45rpm :: Detail

Under Glass (EP)  (1957)

London RE-U 1077

     

Liner Notes:

Ever since Bing Crosby, Harry Barris, and Al Rinker won fame together as Paul Whiteman's Rhythm Boys, America has produced a succession of vocal teams singing in close-harmony. Over the years there have been many of these groups: The Boswell Sisters, The Mills Brothers, The Five Spirits of Rhythm, The Andrews Sisters, The Ink Spots, The Merry Macs, The Mel-Tones, The Four Freshmen. These are only a few of the many famous singing groups which have brought individual skill and artistry to the music they performed. Latest in a long and brilliant tradition, as typically American as jazz itself, are four young men calling themselves The Hi-Lo's.

Although they were formed only a couple of years ago, the Hi-Lo's have already made a big impact upon the American musical scene. They have appeared in a couple of short films, as well as working on the "Rosemary Clooney Show" and making some records that have won them praise, not only from the public but also (a great compliment) from some of their competitors in the vocal field. The Four Fresmen are proud to be among the Hi-Lo's most enthusiastic admirers, while another of their keenest fans is film-star Judy Holiday. It is significant that all the Hi-Lo's think of themselves as musicians rather than singers. Part of their uniqueness lies in the way they use their voices, thinking instrumentally, phrasing like musicians, while at the same time projecting the words of the lyric.

In a group of this kind the arranger occupies a very important role. The Hi-Lo's are lucky to have in Gene Puerling a man who uses all the resources of modern harmony to achieve distinctive and unusual voicings while still retaining the strength of simplicity and the warmth of true feeling. Hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsion, Gene is probably the man most responsible for the Hi-Lo's phenomenal success.

Chinatown, My Chinatown was one of Louis Armstrong's early successes. Starting out at a frantic tempo, the Hi-Lo's slow down when they reach the words "Dreamy, dreamy Chinatown", but soon speed up again. A flute leads into massed strings, a harp ripples - and the Hi-Lo's are launched upon a gently rocking interpretation of George Gershwin's lovely ballad, Summertime. To open the second side of this record, the quartet take a swinging tune from the pen of America's great Duke Ellington; I'm Beginning to See the Light, first heard in the forties, is treated in an intricate, dynamic manner. When Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote "Oklahoma", they found themselves with a twentieth century classic on their hands. The Hi-Lo's close this selection by taking one of the show's outstanding songs, Surrey with the Fringe on Top, and presenting it with the the rhythm of the horse's hooves underlying the subtle vocal patterns woven around the melody.

CHARLES FOX

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