Variety (Sep 1938)

44 VARIETY Inside Stuff-Music MUSIC-DANCE Music Notes Dick Himber thinks that Chappell has a hit on its hands despite itself in 'Dream Dust' by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, judging by the requests which force Himber to reprise it constantly. Chappell decided to lay off plugging it because the Cole Porter tunes out of 'You Never Know' came along and demanded all the plugging resources of the firm, with decision to hold 'Dream Dust' batk until later. That's not an uncommon occurrence, 'Lambeth Walk' being a recent instance where returners from London forced the smart nitery maestros to dig up copies and play it ad lib, even though Jack Mills was holding back the American campaign due to a technical difference with the London show managers from whence 'Lambeth Walk' originated. In the case of 'Dream Dust,' while Chappell told the maestro they were laying off plugging it pro tern, the Essex House (N.Y.) leader has been forced to accede to requests. Another reason for Chappell's holding it back is a desire to switch a few notes in the song, as the range is too tough for vocalists. Plan to erect a monument by subscription to the memory of John Philip Sousa was accorded excellent coverage in the New York press last week. Following the story the Times lauded the idea editorially. Sunday (25) Damon Runyon devoted his column in the Mirror to the former March King's memorial. Conference of the National Council of Bandmasters was held early this week in the offices of Joseph N. Weber, musicians' union head, for the purpose of formulating final arrangements. These ^present included Weber who is chairman of the movement, Gene Buck, Arthur Pryor, Dr. George H. Gartland, Dr. Joseph Maddy, Edwin Franko Goldman, Capt. Francis W. Sutherland, Lambert L. Eben and August Huebscher. Ben Oakland and Sam Lerner cleffed 'Everybody's Laughing,' to be published by Kalmar-Ruby. Eddie Cherkose and Walter Kent doing the songs for 'Rodeo Buster' and 'Colorado Sunset* at Republic. Boss' Dl Magglo scoring 'Ride 'Em Cowboy' for Coronado Films at General Service studios. Eddie Cherkose and Walter Kent wrote 'Just a Busted Broncho Bus- ter' for Republic's 'Rodeo Buster.' Only a small portion of the 150,000 shares of Decca Records which Reynolds & Co., Wall Street house, has just put on the market, came out of the phonograph manufacturer's treasury. Edward T. (Ted) Lewis, head of the British Decca setup which controls the American firm, dis- posed of 133,000 shares of his Decca stock to Reynolds & Co., while another 17,000 shares was sold from the Decca treasury at $5 a share, with the money received to be*treated as additional working capital. Reynolds is asking $5.25 a share. It makes the first time that any Decca stock has been made available to the American investment public. Bound for Boston and the opening of Clyde Lucas orch at the Statler Hotel there, Willard Alexander and Bill Goodhart of Music Corp. of America were trapped on a train near New London, Conn., during the height, of last week's hurricane and forced to spend the night aboard the rattler. Pair left New York Wednesday (21) afternoon and arrived at New London just in time to be caught in the middle of the storm. Hiring a car Thursday morning the two managed to'reach New Haven where they caught a train to New York, arriving late in the afternoon. Lucas is in the Statler for four weeks, with Leighton Noble following. . For the first time in several years the sheet bestseller list, as compiled for the past week, gives the first five places to songs with film sources Although a standard pop, 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' can attribute its major counter revival only to its inclusion in the filmusical of the same name. Judging from the call at jobbers with the start of the current week, this list .of film tunes will be increased to seven in the next compilation During the past three or four years it has been common for non-film numbers to dominate the top groupings on best seller compilations. Fourth installment of ASCAP's index of song titles has gone out; it numbers 10,400. Thus, over 44,000 compositions have been, indexed anc distributed to ASCAP licensees. Victor Young Is scoring 'Flirting With Fate' at Universal, with three new tunes by Walter G. Samuels and Charles Newman. Lew Porter sold synchronization rights to his song, 'Symphony of the Prairie,' to "Edward Finney for a Tex Ritter western. Parian Meyers and Harvey William Moore sold their song, "'Fisherman's Chanty,' to Sol Lesser. Bobby Breen will sing it in 'Fisherman's Wharf.