5-25-23 - Cash Box Reviews of the Day - MARCH 12, 1955

[Bruce]

MARCH 12, 1955

https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/50s/1955/CB-1955-03-12.pdf


THE FOUR TUNES (Jubilee 5183; 45-5183)

“I HOPE” (2:42) [Wemar BMI—McGregor, Cobert]
The Four Tunes dish up some great material on their latest platter. A beautiful lilting love song. Excellent presentation. Boys have a good side that could take off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILdlhJW7l8I

“I CLOSE MY EYES” (2:59) [Wemar BMI—Baker]
This inviting romantic item has a folk feeling to it. Warm and appealing number.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4p-VhBqsTE

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AL HIBBLER (Decca 29441; 9-29441)

“UNCHAINED MELODY” (2:53) [Frank ASCAP—North, Zaret]
“DAYBREAK” (2:45) [Feist ASCAP—Grofe, Adamson]

Al Hibbler, a great vocalist and a big name in the jazz world, comes up with an absolutely brilliant reading of a great new pop tune on his first Decca release. It’s a stirring ballad dubbed “Unchained Melody”, the theme music
from the current Warner flick “Unchained”. Assisted by a great big Jack Pleis orking, Hibbler leans into this dramatic number and sends it across in penetrating fashion. He sings straight from the heart. And the melody is as
dynamic as they come. The most inspired wax performance we’ve heard in months. The film oughta do much to send this one off on the right track. The bottom half, “Daybreak” features a more mellow Hibbler on another love
song. Top half could be tremendous.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC7obNtXLYU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJyOgX_20TU

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THE CASH BOX *AWARD O' THE WEEK*

FAYE ADAMS (Herald 450)

‘YOU AIN’T BEEN TRUE” (2:00) [Angel BMI—J. Hendricks]
"MY GREATEST DESIRE” (2:34) [Berkshire BMI—Clyde Otis]

Faye Adams' full voice is back with a pair that will please. Top side, from where we sit should be “My Greatest Desire”. The gal sings a middle tempo blues-ballad with an emotion packed delivery and Faye Adams distinctive vocalisms. Miss Adams is an extremely effective performer and the wax captures her emotional outpourings with faithful fidelity. The flip, “You Ain’t Been True”, is an upbeat evergreen with Faye doing a bit of saucy belting. Ork drives more on this side. Good wax that FAYE ADAMS could also create sales action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pw-h0AELOGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqLLCjZ6Bdk

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THE PENGUINS (Dootone 353)

“LOVE WILL MAKE YOUR MIND GO WILD" (2:30) [Dootsie Williams BMI—Curtis Williams]
“OOKEY OOK” (2:35) [Dootsie Williams BMI—Cropper]

The Penguins follow their national hit, “Ko Ko Mo”, with a two sider that should help to keep the lads up there. The upper deck, “Love Will Make Your Mind Go Wild”, is a slow ballad beautifully performed. Lead voice is tender
against a soft chorus chant. Presentation has a feathery quality that makes it easy to sit still for. Story is good. The flip, “Ookey Ook,” is a bouncer description of a dance. While keeping a definite strong beat, tune is not in the rock and roll classification. The fellows manage to keep the item to what might best be described as a subdued rock and roll. Two strong sides but we lean to “Love.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCJH-kTU72U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhscmwgmMGg

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LOWELL FULSON (Checker 812)

"LOVING YOU” (2:53) [Arc BMI—L. Fulson]
"CHECK YOURSELF” (2:45) [Arc BMI—L. Fulson]

The new Lowell Fulson is already making noise all over the country. This is one that all ops and stores should get with as the record has already been pretested and proven. The side is “Loving You,” a slow country bouncing blues in which Fulson proclaims his vast love. It is an easy effort with a strong appeal. The reverse, “Check Yourself,” is a middle tempo jump that comes out a good coupler. Fulson sings with his strong feeling for a tune but early indications are that it is a one sider, “Loving You.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yjgv3P05YX4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwEOa8qnrrA

