Records

This is the Hollywood Bowl! A Hollywood Bowl Programme, played by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Felix Slatkin, Alfred Newman, Carmen Dragon and Miklos Rozza. Two Records in Special Album, Capitol Stereo, ABO 8496.

After such over-reaching claptrap as that mentioned above, it is almost pleasant to turn to something which unashamedly aims at undemanding extravert pleasure and achieves it. This two-disc set is handsomely got up in a fancy American printed album, with accompanying booklet and well-illustrated with pictures of the Bowl and its performers. The performances themselves are culled from various records made by the HBSO under the above-mentioned conductors, and range from least inspired (Warsaw Concerto, Spell-bound Concerto) to slightly inspired (1812 Overture) as far as the music is concerned, with some old favourites (Rosenkavalier Waltzes, The Blue Danube), added to raise the level a bit.

The recording is variable but never less than easy to take. (I'll bet the recordings were not made in the bowl itself though!). This would be a good present for someone who likes "good tunes" and aspires to something more cerebral than usually settles into the hit parade but is not yet ready for the "complexities" of Beethovan or Mozart.

Time Further Out. A Blues Suite by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. Coronet KLL 1679.

The Brubeck decline continues. In his new album (subtitled "Miro Reflections") the quartet ventures further Into time signatures such as 7/4 and 9/8. Despite his long winded technical explanations on the record sleeve, I refuse to believe that this is an important contribution to jazz. The music is like the sleeve notes, pretentious and boring and could not be more out of keeping with the whimsicality of the Joan Miro painting on the cover. The recording is superlative—a good case of the end not justifying the means.

Films & Records

reviewed by

A.W.E.