* Smiley Burnette wrote words and music of 'Throwing the Bull' for Republic's 'Rodeo Buster.' Victor Young doing the musical scoring for Max Fleischer's cartoon, Gulliver's Travels,' in Miami. Herbert Stothart finished scoring on 'Sweethearts' at Metro and went to work on 'The Wizard of Oz.' Herb Waters, Chick Kardale and Jimmy Franklin wrote a nursery- rhyme swing song, 'R^in. Rain, Go Away,' to be published by Exclusive. Mort Green and Will Jason did the musical score for Metro's 'Once Over Lightly,' with four original songs. Screen Music, Inc., is supervising the musical scoring on eight Tim McCoy westerns for Victory Pro- ductions. Franz Waxman and Harry Tobias cleffed 'The Young in Heart' for the Selznick-International picture of that title.. It will be published by Leo Feist. Wednesday, September 28, 1938 New 'light' on Security Tax Washington, Sept. 27. Further clarification of the problem of deciding who is liable for- social security tax payments on behalf of orchestra members was given last week by the. Internal Revenue Bureau in an advisory opinion concerning non-name bands. In accordance with former interpretations, the Treasury held the individual who engages an agent to recruit a team for specific engagements is the legal 'em- ployer' and must make contributions, besides deducting the work- ers' slice, under the old-age pension provisions of the act. This is the procedure when the 'purchaser' of talent dictates the location, time, and nature of the performance and the tunesters are not under formal contract in a permanent organization. If the agent who lines up the musicians performs as leader or a member, he likewise is an 'employee' or the talent 'purchaser.' Band Reviews PENN WAYNE OBCHESTBA (13) With Bonnie Chase, Don Juans (3) Cafe Loyale, N. Y. Formerly piano player and ar- ranger with Don Bestor, Wayne is new as a leader." His crew has been in existence abou. six months, but in that time has welded itself into a smooth and danceable crew. Spent the summer playing at the Bluff House, Milford, Pa., where it was heard and booked for the re- opening of the Loyale. Spot has never had a crew as large as this, which includes two trumpets, two trombones four sax, and four rhythm, adding up to 12 pieces and Wayne. Arrangements, most of which are written bv members of the band, call for never less than four pieces riding together, that is, four beside the rhythm. It makes for a velvety tone that urges diners to dance, and they do. Though essentially a sweet combo, it occasionally does break loose to ride for younger pa- trons, but never employs an offen- sive, blaring style. Outfit isn't lacking in showman- ship, either, its book including sev- eral numbers in which the band softly choruses the lyrics in unison. Ronnie Chase of the brass section handles the vocals and is occasion- ally joined by two others to make up the Don Juans (3). Chase or the trio make good listening. Wayne himself makes a neat appearance stickwaving the crew. In the past the Loyale has con- centrated more on the table d'hote rather than music as a lure, but it currently has both. ANDY KIRK Orchestra (IS) With Mary Lou Williams, Pha Ter- rell I Apollo, N. Y. | Kirk's crew is from the midwest MELTON SIGNED BY CHI OPERA FOR NOVEMBER James Melton has been signed for a series of November appearances with the Chicago Civic Opera Co., his first dates with that outfit. He ■will do 'Madame Butterfly,' 'La Tra- viata' and possibly 'Manon.' Tenor Js also preparing 