New Pop Records

If Columbia Records has caught the public pulse and not just the beat in its own thumb, U.S. record buyers want piano, piano and more piano. Columbia is giving it to them in an ambitious and "continuing" project called Piano Moods, "a cross-section of major piano styles of the day." Before the series is finished, Columbia plans to put most of the big-name "eighty-eighters" (missing: Art Tatum, George Shearing, who are tied up with other companies) onto two ten-inch LP sides apiece. The five sets out last week are a fair slice of Columbia's cross-section.

Pittsburgh-born Enroll Garner, playing trademark tunes such as When Johnny Comes Marching Home and My Heart Stood Still, displays a lot of chordy harmonic curiosity, with occasional lapses into his running-waterfall style. Bumptious Joe Bushkin, the flashiest current craze (see above), plays with steadier rhythm and a harder, right-handed riffing style. The only woman in the list so far, Dardanelle (Breckenridge), shows a light, teasing touch, articulate phrasing. Ralph Sutton, a favorite at Greenwich Village's Eddie Condon's, bumps out Ain't Mishavin', Muskat Ramble and Deep Henderson in two-beat and Fats Waller style. Walter Gross's efforts with Mozartiana and The Way You Look Tonight are pretty and carefully arranged.

Other new pop records:

I'm in the Middle of a Riddle. Lazy and lilting, this is one of the best of the new ones in waltz time, by Franz Winkler, composer of last year's popular Forever and Ever. Percy Faith (Columbia) and Lawrence Welk (Mercury) both do it well.

Shades of Blue (Ethel Waters; Remington). A worthwhile reissue of an old-timer warbling with wide but fine-toned tremolo some famed old songs: Cabin in the Sky, Am I Blue, Dinah.

College Prom (Elliot Lawrence and Orchestra; Decca). Strictly for rolling the rug back. Includes such favorites as I Can't Get Started, East of the Sun, Deep Purple, etc., done up in a more danceable than distinguished style.

A Rainy Day Refrain (Mindy Carson; Victor). A cute and cozy little seasonal number, sung with lazy appeal; one the trade picks to catch on.

George Shearing and His Quintet (M-G-M). Blind British Pianist Shearing and his group wrap up eight to prove "that bop is still very much alive." Unproved.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.