New Pop Records

Let's Hear the Melody (Benny Goodman; Columbia LP). Goodman's incisive clarinet, with suave support from a string-and-horn ensemble, in such standbys as Lover, Come Back to Me, Embraceable You, Moonglow.

As You Desire Me (Jo Stafford; Columbia LP). Songstress Stafford's voice is warmer than ever and just as true. Most of her eight numbers (I'm in the Mood for Love, Something to Remember You By, etc.) are lugubriously slow; Blue Moon and September in the Rain have more bounce.

A Tribute to Jazz, Ltd. (Jazz, Ltd. LP). A Chicago jive joint honors itself. Trombonist Miff Mole, Trumpeter Doc Evans & Co. provide the music: Tin Roof Blues, High Society, Jazz Me Blues, Charleston, done at length (eight minutes each) in easygoing Dixieland style.

Botch-a-me (Rosemary Clooney; Columbia). Another piece of bumptiousness ("botch-a-me" is Tin-Pan-Alley Italian for "kiss me") from the girl who made Come On-a My House a limited national delirium last summer. No better than most sequels.

Fascinating Rhythm (Freddie Hall; King). An uptempo, two-beat scramble through the old Gershwin tune. Vocalist Hall mutters his pattering lyrics in an offhand manner that is good for a chuckle.

High Noon (Frankie Laine; Columbia). A folk-style ditty from the picture of the same name. Blues-Belter Laine voices the passionate plea, "Do not forsake me," and a confusion of other thoughts, over a throbbing tom-tom beat.

I Waited a Little Too Long (Trudy Richards and Artie Shaw; Decca). A high-pressure blues song, a vocal in Ella Fitzgerald style, and a big, swinging band. But if Clarinetist Shaw is aboard at all, he is playing too softly to be heard.

Collectors' Note: Okeh has reissued some famous oldtimers: I'm Confessin' (Louis Armstrong); Willow Weep for Me (Cab Galloway); Wiggle Woogie (Count Basic); Gimme a Pigfoot (Bessie Smith).

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