'Lucia,' 'Mignon,' and 'Faust,' which will give him a repertoire of six operas. Attendance for Melton's appear- ance in 'Butterfly' with the San Carlo Opera Co., at the Center the- ater, New York, last week was the heaviest of the troupe's engagement. There were between .500 and 600 Standees and more than that many firere turned away. Cleve. Symph Opens Oct. 13 Cleveland, Sept. 27. Cleveland Symph jumps into its 21st season at Severance Hall Oct. 13 with . Dr. Artur Rodzinski begin- ning his sixth season as conductor, and Rudolph Ringwall as associate director. Twelve pairs of concerts scheduled this winter, in addition to regular Eastern tour by symph in early spring. Soloists to include Raya Garbousova,. Artur Rubinstein, Ar- tur Schriabel, Ruth Slenczynski, Jan Smeterlin, Paul Wittgenstein in Cleveland debut Georges En'escb and Boris Goldovsky. Orchestra also to play for Monte Carlo Ballet Russe, due at Public Music Hall Dec. 2. — Armstrong" BuclnrffStoad^ Completing his picture chores, Louis Armstrong left the «0ast Mon- day (26) by plane^ for Baton Rouge, La., where he picks up his band and starts.on a one-nighter and theatre tour. Crew plays two successive dates Jn Baton Rouge, opening Friday (30). Date is really one but split into White and colored hops. Network Plugs, 8 A.M. to 1 A.M. Following is a totalization of the combined plugs of current tunes on NBC (WEAF and WJZ), and CBS (WABC) computed for the week from Monday through Sunday {Sept. 19-25). Total represents accumu- lated performances on the two major networks from 8 a. m. to 1 o. m. In 'Source'column, * denotes film song, t legit tunes, and 'pop' speaks for itself. - GBAND TITLE PUBLISHES SOURCE. TOTAL. Stop Beating Around the Mulberry Bush.. BVC... Pop 52 Lambeth Walk Mills ;.Pop 38 Change Partners Berlin * Carefree 37 I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams Santly-Joy ,...*Sing You Sinners 35 What Goes on Here in My Heart Paramount *Give Me a Sailor. 33 So Help Me Remick Pop 31 A-Tisket A-Tasket Robbins Pop 31 Small Fry Famous *Sing You Sinners 30 Don't Cross Your Fingers Ager-Yellen '.; ..Pop 28 How Can We Be Wrong Crawford Pop 28 At Long Last Love Chappell tYou Never Know. 28 You Go to My Head Remick Pop 26 Heart and Soul Famous *A Song Is Born 25 Garden of the Moon Harms * Garden of the Moon 25 When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby .Santly-Joy Pop 24 Don't Let That Moon Get Away Santly-Joy *Sing You Sinners. 22 There's a Faraway Look in.Your ....Tenney ....Pop 22 If I Loved You More Words-Music Pop 21 My Own Robbins That Certain Age 19 I'm Gonna Lock My Heart..... Shapiro Pop 19 Now It Can Be Told Berlin •Alexander's Ragtime Band 19 I've Got a Date with a Dream Feist *My Lucky Star ... 19 Why Doesn't Somebody Tell Me Thi Shapiro Pop 18 Alexander's Ragtime Band ABC ^Alexander's Ragtime Band 18 I Haven't Changed a Thing Mills ....Pop 17 You Never Know ...Chappell tYou Never Know.., 17 Lullaby in Rhythm ; Robbins Pop 17 Bambina ••. Spier Pop .. 1 .17 Love Is Where You Fi ...Harms "Garden of the Moon..- 15 The Yam ..Berlin *Carefree ' 15 Monday Morning. Witmaik Pop , 14 Put Your Heart in a Song Miller *Breakin the Ice 14 Could You Pass in Love? Feist My Lucky Star 14 My Walking Stick - Berlin * Alexander's Ragtime Band 13 When a Prince of a Fella Remick -.Pop 13 I Used to Be Color Blind Berlin *Carefree 15; Toy Trumpet Circle *Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm .. 