Variety (January 19, 1955)

48 MUSIC Wednesday, January 19, 1955 Jocks, Jukes and Disks By MIKE GROSS Sarah Vaughan: “How Important Can It Be”-"Waltzir,g Down The Aisle” (Mercury). It's going to be a neck-and-neck race for the pay- off slice of “IIow Important Can It Be.” Tune is a solid ballad entry that deserves all the diskery atten- tion it’s getting. Sarah Vaughan, who’s still riding on the hot “Make Yourself Comfortable.” looks like she has the edge in this race. Platter is given a strong produc- tion and she warbles in an effective manner. You can't discount, how- ever, Joni James’ nifty reading for MGM or Connee Boswell’s top- drawer try for Decca. On “Waltz- ing Down The Aisle.” Miss Vaughan has a lilting theme and she delivers winningly. Nat (King) Cole: “The Sand and the Sea”-“Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup” (Capitol). There’s no time and could build into a top bracket entry. She goes all out on the hillbilly, "I Gotta Go Get My Baby,” but it all seems like a waste of time. Peter Lind Hayes-Mary Healy: “The Year We Fell In Love”- “Could Be I Love You” (Columbia). Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healy, a likable husband-wife team, won’t get far in the wax sweepstakes with this coupling. “The Year We Fell In Love” is a rundown of 1954's current events in rhyme and melody, but it comes across as a pretty dull year. “Could Be I Love You” has a Latino flavor and little else. Bob Stewart: “A Million Stars”- “Yours For The Asking” (MGM). Bob Stewart has a pleasant croon- ing style aa£ does an okay job on this coupling of pretty ballads. - - & Best Bets SARAH VAUGHAN HOW IMPORTANT CAN IT BE ( Mercury) Waltzing Down the Aisle NAT (KING) COLE THE SAND AND THE SEA ( Capitol > Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoup JUNE VALLI YOUJVG AND FOOLISH (Victor ) Tell Me Again MICKI MARI O DON’T GO, DON’T GO ( Capitol ) Can’t You stopping Nat (King) Cole when he’s given a warm and sentimental ballad item to tackle. “The Sand and the Sea" is that kind of num- ber and it’s bound to be another winner for the crooner. His work- over of the standard “Darling Je Vous Aime Beaucoun” is standout and will become an important part of the deejays’ spinning repertoire. June Valli: “Young and Foolish”- *‘Tell It To Me Again” (Victor). "Young and Foolish.” a topflight ballad out of the legituner, “Plain and Fancy,” gets a strong work- over by June Valli and the Henri Rene orch. It’s a class entry which she warbles effectively against a catchy beguine tempo. Due for plenty of spins on the jock and juke level. “Tell It To Me Again” is a slow - tempoed ballad that’ll win attention because of the thrush’s warm workover. Micki Mario: “Don’t Go, Don’t Go”-“Can You” (Capitol). Micki Mario gets her best try at a money platter with "Don’t Go.. Don’t Go.” It’s a ‘driving item which she belts in an exciting style. Could come out of left field for a big payoff. “Can You” is a pleasant offering that rates attention. Teresa Brewer: “What More Is There To Say”-“I Gotta Go Get My Baby” (Coral). The deeiays will have plenty to say about “What More Is There To Say.” Teresa Brewer's version of the tiptop ballad will get hefty turntable Although neither side has a big payoff potential, Stewart should win fans and spins, especially for “A Million Stars.” which is pro- duced with a big chorus back- ground. “Yours For The Asking” also will help his cause. Sammy Davis Jr.: “All Of You”- “Six Bridges To Cross” (DeccaK Sammy Davis Jr. has developed into a powerful platter crooner. He r s got the kind of wax savvy that brings added interest to every tune he takes on. On this coupling he makes “All Of You” an ear- arresting entry. “Six Bridges To Cross,” however, is a little too tough for even Davis’ talents. Mary Small: “A Little Boy’s Prayer”-“Razzle Dazzle” (Epic). Mary Small waxes sentimental on “A Little Boy’s Prayer.” She treats