Volume - II Issue - I January 23rd, 1989 Network AAA U U DDDD IIIII OOO A A U U D D I O O AAAAA U U D D I O O A A U U D D I O O A A UUU DDDD IIIII OOO BBBB IIIII TTTTT SSS B B I T S BBBB I T SSS B B I T S BBBB IIIII T SSS & Audio Software Review (c) Copyright 1989 by Michael A. Murphy All original materials Copyright by the Author ======================================================================== Please send all suggestions/comments/requests concerning Network Audio Bits & Audio Software Review via E-Mail to: Michael A. Murphy - Anyone wishing to send U.S. Snail mail may write to: Network Audio Bits P.O. Box 328 Orono, Maine 04473 ======================================================================== CONTENTS Editorial Compact Disc Reviews 1) Songs For Tomorrow Morning - The Bobs 2) 3 - Violent Femmes 3) Spring 4) More Than a Dream - Steve Bach 5) No Heroes - Manteca Artist Spotlight - In The Wake Of R.E.M. - The Feelies (CD), Waxing Poetics, The Jack Rubies and the Silos Record Reviews 1) Mischief - Clive Gregson & Christine Collister 2) Lincoln - They Might Be Giants 3) Tender Prey - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 4) Let It Be - Laibach 5) Disgraceland - Elvis Hitler 6) The Circle - Wipers 7) Prodigal Son - The Saints 8) Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 * By Don Smith * 9) American Dream - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young * By Don Smith * 10) Ok Let's Go - The Tail Gators 11) Shock Of The New - Brad Goode 12) In Human Terms - Ditto 13) Mind Wars - Holy Terror 14) The Dark Sides - King Diamond New and Upcoming Release Announcements Concert Watch ======================================================================== EDITORIAL Welcome to the twelfth issue of Network AUDIO BITS & Software Review! I've finally decided to start a volume II, so this is the first issue of volume II. There isn't any real logic behind this decision. I just thought it was time for a second volume. This is the start of the 3rd year of publication, so I guess that's about as much logic as your gonna get for this issue...! Due mainly to a lack of time I have not included any reviews of underground materials in this issue. Fear not, though, for these will be back. Especially since I've received some really good stuff in the last week or so that I just haven't had a chance to write about yet. I'll repeat my little request now. Because it's useful to have in each issue and because it's 3am and I don't want to write for much longer. It also makes this editorial look longer than it is. Well, I've wasted enough lines saying nothing. Read the next paragraph and then drop down to the reviews where I actually do have something to say. Oh, and I'd like to thank Don Smith for contributing reviews of the new albums by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and the Traveling Wilburys. I went out and bought the Traveling Wilburys CD after reading Don's reviews. It's something I would have bought eventually, anyway, but Don's review helped me make the decision to buy it now. Should you wish to order an album from any of the smaller labels found within Network Audio Bits, please include with your order request a small note letting the company know that you learned of their product through reading Network Audio Bits. I have been in contact with several record companies in order to provide a variety of music for these 'pages', and I know these record companies will take the magazine and its readership much more seriously once they have an indication that word of their product is being spread and being heard. Thanks! ======================================================================== The Laundry Cycle - Pounded on a Rock - Signs on the Line - Dictator in a Polo Shirt Songs For Tomorrow Morning - Where Does the Wayward Footwear Go? The Bobs - Share a Load Producers: Andy Narell & The Bobs T Santa Ana Woman Engineer: Danny Kopelson R Food to Rent Great Amer. Mus. Hall GAMHCD-2707 A Corn Dogs Released: 1988 C Boy Around the Corner Total Time: 47:35 K But Then, A Week Ago Last Thursday... Source - CD S Plastic or Paper (First I Was a Hippie, Then I Was SPARS Code - ADD a Stockbroker) Now I Am a Hippie Again Killer Bees Golly, Ollie! There is no other group that I have heard that is quite like the Bobs. In a world that loves to categorize and pigeon-hole, the only thing that can be said conclusively about the Bobs and their music is that they are an a cappella group. They are comfortable singing songs from almost any genre of recorded music. They are not only extremely impressive vocalists, they also write witty, poignant lyrics that conjure up many images. Most of their lyrics border (or go over the border!) on the satirical. _Songs For Tomorrow Morning_ is their 3rd album. Their first, _The Bobs_ was released in 1983 on Kaleidescope records and is still selling well. Their second album, _My, I'm Large_ was released on Great American Music Hall Records in 1987 (ed. note - This was reviewed in issue number 6, December 1987). The compact disc versions of their first album and _Songs For Tomorrow Morning_ contain extra tracks. There are four extra tracks on each. Their version of the Talking Heads "Psycho Killer" appears as one of those bonus track on the first CD. _Songs