TV Radio Mirror (Jul - Dec 1962)

ON THE RECORD Your Monthly ON RECORD Guide 20 BROADWAY STAGE ••Cast Album of "No Strings" Written by Richard Rodgers, featuring Diahann Carroll and Richard Kiley — Musical Direction, Peter Matz — Orchestrations by Ralph Burns (Capitol) — This is the most lightweight work Richard Rodgers has ever come up with. Unfortunately, his lyric writing is on an entirely different level from his musical writing. It succeeds at times, but very infrequently. On the whole, this score couldn't even bump its way into the other shows Rodgers has participated in creating. It has added to the quantity of already sad Broadway shows running ("Subways Are for Sleeping," "Carnival," etc). Miss Carroll and Mr. Kiley, for all their performing ability and vitality, are not heard to advantage here. The show lacks, sorely, a first-rate voice. (In fact, Miss Carroll's flat and biting sound on "Loads of Love" and "You Don't Tell Me" is irritating to this reviewer.) The orchestrations have no spectrum. They remain in one groove with blurts of brass from time to time. Very little excitement in this area. I'm told the show (live) plays well and is playing to good houses. It's possible it could hurdle these obstacles in the theater. The recording medium, though, makes its own demands. The stronger tunes are "Loads of Love," "Be My Host" (melodically), "You Don't Tell Me," "Orthodox Fool" and "Look No Further." POPULAR •••Bobby Darin Sings Ray Charles (Atco) — Though I strongly disagree with the idea of Bobby doing these already "done-up" and warmed tunes, I'm happy to say the album suffers very little as compared to Ray's original records. Bobby is perfectly at ease with allthe material. His sound is remarkably close to Ray's on several tracks. (The band arrangements are almost note-for-note imitations of the originals. This reviewer would have liked to see a change in that department.) Bobby takes care not to give out with the now famous Ray Charles' hollers, and justly so. The last thing Bobby would want anybody to think was that the album was not done with taste and respect for one of his favorite artists. (I assume the thought of someone thinking it mockery was considered strongly.) My favorite is "The Right Time." The vocal group of girls, who I believe worked with Ray originally, are here, too.. They work excellently with Bobby. The tunes are all winners. "Hallelujah, I Just Love Her So," "What I Say," "Drown in My Tears" and others. Bobby is certainly to be commended on his flexibility. Again, I find the idea a little strange. But the album — not at all! I have no doubts that it'll sell like hot cakes — it's an enjoyable tribute from one growing legend to another growing legend! •••Strange Enchantment, Vic Damone, Orch. conducted by Billy May (Capitol) — This is Vic's second effort for Capitol and it's way ahead of the first album in value. This album creates beautifully and totally the feeling of the tropical islands of the Blue Pacific. Billy May's highly pictorial arrangements, utilizing all the instruments of exotica, lead us through the magical archipelago with Vic's enchanting and resonant voiee, sitting comfortably, cushioned by the strings and the constant beguine beat. Like its source, this album is not flashy, but father permeated with the quality of the climate. Warm and rippling. "Shangri-la," "Ebbtide," "Beyond the Reef," "Flamingo" and "Bali Ha'i" are a few of the gems. Strong is the thread Vie weaves. Good photo of Vic on the back of the cover. Much. . . . Strange Enchantment! •••Stars in Our Eyes, The Four Freshmen (Capitol) — This is, a great group, but this is not a great album. The idea is a little limiting, considering these boys are head and shoulders over most of the vocal groups they pay tribute to. The most striking and unconventional interpretation is the bow to the Kingston Trio's big hit "Tom Dooley." It's done a cappella and hardly folksy, but it's an excursion that few groups have, the ability to make. The tunes range through "Shangrila," "Standing on the Corner," "Opus One," "Green Fields," "Love Is a ManySplendored Thing" to distaff honors