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EDDIE VINSON (Mercury 70525)

“ANXIOUS HEART” (2:45) [Marlyn Music BMI—Jones, Sanford]
Hard hitting Eddie Vinson reads the current pop hit and gives it an exciting treatment. Deck could move out and grab itself a piece of business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7JhloHQt4I

“SUFFER FOOL” (2:43) [Brent BMI—Kirkland]
Vinson does another good job on a quick beat jump ditty as he tells his baby off. In the rock and roll idiom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N861SqpE0sQ

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PEPPERMINT HARRIS (Cash 1003)

“TREAT ME LIKE I TREAT YOU” (2:45) [Money BMI Harris, Grey]
Harris does ok by the slow bouncer blues. Item is low down in vocal and ork treatment. Tune is ok and Harris seems to feel it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_rtdpkw33w

“CADILLAC FUNERAL” (2:23) [Money BMI—Fowler, Vickers]
Harris sings a jump item in the novelty vein. Deck doesn’t come off too well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RwIEebH8Wo

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DAKOTA STATON (Capitol F-3059)

“FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE” (2:36) [Monument BMI—McCoy, Singleton]
This gal is headed upwards. She has lots on the ball and demonstrates her talents on this deck. Tune is a slow dramatic bouncer poured out by Miss Staton in very stirring fashion. A platter to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syw1Sc-yrto

(Sounds like "Hurts Me To My Heart" part 2 (Faye Adams) same songwriters.)

“NO MAMA—NO PAPA” (1:55) [Roosevelt BMI—Kriechman, Luoma]
Here’s a quick beat that Dakota handles with an eye to pop. Infectious but light. Showpiece for the diversified talents of the gal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KdmhlvGvxU

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THE DEBS (Bruce 129)

“SHOO DOO BE DOO” (2:16) [Arc BMI—Fuqua, Freed]
The Debs cover the Moonlighters hit with an acceptable version. However, gals are late for any real action on this side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs2nWlPVB2w

“WHADAYA WANT?” (2:27) [Quintet BMI—Stoller, Leiber]
Another cover of an item already strong. Gals are fair.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xouusBlzjlU

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OTIS BLACKWELL (Jay-Dee 798)

“GO AWAY MR. BLUES” (2:29) [Beacon BMI-—Otis Blackwell]
Blackwell handles a middle tempo blues with ease and appeal. Ok platter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnpmjSEAdco

“I’M COMIN’ BACK BABY” (2:05) [Beacon BMI—Blackwell]
Blackwell sings a slow bouncer ditty with a hillbilly flavor. The chanter has a good style and does a strong job. Sings of the troubles he’s had and tells his baby he’s coming home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdaiSKuNdDY

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JIMMY McCRACKLIN (Modern 951)

“COULDN’T BE A DREAM” (2:20) [Modern BMI—MeCracklin]
Jimmy McCracklin sings a middle tempo rhythmic item with an easy country styling. Ok platter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OT8AQEPD-s

“PLEASE FORGIVE ME BABY” (2:31) [Modern BMI—McCracklin]
McCracklin asks forgiveness in a slow beat blues. Backing is easy in keeping with the feeling of the tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5rAT_ecJ5o

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ROY MILTON (Specialty 545)

“WHAT CAN I DO?” (2:14) [Bar BMI—R. Milton]
Milton sings a driving fast beat country blues effectively. Milton’s handling of the tune and hard hitting ork backing lend the wax plenty of excitement. Ok platter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0buIBGqLyo4

“BABY DON’T DO THAT TO ME” (2:12) [Bar BMI—R. Milton]
A slow jump side with effective warbling by Milton. Band lays down a good dance beat. Substantial hunk of wax that should pick up some action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEJLKepzqyE

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LUIS RIVERA (Federal 12211)

“RUBY” (3:03) [Miller ASCAP —Parish, Roemheld]
Luis Rivera, on the organ, dishes up a dreamy slow tempo reading of the lovely tune. Strong solo support from sax.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fjAmazWoHU