For Tomorrow Morning_ features an amazing cover of the Beatles "You Can't Do That" - their vocals are simply amazing during the parts of the song that would be exotic instrumental breaks. "The Laundry Cycle" is a set of five songs that address various aspects of doing one's laundry in America and other countries and the social relevance of laundry and doing it. "The Laundry Cycle" also contains a short song that addresses that all-important and all-encompassing question "Where Does The Wayward Footwear Go?" "Food to Rent" and "Corn Dogs" bring their wit to bear on what we eat. One of the bonus tracks, "Golly, Ollie" is a humorous commentary on Ollie North and the procedings surrounding the hearings and how North brought a family back together by getting them to ask loads of questions about the hearings and other goings on that dad (and Ollie) couldn't answer. Each of the Bobs albums is a delight. _Songs For Tomorrow Morning_ is no exception. I hope they come back here in the near future. They performed here last summer and dues to some very strange circumstances I was not able to see them. ======================================================================== Nightmares 3 Just Like My Father Violent Femmes Dating Days Producers: Violent Femmes T Fat Engineer: Warren A. Bruleigh R Fool in the Full Moon Slash 25819-2 A Nothing Worth Living For Released: 1988 C World We're Living in Total Time: 36:15 K Outside the Palace Source - CD S Telephone Book Mother of a Girl SPARS Code - A?D Lies See My Ships Like the Bobs, there isn't another group around who are quite like the Violent Femmes. Gordon Gano's vocals immediately make their sound very distinctive, no matter what musical background they choose to envelope their songs in. For _3_, their fourth album, they've chosen a stripped down approach, featuring Gano's vocals, Brian Ritchie's bass and Victor DeLorenzo's drums. On some cuts you can hear Peter Balestrieri's baritone sax and Sigmund Snopek III's keyboards. _3_ is definitely up to the standard that the Femmes have set themselves on their first three albums. I've only had the disc for a few days, so this album hasn't completely sunk in yet, the way their first two albums, _Violent Femmes_ and _Hallowed Ground_ have. _The Blind Leading The Naked_ is the one I listen to least, though it is also an excellent album. All of the tracks are good here, but I especially like the power and feeling of the spare sounding "See My Ships". "Fat" is getting some airplay and is a thought provoking song, though it seems much lighter on the surface. Yes, the Femmes are back to lay some of their strangeness on us once again. Hey guys, I'm glad your back! ======================================================================== Everybody Thinkin' About You Baby Spring Mama Said Spring Forever Producers: Brian Wilson, Stephen Good Time Desper, David Sandler T Now That Everything's Been Said and Diane Rovell R Down Home Engineer: Various A This Whole World Rhino R2 75762 C Awake Released: 1988 K Sweet Mountain Total Time: 46:11 S Superstar Source - CD Tennessee Waltz Shyin' Away SPARS Code - AAD Fallin' in Love It's Like Heaven Had to Phone Ya Rhino has reissued this early seventies material on compact disc, riding the wave of Brian Wilson's recent comeback success. Spring consists of Brian's wife, Marilyn Rovell Wilson, and her sister, Diane Rovell. _Spring_ has been out of print for 15 years. _Spring_ contains some specially arranged Beach Boys tunes and some tunes penned by Brian Wilson exclusively for this project. There are four additional tracks on this compact disc, including "It's Like Heaven", another Brian Wilson song that has not been released previously in America. The sound of some of the material on this disc is a bit dated, but the tunes are well done and Marilyn and Diane's vocals are quite enjoyable. There is a slight tendency for these tracks to sound like a female version of the Beach Boys, but that's pretty much to be expected. Especially since various members of the Beach Boys lend a hand with backing vocals on several tracks and Brian Wilson has large hand in the production. If you're experiencing some of the Beach Boys work for the first time, or re-experiencing it after hearing Brian's recent album, check out _Spring_. Though slightly dated, it is an enjoyable CD. ======================================================================== More Than A Dream Fast Break Steve Bach T For a Long Time Producer: Steve Bach R Rain Dance Engineer: Terry Nelson A Star Gazer Soundwings SWD 2112 C Pearl's Baiao Released: 1988 K In My Dreams Total Time: 42:25 S Three Quarters Source - CD Samba School Digital Recording This is Not Goodbye Steve Bach always loved music, his mother says that he demanded music at the age of six months before taking his naps. Perhaps it's not surprising that such a child would one day win a New York State Jazz Accordian Award at 17. Or that he would fill the very large shoes left by Chick Corea in Stanley Clarke's band. He toured with Stanley Clarke for two years and appeared on the album _Rocks Pebbles and Sand_. He decided to go solo at this point. He's recorded three other solo albums, _Childsplay_, _Holiday_ and _Zero Gravity_ and started his own group. In 1987 he toured with Kitaro for