Variety (June 1958)

44 MUSIC Wednesday, June 18^ 19^ Jocks, Jukes and Disks By MIKE GROSS Elvis Presley (RCA Victor): “HARD HEADED WOMAN" (Gladys*) put? Presley back in the shook-up groove and he seems bet¬ ter at it than ever before. Due for a big playoff. “DON’T ASK ME WHY’* (Gladys*) switches to the ballad mood and Presley makes that work, top.; Tennessee Ernie Ford- (Capitol “LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND” (Winnetont) has Tennes^ see Ernie Ford workmg over a elicko beat that’s sure to go right to the top of the spinning heap. “SUNDAY BARBECUE" (Snyder*) has the right kind of lilt that feeds juke appetites. Tommy Leonctti (Vik):. “(?N A BLANKET ON THE BEACH" (Geo. Pinciis & Sons*) captures tlie sum¬ mertime Rlt and Tommy Leonctti whips it up into an attractive, sunny dish that has a fine takeoff chance. “I AM A MELODY’’ (Saunders*) has a fair ballad form and Leonetti works it into a pleas¬ ant listening piece. Joe Sherman Orch (Epic): BUT-: spinning circuit; again. Bobby Hamlilon (APT): “CRAZY EYES FOR YOU’’ tSidneyt) moves in the rocking gnwve that- could win plenty of juke attention. “WHILE WALKING TOGETHER" (Sidneyt) featuieSflB^that teenage wailing style that occasionally goes over in the juke market Don Cogan (MGM): ‘‘THE FOUN¬ TAIN OF YOUTH’’ (Oxford*) spills, over in the rocking groove for fair results with those ’who dig that genre. “SINGING HILLS" (Joy*) is a pleasing vocal cover of a tune that Billy Vaughan (Dot) already has w’orking in the hit brackets. Bob Miller (Jubilee):“BABY, JE VOUS AIME” (Hecht, Lancaster & Buzzell*) brings the rocking beat into the Paris scene and it should work well in the US. jukes. “CRAZY DREAMER" (Hecht Lan¬ caster & Buzzell*). has "Bob Miller going at a good rocking pace that should viin attention. Charlie Holden Orch (Felsted): “THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG" (Miller*) has a fair, moderate beat ELVIS PRESLEY......_ __ HARD HEADED WOMAN - . (RCA Victor)..... • • - -Don’t Ask Me Why TENN ERNIE FORD.,..... .LOVE MAKES WORLD GO ROUND (Capitol).. ............ : . .,. - Sunday Barbeeue TOMMY LEONETTI.. v...... . ON A BLANKET ON THE BEACH (Vik)...,.:... . . ...: __ - - * - • I Am A Melody JOE SHERMAN ORCH... . . ...... •> BUTOERMILK (Epic)....... .. -Please Don’t Say Goodnight TERMILK’^ (Sequence*) uses a v;hacky W'ack-a-dOo theme: and builds its contagious beat into a hot spinning item. “PLEASE DON’T SAY GOODNIGHT” (Se¬ quence*) works up a shuffle beat hito an okay juke bet. Vera Lynn (London); “EV’RY HOUR, EV’RY DAY OF IVIY LIFE" (Kahlt) showcases Vera ^^ynn’s rich piping style but the ballad’s a bit too cumbersome, for a pop pickup. “SAY" (Wemart) is another sampling of thrush’s rich ballad approach and the adult dee- jay programmers ought to give it a chance. Austin Cromer (Roulette): “ON ONE FINGER OF YOUR HAND” (Planetary*) bolds up as a sub- slantial ballad entry and makes Austin Cromer worth watching. “I THINK OF YOU" (Chandler*) places Cromer in a big ballad mood which he handles well but the side remains a tough sell in today’s mar¬ ket. Buddy HoUy (Decca): “TING-A- LING” (Cedarwoodt) has Buddy Holly shaking it up for the shook-up crowd but it’s a tossup as to whether his message will get across this time. “GIRL ON MY MIND" (Cedarwoodt) has a lot of rocking schmaltz peppered with broken notes to fill teener de¬ mands. Julie London (Liberty): “IT’S EASY” (Bourne*) has