St]^ Album Reviews

ST]^ ALBUM REVIEWS 'X-X4<vC4«M»»W-: "THE NEW ‘I LOVE PARIS’ ’’—Michel Legrand and his Orch.—Columbia CL 1640 “THE FIRST COUNTRY COLLECTION OF Michel Legrand’s first “I Love Paris" LP intro- WARREN SMITH”—Liberty LST 7199 duced him to American disk audiences and resulted Fast rising young newcomer to country music ranks, in one of the label’s biggest hit sets. The original Warren Smith bows on his first album songs have been retained, as have many of the tor the label. In it he performs his two big hits, original arrangements, but now newly-recorded “I Don’t Believe I’ll Fall In Love Today” and “Odds And Ends,” and lends talented in stereo a new sales vista is open for it. A tiib- a voice to the recreation of ute to the Legrand touch is that the modernity he several country items of recent vintage, including “Foolin’ achieved in the first set is just as up to date now Around,” “Kissing My with just some minor changes for stereo’s sake. Pillow,” “Pick Me Up On Your Way Down” and Among the tunes are “I Love Paris,” “Under The “I Fall To Pieces.” Should get a solid country Bridges Of Paris,” “La Vie En Rose” and “The field reception. Last Time I Saw Paris.” “GUITAR LAMENT”—A1 Viola—World Pacific WP-1408 “DONALD BYRD AT THE HALF NOTE CAFE” Volume 1 Blue Note 4060 A lot of of artistry and care has gone into the — — The relaxed, superbly sympathetic atmosphere of production of this album. Viola, basically a pop NY’s Half Note Cafe has resulted in several out- guitarist, takes on a new look as he combines standing location recordings. Here, Blue influences from classical, flamenco and jazz in Note has its into the for restyled interpretations of twelve pop songs taken equipment spot a two-vol- session with newly-formed played on the simple but eloquent classical guitar. ume the Donald Byrd Intriguing listening as Viola performs “Lover group and there’s no doubt as to the consistency Man,” “Black Coffee” and “End Of A Love Af- of the outcome. Byrd’s sweetly surging trumpet work is supported Pepper Adams, fair,” among others. by Duke Pear- son, Laymon Jackson and Lex Humphries in a spirited exhibition of jazz fireworks. Since there are only four cuts there is plenty of room for each to stretch out. “THE MAGIC ISLANDS REVISITED" — Axel * kM »!k msTERSomm M “A DATE WITH THE MASTERSOUNDS”—Fan- Stordahl and his Orch. and Chorus Decca DL — tasy 3316 79096 Disbanded except for Fantasy LP dates, the A “return to paradise” musical offering in which Mastersounds still maintain the high level of in- Stordahl gathers up his ork, the Gene Rains chor- dividuality that first marked their ascendancy isters, the seagulls and tastefully essays a dozen Here, Buddy Montgomery is back on v'bes (he’s Island-influenced tunes. A 10-page colorful pic- been concentrating on piano with the Montgom- ture panorama of Hawaiian sights accompanies ery Brothers) and he’s a delight of tasteful in- the disk in booklet form. Selections include “Re- genuity, leading the group through intelligently turn To Paradise,” “The Hukilau Song,” “Fare- constructed readings of “Whisper Not,” “Surrev well” and “Forevermore.” With The Fringe On Top,” “Noreen’s Nocturne” and five others. The Jazz Crusaders “FREEDOM SOUND”—The Jazz Crusaders—Pa- “GUS BIVONA DEALS IN MILLIONS”—War- cific Jazz PJ-27 ner Bros. W 1361 The Jazz Crusaders are four young men from Echoes of the Swing Era here as Gus Bivona Houston who through years of playing together twists his way through line-up of the period’s have developed into a cohesive, purposeful jazz big hits in the original styles of their creators. unit. On their debut disk there is a bristling en- Included are Woody Herman’s “Woodchopper’s thusiasm that propels them headlong into a stim- Ball,” Artie Shaw’s “Summit Ridge Drive,” Ba- ulating display of jazz knowledge. Selections, ex- sie’s “One O’clock Jump” and Glenn Miller’s cept for the “Theme From Exodus,” are all orig- “Tuxedo Junction.” inals by grou]) members. Solid jazz listening here. “GERRY MULLIGAN WITH CHET BAKER”— GNP-56 “BABES IN TOYLAND”—Narrated by Little No liner notes to reveal circumstances of this date Boy Blue—Disneyland ST-3913 but it is apparent that it was made some time col- Also preceding the forthcoming soundtrack LP is ago. Nonetheless, Mulligan and Baker work this “storyteller” of the Disney adaptation of the laboratively here in a relaxed, easy-going manner Victor Herbert musical, which contains the same and provide substantial interest for even the cas- 15 selections as the $1.98 set but with an addi- ual jazz fan. The addition of Buddy DeFranco side tional narration of the story line by Little Boy SyODY »«TaABC0 and the Herman McCoy Swing Choir on two Blue (Ginny Tyler). An 11-page color booklet is gives a “pop” sheen to the proceedings and makes bound into the book-fold jacket. Musical per- it even more accessible to non-jazz buyers. Pleas- formances are excellent and the narration has ant listening package. tremendous kiddie appeal. CLASSICAL Concerto in D for the Left Hand; PRO- “PROFESSOR LUDWIG VON DRAKE” — Dis- RAVEL: in John Browning, neyland DQ-1222 KOFIEV: Concerto #3 C— Erich Leinsdorf conducting the Philhar- New Walt Disney character. Professor Ludwig piano, Orchestra Capitol SP 8545 von Drake, star of the NBC-TV’er “Wonderful monica — The young Browning continues to grow rapidly World Of Color,” is introduced on disks in all his into one of our leading virtuosos. Here, the intri- comical self-esteem. Children should delight in cate Ravel concerto seems to present no obstacles his vaudevillian German accent and the manner to Browning and he disposes of it with dash and in which he imitates Elvis and others. Good dis- spirit yet the utmost artistic integrity. An- play cover. with other virtuoso work, Prokofiev’s 3rd concerto, also quickly succumbs to the young pianist’s at- tack. A major accomplishment for the artist. “WORKS FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA”-^oii. ducted by Bruno Maderna and Luciano Berio — MUSIC SAMPLERS”—Various Art- “COUNTRY Time S/8002 ists Starday SLP 143 — Three young Italian composers who are working Thirteen selections, each from a Starday album, in the new electronic music idiom are represented serve as a generous introduction to the well- in Time’s latest classical venture. The English diversified Starday country music LP catalog. A Chamber ork under Bruno Maderna’s direction big buy at the $1.98 tag. Heard in the set are performs the conductor’s “Serenata #2” and Cowboy Copas, George Jones, Frankie Miller, _ Luigi Nono’s “Polifonica-Monodia-Ritmica”; Berio Benny Martin, Moon Mullican, Red Sovine and conducts an ensemble in his own “Differences.” others. Earl Brown has done a highly commendable re- HlOH FIDELITY cording job on this controversial music. Cash Box—September 2, 1961 23.

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