Variety (August 1950)

42 ORCHRSTRAS-MUSIC ' ' Wednesday, August 9, 1950 To Be Settled Next Month in N. Political campaign inside Ameri- f can Federation of Labor Local 802, N. Y., in preparation of biennial election of union officers in De- cember, is slated to break wide open after Labor Day. Election- eering slugfest will be touched off then by the organization of the Blue ticket caucus, repping the ad- ministration forces, which up to now have been keeping under wraps despite a barrage of criti- cism from the opposition groups. Status of* Richard McCann, Lo- cal 802 prexy, as standard-bearer of the Blue forces wiUbe definite-: ly settled early next month at its caucus meetings. Reportedly, Mc- Cann has been attempting to with- draw as presidential candidate be- cause of pressing personal rejasons, but other leaders of the Blue ticket have asked him to hold off on any decision until the caucus is con- vened. Strong possibility is that McCann will step down, with Charles Iucci, local’s secretary, be- ing named to head the ticket. Fuel to the electioneering will be furnished early in September by action of the union’s exec board oil a series of resolutions up be- fore it. Whatever recommenda- tions the exec board makes, it’s virtually certain that the dissident groups will put the administration under heavy criticism. Chief beef of the opposition has been that Lo- cal 802 leaders have failed to solve, partially or fully, the unemploy- ment situation among the 20,000 members in the N. Y; local. William Feinberg, presidential candidate for the Unity group, is still looking for running, mates to complete the group’s slate. Indi-: cations are that Unity will come up with other candidates after La- bor Day in time to meet the coun- ter-offensive of the administration. Several other minority groups have also entered the ring but pre-elec- tion strength narrows the field down to a close battle between Feinberg and the incumbents. ‘Stars’ Moppet Set Herbert Coleman, Negro kid singer who made his debut in the Broadway production of "Lost In The Stars/' has been signed by Apollo Records, N. Y. Kid’s initial waxing* "Teasing," backed by ‘Til Wait,” is scheduled for release around Aug. 20. Also signed by Apollo was Cole- man’s sister Yvonne, another mop- pet. She duets with her brother on the ‘‘Teasing” number. Top Songs on TV (Alphabetically Listed ) Week of July 28-Aug. 3 (Based on copyrighted Audi- ence Coverage Index and Au- dience Trend Index, published by Office of Research, Inc., Or. John G. Peatman, director. ... Bewitched ......... Chappell Wanna Be Loved....Supreme Vie En Rose Harms That’s Plenty. .....,. .Simon Tzena Tzena . . .Undetermined 5 Top Standards Ain’t She Sweet Advanced Begin the Beguine.. .\ . Harms Charleston ■.. Harms Happy Days Again. . Advanced Kick Out of You .. .. ..Harms to Composer Ferde Grofe will re- vise at least three themes from his new musical narration, ‘‘Atlantic Crossing,” into popular songs. Grofe, who left for London Sun- day (6) to record the work with the New Symphony, said he won’t revise the melodies until this winter, after the records have been released. He is completing orches- tration of the work now. Narration has a number of themes describing segments of a trip to Europe. It's likely that the romantic, theme, a French waltz and a sea theme will be chosen for pop publication. Upon his return to New York Aug. 19, Grofe” proceeds to the Coast, where in September, he will finish, his Capitol recording of his ‘‘Death Valley” and a new recording of his ‘‘Grand Canyon Suite” for the diskery. He’s record- ing ‘‘Atlantic Crossing” for London on a six-months exclusive basis, Continued from page 41 Jocks, Jukes and Disks By HERM SCHOENFELD Damone’s Sales Force Merc to Increase Crew Move to slice the number of art- tempted to close a deal with Vic- tor for the past few weeks, but latter, despite allegedly heavy coin offers to other artists, did not yield. Manie Sacks, RCA artists relations chief, postponed a sched- uled trip to Chicago last Wednes- day (2) to talk over the situation, but without