it revererttly but it’s hardly an item for jock and juke spins. “Razzle Dazzle” is a brisk change of pace but its takeoff chances, too, are limited. Belamonte Orch: “Mambomania”- “12th Street Rag Mambo” (Colum- bia). Belamonte leade his Afro- Cuban orch through two peppery sides that’ll go big with the mam- bonicks. “Mambomania” is a lively item that gets a nice lift from Susan Miller’s vocal. On the re- verse, Belamonte updates the oldie. “12th Street Rag,” with an effective chile beat. A1 Hibbler: “After The Lights Go Down Low”-“Tell Me” (Origi- LAWHENCE WELK and his CHAMPAGNE MU8IC 175th Consecutive Week, Aragon Ballroom, Santa Monica, Calif. Exclusively on Coral Records Latest Album VIENNESE WALTZES (For Dancing) nal). This is strictly a rhythm & blues coupling but Al Hibbler delivers in such an attractive style that it could move in to the pop field. Best chance for a pop move- in is “After The Lights Go Down Low.” It’s moody and it’s driving and that’s just what the coke set is requesting today. Hibbler gives "Tell Me” a nifty blues workover. Russkis Go Bonrgeois In Jazz, Pop Platters But Disk Sound Is Inferior Colosseum Records, which spe- cializes mostly in music recorded behind the Iron Curtain, has come up with a highly interesting series of jazz and pop sides from the Soviets. Although many of the masters were made many years ago, some before the last war, the Colosseum disks demonstrate how Russian musicians have more or less mastered both the jazz and hotel band styles of the bourgeois countries. Unfortunately, these sets were not recorded under mod- ern high fidelity conditions and the sound is inferior. Best package is titled "Jazz and Pops,” featuring the Adi Rosner Jazz Orchestra, the Pops Band of Moscow and Theatre Orchestra of Moscow*. The hot “St. Louis Blues” version by Rosner, with a great scat vocal, is worth the price of the set. Most of the other music is strictly derivative from American bands. Another set, “Hits From (Continued on page 54) I^Rriety ± 1. LET ME GO, I.OVER (7) 1 0 Best Sellers on Coin-Machines 2. HEARTS OF STONE (4) 3. MISTER SANDMAN (9) 4. MELODY OF LOVE (2) \ Joan Weber Columbia •{ Teresa Brewer Coral } Patti Page Mercury I Fontane Sisters Dot ) Charms DeLuxe 5. NAUGHTY LADY OF SHADY LANE (7) 6. MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE (3) 7. SINCERELY (2) 8. TEACH ME TONIGHT (10) ; 9. NO MORE (1) J 10 - THAT’S ALL I WANT FROM YOU (2) Second Croup DIM, DIM THE LIGHTS TWEEDLEE-DEE SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL OPEN UP YOUR HEART f SONG OF THE BAREFOOT CONTESSA MAMBO ITALIANO HOLD MY HAND i need you now ! i EARTH ANGEL UNSUSPECTING HEART Don Cornell Coral ... Eddie Fisher Victor Penguins Dootone {Sunny Gale Victor . . . (Georgie Shaw Decca aures in parentheses indicate number of weeks song has been in the Top 10] Album Reviews Peret Prado: “Mambo Mania” (RCA Victor). The mambo vogue is said to have been sparked by Perez Prado’s powerful chile -beat. On this 12-inch coupling, Prado gives a good sampling of how and why it happened. He’s got an ex- citing technique and a way with a mambo beat that’s distinctly his own. The accent is on brass but the arrangements come across vividly and such numbers as “Ballin’ The Jack,” “Skokiaan,” “April In Portugal” and “The High and The Mighty” get fresh and in- ventive interpretation. Larry Adler: “Plays Paris Pops”- “Plays Gershwin” (Angel). Larry Adler’s slick harmonica style gets a topflight showcasing on two EP’s. On the Gershwin set, he tackles “It Ain’t Necessarily So,” “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” “Prelude No. 2” and “Someone To Watch Over Me” with a blending of jazz and classical .technique. Gerald Moore accomps on the keyboard. On “Paris Pops.” he w’orks over “The Touch,” “My Heart Is A Vio- lin.” “Genevieve” and “Pam-Pou- De” in a charming manner. Malcolm Lockyer: “That Old Feeling” (London). A dozen stand- ards are given a refreshing work- over by Malcolm Lockyer’s combo. He sparks his bass and drums ac- companiment with some nifty key- board work. The 10-inch LP is full of musical nostalgia and has plenty of appeal for those who like the old songs done with taste and class. Haro’d Rome: “Fanny” (Heri- tage). The composer of the cur- rent legituner. “Fanny,” is an okay tune demonstrator. Rome brings a personalized flavor to the score but the platter’s appeal is limited to the showtune aficionados Rome self : accorr.