DECEMBER 21, 1957

https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/50s/1957/CB-1957-12-21.pdf

DEL VIKINGS (Mercury 71241)

“YOUR BOOK OF LIFE” (2:00) [Geo. Pincus ASCAP—Drake]
“SNOWBOUND” (2:07) [Shannon ASCAP—Eddy, Stevens]

The Del-Vikings, who had a big 1957 with two smash hits to their credit (“Come Go With Me”
and “Whispering Bells”) head into the new year with another big two-sider that could make a
heap of noise on the charts. The ballad side is dubbed “Your Book Of Life” and features the
group with pretty harmony giving their all for the fish beat tune with a smart lyric. Melodic side
the teeners will take to. The companion piece “Snowbound” is an exciting Latin beat rocker with
a solid dance tempo. Blaring trumpet effects add color to the side. Coupling could make it in a
big way.

both sides - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo2lmVMF9Q0

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BILL HALEY & COMETS (Decca 30530)

“IT’S A SIN” (2:28) [Milene ASCAP—Turner, Rose]
“MARY, MARY LOU” (2:40) [Champion BMI—Mangiaracina]

Bill Haley’s name is destined for the charts again. And it’s his great new two-sider that will turn
the trick. The top half is a departure for Haley. For it’s not the wild torrid type .of material that
skyrocketed him to fame. This time the artist has taken a smash country song that topped the
charts a few years ago, and revamped it in today’s idiom with great results. It’s a tearful ballad
set to a slow rockin’ beat and dubbed “It’s A Sin”. Watch this one. It’s Haley’s best in quite some
time. Flip is the more familiar Comet sound with Bill and the boys kicking up the dust as they rock
thru a swinging dance opus “Mary, Mary Lou”. Great companion deck. Both could take off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Goz9prz3bs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAYb_mjAH1o

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JOHNNY OTIS SHOW (Capitol 3852)

“BYE BYE BABY” (2:15) [El Dorado BMI—Otis]
“GOOD GOLLY” (1:58) [El Dorado BMI—Otis, Hicks]

The Johnny Otis Show, a wonderful troup of rock and roll performers, makes a tremendous showing
on Capitol with two great new R & R sides back-to-back that could result in a huge best seller for the
label. One side of the disk is dubbed “Bye Bye Baby.” It features the duet efforts of Otis and Marie
Adams swinging thru an overpowering jumper loaded with a number of torrid gimmicks. The lyrics of
the song are nothing more than the titles of hit R & R tunes of the day, but the resulting number is
great. Kids’ll flip when they hear this one. The coupling is another solid rocker tagged “Good Golly.”
This half stars Otis alone in the vocal spotlight assisted by a wild big band backdrop. Two big sides
that should earn loads of dough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1ZmjFAw5nU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz0lDzvdwhk

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DALE WRIGHT (Fraternity 792)

“SHE’S NEAT” (1:55) [Buckeye ASCAP—Wright]
“SAY THAT YOU CARE” (1:54) [Buckeye ASCAP—Wright]

Fraternity Records introduces an exciting newcomer who could make
the grade with his very first release. His name is Dale Wright and his
initial offering is a powerful high speed, rock and roll swinger aimed
directly at the hoppers. The tune is dubbed “She’s Neat” and Wright’s
reading is enhanced by a number of excellent teen gimmicks (whistling,
hand clapping, guitar work, etc.) Side has all the ingredients needed to
become a favorite of the kids. The lower lid “Say That You Care” is a
slow-beat ballad chanted warmly with a choral backdrop. Keep an eye
on the top half.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpl-fBXGk8g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w93TcEzCh8E

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BOYD BENNETT (King 5097)

“SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY” (2:23) [E. H. Morris ASCAP—Brown, Horner, Green]
Boyd Bennett’s crew along with Big Mike’s vocal effort showcase a slightly upbeat version
of the standard. Bennett’s refreshing arrangement of the melodic oldie could catch a chunk
of dee-jay and sales action.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY_5WD65pxI

