New Cast Albums Of 'sound Of Music,' 'cabaret' Due From Rca

CAST IN DIGITS: Continuing its intense interest in show albums, RCA Victor has obtained rights to the Broadway cast albums of two of three of this season's remaining major musical productions (Billboard Bulletin, March 5).
A revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound Of Music," starring Rebecca Luker, will be recorded Monday (16) for release in May. Another revival of a classic, John Kander and Fred Ebb's "Cabaret," starring Natasha Richardson and Alan Cummings, will have its cast album released in June.
The label home for "High Society," a stage version of the Cole Porter film musical (with other Porter songs added), is still to be determined.
RCA Victor is also planning to release soon the London cast album of the †te Lemper-starring revival of Kander and Ebb's "Chicago," the Broadway version of which the label previously released, and "Children Of Eden," a Stephen Schwartz musical starring Stephanie Mills that played last fall at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, N.J. And, as previously reported, RCA Victor will release the Broadway cast album of the megahit "Ragtime," due in retail bins April 28.
SUIT & SETTLEMENT: Songwriter Richard Adler, co-author of the hit musicals "The Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees" and such Tin Pan Alley hits as "Rags To Riches" and "Everybody Loves A Lover," says he has no administration agreement with Billy Meshel's Los Angeles-based publishing setup, Music & Media International, which Meshel formed after leaving All Nations Music following its sale to MCA last year.
In an action in U.S. District Court in New York, Adler denies making an oral agreement with Meshel's company that followed Meshel's departure from All Nations, although the complaint acknowledges discussions that led to Adler's getting a draft of a proposed administration agreement, which he did not sign. Adler previously had an administration arrangement with All Nations, of which Meshel was president/CEO and a limited partner with members of the Pritzker family, the real estate moguls.
Last October, the complaint notes, Adler notified Meshel in writing that he had assigned all his rights to the copyrights in question to the Songwriters Guild of America.
The complaint also claims that Meshel's company has refused to turn over royalties to Adler and has demanded additional payment
in excess of $75,000 for terminating the deal.
In response to the court action, Meshel maintains through his lawyer that the Adler charges are "unfounded" and that he has had an oral agreement with Adler as a result of the sale of All Nations Music and has performed administration tasks for Adler.
Meanwhile, Meshel says he has made an out-of-court settlement with the Pritzkers for monies he claims were due him after the sale of All Nations, of which he was a limited partner in a parent company controlled by the Pritzkers. Although "pleased with the settlement," Meshel did not reveal the amount of money he received.
PRINT ON PRINT: The following are the best-selling folios from Hal Leonard Corp.:
1. Indigo Girls, "1200 Curfews."
2. 311, "Transister."
3. "Third Eye Blind."
4. No Doubt, "Tragic Kingdom."
5. Paula Cole, "This Fire."