet Ertel and Lynn Evans — have good reason to smile. Their new record, "Mr. Sandman," is climbing up on the hit list by leaps and bounds. (Cadence) "Mexican Hat Trick" and "Sleepy Serenade," both instrumentals. Talking of hits, Kitty Kallen has been etching one after another this past year. Now she has recorded a Yuletide song, "The Spirit of Christmas," which has been named the official theme of the 1954 Christmas Seal Drive, and a cute ditty called "Baby Brother." Jack Pleis' orchestra on both. (Decca) Ann Sothern has recorded a musical album of "Lady in the Dark," the famous play she did on television. Carlton Carpenter provides comic support, and Henri Rene and his orchestra back them up. The arrangements, by the way, are the ones they used on the TV show. (Victor) Oops! Another vocal group, a trio this time, and a good one. Three fellas who call themselves The Chuckles, and their first platter — on the "X" label — could do it for them. They sing a fine ballad called "The Runaround," in a smooth style; the flip side is "At Last You Understand." Cadence Records is all excited about a new singing gal they've discovered named Mary Del. Archie Bleyer heard her voice on a demonstration disc, signed her and conducted her first date. She does a rhythm and blues number, "It Hurts Me to My Heart," belting out the lyrics about a lady brushing off a guy, and on the reverse she chirps a silly novelty, "Yum Yum Yum, I'll Take You." For the junior set we have some kiddie records by kiddies, and just in time for St. Nick. Little Rita Faye, the nine-yearold lass who is well known in the South and Southwest for her hillbilly lilting, sings "I Want Santa Claus for Christmas" and "There Really Is a Santa Claus." (M-G-M) And eleven-year-old Leslie Uggams does "Uncle Santa," and "The Fat, Fat Man with the White, White Beard." (M-G-M) The Fontane Sisters, Perry Como's former vocal gals, are now out on their own, and also making records for a new company— Dot. With Billy Vaughn's orchestra, they harmonize on "A Love Like You," and the oldie, "Willow Weep for Me." RCA Victor has gathered together some of their top personalities on one album, with all of them sending out Yuletide greetings in their own musical style. There are eight sides in all, which include: Dinah Shore singing "Happy Christmas, Little Friend"; Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra playing "Blue Christmas"; Eddie Fisher with "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful"; Eartha Kitt and her "Santa Baby"; Henry Rene's orchestra performing "The Christmas Song"; Tony Martin singing "Silent Night"; and Perry Como's "White Christmas." Oh, yes, the title — "Merry Christmas with The RCA Family." And Merry Christmas from me, too, and I hope the old boy brings you everything you want, especially a nice, happy 1955! Be seeing you next year.