Variety (March 1958)

54 MUSIC 1 Wednesday, March 12, 1958 Jocks, Jukes and Disks By MIKE GROSS Marty Robbins (Columbia).- rock that could win it some jujte “STAIRWAY OF LOVE" (Plane- action. tary*) makes the rockabilly beat Alan Copeland (Coral). “MOON- appealing to all spinners and it's;.; LIGHT AND SHADOWS” (Para- sure to climb to the top. “JUST 1 mount*) would shine brightly in MARRIED” /DcVOrzoni) has 3 1 another musical world . but in to- rhythmie beat that could do okay ; ^.-g mar ket it comes off as just in the jukes. ■■ 1 a good ballad-for tasteful, deejay Jane Morgan (Kapp). VI VE GOT nrofiramming. “AS I LOVE YOU!’ BELLS ON MY HEART (South- (Northern*! gives Alan Copeland er K 'inirf^nN# 1 a' chance to build a nice romantic a lilt tlmt can t miss. ONLY ONt. ..j . comp dpciavs niav like LOVE” (Slim Whilletv) puts ^ ejays may iiae thrush in a dramatic ballad, setting; ■ P g ‘ . '. . , <CT and she comes out of it nicely. *rf ‘ T The Silhouettes (Ember). “MISS DANCE” (Desert Palms-Tnmtyt) THING” (Angelt) follows the “yip- pushes across an emphatic rocking yip” pattern established in “Get a: beat that- goes well With a teener s Job” and the kids will go for it i idea of music. “STROLLIN’' in the same way. “HEADIN’ FOR (Desert Palms-Trinityt) puts the MARTY ROBBINS . . .. . . STAIRWAY OF LOVE (Columbia).V V. . Just : Married JANE MORGAN .......... I’VE GOT BELLS ON MY HEART (Kapp) . . Only- One Love .. .miss Thing:. ..... Headiil’ For The Poorhouse the Crowns ............ ... . kiss a^d make up (RnBY ... ....... - • • ... I’ll Forget About You THE SILHOUETTES ... (Ember) THE POORHOUSE” (Ulysses & v stroll in a hip blues beat that Bagby-Wildcatf) will pick up juke ‘makes it : interesting for all terp^ coins along the way. The Crowns (RnB). “KISS AND MAKE UP” (Moritaukf) is a swing¬ ing rocker that has what it takes to come out of left. field for a big score. “I’LL FORGET ABOUT YOU” (Montaukt) has an effective/ quiet ballad appeal. The Duponts (Roulette). “SCREAMIN’ BALL (AT DRAC- ULA HALL)” (Monument!) follows the “horror” trend on disks with a good beat and wild sense of humor that the kids may go for. “HALF PAST NOTHING” (Monument!) doesn’t add. up to much. sters. Bobby Carle & The Blendaires (Decca). “ANYTIME, ANYPLACE, ANYWHERE” (Skidmore*) rocks according to rote and . shows off a good lead singer in Bobby Carle. “WALK WITH ME” (Roger*): gets by via an easy rocking beat. The Five Fleets (Felsted): “OH WHAT • A FEELING” (Loweryt) emphasizes the rocking beat that keeps the kids jumping. “I BEEN CRYIN’ ” (Loweryt) is a rocking ivailer that follows a familiar song route. _ __ „„_... The Hollidays (Prep). “I’M .NOT Dave Annell * The Annleiacks I ASHAMED” (Beechwood!) fits the (Cameo). “DINNER WITH DRAC” (Mayland^l is a swinging instru- ! ? nd voc ? 1 treatment: All it needs mental of> “horror” tune that’s j *>r a ^stepout^s. some extraspm- catchiug on^in some areas. “NO ! ^_£ e }P- TRE WONDER OF NAME THEME” (Maylandf) moves [pOVE (Beechwoodi) is a fair en- at a driving pace that could keep m 'the roeking- ballad groqve. the teeners iurnDine .’ Ronnie Brent! (United Artists). i (Canitol) !'.‘MY SWEET VERUNE" (Unarit) “SMALL ISLAND” (E H Mor- : ^ familar.fashion but Ron- ris*) accents a romantiV Hawaiian i theme with pleasing lyric values. * ?P»? n »>g chance, “MORE AND MORE EACH DAY” . ^?. VE (Unartr) is just a reissue (Iris-Trojant) derives its musical ,? f the rocking ballad formula, interest from Les Paul’s hot guitar ; . Larry Dean (Brunswick). “PONY picked up: for. spinning exposure; Wayne. H a n d y (Trend). “BETCHA DIDN'T KNOW” (Re- nown-Peert) puts Wayne Handy in a lively rocking mood that builds into a spinning potential. “DON’T BE UNFAIR” (Renown-Peert) has a plaintive waU that won’t reach too. many people; Tommy Hudson 8c The Savoys (White. Rock). ‘‘ROCK - IT” (Mus¬ tang!) is a hot instrumental that takes off fast and swings ill a way that nabs teen attention: “WALK¬ IN’ THE STROLL” (Mustang!) is an okay delineation of the stroll tempo that the kids are going for today. (Compiled by Sam Goody's, leading New York disk retailer, whose global mail order operation reflects not only the national market, but internationally). * ASCAP- t BML and Mary Ford’s neat blues styling. Vaughn Monroe (RCA Victor). “THERF/S NO PIANO IN THIS HOUSE” (World*) has some fun