Album Reviews
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Cash Box ALBUM REVIEWS “RUSSIAN SONGS AND CHORUSES”—Don Cossack Choir, Serge Jaroff, Conductor—Deutsche ' ' "ODETTA AND THE BLUES"—Riverside RLP • Grammop'hon SLPEM 136 235 9417 The Don Cossack Choir, under the very capable Odetta, long thought of as a folk artist, demon- direction of Serge Jaroff, has been a favorite of strates a moving communicative feel for the blues the American concert stage for many years, and on this top-notch offering from Riverside. The the choir’s legion of admirers will want this new thrush covers a wide range and dramatic and offering for their shelves. The Cossacks sing a emotional effects as she dishes up some passion- group of Russian folk songs which are not well filled renditions of “Believe I’ll Go,” “Yonder known, but they are delivered with the same Come The Blues” and “Go Down, Sunshine.” An verve and power that has become a trademark impressive disk. with the choir. Included are “Song Of The Brave Major,” “Marching Song,” “On The Hill,” “The Broken Heart,” and “Along The Road.” “I’LL WALK WITH GOD ”—Mario Lanza—RCA Victor LM-2607 “THAT’S ALL”—Herman Chittison—L’elegant Despite his untimely death in 1959, the voice of LES 1000 ru. Htix miHcoo Mario Lanza is still much in demand, and Victor Herman Chittison unleashes his talents on the MARIO has responded with this LP of songs of love and piano and comes up with some sparkling arrange- LANZA devotion. Some of the tunes have been taken ments in this potent bag of oldies. As a box man, from other albums, but Victor has added some he is not only nimble-fingered, but fleet-footed too SVS'CS Oh OffollOS .iso ion new ones taken from Lanza’s radio series. The as he pedals and pounds his way through uptempo dynamic voice is at its very best in “I’ll Walk versions of “Little Girl Blue,” “Smoke Gets In With God,” “Guardian Angels,” “Somebody Big- Your Eyes,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “Danc- ger Than You And I,” and “Addio Alla Madre.” ing On The Ceiling.” Playing sans accompani- The tenor’s legion of admirers will surely want ment, the 88’er proves himself a keyboard artist this one. of the first order. “MY FAVORITES OF HANK WILLIAMS”— George Jones—United Artists UAS 6220 George Jones, who is currently riding high on the JAZZ PICKS THE WEEK country charts with “She Thinks I Still Care,” OF offers a dozen musical tributes to the late Hank Williams on this new United Artists session. The selections include songs which were written by “SONNY’S TIME”—Sonny Rollins—Jazzland Williams and others which have become standards JLP 972 as a result of his performances. The songster’s Sonny Rollins, whose return from a self-imposed retirement last feelingful vocal style is aptly suited to such old year was greeted with apprehen- favorites as “Wedding Bells,” “You Win Again” sion by the jazz world, offers proof positive that and “Your Cheating Heart.” Plenty of sales po- he still has an imaginative, harmonic tenor style. tential here. On this Jazzland set the artist is teamed up with an accomplished group of sidemen including Oscar Pettiford on bass. Max Roach on drums and o Sonny Clark on piano. The sounds here are free- “GEORGE JONES SINGS FROM THE HEART” flowing, impressive and professional. Some first- GEORGE JONES SINGS —Mercury SR 60694 rate tracks include “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” “Cutie” and “My Old Flame.” Jazzophiles should FROM THE HEART Here’s a top-drawer package of country love songs from George Jones cut during his days with come in droves for the package. »ia wr*ia«Ts i» «me rasa year with hwjiw Mercury. The chanter has the ability to inject Vims BT TH WfflES TOZU » ITrt GOT # SWVKM the necessary conviction and authority on all the COLS COLS i' KHMG BREAKRC* GOTO TUK TO TODS* tunes he dishes up here. Jones’ professional, wide- VS Si *Y 08UM TO* TO « 08 IQBSOKE ¥ CJUfflT * S range voice is firmly evidenced on “Aching, “CHAZZ !”—Charles Mingus Quintet—Fantasy Breaking Heart,” “Candy Hearts” and “Cold, 6002 Cold Heart.” The set should prove popular with Here’s a top-drawer experimentative set cut seven the country spinners. A fine showing. years ago at Gotham’s Club Bohemia spotlighting ¥ the controversial talents of Charlie Mingus. The bassist’s amazing control and technical skills are aptly showcased on such adventuresome works as “Septemberly,” “Jump Monk” and “Serenade In “MOODY AND MAGNIFICENT”—Harry Robin- Blue.” All the artist’s many admirers should come son—Riverside 97528 out in strength for the set. The music of Harry Robinson is characterized by rich instrumentation, a soaring string section, inventive arrangements, and adherence to the melodic line. This entry from Riverside features “COLTRANE PLAYS THE BLUES”—John Col- the orchestra from England playing a set of bal- trane—Atlantic 1382 lads intended to set a mood, and does it effective- John Coltrane, who has established a solid reputa- ly in “Me And My Shadow,” “I’m In Love Again,” tion as one of the leaders in the avant-garde jazz and “All In The Game.” Potent wax for spinners. tradition, reverts to his early musical roots for this first-rate set of six blues selections. The soprano saxist does not rely on gimmicks but utilizes a fresh, straight-forward approach on the self-penned items on the set. Each track is a dramatic, personal statement in the best Coltrane “SONGS BY JIMMY NEWMAN”—MGM E4045 style. Best listening bets are “Blues To Elvin,” Jimmy Newman gives some soulful readings to a “Blues To You” and “Mr. Day.” Powerful jazz bevy of country-flavored ballads on this new out- package. ing from MGM. The chanter has a sincere, feeling- ful delivery that comes off well on such numbers as “I’d Just Be Fool Enough,” “What’cha Gonna Do,” “You’re Makin’ A Fool Out Of Me,” “Crying Over You,” and “Please Accept My Love.” The country singer’s loyal coterie of fans will want this enjoyable session. CLASSICAL “DANCIN’ THE GOLDEN 20’s GERMAN PUCCINI: Madame Butterfly; Andre Kostelanetz STYLE”—Philips PHS 600-030 —Columbia CL 1787 The syncopated rhythms of the roaring twenties The orchestra of Andre Kostelanetz plays the are rejuvenated in this new offering from Philips music of Puccini’s most melodic opera, “Madame which features a host of tunes of that era melo- — Butterfly,” in a pleasing, straight-forward man- dies that were popular on both sides of the At- ner that should satisfy the most discerning opera lantic. The band has a bouncy, catchy beat and fan. For those whose likes are limited to pop employs the banjo, tinkling piano, and an organ music, the Kostelanetz treatment of the Puccini to recreate the musical spirit of the 20’s. Playing score should be a sheer delight. The orchestra 24 melodies in medley form, the band includes plays the entire first act, and the first “Whispering,” “Mack The Knife,” “San Fran- part of the second act, and the second part of the third act. cisco,” and “Valencia.” Disk is a pleasant late A very enjoyable session. hours companion. 32 Cash Box—August 4, 1962.