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Page 10 May 23 , 1959 The Cash Box , Music Record Reviews

1 DISK & SLEEPER »+ EXCELLENT E VERY GOOD C+ GOOD C FAIR D MEDIOCRE

“Oniy those records best suited for commercial use are reviewed by THE CASH BOX**

MORTY CRAFT JOE MEDLIN Gosh Box (Warwick 504) The (Mercury 71453) ” “THEME FROM ‘PICNIC’ “REMEMBER-R O-T (2:43) [Columbia ASCAP—Dun- D, EMEMBER” © • (2:15) [Actual BMI Otis, Ben- ing] Strong rockastring showing for — ton, Hendricks] Dramatic songster, the pic theme that clicked several who had a chart rider last time out "” “” years ago. Built ala Frank Pourcel’s with ‘I Kneel At Your Throne”, es- (2:30) (1:58) “Only You”, deck stands a good chance says a fella’s recollections about his [Debmar ASCAP—Faith, DiCicco] [Arch ASCAP—Jacobson, Sexton] of copping a chart position. last love with authority. Strong opus. (Chancellor 1036) Can turn the chart trick again for “BEYOND THE NEXT HILL” artist. • “Venus” is what Ed Sullivan would term “a really big record” B (2:36) [Portrait BMI—Haymes, far and away Frankie Avalon’s biggest to date. On it the chanter demon- Worth] Similar approach to an invit- “IN A HEAVEN OF OWN” strated his ability to handle a ballad with the best of ’em. His latest ing opus. OUR B [Actual Singleton, pairing, “Bobby Sox To Stockings” and “A Boy Without A Girl” further (2:09) BMI— Simon] Medlin eases over another proves the point. They’re two charmers, set to a mild r&r-ballad beat good ballad offering. tastefully supplied by the Peter DeAngelis ork, and warmly executed ROLAND JAMES by polished young song stylist. Both lids have that chart-topping (Judd 1012) potential. H, “PATRIOTIC GUITAR” (2:55) JOYCE HEATH © ‘ [Judd BMI—James] Here’s an (RCA Victor 7536) interesting combo drive item: deck is an arrangement of Armed Forces Q . “(The Legend of) THE GREAT songs (Army, Navy, Marines) plus ©* PHILADELPHIA LAWYER” “SNEAKY ALLIGATOR” (2:22) [Lily BMI—Otis, Dickson] others in exciting rock fashion. (2:36) [Forbell ASCAP—Gagliano] James did the guitar work on the Bill “HOLDING YOUR HAND” (2:00) [Sea-Lark BMI—Douglas, Sommerville] Softly read western dramatic by song- Justis click, “Raunchy”. An idea that stress about a “Philadelphia lawyer” may have the chart touch. Watch THE DIAMONDS (Mercury 71468) who wins a case for a cowboy but is closely. in turn killed by his client when he • The Diamonds, who have put together a long chain of hits in just hears the lawyer propose to his gal. a few years time, come up with another that has that ‘top ten’ look. “GUITARVILLE” (2:21) [Judd Unusual item that can come-through. Tagged “Sneaky Alligaor”, it’s a sensational rhythm-rocker that leans B BMI — James] More driving way over into the r&b market, vocally and instrumentally. Boys do a sounds, but upper lid seems to have “P R O M I S E ME, SWEET- great job. Should be a smash. “Holding Your Hand”, the hip-swinging, the “idea” edge. It’s a swingin’ rock B HEART” (2:35) [Forbell ASCAP rock-a-ballad romantic pleader, on the flip, also has a strong r&b feel. side, though. —Gagliano, Heath] The lark relates Strong dual-mart coupler. this teen-romancer with understand- ing. CASTLE SISTERS (Roulette 4157) » “DRIFTING AND DREAMING” THE DeMIRES “RING-A-LING-A-LARIO” (2:20) “WONDERFUL YOU” (2:30) O' (2:55) [E. H. Morris ASCAP— (Lunar 519) [Planetary ASCAP—Kent, Grant, [Kahl, Rush BMI—Stallman, Gillespie, Van Alstyne, Schmidt, Cur- Armand] Jacobson] tis] A bright r-e-statement of the oldie “THE SPIDER” (2:01) [Hillart that can reach a chart status. Gals B BMI—Hall] Whacky rock sock JIMMIE RODGERS (Roulette 4158) blend handsomely, adding cute teen affair that features gimmick vocal lyrics at one point in counterpoint ar- ideas, including a “sssssss” bit. On • Roulette’s ‘top gun’ Jimmie Rodgers takes dead aim at the charts rangement. String and beat work both singing and instrumental, there’s with his latest release and comes up with a pair of bullseyes. Both halves, from ork is a treat. Should sell the excitement galore in this piece. which are as different as day and night, are loaded with hit potential jocks. Watch it. and therefore, a toss-up for top honors. One side, “Ring-A-Ling-A-Lario”, “WHEEL OF LOVE” (2:05) is a happy-go-lucky, quick beat offering with the inviting folkish flair “LUCKY GIRL” (2:22) [Plane- B [Hillart BMI — Okun] Fellas of his past hits. The other end, “Wonderful You”, a beautiful ballad set B tary ASCAP — Vance, Segal] blend in pro R&B-flavored ballad to a soft, semi-Latin beat, is quite different from anything Jimmie’s Pleasing ballad is presented with a style. Fine voice upfront. cut to date. And Rodgers, who’s in top vocal form on both portions, hippity-hop feel by the group and Joe receives a superb Joe Reisman choral and ork showcase. Reisman ork. TOMMY MARA PRISCILLA LEE (Felsted 8579) (Revolvo 22) IS THE HOUR (Maori “GOTTA NEW GIRL” (2:30) [Recordo BMI—Byrd] U , “NOW ‘STOP TALK-n” & “START Dt Farewell Song)” (2:09) [Leeds B [Cal Lee “MR. & MRS. ROCK ’N ROLL” (2:00) [Recordo BMI—Thomas, Vikki] WALK-n” (1:55) BMI ASCAP — Kaihan, Scott, Stewart] —Redman] Amusing rocker about a Fine teen translation of the appeal- BOBBY DAY (Class 252) femme who gives the guy the gate ing oldie, with Mara inviting on the because she says he’s been running tune and the combo-chorus in sweet- Looks like Bobby Day will capitalize on both ends of his newest A around with another gal. Fella tries beat dress. Could go. Class release. It’s a powerful pair of rockers tabbed “Gotta New Girl” to explain via comments throughout and “Mr. & Mrs. Rock-’N-Roll” and Bobby slams ’em both out in tan- Miss Lee’s warbling. “UNTIL I HEAR IT FROM talizing teen style. Former is in the catchy vein of his “Little Bitty U, [Knollwood AS- Pretty One” click while the latter blends a “Rockin’ Robin” spirit with ©'YOU” (1:49) “I WANNA” (2:05) [Cal Lee Kahn] Infectious, tune- a “Stagger Lee” drive. Take your pick. Both ends have the goods. CAP— Starr, C BMI—Redman, Comstock] A bel- ful jumper that also stands a chance ter with conventional ways. for chart recognition.