an American and Japanese tour, then played keyboards with Airto and Flora Purim. These different styles of music have influenced Bach; some Brazilian and new age pieces appear on _More Than A Dream_. Aside from the fact that "Fast Break" is dedicated to the L.A. Lakers (I'm a die-hard Celtics fan!), it's an engaging tune that is fast paced. I must admit that it is a suitable tune to dedicate to the Lakers. All of the tunes are very listenable and feature some fine performances from Bach, Gary Meek on saxes and EWI (This is probably an obvious thing to say, but it sounds like Meek has listened to a good deal of Michael Brecker), Michael Shapiro on drums & percussion and Jerry Watts, Jr. on 5-string fretted and piccolo basses. This is another recording which I've only had for a few days which does make it a little more difficult to write about. By the way, _More Than A Dream_ is a completely digital recording and the sound is excellent! Every sound and every note are extremely clear. ======================================================================== Manteca Danceteria No Heroes T Mongo Producer: Matt Zimbel R Heart of Darkness Engineer: Peter Lee A Nu Nu Soundwings/Duke Street SWD 2111 C Soul on Ice Released: 1988 K Fungus Amongus Total Time: 39:37 S No Heroes Source - CD Face of an Angel SPARS Code - ADD MCT Manteca are a Canadian group whose albums are now available in the U.S. on the Soundwings/Duke Street label. _No Heroes_ is a fine set of funkified instrumental tracks. This group reminds me of Hugh Marsh in that their music is extremely funky and makes one want to move, though it stays more in the jazz realm than Marsh's work. Manteca are fairly well known in Canada, where they've released three studio albums and one live album. They've also won a host of awards in Canada, including a top record of the year award from the Black Music Association of Canada. Not too shabby for an all-white group. There's a spot on _No Heroes_, "Nu Nu", where Manteca sounds a little like Earth, Wind & Fire, though the vocals are not as complex as a lot of EW&F's work. Guess they do justice to the recognition by the Black Music Association...! _No Heroes_ is an excellent introduction to some of the stuff that's been happening north of our border. Manteca is both fun and musical while retaining their originality. If there are more groups like this in Canada, would someone please distribute them in the U.S. so we can share the music, too! ======================================================================== ARTIST SPOTLIGHT In The Wake Of R.E.M. --------------------- Only Life It's Only Life The Feelies Too Much Producers: Steve Rinkoff, Bill T Deep Fascination Million & Glenn Mercer R Higher Ground Engineer: Steve Rinkoff A The Undertow A&M/Coyote CD 5214 C For Awhile Released: 1988 K The Final Word Total Time: 39:23 S Too Far Gone Source - CD Away What Goes On - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fascinatin' Vacation The Jack Rubies Be With You Producers: Paul Gomersall, Ian Lobster Penman/The Jack Rubies T Fascinatin' Vacation and Andrew Fryer R Over My Head Engineer: Not Credited A Vegas Throat TVT TVT2560 C Wrecker of Engines Released: 1988 K Falling Total Time: N/A S You're So Wild Source - LP Diamond Mine A Horse With No Name - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Manakin Moon Where Your Name is Waxing Poetics Ghost Writer Producer: Steve Gronback T Baby Jane Engineer: Steve Gronback R Iodine Emergo EM 9557 A Downstairs Released: 1988 C Needles in the Camel's Eye Total Time: 39:51 K Side By Side By Sometime Source - LP S Father, Son & Ghost Don't Tread on Me Blue-Eyed Soul _______________________________________________________________________ In the wake of REM's current popularity there are a lot of similar bands who should receive some much deserved extra attention. A few that spring to mind are the Feelies, Waxing Poetics, The Jack Rubies and The Silos. The Feelies, whose latest album _Only Life_ is on A&M records as part of the A&M - Twin/Tone-Coyote record deal, have been around for almost ten years, though they've only released three LPs (1980's _Crazy Rhythms_, 1986's _The Good Earth_ and now _Only Life_). The Feelies have been around since 1977, debuting at Manchester High School in their hometown of Haledon, New Jersey. After receiving critical praise and being featured on the cover of The Village Voice in late 1978 the band recorded _Crazy Rhythms_ for Stiff Records in 1980. The business of music caused the Feelies to disband in 1981. Says Bill Million, "We didn't consciously make that decision. We just kind of shook our heads, and that's how ended up; 'Really, this isn't any fun.' So we just waited until it did become fun again." As an outlet for their creativity, Million & Glenn Mercer composed music for Susan Seidelman's first major feature, "Smithereens", and were involved with three bands simultaneously - the Willies, Yung Wu and the Trypes. Yung Wu still exists as a creative outlet for drummer Dave Weckerman. The Feelies reformed in 1983, toured the U.S. for the first time in 1984 and recorded _The Good Earth_, produced by Million, Mercer and R.E.M.'s Pete Buck, in 1986. _Only Life_ was released this past fall and in the first two months it sold more than double the