Screenland Plus TV-Land (Jul 1959 - May 1960)

Reviews of new discs by JIMMY DEAN, CBS-TV star PROBABLY the coolest of the cool school, the Cecil Taylor Quartet is currently heard on a Contemporary LP, "Looking Ahead." The Taylor piano spearheads a definitely avant garde approach to the subject of jazz. The numbers— six in all — are original (highly) compositions with much counterpoint and very little melody but still quite interesting. . . . Roy Hamilton possesses one of the really big voices in the music business and it was never bigger or better than in his Epic album, "Have Blues, Must Travel." Roy belts his way through such indigo classics as "Sophisticated Lady," "Solitude" and "Stormy Weather." It's the blues, man, the blues. . . . What could be a better combination than Jinunie Rodgers and a batch of Western ballads? We can't think of any, off hand. Jimmie does a superlative job of recreating the Old West in his latest Roulette album, "Twilight On The Trail." "Cool Water," "Oh Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie," "The Last Roundup" — you can smell the sagebrush as the Rodgers vocal magic casts its spell. ■ M-G-M has issued a posthumous pairing of Billie Holiday's soul-searing renditions of "Don't Worry 'Bout Me" and "Just One More Chance." The dual offering is another indication of how much Billie will be missed from the musical scene. When Billie died, the unique Holiday style went with her. The fact that we still have records such as this is a small consolation, at least. . . . Tommy Sands, who has been bowling 'em over in night club engagements, shows why on his latest Capitol offering, "That's The Way I Am" and "I'll Be Seeing You." Tommy turns the standard "Seeing You" into his own personal property and does just about as good a job on the flip side. ... A human cannonball, name of Ronnie Hawkins, has an album on the Roulette label, bearing his name as its title, that takes off like a jet and heads straight for outer space. Ronnie wears rock'n'roll like a glove. Accompanied by the Hawks, 56 Ronnie has a voice that embodies all the good points of rhythm and blues. A big chunk of the R V R numbers in the album were written by Hawkins, which adds another gold star to his report card. . . . The light touch typifies blind Scottish pianist Joe Saye's keyboard style. And it's found in abundance in the Mercury album "A Double Shot Of Joe Saye." Joe, with a small group that includes flute and guitar, runs through both standards and original compositions which are very Scottish in flavor. Among the standards covered are "Younger Than Springtime," "No Two People" and "Let's Call The Whole Thing off." . . . Red-hot Delia Reese, now performing under the Victor banner, has a super sales item in a 45er pairing, "Don't You Know" and "Soldier, Won't You Marry Me." "Don't You Know" is a takeoff on a melody from "Der Rosenkavalier" while "Soldier" is a well-known folk song. In both cases, Delia brings her own special brand of vocalisthenics into play. . . . One of the most refreshing albums to come along in a great while is Victor's "Just For Kicks" performed by Bob Thompson, his orchestra and chorus. The arrangements are wild and wonderful. The standards in this package never had it so good and that includes the likes of "Makin' Whoopee," "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Mad About The Boy." . . . The new Victor album by the Crew Cuts, "The Crew Cuts Sing," is simply that, a fine old mixture of barber shop ballads with several songs of The Twenties. A nostalgic good time is had by all on such real old favorites as "My Gal Sal," "Sweet Adeline" and "Cruising Down The River." ■ Joni James, she of the many hit records, has a hit album in the offing — her new M-G-M etching, "Joni Swings Sweet." Joni picks up the beat on this one, but with aplomb, man. The tempo is up but not the blood pressure. Joni has things very much under control delivering gems such as "After You've Gone," "How About You" and "Too Mar velous For Words." . . . Neil Seda the talented youngster who compo plays the piano and sings, has two r sides of the latter out on the Vic label. Neil's latest offerings are "! Carol," and "One Way Ticket." Even his tender years, Neil knows his \ around a rock'n'roll tune — but good. . "Como Swings," the title of Pe Como's latest Victor LP is no misnon Como comes on like Peter Gunn. T, World's Most Relaxed Singer can s belt with the best of 'em. Witness Pen treatment of "You've Come A Long ^ From St. Louis" and "Route 66." . Mercury Records is guilty of no indisi tion in releasing Patti Page's album that name. Pattie's handling of a batch ballads is faultless. Patti comes pre close to being peerless in this departme Catch her tasteful treatment of "It . Depends On You" and "Lover Come B; To Me" — fine examples of the way to songs should be sung. . . . One of most listenable jazz recordings we've co across is the new Roulette album. "Try Little Tenderness," played by Tyi Glenn with strings. The Glenn Trombc is the perfect vehicle for the sw swingin' sound that the ballads covei call for. All of the numbers are in vein of the title song. ■ For some time now, a new John Ma'this album has assured Columbia R ords of hefty sales figures. His latest 1 "Heavenly," should be no exception the rule. It's filled with the kind ballad that Johnny has made his o special domain. The pace is easy, i delivery romantic, the net result mi than satisfactory. ... A jumpin' Sai Vaughan is upon us! And why not? her latest Mercury album, she's bad by the whole Count Basie band with I notable exception of the leader m; which explains the LP's title, "No Coi Sarah." It's a dynamic set, indeed, w the highpowered Basie organization si plying the fuse to set off a sizzling San . . . It doesn't make too much differer how you slice it; Rosemary Cloon is one of the country's top warblers, any doubt exists in your mind, j check her M-G-M pairing, "I Wond< and "For You." Rosie has a musi parlay that's a sure winner artistica and financially. . . . Tommy Edwar latest brace of ballads etched for M-G "I Looked At Heaven" and "I've Be There," both have a similar theme 1 that shouldn't stop anyone from latchi onto a double portion of a good thing. . Perez Prado is just about undispul king of the cha-cha and mambo mu makers. So it's a real treat when Pei points his orchestra in a new directii In his latest Victor album, "Pops A Prado," Perez puts the Afro-Cuban b< to work on a set of American standar The results are unusually exciting a irresistibly danceable. You will really surprised at what tunes you can go oi two-cha-cha-cha to. ei