arriving at a settlement. Although Dorsey has also ahkled Victor, the bandleader has not as yet lined up a berth at another diskery. Reiner’s moveover from Colum- bia to Victor climaxes a long se- ries of longhair switches involving Sir Thomas Beecham, Rise Stevens, Helen Traubel, Dorothy Kirsten, Gregor Piatigorsky and several others. Score between the disk- ettes is approximately even in the number of won and lost, but Rein- er’s move is an important gain for Victor’s Red Seal department. Reiner has been responsible for several important works in Colum- bia!s_Masterw.orks-catalog^- -—— Victor, meantime, is prepping further cutbacks in its artists’ ros- ter working in the pop division. Now containing about 50 different vocalists and bands, the Victor list is due to be pared by some eight to 10 names which have not proved to be adequate grosses of late. Columbia president Ted Waller- stein, accompanied by a group of the diskery’s sales execs, will ad- dress three regional distributor meetings on the company’s sales policies starting Aug. 14 in San Francisco. Group will complete its coast-to-coast junket Aug. 22 in At- lantic City, following a meeting in Chicago. In all, the group will address 37 Columbia distribs—eight in Frisco, 14 in Chicago and 15 in Atlantic City. Frisco meeting will be held Aug. 14-15; Chicago, Aug. 17-18, and Atlantic City Aug. 21-22. Accompanying Wallerstein will be Paul E. Southard, merchandis- ing veepee; Jeff Wilson, general sales manager, and Ken McAllister, advertising - promotion director. Meetings will discuss general sales policy arid fall and Christmas pro- motion plans. It’s also expected that Wallerstein will give distribu- tors information on Columbia’s de- cision to test 45 rpm records and the diskery’s future policy in the "battle of the speeds.” This is the first time Columbia is meeting with its nationwide dis- tributing reps on a regional basis. Formerly, the diskery would hold either; one meet for all reps, or Would hold regional meetings over a period of months! Present Series covers nationwide distrib setup in a matter of eight days. Mercury Records, currently do- ing its best business in months, has added to its Newark factory crew. Corporation has added pressmen and shippers to keep up with de- mand. Mercury biz has been upped especially by big disk comeback of Vic Damone, who has a couple of hits on. his hands;. Damone’s ver- sions of "Vagabond Shoes,” which no other label has released yet al- though others have cut the song and “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” are ac- counting for most of the sales. r ists was indicated recently by com- pany’s artist and repertory chief, who is accenting a new policy of waxing fewer and better selected disks. , In losing Kaye and Dorsey* Vic- tor is shorn of two top bands which have figured rather prominently in the company’s drive to revive dance bands. Both Kaye and Dor- sey were included in the recent series of albums titled overall with the tagline: "Here Come the Dance Bands Again.” Victor, however has about 15 dance bands left in its stable, including Gene Krupa and Frankie Carle, who previously cut for Columbia. Frankie Laine: "Music, Maestro, Please”-“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” (Mercury). "Maestro,” recently launched by Lorry Ralne for Uni- versal, gets a top commercial treat- ment' by Laine, who rides this torch item with a dramatic, delib- erate beat. Solid, background by Harry Geller’s dfch and pianist Carl Fisher give it big jock arid juke potential; On reverse, Laine gives the oldie a bang-up rhythm kick-a round. Bill Darnel: “Well, Oh, Well”- "Pink Champagne” (Coral). Darnel, on the margin between a rhythm- blues artist and a pop singer, turns out consistently interesting disks even when his material is a bit weak. "Well” has a tricky beat and little else, musically, but Dar- nel . sells it to the hilt. "Cham- pagne” is an okay, rhythm number also bounced strongly by Darnel. Unbilled orch accomps. Mindy Carson: "You're Not In My Arms Tonight” “The Touch of Your Lips” (Victor). Working with