Radio varieties (Sept 1940-June 1941)

Patter Off the Platter Whether or not you've ever gone overboard for a pcaiicular record, you will as of next week. The occasion is going to be the releaf e of Artie Shaw's next hit, "Dancing in the Dark". It's that good. Such a recording could only have been made with his large orchestra. The sweep of the strings, the sonority of the brass, the blend of the reeds, the flexible swing of the rhythm section, and above all Shaw's master miisicianship, all add up to a definitive recording of this Howard Dietz Arthur Schwartz favorite. You would expect a good recording from Shaw but this one is masterful. The reverse is a natural coupling, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", performed by Artie and his Gramercy Five in intimate, chambermusic jazz style. The tempo borders on slow with the Show clarinet setting the pace. (Victor 27335) Joe Reichman, the Pagliacci of the piano, is up next with his second Victor record, "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", and "Keep an Eye on Your Heart", a coupling that is just as good as his first. loe offers grand hotel music in ultra smart arrangements, plus his own nimble pianistics. Marion Show is the vocalist. (Victor 27333) Donald Lambert is a young Negro pianist who has a keyboard style like a bolt of greased lightning. You'll have to hear "Anitra's Dance" and "Elegie" yourself to believe it. Solely the musical product of Donald Lambert himself, he has styled Grieg and Massenet in a manner which would astound any piano teacher and that includes ourselves. (Bluebird B-1 1053) On the Bluebird Race lists, the Hot Lips Page trio hold forth with more authentic blues, presenting "Evil Man's Blues", a composition of the famous English critic Leonard Feather, and "Do It, If You Wanna". The numbers ore notable for Page's trumpet and Teddy Bunn's guitar. (Bluebird B8634) The amazing Mr. Miller plays "Song of the Volga Boatman" and you can bet your shirt it will be a hit. Done up in Glenn's compelling drag tempo, the Millerized tune has the power and kick of a quart of vodka. The reverse is a slow "Chapel In the Valley" with velvet saxes and the voice of Bob Eberle. (Bluebird B-1 1029) Tommy Dorsey has the dancers in mind on his pairing of "Do I Worry?" and "Little Man With a Candy Cigar", delivering these newer ballads with smooth orchestrations and vocals. Frank Sinatra and Pied Pipers cooperate on the lyrics of the first while Miss Jo Stafford of the Pipers takes care of the coupling. (Victor 27338) Lionel Hampton introduces a new group with his recording of "Bogo Jo", the Hampton Rhythm Girls who can scat with the best of them. The tune is rocking and easy, the words don't make sense but you won't mind in the least. The other side is "Open House", quiet and well behaved swing. (Victor 27341) Tony Pastor gives "Pale Moon", and "Hep-Tee-Hootie" his lowdown scat interpretations, singing all the way. "The Pastor twist is particularly surprising in tthe first which is a standard for many an aspiring concert soprano. The full band work is excellent. (Bluebird B-1 1040) Whether or not you admit a liking for Hawaiian music, you'll be partial to "Lttle Brown Gal" and "Kawika" as played by Johnny Kaonohi Pineapple and his Native Islanders, Johrmy is currently packing them in at Florida's newest nitery, Singapore Sadie's, and these tunes are among his most requested numbers. They have all the necessary ingredients, Hawaiian guitar, island drums and the voices of Napua Woodd (cq), Johnny himself and the trio (Bluebird B-1 1027) Vaughn Monroe combines a Hit Parader, "There'll Be Some Changes Made", with an immortal favorite of the old school "Dardonella", and does a bang-up job on both. The first serves to introduce his new vocalist, lovely Marilyn Duke, after a superlative Dixieland Band first chorus. "Dardanella" is faster with crisp brass and saxes in a beautifully performed arrangement. Al King is responsible for the trumpet work, Andrew Dagni plays the exceptional alto sax. (Bluebird B-1 1025) RADIO VARIETIES No. 4, VOLUME 3 MARCH, 1941 Page Jerry Colonna Corer Poller Off the Plotter 2 Guest Column by Uncle Ezra ' A Good Trick — If You Con Do It 5 Let's Look ot WLS ^ Life of Pot Buttrocm 8 & 9 Rodio ond Notionol Defense ^^ F. L. ROSENTHAL, Publisher WILTON ROSENTHAL, EdUor Publishod at 1056 West Van Buien Street, Chicago, Illinoia. F. L. Rosenthal, Publisher. New York Office: 485 Madison Avenue, Hollywood Office: 3532 Sunset Boulevard. Published Monthly. Single Copies, ten cants. Subscription rate $1.00 per year in the United States and Possessions, $1.50 in Cemada. Entered as second class matter January 10, 1940, at the post office at Chicago, Illinois, under the act of March 3, 1879. Every effort will be made to return unused manuscripts, photographs, and drawings (if accompanied by sufficient fiist-class postage and name and address), but we will not be respoiuible for any losses for such matter contributed The publishers assume no responaibility for statements made herein by contributors and correspondents, nor does publicatioB mdioate approval thereof. RADIO VARICTIES — MARCH