EDDIE HOLLAND JOHN GARY “A PRAYER AND A JUKE BOX” [Gil BMI—Shelton] (United Artists 172) (Fraternity 844) “RIVER PATH” [Bonnie ASCAP—Merlo, Welch] «, “MERRY-GO-ROUND” (2:20) Dt [Bengal Medlin BMI — Gordy] “LET THEM TALK” (2:25) LITTLE ANTHONY & IMPERIALS (End 1047) B , Potent ballad styling by Holland on ©*t [Buckeye ASCAP — Douglas, A Little Anthony and the Imperials, who broke thru with “Tears On a number that’s tailor-made for teen King, Carlson] Expressive ballad-beat My Pillow” and followed with the chart-riding “So Much” and “Wishful attention. The Holland essay is ear- warbling by Gary, whose got a pretty Thinking”, come up with another that looks like a big two-market arresting, with effective breaks in his wistful working for him. Backdrop coin-catcher. It’s an r&r-ballad pretty, with tear-compelling, happy- phrasing very effective. Look for both falsetto femme included—keeps Gary ending love lyrics, tagged “A Prayer And A Juke Box”. Anthony pop and R&B action here. in the spotlight. Could make it with and the boys caress it in a manner that the teeners’ll love. Their warm, good exposure. smooth ballad stylings are also evident on the tender sentimental “River “IT MOVES ME” (2:20) [Bengal Path”. Fetching organ-spotlighted instrumental backgrounds on both B BMI—Gordy, Davis, Gordy] In “TELL MY LOVE” (2:35) [Mil- ends. a lighter beat vein, Holland provides ler ASCAP — Conover, Carlson] the kids with an infectious entry. Warm stint again. ” “Only those records best suited for commercial use are reviewed by THE CASH BOX