with a ghost-like idea and Vaughn Monroe supplies the proper spirit. “SOMEBODY ELSE IS TAKING MY PLACE” (Shapiro. Bernstein*) TAIL” . (Champagne*) tries hard for teenage appeal but it doesn’t come off. “ALL THE TIME” (Carrie*) has an oldfashioned jilt but it’s not representative of the genre or strong enough to fight the Current rockers:. Bemie Moore 8c . The Rockets shows off Vaughn Monroe in his (Planet X). “ROCK GUITAR, old power-piped form. iROCK” (Jarnat) blends a striking The Four Sparks (ABC-Para- i guitar and a strong beat into . a mount). “OUT OF THIS WORLD” j winning s p i n n er. “HEART- (Target!) has the rhythmic speed that should keep it moving, on the spinning trail. “MY 7 SWEET JUANITA” (Target!) takes. a mild ballad for a slow rock; Frank Sandy & The King’s Men (MGM). “TARENTELA ROCK” (Timet) will do okay iii the spin¬ ning stretch because of the lively way it rocks the tarentela beat. “SOMEBODY L O V E S ME” (Harms*) gets an energetic revival In a. modern dress. The Harvey Boys (Cadence). “HONEYSTROLLIN”’ (Brydeh- Heritage’) capitalizes on. the “stroll” fad for good spinning re¬ sults. “TUG-A-BOAT” (Harman*) chugs along at a pace suited for juke action. Tom & Jerry (Big). “OUR SONG” (Village!) goes after the teert trade in simple lyric terms and has a Swinging beat that Could win ’em over. “TWO TEEN-AGERS” (Fig¬ ure:) is a bit too precocious—even for teenagers. Little Joe the Thriller (Okehl. “WHAT’S HAPPENED TO YOUR HALO?” (Torpedo!) is a wild swinger that seems to have a spe¬ cial message for <he teener and no¬ body else. “DON’T LEAVE ME ALONE” (Carney!) follows the slow rocking route for only mild results. i Frankie Avalon (Chancellor). “YOU . EXCITE ME” <Debmar*) rolls with a hot beat and. a lyric angle that will move the teen buy¬ ers to some extent. “DARLIN’” (Debmar*) copies a tried, and tested musical formula but adds nothing to it. The Smeed Trio (Tiara). “I’VE GOT BELLS ON MY HEART” (Southern*) is a delightful, vocal group cover of a standup lilter and it should give the solo versions a run for the sums. “ECHOES OF LOVE” (Diana*) has a touch of the BREAK” (Jama!) has an instru¬ mental styling that Should be WNHV Blows Whistle On Tooters; Last of N.Y. Indies to‘Lire It Up’ The “live” musician received an¬ other setback this week when WNEW, New York indie, dropped its staff of permanent tooters. WNEW was the last of the New York indies to carry live musicians. In the axing were Roy Ross and eight sidemen. Station spokesman claimed that WNEW doesn’t want to cut out the programming of live musical shows entirely but that the axing stemmed from the fact that it. didn’t want to be burdened with a . quota of permanent musical staffers.: . The station is now dickering with the American Federation of Musi¬ cians for. an okay to hire musicians on a spot basis whenever it de¬ cides to program a live show. Ross had been associated with WNEW for the past 14 years. Bob . Elliott, disk jockey at KENT, Shreveport, La:, moved to KUSN, St. Joseph, Mo., in same capacity. Decca Records launched its pack¬ age push this year with, a mood j music series, “Dream Time,” fol¬ lowed in February with a person¬ ality series, “Star Time,” and now J the diskery is gunning for the terp crowd with a dozen albums for its. “Dance Time” series. It’s a strong promotional gimmick that should give dealers lots to talk about and stir up consumer interest. There’s enough here for everybody; Straight dance moods from Jan Garber and Elliot Lawrence,. the society beat from Howard Lanin, the rocking groove from Bill Haley, square; dancing from Ed Gilmore and va¬ rious Latino tempos from Willie Martinez, Al Stefano, Bebo Valdes, and Roberto del Gado. There’s also a polka representation by the orchs. of George Cook', Kenny Bass and Eddie Habat as well as some lush instrumental stuff from. Wer¬ ner Muller. Ella Fitzgerald: “Sings The Duke Ellington Song Book” (Verve). There’s a lot of Ella and Ellington in this super-deluxer out of Nor¬ man Granz’s Verve factory. The songbook consists of four 12-inch LP’s handsomely boxed and excel¬ lently documented in text and photos. (It goes for $19.92 com¬ plete but two-pocket sets can be bought separately). Ellington's tune contributions have added to the stature of Tin Fan Alley and when Miss Fitzgerald takes over, they really take hold. In addition to the. standup oldies, there are slick instrumental treats in “Por¬ trait of Ella Fitzgerald” and ’‘The E. and D Blues,” Eydie Gorme: “Vamps The Roar¬ ing 20’s” (ABC-Paramount). Al¬ though there’s been wide coverage on the songs from the 1920s on re¬ cent disk releases, Eydie Gorme’s set shapes as a surefire bestseller. She’s got a pro-manship that bounces out of the grooves and when she’s got an effervescent rep¬ ertoire, she’s hard to beat. The 1. GET A JOB (6) 2. SAIL ALONG SILVERY MOON (7) 3. TEQUILA (1) !.. ... 