£s at the upright and gets a neat backing from Jack Messing (bass) and Herbert Harris (drums). The 10-inch LP features 12 songs from the tuner. Donald Shirley: “Tonal Expres- sions” (Cadence). Donald Shirley, whose more familiar billing to jazz buffs around New York is Don Shirley Duo, showcases his piano virtuosity on this 12-inch LP. The set is a must for keyboard con- noisseurs. Working with a bass ac- companist (Richard Davis), Shir- ley improvises on such varied items as “Secret Love,” “I Cover The Waterfront,” “My Funny Val- entine” and a medley from the legituner, “New Faces.” Joan Roberts: “Sings Her Song Hits” (Quality). Joan Roberts has been associated with some nifty legituners, and this 10-inch LP is a potpourri of eight tunes from four shows in which she played. She sells ’em all with style and her neat piping attack brightens up such numbers as “People Will Say We’re In Love” (“Oklahoma”), “Papa Won’t You Dance With Me’ (“High Button Shoes") and “This Is My Beloved” ("Are You With It”). Burt Haber has shifted to the contactman staff at Sid Prosen’s Village Music. Haber recently was associated with Johnny Marks’ St. Nicholas firm. Songs With Largest Radio Audience The top 30 songs of week (more in case of ties), based on copyrighted Audience Coverage Index & Audience Trend Index. Published by Office of Research, Inc., Dr. John Gray Peatman, Director. Alphabetically listed. * Legit musical. t Film. Survey Week of January 7-13, 1955 All Of You—*“Silk Stockings” Blue Mirage Count Your Blessings—t“White Christmas” Fanny—*“Fanny” Finger Of Suspicion Green Fire—f’Green Fire” Hearts Of Stone .* Hey Punchinello—t“Three Ring Circus” I Need You Now I’m Not At All In Love—*"Pajama Game” Ko Ko Mo Let Me Go. Lover . . Make Yourself Comfortable Malaguena Melody Of Love Mister Sandman Mobile My Own True Love—t“Gone With The Wind” Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane No More Papa Loves Mambo Song In Blue Teach Me Tonight That’s All I Want From You These Are The Things We’ll Share This Ole House Unsuspecting Heart Vera Cruz—t“Vera Cruz” When We Come Of Age Wrong, Wrong, Wrong Chappell . Mills Berlin Chappell Pickwick Robbins Regent Paramount Miller Frank Meridian H & R Rylan Marks Shapiro-B&P Morris Ardmore Remick Paxton Maple Leaf Shapiro-B Iris-T Hub-L W & B Famous Hamblen Tee Pee Feist Meridian Porgie Too 30 Songs on TV (More In Case of Ties) Count Your Blessings—f’White Christmas” Berlin Edward Presser Hearts Of Stone Regent Hey There—*“Pajama Game" Frank High And The Mighty—f’High And The Mighty”.. Witmark I Need You Now Miller I’m Not At All In Love—*“Pajama Game” Frank Ko Ko Mo Meridian Let Me Go, Lover H & R Ling, Ting Tong St. Louis Make Yourself Comfortable Rylan Melody Of Love Shapiro-B&P Mister Sandman V. Morris My Own True Love—t“Gone With The Wind” Remick Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane Paxton Open Up The Dog House Fisher Open Up Your Heart Hamblen Papa Loves Mambo Shapiro-B Paris Loves Lovers —♦“Silk Stockings” Chappell Pupalina • Pincus Sincerely AroR Song Of Barefoot Contessa—t“Barefoot Contessa” .Chappell Straight Ahead Denslow Teach Me Tonight Hub-L That’s All I Want From You W & B Vera Cruz—t“Vera Cruz” Feist Wind Song Bourne Wrong, Wrong, Wrong Porgie You Too Can Be A Dreamer Mills You’ll Always Be My Lifetime Sweetheart W & D XT ”""!! ; l! i HiJll L ~'~