Play Meter

MUSIC PROGRAMMING
-
by Michael B. Klein
Three Hot Ones
The way it looks right now, this
may be my last column. Not by
choice, though. As I write this, a
massive cloud of smoke is drifting
over my house. It is black and
horrible. Very frightening. As a
matter of fact, it may be very soon
that I will have to pack up my
typewriter, and go somewhere else
to write this.
And here I sit writing while
California burns to the ground,
listening to single records for PLAY
METER. I feel a little bit like Nero.
But the show must go on. After all,
I have a deadline to meet! Perhaps a
little macabre, but here are some
outstanding singles to play around a
fire. Maybe, for the more fortunate,
a campfire!
AFRICAN SUMMER- Herb Alpert/
A&M Records 1962S
Herb Alpert. Haven't I heard that
name somewhere? Oh, yes, now I
remember, isn't he the owner of
A&M Records? He and another
fellow?
Fine record company.
Didn't Herb Alpert play trumpet
with the TiJuana Brass many years
ago? Right. This is the Herb Alpert.
And on this disc ... you would never
know it. He has changed his style
and no longer has those corny horns
and plunkety-plunk, rhythms. He is
now trying to be a jazz musician. I
assure you, Maynard Furgeson,
Dizzy, Chuck, Cat, and even
fledgeling trumpet players have
nothing to be concerned with. The
tune is adequate ... but simply not
jazz, as it is trying to be. Forget it.
However ... the flip side of the
single is quite good. THE YOU IN
ME (same number as above). It is a
very mellow, nice tune, performed
very well.
And if you have
customers who are into Middle Of
The Road tunes ... this is perfect.
I'm also certain that this will become
a hit single . By all means, watch
this one.
HERE YOU COME AGAIN- Randy
Bishop/ A&M Records 1947S
Continuing with the Middle Of
The Road type tunes ... this one is
also very good. It takes a couple of
playings to appreciate it though. In
the beginning, it sounds very much
like teeny-bopper music. But once
you lend an ear, it comes off very
sophisticated and slick.
I don't
know much about Randy Bishop,
but he can certainly sing. And, as
usual, with all A&M recordings, the
production values are superb. And
the sound is clean and crisp.
One would think that other record
companies could match the quality
of sound ... but none do. Once in a
while, Capitol records puts out a
quality sounding record, but, well,
enough said. This tune, however,
has success written all over it. One
reason, aside from the artist, is that
the tune was penned by super-
songwriters, Barry Mann and Cyn-
thia Well. They have written too
many hits to mention. Again, watch
this one. It's hot. I imagine before
too long it will be in BILLBOARD,
with a bullet.
DOG DAYS- The Atlanta Rhythm
Section/Polydor PO 14411
Some time ago, a friend of mine
loaned me a copy of the Atlanta
Rhythm Section's album, of the
same name. I could never under-
stand why the folks at Polydor never
released the title track of that lp, as
a single. Two years later ... it's now
a single. As they say, "Better late
than never." A super single. But
it's not in the vein that you've
known the band to be in, in past
years. They have been stereotyped
as a disco, upbeat, hot horn band.
But not here . The tune is slow, and
mellow, and is enhanced by the
orchestration, vocals and strings.
This is a multi-directional song,
ranging from blues to fleeting
exquisite melodies. This tune is
bound to become a classic. Even if
it is simply among a cult group.
Dynamite single. I can't say enough
good things about it, without them
all being cliches.
Another fire engine. It's getting
hotter around here. I better go no.
Luckily, I have these singles on
tape ... and I can listen to them while
I load up my car.