Hugo Winterhalter, Miss Carson has sliced a pair of smooth sides, "Arms,” an excellent ballad v is warmly vocalled for maximum im- pact; Reverse, a standard, gets a similar ace treatment. Both sides are lifted by Winterhalter’s lush choral and instrumental back- grounds. Percy Faith; "All My Love”- "This Is The Time” (Columbia). "All My Love” gets another fine interpretation on this cut. Faith’s arrangement of the bolero-type song is rich, but tasteful, arid this slice should garner some, of the play orch shows up solidly on the straight crooning chores. Also sells "Hon- estly” with a simple attack. Jack Pleis orch accomps smartly. Guy ! Lombardo: "La Vie en Rose”-“It All Begins and Ends With You” (Decca). While a little late with "La Vie en Rose,” Lom- bardo’s dance interpretation should command attention. Fine arrange- ment includes good vocal by Bill Flanagan. "Begins and Ends” also receives danceable arrangement and excellent vocal treatment * by Flanagan. Dean Martin-Starlighters: "Ped- dler’s Serenade” -.‘‘Wham Bam, Thank You, Ma’am” (Capitol). "Serenade” is another Italian- styled item, given an okay rendi- tion by Martin arid the Starlight- ersi May get some : juke recogni- tion. "Wham Bam” is . a rhythm number that’s undistinctive in both creation and execution.; Vaughn Monroe: "Why Fight the Feeling”-“The Beer That I Left on the Bar” (Victor); Monroe’s inter- pretation of the new Frank Loesser ballad, “Why Fight the Feeling,” leaves much to be desired, with vocal riot*'getting, feel of the song. Reverse is a sentimental drinking song with a pretty melody that would have been better suited to another set of lyrics. Singer and chorus do good jab, however/* and this one may hit. Charlie Spivak: "Friendly Star”- “Three Little Words” (London). Spivak’s side bn "Friendly Star” is just a routine version of a pretty ballad from new film, "Summer Stock.” Tommy Lynn’s vocal is , okay. Reverse side gives the Har* on this number. Excellent i ry Ruby-Bert Kalmar standard a arid choral blending also is • fine rhythm . ride. Rusty Nichols attained on Hipover. —----- Russ Morgan’s Be Faithful” the fine ballad on the Orch: "Beloved, "You Dreamer You” (Decca), Morgan has a likely num- ber in “Faithful.” Number’s melody contains several familiar themes but that’s no, handicap in this in- stance, since overall effect is pleas- antly catching. Morgan’s orch and chorus bounce it saleably. Morgan’s vocal of "Dreamer” is okay on the reverse. Richard Hayes - Kitty K a l ie n: "Our Lady Of Fatima”-“Honestly, I Love You” (Mercury). "Fatima” is a religioso item that’s been stir- ring some activity. Number has a timely war lyric and this cut should help hike acceptance despite the departure from the usual pop for- mat. Hayes and Miss Kallen team neatly on “Honestly,” a good bal- lad. Jimmy Carroll’s orch furnishes good framework. Snooky Lansori: "You Wonder- ful You’’-"Honestly I Love You” (London). Although not the- type of material Lanson is best suited for, “Wonderful” gets a firie vocal slated for plenty of spins. Larison on , Wee k of flufc . 5 1. 2. 3. MONA LISA (5) (Paramount) .... Cole Trio BEWITCHED (14) (Chappell) . I WANNA BE LOVED (11) (Supreme) .Capitol Victor Young •........... .Decca | Gordon Jenkins ......... . Decca } Bill S\iyder ........... Tower f Andrews Sis-Jenkins ....... Decca J 4. SAM’S SONG (3) (Sam Weiss) 5. HOOP-DEE-DOO (12) (Morris) • « ■ I 9.9 9 9 9 . 1 TZENA, TZENA, TZENA (4) (Cromwell) I 7. MY FOOLISH HEART (17) (Santly-Joy) .9 - • BONAPARTE’S RETREAT (3) (Acuff-Rose) GOODNIGHT IRENE (1) (Cromwell) t 10. THIRD MAN THEME (19) (Chappell) 8, 9. Honor McDowell Peterborough, N. H., Aug. 8. The memory of the composer, Edward McDowell, was honored here when the $1,800,000 Edward McDowell Dam was dedicated in the presence of more than 1,000 persons, including Gov. Sherman Adams, U.S. Senator Charles W. Tobey and other dignitaries. More than 40 years ago, Mc- Dowell founded the McDowell Colony here, which has been a haven for composers, artists and t t» .