Julie London sexing it up in a chile groove that will pepper deejay programming slots. “VOICE IN THE MIRROR" (Northern*) is a quiet, wistful bal- w lad that comes over with a definite ear-appeal. PonyrTails^ (ABC - Paramount): “BORN TOO LATE" (Evergreen^) works a teener’s lament into some¬ thing that will pull occasional juke spins. “COME ON JOEY DANCE WITH ME" (Sheldont) fea¬ tures a happy lilt that’s okay for juke terping. Fats Domino (Imperial); “LIT¬ TLE MARY" (Travist) should get along fine on the spinning route because of the waiy Fats Domino rocks it with a strong sell. “PRIS¬ ONER’S SONG" (Shapiro, Bern¬ stein*) doesn’t get much help in Domino’s offbeat delivery. Ray Martin Orch (United Art¬ ists); "ARGENTINA BALLERINA" (B. F. Wood*) has the happy melo¬ dic lilt that usually adds up to strong, programming time. “SPRING IN SPAIN" (Criterion*) will have a moderate spinning play although Martin’s orch and chorus give it a romantic touch. Jim Backus Ss Friend (Jubilee). ••DELICIOUS” (Vernon*) is a standout novelty item loaded with laughs inside and out. “I NEED A VACATION" (Leonia*) is an¬ other good novelty piece enhanced by Jim Backus’ humorous style. Frahk Castro (20th-F6x): “I LAUGH SO HARD I CRIED’^ (Sudburyt) swings at an easy beat hut the choral laughs get in the way. “SOMEBODY ELSE IS TAX¬ ING MY PLACE" (Shapiro. R''; -- stein*) gees a hew and Ty • - ing that may get the oldie on tue but it’s Alma Knight a vocal that makes it all worth while, “PAGAN LOVE SONG" (Robbins*) gets a swinging. workover in Charlie Hol¬ den's hands which may be good for some, juke action. Glenn Glenn (Era): “LAURiil:] ANN” (Hillary) t) is a sweet melodic ballad that Glenn Glenn could pull out: of ieftfield for a profitable play. “ONE CUP OF COFFEE” (Warman'f) has a folksy blues beat that doesn’t come off too-well. The Preludes (Cub): “KINGDOM OF LOVE" (Cranfordt) . follows a rocking pattern that the kids inay find too familiar to dig again. •'VANISHING . ANGEL” (Gran- fordt) hovers over familiar rock ’n’ roll ground. Bobby Bristol (Paris): “SCHOOL’S OUT" (Greta-Atlaritict) hits a teener peg with a hard beat that ought to keep the jeaned-vacation- ers around the jukes. “MARILYN" (Great-Atlantict) follows the *• name-title” formula but it won’t get too far. Muir Mathieson Orch (Mercury): “LOVE MUSIC” (Famous*) is pic theme music that gets best results from late-hour deejay program¬ mers; it’s from Paramount’s “Ver¬ tigo.” “VERTIGO PRELUDE” (Fa¬ mous*) is another sampling of Ber¬ nard Herrmann’s score for “Ver¬ tigo” but it’s not as effective.. Gordon Jennings (Arcade): “IS IT YES OR IS IT NO’’ (Arcadet) is am average alfalfa tune that some hillbilly spinners may go for. “I WONDER IF YOU MISS ME, TOO” (Arcjydet) has an okay corn- fed beat that could do well In the sticks., V ■ 'The Vectors (Standard): “SLOW BUT SURE" (Limitedt) has noth¬ ing- new to pffer in the rock .’n' roll field either in:material di* de¬ livery. “ONE DAY”; (Limitedt) sounds like the same old rocker with a different title. BiU Doffgett (King) ‘BLIP BLOP" (Islipt). could be considered the instrumental sequel to “Splish Splash," and will appeal to the dancing kids.