New Pop Records

Hot v. Cool (the bands of Jimmy McPartland and Dizzie Gillespie; M-G-M album). Four tunes played in strenuous alternation by Trumpeter McPartland's hot Dixielanders and Gillespie's bopsters. The predictable upshot: the cool school does best with the harmonic complexities of How High the Moon, the Dixielanders with the basic chords of Indiana. But both manage to give the oldtime Muskrat Ramble a fine bounce.

Oscar Peterson Plays George Gershwin (Mercury LP). One of jazzdom's most versatile pianists trips the dark fantastic in a dozen of the best-liked Gershwin gems. There are times when the tune is hard to find, but Peterson's feeling for mood and invention never falters. In the same series and with the same fine sidemen (Guitarist Barney Kessel and Bassist Ray Brown) are LPs of Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and Irving Berlin tunes.

Anna (Silvana Mangano; M-G-M). A dispirited tango from the Italian film of the same name, recorded from the film's sound track. Actress Mangano gives it a minimum of singing but plenty of sensual lassitude.

Hug Me a Hug (Pearl Bailey; Coral). Not much of a tune, but Bailey's earthy discussions of the comparative merits of love and conversation are always easy to listen to.

I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again (Benny Goodman & His Orchestra; Columbia). A brand-new recording by the old King of Swing, who has now assembled a star-studded outfit for a sentimental journey across the U.S.* Except for a slight tendency toward middle-aged conservatism (he plays fewer notes nowadays), 1953 Goodman sounds much like the 1938 variety. Songbird Helen Ward's voice is as sweet as ever.

It's the Same (Marlene Dietrich and Rosemary Clooney; Columbia). Testimonials in favor of love from a globetrotter and a stay-at-home. World-wise Marlene says, "It's delicious in Rome, it's delightful in Nome," while the more rustic Rosemary finds "It still fills the bill on the back porch at home."

Kaw-Liga (Dolores Gray; Decca). A tongue-in-cheek hillbilly ditty about a cigar-store Indian in love. A perky tune and some pleasingly professional singing.

Unhappy Day (Homer and Jethro; Victor). The inevitable riposte to that vulnerable hit, Oh Happy Day. In hollow tones, and with the accompaniment of tuba and guitar, the singer spells out his misery.

Yokohama Mama (Harry Kari; Capitol). In a voice that has the sibilant Oriental inflections of a Peter Lorre, a fellow who calls himself Harry Kari explains how he got snared by a geisha girl.

*Goodman's own part in the tour was interrupted this week when he was bedded down in Boston, suffering from exhaustion. Until he is able to rejoin the gang, Drummer Gene Krupa will front the band. Such famed Goodmanites as Teddy Wilson, Ziggy Elman and Georgie Auld are backing him up.

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