“BOY MEETS GIRL” (2:35) [Lois BMI—Young Jr.]
A pretty tune with cute lyrics describing what happens when “Boy Meets Girl”. Boyd Bennett
and the chorus render the rock and roll flavored selection in a winning style that should find
a ready reception from the teenage market.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGS4vhq-_1k

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NEIL SEDAKA (Decca 30520)

“SNOWTIME” (2:23) [Norman-Leonard BMI — Sedaka, Greenfield]
Newcomer Neil Sedaka and his chorus make an exciting debut on Decca with a powerful rock
and roll sound that should go over very well with the kids. Sedaka also penned this tune. Has
teen appeal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Mu_q4qFe1I

“LAURA LEE” (2:28) [Norman-Leonard BMI — Sedaka, Greenfield]
Another solid rockin’ deck that cuts along at a good pace. Neil has a commercial sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsKYB5JgRvg

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The Cash Box Award o’ the Week

JOE TURNER (Atlantic 1167)

“TEEN AGE LETTER” (2:29) [Progressive BMI—Richard]
“WEE BABY BLUES” (2:15) [Leeds ASCAP—Turner, Johnson]

Joe Turner, in his latest Atlantic release, offers two sides for his large sized fandom to ponder.
He has a quick beat jumper, “Teen Age Letter,” that he belts with all the power he commands,
and a middle beat rock, “Wee Baby Blues”, handled as only Turner can. Two sides the public
has to feel, but it’ll have to make the decision as to which one it wants. We can’t. Two socko
etchings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdv5HJB3dO0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHRstUxH7CE

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BIG MAYBELLE (Savoy 1527)

“RING DANG DILLY” (2:33) [Crossroads BMI—Mendelsohn, Cadena]
“SO LONG” (2:34) [Shapiro Bernstein ASCAP—Harris, Morgan, Melsher]

Big Maybelle turns in two impressive performances, either of which could step into the upper
spheres of record sales. The gruff throated lass rocks out a quick beat jump, “Ring Dang Dilly”,
with all gusto the gal is noted for. She rips the item with a slam-bang delivery that gets the
listener right into her mood. It’s a happy jumper tailor made for the kid with the dollar. The
coupling, “So Long”, is a complete change of pace, presenting Big Maybelle with the opportunity
to deliver a tender and emotional tune. Moving item that penetrates. Two good decks—with
“Ring Dang Dilly” in the lead as we see it from here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt-o_271leE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meCb5sm5Isw

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LITTLE JUNIOR PARKER (Duke 168)

"PRETTY BABY” (2:45) [Lion BMI—Parker]
“THAT’S ALRIGHT” (2:54) [Rogers]

Little Junior Parker comes off a couple of successive good sized sellers with a duo that bears
every indication of continuing his best selling activities. In “Pretty Baby” and “That’s Alright”
Parker has two items that should build into best selling proportions. The former is a middle
beat jump that has the deep south feeling but contains the ingredients so acceptable in all
markets. “That’s Alright” contains more of the real down home flavor and could be the stron-
ger deck in those portions of the country. Two well thought out decks that should be watched.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXLx1ZmPEk0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5kiNhgyOcE

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BOBBY MITCHELL (Imperial 5475)

“I’M GONNA BE A WHEEL SOMEDAY” (2:22) [Travis BMI —D. Bartholomew/Hayes]
Bobby Mitchell rocks out a quick beat jumper with a current styling and comes up
with a strong item for the teener trade. Guitar and a hearty approach make this
deck an item with a solid commercial approach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9aXjIlky0s

“YOU BETTER GO HOME” (2:13) [Travis BMI — Bartholomew, Hayes]
Bobby Mitchell switches styles here and wails a slow beat blues with sincerity and
much appeal. Tuneful and entertaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-45-qmugJkU

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BABS GONZALES (End 1008)

“ROCK & ROLL SANTA CLAUS” (2:35) [Figure BMI—Gonzales]
Babs makes another pitch at the Yule trade with a Gonzales type recitation
in which he gives his version of a “cool” Santa. Gonzales had a successful
Xmas bop wax several years ago and perhaps he can do it again with this
one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy4EklMLv38