“TANYA” (Liggihst) is grooved along similar rocking lines. . . tempo for so-so impact. *ASCAP. tBMI. AGMA Dects 21 Members loNat’l Nationwde balloting held by the American Guild of Musical Artists has resulted in .election of 21 mem¬ bers to the natiphal board of gov¬ ernors:. This amounts to one-third of the total members on the board. Elected from New York were Ralph Herbert, Frances Bible, Mara Yavne; John 'Trehy, Joseph Hancock, Robert: AckCrt, Rosa Rol- land, Harry Jones, Hubert Fafring- ton and. Alec Templeton; from Los Arigeles: Richard Robinson; Serge Oukrainsky, Robert Oliver, John Redic; from..San Francisco, Winter Anderson^ Galliano DaneluZi Paul Guenter, John E. Taylor; Chicago, brrin Kaysip; Philadelphia, .Walter Fredericks; :NeW Orleans, Arthur Gisenza and Arthur Winteler, . Officers of AGMA, aii affiliate of the Associated Actors and Art¬ istes of America^ are John Brown¬ lee, president; Jascha Heifetz and Regina Resnik, vicepresidents, and Abba Bogin, treasurer, Hy Fame is executive secretary. (Compiled by Sdm Goody% leading New York disk retailer tohost global mail order .operation reflects not only the notional market, hut internationally). ArUsi 1. Original Cast 2. Original Cast 3. Origliud Cast 4. Sound track 3. Moiseyev Folk Ballet 6. Mantovaini . 7. Eydie Gprme 8. Lester Lanin 9. Mantovanl 10. Ella Fitzgerald 11. Orii^nal Cast 12. Frank Sinatra 13. Original Cast 14. The Weavers 15. Ella Fitzgerald 18. Edninndo Rps 17. Terry Se Seeger 18. Xavier Cngat 19. Johnny Mathis 20. Coney Island Carousel Title The Music Man West Side Story My .Fair Lady Around World 80 Days Russian Folk Dances Gems-Forever : Vamps The Roaring 20’a At the Tiffany Ball Concert Encores fflngs Rodgers, A Hart South Pacific Come Fly With Me Oh Captain! On Tour Sings Duke Ellington Rhythms of the South Pete A Sonny Cngat’s Cavalcade Goodnight Dear Lord Catch the Brass Ring Label Capitol Columbia Clolumbia Decca Epic London ARC-Par Epic London Verve Cplumhia . Capitpl Columbia Vanguard Verve London Folkways Columbia Columbia Mirrospnic Album Reviews Julie Andrewst ^•Jalie Andrews Sings" (RCA Victor). Already pop¬ ular with the showtune crowd via her showcasihg on the original cast album of VMy Fair Lady” (Colum¬ bia), Julie Andrews digs a little deeper into the heart of Tin Pan Alley with this roundup of tunes from the pens of such as Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Car¬ michael, the Gershwins, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Hodgers A Hart, Kurt Weill and, of course Alan Jay Lerner A Frederick Loewe who gave her “My Fair Lady.” All are presented with rare taste and charm. And although they've all been heard before, she makes them all worth hearing again. Michel Legrand Orch: ^‘Legrand In Rio” (Columbia): Although Gallic in approach, Michel Le- grand's French touch blends well with the Latino beat. Once again he works a Symphonic-jazz com¬ pote into exciting listening. The repertoire includes such fayes as •Brazil," “Adios," “Frenosi,” “Vaya Con Dios" and the like. Merie EvanS. Oreh: “Circus In Town!" (Decca). Merle Evans’ long¬ time association with the Rihgling Bros, serves him in good stead in this colorful package of circus melodies. He runs the gamut from “Midway Scene" to “Grand Entry" all the way down to the “Grand. Finale" with all the spirit and gaiety that goes with a day at the circus. The packaging derign makes it a topnbtch gift item. Jeff Chandler; "Warm and Easy" (Liberty). Screen thesp Jeff Hunter is a passable crooner but he does know how to set up a comfortable mood in a relaxed way that holds the listener. His big asset in .this passage are the arrangements by Herbert Spencer and Earle Hagen and a stickout repertoire of a flock of oldies. He also includes two of h*s own cleffing tires, “Please Make a Pass at My Heart" and >. 