4. ARE YOU SINCERE (2) .,. .... . .. 5. CATCH A FALLING STAR (2) 6; SWEET LITTLE 16 (2) ;........;. 7. 26 MILES (1) ■. ! ................ 8. SUGARTIME (8) ........... ...... 9. OH JULIE (4) ........ .... ........ 10/ DON’T (2) .. SHORT SHORTS v....,. ........, WITCHCRAFT ....... . OH OH FALLING IN LOVE . ..*.... WHO’S SORRY NOW . . . . . .. . . . . . . . THE STROLL ...._............... AT THE HOP .... IT’S TOO SOON TO KNOW ...... YOU ARE MY DESTINY LOLLIPOP ... ............ Ballad of a teen age queen I Figures in parentheses indicate number of weeks song has been in the Top 101 songbabg, directed by Don Costa, consists of familiars but Miss Gorme gives, ’em the fresh and spirited attack that makes every¬ one come alive again. Doris Day: “Hooray For Holly¬ wood” (Columbia). Here’s a taste- . fui salute to pic songs by Doris Day with an orch assist from Frank DeVol. It’s a two-pocked LP (at Columbians special 87.98 drice) at¬ tractively packaged for dealer and' consumer appeal. : Miss Day is in . top form as she eases through 24 topnotch tunes. Fred Waring: “South Pacific” (Capitol). -The lush orch and choral treatment that Fred Waring & His Pennsylvanians have got down pat will help move this “South Pacific” set despite all the bally on original cast and soundtrack packages. It’s not a set for hipsters or showtime buffs but it will please those who want their Rodgers & Hammer- stein with the Waring dressing. And there ate plenty pf those around. . Gogi Grant-Tony Martin: “Gigi” (RCA Victor)! The Alan Jay Ler- ner-Frederick Loew r e score for the Metro fiimusical, “Gigi,” is a nat¬ ural for the mellow piping styles that belong to Tony Martin and Gogi Grant. They make it an easy- on-the-ear album as they work through such delightful numbers as “Thank Heaven For Little Girls.” “The Night They Invented Cham¬ pagne,” “I’m Glad I’m Not Young Ahymore” and the title song. Den¬ nis Farnon dishes up a standout orch backing. Frank Sinatra: “The Frank Sin¬ atra Story” (Columbia). This is a two-pocket LP ($7.98) packaging of Sinatra etchings cut before he moved over, to Capitol more than five years ago. Some of the num¬ bers have since been cut for Capi¬ tol sets but there are also a lot of previously unreleased goodies here that the Sinatra fans will eat up. “Soliloquy,” from Rodgers 8c Ham- merstein’s “Carousel,” is a case in point. The N. Y. Times’ Gilbert Millstein has penned some hip liner notes. ^. Ray Anthony: “The Dream Girl” (Capitol). The Trig band sound is excellently represented here by Ray Anthony’s crew. Sparked by the maestro’s flashy trumpet, the band, develops a crisp melodic line that accentuates the romantic mood of the tunes collected for this packaging. It could work up into a neat selling item. “Aladdin” (Columbia). This is the original cast recording of CBS- TV’s Du Pont spec showcased Feb. 2i to a high viewer rating. Even so, it ■will be a tough Item to push on the commercial market. It’s not Cole Porter’s best, nor do the stars, Sal Mineo, Anna Maria Alberghett\ Cyril Riichard, Basil RathbOne and Dennis King come over too well. The Three ‘Suns: “Let’s Dance With The Three Suns” (RCA Vic¬ tor). The Three Suns have devel¬ oped an easy, lilting beat through years of engagements in niteries and hotel rooms. That beat has now* been expertly transferred to the grooves under Al Nevins’ di¬ rection and it makes for an appea.- ihg package. Group also has man¬ aged to pack in 40 songs onto the two sides, so there’s plently of musical variety in the package to boot. Roger King Mozian: “Just Mozian Along’’ (Decca). Although not in Decca’s “Dance Time” series,., th s Roger King Mozian package serves up a dancing beat that will mal e terpers happy. Mozian’s style -s constantly smooth and he gets the lilt across without having tu press (Continued on page 60)