12 Summer Souvenirs BVC Pop Girl Friend of the Whirli Harms *Garden of the Moon All Ashore Shapiro Pop Colorado Sunset Gilbert -Pop Marilu ...Fox., Pop The Night Is Filled with Music' Berlin ""Carefree Who Blew Out the Flame Feist Pop You're the Only Star in My Blue Heaven.Shapiro Pop There's Something About an Old Love.... Exclusive Pop and has been climbing slowly to some iavor among the jitterbugs of Har- em. Put on a neat little show in it- self here after shifting from the pit where they play for the other acts and skits. Mary Lou Williams, whose Decca recordings . of piano solos are best sellers, is the band's regular pianist, She and Pha Terrell, male vocalist, add plenty to the band's appeal. Miss Williams (Mrs. Kirk) is spotlighted most of the time at the keyboard. She clicks heavily but there's a little 100 much of her at the opening. First ;wo or three numbers' devotes the >and to backgrounding her work on the ivories. That could' be spread more throughout to intersperse or be included as a third chorus in num- bers sung by Terrell. She's also a composer and arranger and plays one or two of her own compositions. Terrell is evidently popular with Apollo's audiences. He's in solid be- fore he opens his mouth, and for good reason. He looks good fronting the band, sings well with it, and finally winds up leading while Kirk is off in the wings. Does 'So Help Me,' a tune particularly suitable to his voice and style, 'I'm Glad for Your Sake' and 'I'll Get Along Somehow.' Band occasionally blasts, but not too loud. It's the usual ,th£ee. trum-, pet, two trombone, Lfour sax, and four rhythm setup. Kirk would make the presentation look "better if he dis- carded the .glaring white stands arict^ substituted ones of a softer color..; Makes it look too gaudy. EDDIE BE LANGE ORCH. (15) With Elissa Cooper Show Bar, Forest Hills, L. I. De Laage has gathered a young crew around his baton' since split- ting with Will Hudson. When the two came to the parting of the ways Hudson took the original outfit, which,, has since been disbanded be- cause of its leader's temporary re- tirement for a rest, and DeLange went out and built a new one. It's been riding at this Long Island spot since last April and recently was signed by Ed Fishman of the Wm. Morris office- as part of the latter's new band dept. Average age. of the members of the aggregation DeLange picked for his start on his own is about 21 years. They're young but they seem to know their stuff. One ob- jectionable feature of the butfit is its blasting. Not every number, of course, but when it does start riding sans mutes, it hurts. Show Bar is not any too large to absorb it easily, but on the other hand the Bar gets a lot of shaggers, etc., who aren't satisfied with anything else. De- Lange has three trumpets, two trom- bones, four saxes, four rhythm, him- self and Elissa Cooper,»vocalist. When the arrangements call for the four saxes to come up, with muted brass in the background, the crew sends smoothly and solidly for thdse who like silky dance music. On the showy side DeLange and his crew show up well. Leader handles vocals, too. although on night caught was suffering with a cold. DeLange mixes easily and evi- dently is well liked by Bar's patrons. Often cuts in on dancers to give his version of the shag: and Lindy. Elissa Cooper has a swell set 01 pipes and an engaging mike person- ality that sets her solid. She and the band and DeLange do a 'John Peel' number that's exceptionally well done. 12 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 .11 No Wonder Crawford +Hellz-a-Poppin ' 11 ' 9 9 9 9 9 8 8 8 8 Is That the Way to Treat a Sweetheart.... Olman Pop Flat Foot Floogee Green Bros Pop Love of My Life ABC Pop When the Circus Came to-Town Shapiro Pop Little Kiss at Twilight , Paramount *Give Me a Sailor. On Sweetheart Bav Witmark Pop A Mist Over the Moon ABC Pop I Let a^Song Go Out of My Heart. Jersey Spots Perking New Jersey has three dance spots set to go all winter. Mosque has re- cently been active as a Saturday night dancery while the Elks Club and Continental have also spurted. Labor trouble holds back Mosque from developing into a prime spot. House insists on hiring of six spe- cial cops with renting of huge dance space. However, has been running Saturday and Sunday night promo- tions at 75c. Elks is also a week- end affair. Continental, not so new, going more for semi names lately. Where in the World ." Feist.'.'".'.'.'.'.'.' .*.'.'.'.'.'.'.' *.'.".'.' *Josette V.8 Georgie Stoll joined Herbert Stot- Teacher's Pet Marks Pop - 8 1 hart °n the scoring of Metros me I Married an Angel Robbins tl Marri 8 I Wizard of Oz.'