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Cash ALBUM REVIEWS

“BYE BYE BIRDIE”—Bobby Rydell—Cameo POPULAR PICKS OF THE WEEK C1043 The swinging sounds of “Bye Bye Birdie,” in it- self a teenagers musical picnic, is an apt show- “IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD’S FAIR’’— case for the dynamic talents of Bobby Rydell. Original Soundtrack—Elvis Presley—RCA Victor The young chanter, who just made his film debut LPM 2697 in the “Birdie” flick, sings all of the tunes from Elvis Presley, who is currently coming off a hit the show on this Cameo offering. This platter LP (“Girls, Girls, Girls”), seems destined to rocks from beginning to end as the songster po- quickly duplicate that record with this ultra- tently delivers “A Lot of Lovin’ To Do,” “Put On commercial soundtrack of his soon-to-be released A Happy Face” and “Kids.” The Rydell vocal flick, “It Happened At The World’s Fair.” The stylings and the Jack Pleis backing add up to a chanter sounds especially mature as he offers the real chart threat. ballads and uptempo items from the film in his distinctive style. Among the best tunes here are “Relax,” “They Remind Too Me Much Of You” “TELL TALL TALES”—New Christy Minstrels and “A World Of Our Own.” LP should mean Columbia CL 2017 money-in-the-bank for all concerned. t The New Christy Minstrels, who are currently riding the LP charts with their “In Person” ses- sion, unleash their potent vocal and instrumental • DAYS OF WINE Andy Wil- AND ROSES”— talents full-blast on this new destined-for-success liams Columbia CL2015 — pop-folk set. Although the songs here are drawn Andy Williams, who is currently striking paydirt from various sources, they are all well-known with “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Can’t Get standards. The group shines as they dish up first- Used To Losing You,” includes both biggies in rate readings of “The Old-Timer,” “Down to this new Columbia outing. LP The warm-voiced Darby” and “Barbara Ellen.” Eye the package for chanter is still riding the charts with two earlier rapid consumer acceptance. LP’s and this set is a sure-fire blockbuster. Mors best bets here are “What Kind of Fool Am I” and “My Coloring Book.” Watch the Williams fans flock for this one. “IT DON’T MAKE NO DIFFERENCE”—Dave PAVE Gardner—Capitol ST1867 Dave Gardner his “BYE BYE BIRDIE”—Original Soundtrack mmnm makes debut on Capitol with RCA Victor LS01081 this hilarious commentary on Americana. The The Broadway smash “Bye Bye Birdie” makes an laffman’s source of material is unfathomable but the results are potent excellent film showcase for the vocal talents of as he evokes loud bursts of laughter his audiences. Ann-Margret, Dick Van Dyke, Bobby Rydell, from On this session he Jesse Pearson, Maureen Stapleton and Janet continues to spoof politics, the church, and peo- ple everywhere. His hipster-Southernese hurls Leigh. This Victor soundtrack disking is a happy- barbs at a fast and furious pace that could go-lucky, tunefilled session that is sure to make a launch this set right the charts. rapid entry on to the charts. Exciting bands on here are “Put On A Happy Face,” “One Boy” and “A Lot of Livin’ To Do.” Kudos to Ann- 2^ Margret and Bobby Rydell for standout vocal performances. “THE LONGEST DAY”—Original Soundtrack— 20th Fox FXG5007 Here is an impressive soundtrack album of 20th “JOHNNY’S NEWEST HITS”—Johnny Mathis— Century Fox’s film spectacular, “The Longest Columbia CL 2016 Day.” Lowell Thomas dramatically narrates the Johnny Mathis has earned many laurels in the highlight events of the box office smash. In con- jaM»ffr*s past for his distinctive song stylings and this densed version, the disk features the voices of NEWEST session of current recent many of the film’s stars, the accompanying sound fins new Columbia LP and single hits ranks as his strongest entry in quite effects, and the very effective musical back- a while. The chanter’s deep, rich, wide-range grounds, including Paul Anka’s excellent “Long- baritone voice carries him in good stead as he est Day” theme. The album has historical merit offers “Gina,” “Marianna” and his current chart- as well as entertainment value. rider of “What Will Mary Say.” Disk should score heavily in the coin department. “MORE HIT TV THEMES”—Nelson Riddle— Capitol ST 1869 “THE GREATEST HITS OF THE GOLDEN Nelson Riddle’s previous package of TV themes GROUPS”—Bobby Vinton—Epic LN24049 ^MOREh- quickly zoomed up the charts and this follow-up Bobby Vinton, who is currently riding the charts stanza has every indication of going a similar with “Over "The Mountain,” Johnnie and Joe’s success route. As with his previous album. Riddle while-back smash, comes up with entire album of HITTV'^F has brought his own distinctive, fresh arrange- vintage rock ’n roll hits. The chanter’s modern- ment concepts to the varied musical themes. 'The ized renditions of the teen oldies is helped by the THEWIESE= orkster and crew turn in top-flight renditions of superb backing of the Jordanaires. Vinton offers “Ballad Of Jed Clampett,” “Bonanza Theme’’ and first-rate readings of such past triumphs as “Ballad Of Paladin.” Disk has enough built-in hit “Earth Angel,” “My Special Angel” and “A ingredients to skyrocket. Thousand Miles Away.” Blockbuster potential here.

“LIVING IT UP!” — Bert Kaempfert — Decca “WHERE DID EVERYONE GO?”—Nat King DL4374 Cole—Capitol SW1859 Bert Kaempfert appears to have the magical key Nat King Cole comes with a mood-setting disk to successful instrumental hits. The orkster has on Capitol as he lends his very personal and an enviable record of chart-riders with singles distinctive vocal touch to a host of moodful and LP’s, and he could travel the same route with standards. The songster, currently represented on this new romp on Decca. Geared for both dancing the charts with his “Dear Lonely Hearts” pack- and listening enjoyment, the maestro launches age could go the same success route with this the set with his current noisemaker, “Gentleman offering. Gordon Jenkins provides some top-flight Jim,” and includes with it a whole bag of delight- arrangements and also conducts here. Slick tracks ful tunes such as “Fluter’s Holiday” and “Tricky include “Where Did Everyone Go?” “When The Trombone.” World Was Young” and “Laughing on the Out- side.”

“THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF LOVE”—Rob- “DO THE BIRD”—Dee Dee Sharp—Cameo ert Goulet—Columbia CL1993 C1050 Robert Goulet’s spectacular rise to success, and This young lark has come up with four hit sin- almost immediate acceptance by the public is gles in a row during the course of the past year clearly evidenced in the sales figures of his first in a can’t miss manner. This new Cameo album, three LP’s, the last of which is still riding high tagged after her current biggie, “Do The Bird,” on the charts. On this session, the husky-voiced has enough built-in success ingredients to carry baritone turns to some uptempo items with a it straight up the hitsville path. The thrush has swinging and brassy backdrop. The chanter han- a big voice that serves her well as she surveys dles these bold and bluesy tunes with deftness “Let The Sunshine In,” “He’s So Fine” and “Our and sureness as he essays “I’ll Take Romance,” Day Will Come.” Dee Dee Sharp fans will come “Mean To Me” and “Life Is Just A Bowl Of out in strength for this one. Cherries.” A sure-fire chart stand here.