Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1960-01-29
Music OF '40s


Music OF 40s
The album itself. which repre-
sents another fine effort by Cap
itol in sound reproduction (mon-
auraD, features IL carefully sci.
ected tunes:
From Ellington's collection, Grey
and his men play Jack the Bear
(He's Nowhere)", which the late
bassist Jimmy Blanton helped pop.
ularize, while Mission to Mos.
cow is from the Goodman's suite
and is based on the title Of a book
written by former u. 8. ambas.
sador to Russia, Joseph e. Davis;
Midnight Sum-, a big favoritG
which Hampton recorded for the
film, "A Song Is Born, in 1916
Kenton's 'Tntermission Riff: Of q
later vintage, and "Malibu", q
1915 hit recording by saxist Benny
Carter, are but a few Of the fine
tunes featured on the disc The
Grey band contributes, Blue.
Rhapsody, another hit favorite Of
1913.
Played with much Of the quail.
tiles of the original compositions
"Swingin' Decade" highlights
songs of the 40s, described as one
of the grandest periods in the his.
tory Of jazz. Both newcomers ant
fans of the music Of that periot
should find the disc delightful anC
rewarding.
Jose Mells Scores On Record
Fans of the Jack Paar televisiol
show must know what a talenteC
artist and bandleader Jose Melis is
On a new LIP titled "Jose Nell
Plays the Latin Way, on tn,
Seeco label, the nimble-fingereC
pianist gives an even more con
vncing performance as he play
IL crisp tunes ranging from Cha
Cha, Cha to rhumba to mambo AM
bolero. The Cuban senior, VIII,
studied in Spain and America, ais
introduces some novel sounds II
the tunes, all Of which he com
posed.
la Cumparsa," "El Negrit'
Del Batey" "a Merengue), Mag
delena" and La Cumparsa" (play
ed in Cha Cha time), are the toI
offerings on the disc.
But what makes the LIP out
standing is Melis' own interpreta
ton Of the songs. While no Gar
ner or Patterson from the strict!
jazz standpoint, for pure artistr.
in rhythm, Melis is in league witt
any contemporary pianist A
tough set.
Ella Sings Gershwin
The enterprising Norm Granz
Verve prexy, comes up with an
other gem in jazz queen Ella Ftz
gerald's singing series, Volume Nc
8, Of ELLA Fitzgerald Sings tn
George and Ira Gershwin Som
Book, with music arranged an,
conducted by Nelson Riddle ant
his orchestra.
AS in the preceding volumes, tn,
peer of female vocalists does {
tremendous job singing IL tune
from hit shows and movies writer
by the great composers, including
"a Foggy Day lin London TOWN."
from the flick, "A Damsel in Dis
tress;" For You, For Me, Fo
Evermore," from another movie
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim" ant
I've Got A Crush On You" from
the Broadway shows, Strike VI
the Band and Treasure Girl.
II there Is any flaw to the dis
1t is perhaps that it's too back
dated, and certainly NOT the way
Ella breathes new life into them
Otherwise, singer and orchestr'
provides an interesting session OF
the LIP, which falls into the collec
tors item category because Of thu
death Of George Gershwin in 1893
|. Choice Item.
PIatters Wakes Great
Rock n Roll fans win delight Ii
a new LIP by The Platters. Mercur.
recording stars, entitled "Encor'
Of Golden Hits" which spotlight
several Of their hit tunes. Tops a
their particular craft, the Platter
proves here that any facet Of jan
can be made interesting from
listening standpoint, as they SIM
such ballads as MY Prayer" ''TNwi
light Time, and The Great Pre-
tender" their big hit tune.
All the numbers are sung Il
their Characteristic style. with tn
male lead. backed up by the har