“HEAVY HIPS” (3:04) [Armo BMI—Luis Rivera]
The group etches a middle tempo bouncer ditty with Rivera again sharing solo spots with the sax. Combo has a good sound and the etching is good programming material.

https://youtu.be/YtOiv1xMl8s?t=137

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RICHARD BERRY (Flair 1064)

“PLEASE TELL ME” (2:35) [Flair BMI — Berry]
Richard Berry chants a slow blues ballad with a melancholy air. Tune is pretty and has a sentimental appeal.

both sides - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gkkV7wHPDA

“OH! OH! GET OUT OF THE CAR” (2:38) [Berry]
Berry changes pace with a complete change in mood. Flip is a novelty bouncer with humorous lyrics about the babe who won’t cooperate in the car.

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THE CASH BOX RHYTHM 'N BLUES
SLEEPER OF THE WEEK

MOONGLOWS (Chess 1589)

“MOST OF ALL” (2:43) [Arc BMI—Fuqua, Freed]
“SHE’S GONE” (2:41) [Arc BMI—A. Walton]

The talented Moonglows come up with two strong ballads to pick up where their hit “Sincerely” has placed them. The boys go sweet on both “Most Of All” and “She’s Gone” and their treatments of the melodic tunes should send them both off into the high spots in the lists. “Most Of All” was written by the pair that created “Sincerely”, Fuqua and Freed. Both tunes have sentiment, romance, melody and treatment. “Most of All” looks like the one that has the best chance to take off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieDxe3XKMLw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2ElO5elchs

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THE "5" ROYALES (King 4785)

“MOHAWK SQUAW” (2:37) [Franlin BMI—Lowman Pauling]
“HOW I WONDER” (2:40) [Franlin BMI—Davis, Pauling]

The “5” Royales come up with a really wild one in “Mohawk Squaw,” a middle beat tempo that goes back to the Indians for material. The bouncer is complete with war hoops, chants and an excellent beat. Lyrics are cute.
Though they tried hard to get her to say something, all they could get out of her was “ugh.” This could be the one to put the group up on top again. The flip, “How I Wonder,” is a slow, rhythmic ballad on which the lads blend softly and emotionally. Deck has simplicity and easy to remember lyrics and melody. Also bears watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp2qK2chDTI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yWh-7Vql-4

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REV. BALLENGER (Chess 1590)

“HOW I GOT OVER” (2:40)
Rev. Ballenger has his big voice amplified even more by the extensive use of echo. Ballenger gives the middle beat gospel item a jubilee air.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZx-hxuw4aw

“THIS TRAIN” (2:41)
Quick beat item—clean and with less echo becomes the better side. Ballenger generates excitement and comes up with a strong side. Definitely the more powerful entry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Cz0ScFTjc

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SISTER ROSETTA THARPE and MARIE KNIGHT (Decca 48332)

“LOOK AWAY IN THE HEAVENLY LAND” (1:45) [Vasti BMI-Dolly Lewis, Stella Lee]
Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight pairing offers good name value. The pair work smoothly together on the quick beat effort that seems aimed more at the pop market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLfcX0B5t6k

“STAND THE STORM” (2:25) [Taps Agency BMI]
Another quick beat offering that comes off the better deck, but also seems too pop in treatment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va2xIHdyV4I

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JIM REEVES (Abbott 178; 178-45)

“DRINKING TEQUILA” (2:40) [Dandelion BMI—B. Center]
“RED EYED AND ROWDY” (2:16) [Dandelion BMI—J. Reeves, T. Perrvman]

Jim Reeves steps up to bat out two delectable platters that oughta keep the boxes hoppin’ day and night. Upper portion, “Drinking Tequila” is a gay, south-of-the-border number, reminiscent of his smash, “Mexican Joe.” In fact it could even be the same “Latin lover” who’s enjoying all the festivities on this deck. On the flip side, Reeves continues in happy-go lucky fashion as he waxes a flavorful bouncer dubbed “Red Eyed And Rowdy.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOobacW2_gE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzBJxnARE54

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