Album Reviews
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Gash Box ALBUM REVIEWS “FESTIVAL OF FAITH”—Fred Waring—Capitol ST1848 Fred Waring and his' Pennsylvanians sing a host JAZZ PICKS OF THE WEEK of the traditional songs of faith on this new Capitol outing. With a series of religious holidays coming up, the album should get plenty of sales action. Frank Davis is the featured soloist here “HOBO FLATS”—Jimmy Smith—Verve V 8544 and some first-rate arrangements were provided In the past few years, Jimmy Smith has made a by Roy Rin^ald and Harry Simeone. Included significant contribution to jazz with his distinc- in the long list of sacred songs are “God Of Our tive, highly-personal organ stylings. On this new Fathers,” “Sholom Alechem,” and “Battle Hymn Verve session Smith proves that his vital, fresh Of The Republic.” style is still present by refusing to carbon-copy even himself. Oliver Nelson has come up with first-rate arrangements this time out and, while backed by a big band, the organist swings su- “THE SWEETEST SOUNDS” — Wayne King — perbly on “Hobo Flats,” “Walk Right In” and Decca DL 4368 “The Preacher.” Disk should score in both the Although new dance crazes come and go, there is jazz and pop markets. still a potent market for the easy-listening tradi- tional terpsichorean sounds of Wayne King. The vet orkster reaches into his rich bag of danceable tunes and comes un with a delightful selection of “THE NEW SOUNDS OF MAYNARD FERGU- 1046 tunes culled from Broadway and flicks on this SON”—Cameo C outing. The band breezes through some top-notch, Maynard Ferguson kicks olf this Cameo bow with lush arrangements of “The Sweetest Sounds,” a spirited, swingin’ reading of “Take The ‘A’ “Days Of Wine And Roses” and “Al-Di-La.” Train” and sets a polished pace which he main- tains set. his previous Pleasant late hours mood companion. throughout the As on ses- sions the tirnmneter fronts a 12-piece band but the individual musicians get a chance to wail in the solo spotlight. There’s something for every- one in this varied jazz program from bossa nova “IN MEMORIAM PATSY CLINE”—Everest 1217 to evergreens. Among the best bets here are Patsy Cline’s tragic death last month has sparked “Gravy Waltz,” “At The Sound Of The Trumpet” a renewed interest in her earlier recordings, and and “Danny Boy.” Disk should move quickly. this session from Everest spotlights some of her earlier hits. The country songstress surveys some soulful country-oriented tunes with polish and feeling as she includes such oldies as “Walking After Midnight,” “Honky Tonk Merry Go Round” and “Let The Teardrops Fall.” The lark’s legion “UP & DOWN”—Horace Parian—Blue Note 4082 of admirers will surely want to add this album to In today’s competitive jazz world, many pianists their collections. are inclined to be sloppy under the banner of soulful sounds. Fortunately, Horace Parian is a delightful exception to the rule. The talented 88’er possesses the ability to communicate in “PRESENTING THE HUNTSMEN” — Briar straight-forward technically competent state- International M 106 ments. Parian is in top-drawer form on this new Part of the current revival in folk music can be Blue Note set of jazz-blues selections. Best bets attributed to interest from the nation’s college here include “Up And Down,” “The Other Part students. It is not sui-prising that groups of col- Of Town” and “Lonely One.” A splendid jazz lege folksingers should spring up. The Huntsmen offering. are one such group. On this their initial LP entry these four youngsters display a feelingful, moving understanding of the folk idiom as they render a dozen sturdies with the assurance of a crew of long-successful pros. Among the best tracks on “THE GROUP—RCA Victor LSP2663 the disk are “Sinner Man,” “Dark As A Dungeon” Here is the premier LP on Victor by The Group, and “500 Miles.” a trio of vocalists with a fresh approach and a cohesiveness that marks them as an important addition to the world of jazz singing. Lyrical “TO MY SOMEONE”—Marty Bronson—Norman ballad readings and rhythmic scat deliveries are NL 108 included on this top-drawer session. Slick sides Joey,” Marty Bronson, who is the owner of a popular St. here are “Joey, Joey, “Something’s Com- this Louis night club, is also a fine versatile singer ing” and “The Second Time Around.” Watch if this, his premiere LP, is any indication of his one for early acceptance. talents. The chanter has rich, deep, wide-range, legit-styled baritone voice and a commanding, professional delivery. With a top-flight backing supplied by Frank Harris, Bronson turns in stand- out readings of “My Coloring Book,” “They Call “BOLA SETE BOSSA NOVA”—Fantasy 8349 The Wind Maria” and “Goodnight My Someone.” That special, elite group of bossa nova experts Loads of potential here. from Brazil and this country must include the name Bola Sete, an authoritative exponent of the Brazilian beat, and a first-rate guitarist. The artist makes his LP debut on Fantasy with this nviejca program of bossa nova stylings that reflect his sensitivity for the music. The guitarist plays his Crtl-JNO “RIVIERA”—Bruno Canfora—Vesuvius 4412 along with those of Jobim and Here is a session of happy, moodful tunes with own compositions an Italian flavor by orkster Bruno Canfoi'a on Bonfa on this set which includes “Sweet Thing,” Vesuvius. Lots of relaxing mood music here as “Manha De Carnival” and “Without You.” The the orchestra plays the familiar melodies symbolic disk is a distinctive bossa nova offering. of the Mediterranean. Lots of lush strings add to the warmth of such pop melodies as “La Mer,” “Volare,” “Torna A Surriento” and “Santa Lucia.” The disk is a pleasant late hours listening com- panion. CLASSICAL “THE GOSPEL ECHOES” — Warner Brothers Pears, Benjamin W1499 HAYDN : Six Canzonettes, Peter Britten—London OS25321 Gospel music has become a potent force in both Six short songs by Haydn and six piano frag- folk and pop music contributing much in the ments by Johann Christian Holderlin are deftly areas of melody, lyric and rhythm. This excep- performed by Peter Pears (tenor) and Benjamin tionally fine group. The Gospel Echoes, effectively Britten (pianist) on this excellent classical offer- pinpoint this importance and are topnotch spokes- ing from London. The classical purity of Haydn men for gospel music. On this Warner Brothers and the lyrical line of Holderin’s works add up to LP, the trio sings and plays the songs of Jim a bit of pleasant old world esoterica. Both artists (Chief) Wetherington of the Statesmen Quartet. here reflect sensitivity and understanding of the Easy-listening bands here are “Wake Me Shake respective compositions. The disk is a first-rate Me Lord,” “The Future Looks Brighter To Me” classical entry. and “Tell Them What It’s All About.” 26 Cash Box—April 27, 1963.