Cash Box , Music August I, 1959 Album Reviews
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—— — Page 28 The Cash Box , Music August I, 1959 Album Reviews POPULAR PICKS OF THE WEEK 1 “IMPACT”—Buddy Morrow and his Orch. RCA Victor LPM 2042 & Stereo LSP 2042 “MODERN TIMES”—Original Sound Track Buddy Morrow offers twelve jazz directed Recording—conducted by Alfred Newman themes from an equal number of dramatic TV United Artists UAL 4049 shows. Numbers include “M Squad,” “Richard Diamond,” “Perry Mason Theme,” “Waterfront” Chaplin’s immortal unfor- Charlie and and the best-seller “Peter Gunn.” Ray Martin satire, “Modern Times,” contains getable arranged. Stereo direction is particularly fine. soundtrack music, (com- excitingly vivid Should fare well in light of the current TV jazz vital posed by Chaplin), which is extremely theme trend. to the film. This sound track is produced here by UA in a single-disk, book-type package containing photos of Chaplin in scenes from the flick. Deck contains 18 tracks, from various film incidents. Current “HIGH STRUNG”—A1 Caiola—RCA Victor LPM revival of film could win big sales here. 2031 & Stereo LSP 2031 Guitarist Caiola leads a unique group of in- “SCARLET RIBBONS” — Michel Legrand strumentalists here, and comes up with a fas- and his Orch.—Columbia CL 1338 cinating sound. The group consist of four other Subtitled “Folksongs for Orchestra,” this guitarists, including George Barnes; drummer set offers a thirteen vehicle showcase for Don Lammond, bassist Sandy Block and alternat- the intriguing arrangements of Michel Le- ing on vibes, Phil Kraus and Ed Costa. The selec- grand. Legrand has encased each of the tions are mostly standards, with a couple of beautiful selections in an aura of orchestral Caiola originals. They includes “Sweet Georgia color, making for a most delightful listen- Brown,” “It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie,” “Idaho” and ing treat. Among the numbers are “Black “Undecided.” Good change-of-pace listening here. Is The Color of My True Love’s Hair,” “All Through The Night,” “Along the Colorado Trail” and “Londonderry Air.” Brilliant music. “GILBERT AND SULLIVAN OVERTURES”— Orchestra conducted by Alan Ward.—RCA Victor “LATE DATE WITH RUTH BROWN”— LM 2302 & Stereo LSC 2302 Atlantic 1308 (Monaural & Stereo) The overtures to six Gilbert and Sullivan oper- Ruth Brown departs from her usual blues ettas are contained herein, and since an overture singing with this album of pop standards. encompasses many of the show’s musical high- With accompaniment alternating between lights, a quick run-through of some of G&S’s lush strings and swinging riffs, Miss Brown most memorable tunes is available to the listener. adjusts her distinct phrasing and fine sense The numbers are: “The Mikado,” “The Yeomen of timing to such lovelies as “You’d Be So of the Guard,” “Ruddigore,” “Iolanthe,” “H.M.S. Nice To Come Home To,” “It Could Happen Pinafore” and “The Pirates of Penzance.” A fine To You,” “I Loves You Porgy” and “Let’s G&S “sampler.” Face The Music And Dance.” Extremely well-done session, which should result in healthy sales. “CUBAN FIREWORKS” — George Hernandez and his Orch.—Dot DLP 3179 “PAUL ROBESON AT CARNEGIE HALL”— The Hernandez ork is bright, brassy and es- Vanguard VRS 9051 & Stereo VSD 2035 sentially rhythmic — exhibiting an outstanding Latin “Feel.” The album is composed of cha cha The magnificent splendor of Robeson’s powerful chas, mambos, rhumbas and boleros, on which bass voice was welcomed back to Carnegie Hall Hernandez’ singers are joined by Bobby Ramos last year, where this album was recorded. Though and Lita Baron for some of the numbers. Sprin- sixty years old, his voice has retained all of its kled among the true Latin numbers are “From beauty, as is evident on the seventeen selections This Moment On,” “Love For Love” and “Golden present, among which are “Old Man River,” Moon.” Outstanding set for its class. “Volga Boat Song,” “Lullaby,” “Going Home,” and monologues from “Othello” and “Boris Godu- nov.” One of the greatest voices of the time. “STAN FREEMAN’S PIANO SWEETHEARTS” —Columbia CL 1326 & Stereo CS 8130 “TRAVELLIN’ ON” — Billy Grammer — Monu- Keyboard ment M 4000 stylings of twelve girl-titled tunes is offered by pianist Stan Freeman, most of which Since hitting with “Gotta Travel On,” Billy fall into the standard ballad class. Rufus Smith Grammer, primarily a country singer, has supplies the suitable arrangements, and appro- achieved national prominence. This album, his priate string or rhythm backdrops. Among the Grammar first, presents him singing a dozen country songs, enchantresses that come to life via Freeman’s representing works of some of the top country vivid portrayal are “Mimi,” “Ruby,” “Liza,” cleffers. Assisted by fine ork-chorus arrange- “Gigi”, “Laura” and “Stella By Starlight.” Won- ments, Grammer belts out such tunes as “A derful mood companion. Thousand Miles Ago,” “Poor Old Heartsick Me,” “Midnight” and “My Lucky Love.” Top country fare. “IF YOU ARE NOT PLUCKED YOU DIE”— Johnny April—Apollo 485 “CHARLESTON IN HI FI”—Ira Ironstrings— Thirteen tunes penned by Bix Reichner (lyrics) Warner Bros. 1297 & Stereo WS 1297 serve as vehicles for the LP debut of Johnny Music of the Roaring 20’s comes to life through April, young pianist-singer, who displays a the efforts of Ira Ironstrings and his ork’s latest pleasant vocal style and capable jazz-flavored LP outing. The staple dance items of the time piano. The songs, by such tunesmiths as John are given rousing readings, and with banjo and Benson Brooks, A1 Cohn, Clay Boland and Elliot other assorted instruments, an infectious ses- Lawrence, include “Snapped Cap,” “Ain’t Our sion results. Among the tunes are “Charleston,” Love A Swingin’ Thing,” “She Serves A Nice “Varsity Drag,” “Black Bottom,” “Ain’t She Cup of Tea,” and “You Better Go Now.” Bright Sweet” and “Five Foot Two—Eyes of Blue.” newcomer. Dancer’s choice. “THE KINGS IV AT LARGE”—United Artists “MY EYES HAVE SEEN”—Odetta—Vanguard UAL 3030 (Monaural & Stereo) VRS 9059 & Stereo VSD 2046 Endowed with an abundance of talent—they Possessing a powerful voice and deep insight play twenty instruments between them, are capa- into her repertoire, Odetta, leading folk and ble singers, mimics, comedians, etc.—the quartet spiritual singer, offers delicately sensitive read- is currently gracing the nitery scene. This album ings of fourteen songs in this category. She ac- shows off —various facets of their talents; Dixie- companies herself on guitar, with additional as- land jazz “It’s— A Long Way To Tipperary,” sistance from Bill Lee on bass and a chorus con- modern jazz “It’s Only A Paper Moon,” rock* ’n ducted by Milt Okun, on such cherished items roll—“Screaming Mimi,” pop tunes—“Seventy as “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “I’ve Been Six Trombones,” “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Driving on Bald Mountain,” “Motherless Chil- Boat,” etc. Liberal doses of humor are sprinkled dren” and “The Foggy Dew.” Magnificent per- thruout the twelve numbers. Several good tracks formance. here, can move with exposure..