* > * •. ' Second Croup SIMPLE MELODY (Berlin) SENTIMENTAL ME (15) (Knickerbocker) ....., I DIDN’T SLIP, I WASN’T PUSHED, I FELL (Remick) VAGABOND SHOES (Jefferson) COUNT EVERT STAR (Paxton) LA\ VIE EN ROSE (Harms) . NOLA (Sam Fox) ... I DON’T CARE IF THE SUN DON’T SHINE (6) (Famous) IT ISN’T FAIR (1$) (Words-Music) STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER (Church) ) Billy Eckstine j Joe. “Fingers” Carr . . I Bing & Gary Crosby* V Perry Como. ...... \ Kay Starr \ Jenkins-Weavers ) Mitch 1 Miller. j Gordon Jenkins. \ Billy Eckstine Kay Starr Jenkins-Weavers (Antoil Karas ... } Guy Lombardo. . .• $ 9 9 9 p «:.• • 0 9 • • till < M-G-M ... Capitol ... . .Decca ... Victor .. . Capitol ... . Decca . Columbia .. . Decca m-g-m ... Capitol .. . .Decca , London . Decca I Bing & Gary Crosby':. Ames Bros. ..... Russ Morgan. Doris Day.. . Decca Coral Decca .Columbia 9. 0 I I i l l # • '♦ I • • « ♦ • •" • ( « I • M AMERICAN BEAUTY ROSE (Jefferson) RAIN (Miller) .. .. ROSES (6) (Hill-Range) ...... STARS ARE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN (Pickwick) ......... I CROSS MY FINGERS (United) « 9 9 9 Damone ...... Hugo Winterhalter. Tony. Mortin Les Paul Patti Page. . Sammy Kaye j Frankie Laine . ........ /j Ralph Flanagan Frank Sinatra ,... Frank Petty Trio. Sammy Kaye Ames Bros. ., Perry Como • ••it « * i i » i • i i i«i . .■■. Mercury ..... Victor .Victor Capitol ,. . Mercury ..... Victor .,. Mercury .... Victor .Columbia , M-G-M- , Victor . Coral .Victor l Figures in parentheses indicate number oj weeks song has been in the Tap 10.3 actotfs/ is backed on vocal with clean and sharp instrumental. Platter Pointers Columbia has assembled a fiock of Abe Burrows’ items into a clever long-play disk under the gag title “Abe Burrows Sings?”.. Kay Thompson and quartet sriap- pily deliver a couple of fine stand- ards, “Was That The Human Thing To Do” and “That Old Feeling,” for Decca.. ."Old Man Atom.” vo- called by the Sons of the Pioneers for Victor, is arresting in a grue- some sort of way . . .Bob Crosby has come up with some more solid dixieland-march tunes in "El Capi- tal?” and ‘‘Semper Fidelis March” (Coral).. Four Tunes have a good version of “Say When” (Victor).. Al. Morgan has a pleasant, but not standout, version of “Can Anyone Explain” (London).. Irving Field and his trio has another exciting disk in “Gypsy Festival” and “The Fox Hunt” (Victor) ; . .Don Cherry scores in "Here In My Arms” (Dec- ca) . . Martha Tilton has a good jock and juke side in “Thinking of You” (Coral). . Kay Armen falls below her usual excellence in "Don’t Play With Fire” for Lon- don,. .Harry Geller has an inter- esting side in "The Monkey Stage- coach” (Mercury).. . Jack Pleis orch slice of “Ragamuffin” and ‘‘La Petite Valse” rates spins Wayne King has a neat side in “Waltz Of the Wind” (Victor).. Xavier Cu- gat’s rendition of “All My Love” is plenty good (Columbia).. On sa\me label, Toni Harper delivers cutely on “The Dish Rag”.. .Jerry Byrd’s steel guitar and the Har- jmonicats , make listenable sounds out of “At Sundown” (Mercury). * Standout folk, western, jazz, re- ligious, ^tc.; Muggsy Spanier’s Dix- ieland Band, “Feather Brain” (Mer- cury) . Louis Jordan’s Tympany Five. “I Want A Roof Over My Head” (Decca).. Smokey Rogers, “The Texas Song” (Coral).. Rex Allen, “Foggy River” (Mercury) . . Hank Garland, “Guitar Shuffle” (Decca) . Toby Dowdy, “Steppin’ Out” (Mercury) . . . Progressive Four, “When The Saints Come Marching In(’ (Mercury). Boze’s Vauders Calvin Boze’s orqh, newly- f brined seven-man crew which began working its way east from the Coast July 15’ via a string of one-niters, is set to go into the Earle, Philadelphia, for a week be- ginning Aug. 25. Appearing with Boze at the Earle will be The Ravens, who also go with him to the Howard, Washington, for a week starting Sept. 1, apd the Apollo, N. Y.» week beginning Sept. 21, On his current string of one- niters BOze is traveling as a package with songstress Dinah Washington. Roland Drayer band opens ^a four-week stay at Showland, Dallas nite spot, Aug. 29. Mary Carroll, now singing solo at the spot, will join band as featured vocalist. '