4-' > (Fipurps in parentheses i77dr'’a(e tj?!7nbpr 0/ tveeks sirng has been in the Top lOJ “Coincidentally." They’re just par for the tunesmithing course. Jimmie Rodgers: *The Number One Ballads" (Roulette). Jimmie Rodgers has done all right for him-^ self in the ballad field since ho came into the disking picture a little over a year ago. Now he’s taking a crack at some ballads that others turned, into hits before he was around and he does all right by them, too. In the package, for example, are ‘‘Unchained; Melody," “Hey There," ‘T Believe/’ "Too Young” and “Secret Love,” to name some. He gives them a new ear-appealing dressing. Nat Brandywyime: •‘Cole Porter Dance Book" (Vik). The terp-at- home cult seems to be growing every day and Nat Brandywynne’s. . latest package fits the bill for sociable rug-cutting. Even though he's limited his repertoire to a dozen. Cole Porter melodies, there’s enough melodic change of pace to keep the listener and/or dancer happy through both sides. Tony Perkins: “From My Heart’* (RCA Victor). Tony Perkins is ah effortless singer and. extremely easy to take. He’s got a fine rhythmic sense and an understand¬ ing of lyric values that help him put over such varied items as “The Kentuckian Song," “Too Marvelous for Words" and “Swinging bn a Star.” The tasty arrangements are by A1 Gohii and the tiptop orch backing is by Urble Green. Caney Orch: “Flying Dohb to Rio” (Tied). The stress here is oh a Latino beat but it’s handled in such a simple and: straightforward manner that even those not ad¬ dicted to hip-swinging are bound to take to it. In addition to the ninrof-the-mill chile entries, he has . two nifties that are worth special attention:: They are “Lullaby of Birdland Cha Cha Gha" and “Blue Danube Cha Cha Cha." . Pearl Bailey: “St. Louis Blues" (Roulette).. There have been a lot of wax tributes out to the late W. C. Handy since the release of tho Paramount picture,. “St liouis Blues,” but Pearl Bailey’s. bow to the composer will hold up in the competition. The tunes from; the pic are given an effective Bailey . treatment and help demonstrate the scope of Handy’s talent. The familiars like “St. Louis Blues" and “Beale Street Blues" are in¬ cluded, of course, but the big boot comes from siich as “Aunt Hagarts Blues," “Shine Like a Mornin* Star” and *‘rve Heard of a City Called Heaven.” Mary O’Hara: •‘Sings of Ireland’* (Tradition). The indie Tradition label; with headquarters in New York’s Greenwich Village, con¬ tinues its fine record of folk LP's with this presentation by Mary O’Hara. She sings the traditional Irish songs in a style that smacks of authenticity. Her self-accom¬ paniment on the Irish harp helps round out the pleasurable musical picture. Eugene Conley: •'Engene Conley Sings in Church" (Request). Here’s a fine , package for the religioso racks. With Eugene Conley lead¬ ing the way through 14 secular songs, the LP shines brightly as an inspirational entry. The LP was recorded at New York’s Christ Church and includes “Blessed As- . surance, Jesus Is Mine/’ “Faith of Our Fathers," “Lead Kindly Light" and “The Church’s Ono Foundation," among others. Tommy Sands, Capitol R^Ords singer, elected td writer mem^r- ship in the American Society of Composers, Authors A. Publishers.