But Peggy, Hibbler Score High The Blindfold Test (Trademark Reg U.S. Pat. Off) Sargent Carmen Blanches On Hearing R&B ias made 4 Yvette By Leonard Feather if I were to judge it personally, I i a bo<>k- Although Carmen McRae has sprung wouldn’t give it any. I don’t like the tune, und I think thut this girl cun aries by to the forefront among modern singers apparently from nowhere, her early ex­ sing better tunes than that, and I id lyrics, perience actually furnished her with a don’t know what’s happening with that is often lengthy and significant background an one. and one a musician. For many years, she was 10. Lola Doe, Ooky Ook (Mercury). appears a pianist, singing occasionally while Well, I don’t know who that is, but 1) . . . at the keyboard, in small clubs around . if it’s possible for me to give it no ed and Mindful of her musicianly ideas, I »1 stars, can 1 do that? All right, well, no ini Ava played for Carmen vocal records of stars! I’m sorry, I don’t dig that at lie start- every kind — pop, , rhythm and all. To begin with, usually with rhythm 12" LP blues, sacred — and tape-recorded her and blues you can’t understand any­ thing they’re doing, and that’s one of vorfully comments. She was given no informa­ tion about the records played. the main reasons I’m against it. I’ve lar bal- Carmen McRae heard some of it that I’ve liked, but favorite The Records the ones that don’t make any sense to I. Stan Kentos Ting-a-Ung (Capitol). me—like this one—I just have no feel­ s fortu- 4 Mahalla Jackson. Walk 41) Over God’s Ann Richards, vocal. ing for it whatsoever. singing Hooven I Columbia). I don’t know who that is . . . Sounds Fisher I don’t know too much about gospel like it could be Georgia Gibbs. The ar­ Afterthoughts by Carmen singers, hut it1 sounds like Mahalia ». rangement is such a hollering-and- It’s a shame that so many good rec­ Jackson. I think it’s a swingin’ thing, has a screaming thing that it doesn’t move ords today of good old -tandard tunes and I imagine that if I listened more 'a Ira!, me at all. I don’t like the band; I like done by really fine artists are by-passed to spirituals or spiritual -ingers, I’d ■ which to listen to more subdued things. I for things like Sh’Boom. I don’t think say that that was one of the best, and ig mor- couldn’t give that more than two stars. it takes any talent at all to sing I’d give that four *-tars, However, I of the Sh’Boom, but it takes talent to sing think the accompaniment is quite un­ \ more 2. Peggy Leo. How Bitter, My Sweet things by Cole Porter and Gershwin appropriate for the tune that she’s 'adition (Decca). and Rodgers and Hart. doing, which is sort of a religious strated I know who that is; that’s the most- The people today are on a different thing, und they’re making a kind of ’ three wonderful Peggy Lee. The tune is very trend, and I guess there’s nothing you rhythm and blues number out of it, i Lyn- beautiful; she could have done without can do but just bat your brains out. which I think is in bad taste. sons dt the choral background, though. But I’d But I think any of u« who delve into ) ; and give it four stars because it’s Peggy. 7. King Pleasure. I'm Gone (Prestige). standards, or good original tunes, iis Vil- should stick by >*ur guns! 3. Al Hlbbler. Daybreak (Decca). Comp. Pleasure-Gainey Jones, With inglish the Three Riffs 8 Quincy Jones baud. ty 12" That happens to be one of my very Paul Chambers, bass; Joo Harris, favorite male singers, Al Htbbler, sing­ drums. Based on solo N.J.R. by James ’ ecords ing one of my very favorite tunes, Day­ Moody. Flanagan Band Booked sic col break. It’s dimply beautiful. The back­ ground is pretty good; it’s not over­ It’s King Pleusure, that I know. I Solid Until Christmas song: don’t know whether it’s based on any­ sen re- done, and it gives him room to do just what he wants to do. It's soulful. Five one’s solo, and if it is someone’* solo New York—The long-traveling Ralph of the I don’t know who it is, but the rhythm stars for that one. Flanagan band is booked solid until is and section sounds real great to me. I’d Christmas, according to the Flanagan ¡tinaón 4. , with the Bill Bates say three stars. Sometimes when you nffice. Currently the orchestra is on a Four Singers. Soon I Fantasy I. Arr. Jack know whose solo it’s taken from, you college kick with dates set at Moravian Indux- Weeks. can judge something like this a little college in Bethlehem, Pa., May 6; Rut­ Each Sounds like Paul Desmond to me and better. Is that on drums? gers, May 13; Dartmouth, May 14; le but It sound*« very good to tne. And Percy Bowdoin, May 20; West Point, June e folk possibly the Singers. I don’t know. If it isn’t Paul, whoever it Heath on bass. It’s a swinging thing. 6; Johns Hopkins, June 7, and the >rmier centennial celebration of Sigma Chi taring is is playing a little flat, it seems to me. No other comment. I’d say two B. Logit Armstroag. Gary Crosby. Strut- fraternity, Cincinnati, June 29. mtain tin' With Some Barbecue (Dacca). The Flanagan orchestra celebrated t sanie stars. I’m sorry. Ha! Ha! That sure is a cute record, its fifth anniversary this March. In Rebel 5. Betty St. Claire. Get ot Nowhere with Pops and Gary Crosby. Pops al­ that period, Flanagan has recorded atrick (Jubilee). Hal McKusick. clarinet: most sounds like the Popa of old on more than 250 tunes for RCA Victor. Purge Clyde Lombardi, bass. that one. But I'm partial to Bing in flute Sounds like . I MbWt know the Crosby family, and I would have . The who’s playing for her, thdugh/Would loved to hear him do it with Pops. But n the Carmen Hits The Road that b<* Percy Heath on bass? . .'. Well, I’m not taking anything away from I are I think it’s kinda cute. She’s a very Gary; I think he did a fine job. I’d give (SLP New York—Singer Carmen McRae is clever girl, if she can think up all that four stars. ssued on the road for the next two months. those things like she did on—what was At the Streamliner in until som< ' 9. Jaye P Morgan Softly. Softly (Vic­ *usan that one she did about the double d«*cker May 21, she moves to the Rouge lounge bus? Twisted, that’s right ... I like tor». in Detroit May 23-May 30. Then come led / her. But I don’t particularly think LX A That sounds like Jaye P. Morgan to engagements at the Tia Juana in Balti­ that’s one of her best; I’d give that me . . . If I’m to judge this a« a com­ more May 31-June b and the Showboat two stars. mercial record. I’d say four stars, but in Philadelphia June 6-11.

Beul MAY 18. 1955 25