number of records that the Feelies had ever sold before. The tunes on _Only Life_ are easily identifiable as Feelies tunes. The music is simple, but constantly shifting and changing shape, Glenn Mercer's voice weaving in between and all around the twin-guitar attack. Well, perhaps 'attack' is not quite the right word. The Feelies are able to mount an all out attack, but they prefer to sneak up close and then hit you with something special. - - - - - - In December of 1985 R.E.M.'s bassist Mike Mills joined the Waxing Poetics onstage and also expressed an interest in producing the band. They booked some time at Mitch Easter's Drive-In Studio and recorded _Hermitage_, the first release on Emergo Records. Waxing Poetic's latest album, _Manakin Moon_, picks up where _Hermitage_ left off with some gutsy, funky rock 'n roll. With more time and money to work on _Manakin Moon_, the Poetics were able to put a few more things that they wanted to on the record. _Hermitage_ has a raw, immediate feel to it that I like a lot. _Manakin Moon_ is a better crafted album, though the strengths of each album make them equal in my book. Watch for "Father, Son & Ghost" and "Blue-Eyed Soul", two standout tracks from _Manakin Moon_. "Ghost Writer" and "Where Your Name is" are also very good cuts. The other tracks aren't too shabby, either! - - - - - - The Jack Rubies American debut LP features some jangly guitar hooks and some slightly insane lyrics. Their sound and stance resembles some of the Housemartins material - both groups feature a bright, bouncy sound with often dark and/or serious lyrics. The Jack Rubies do include a sense of humor though, causing the listener to chuckle as well. The tone of _Fascinatin' Vacation_ is set from the start with the lyrics "To be hung, drawn and quartered/would be uncomfortable & awkward/but a fate I would endure/to be with you" - set to slightly subdued guitar & drums, sung with a dead-pan sort of delivery. The listener is imbued with a sense of irony, ludicrousness (is that a word?) and playfulness. Founded in 1985, the Jack Rubies have toured with the Triffids and the Blow Monkeys in the U.K., which garnered them a loyal following. Side A of this LP is very consistent and contains some winning tracks - "Be With You", "Lobster", the title cut, "Over My Head" and "Vegas Throat". Side B contains less consistent original material and a slightly interesting cover of America's "A Horse With No Name". Overall, this is a solid debut album with enough good tracks to show that the group has promise - and enough so-so material to show that they've still got some climbing to do to get where they're going. - - - - - - The Silos are also a group worth mentioning in this context, though their last album was 1987's _Cuba_. Their lead singer, Walter Salas- Humara, has released a solo album since _Cuba_ and the band is working on a new Silos record that should be available in early February. I can't wait...! _Cuba_ is one of my favorite albums, period. _Cuba_ was reviewed in issue number 5 (October, 1987) of Network Audio Bits. ======================================================================== I Wouldn't Treat a Dog Mischief Everybody Cheats on You Clive Gregson & Christine Collister That Same Mistake Producer: Clive Gregson T I Specialise Engineer: Dave Kenny R We're Not Over Yet Rhino R1 70842 A Not a Day Passes Released: 1988 C Rain on Your Parade Total Time: 49:27 K I Wonder What Went Wrong Source - LP S This Tender Trap I Will Be There Wash Me Away No Word of a Lie The comparisons to Richard and Linda Thompson are inevitable for the duo of Clive Gregson and Christine Collister. Their sound and style certainly make one think of Richard and Linda Thompson. Add to that the fact that they have been part of Richard Thompson's band since 1985 and you can't help but link the two entities together. Clive Gregson first started singing backup for Thompson on the landmark _Shoot Out the Lights_ album, Richard and Linda's swan song. He's sung on every Thompson album since. Clive Gregson and Christine Collister first met in a Manchester club where Christine was singing. Their partnership was soon formed which led to being part of Thompson's band and also their own act as a duo. The first thing that will strike a listener on _Mischief_ is Christine's impressive voice. The album opens with the bluesy "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog", the only tune not written by Gregson ("I Will Be There" was co- written by Gregson/Hobson), which features Christine's husky vocals. Clive Gregson has had some small successes with a solo album and his early 80's band Any Trouble, but his teaming with Christine Collister is producing magic that should easily surpass the success that either has had previously. They also stand an excellent chance to capture the hearts of the Richard and Linda Thompson fans who've continued to follow Richard, but still yearn for the special magic that they created together. Clive's songwriting is perfectly suited to both Christine's vocals and his own. Their power, both solo and together, is evident throughout _Mischief_, but is at its most stunning on the tracks "I Specialise", "Not a Day Passes", "This Tender Trap", "Wash Me Away" and "I Wouldn't Treat a Dog". "This Tender Trap" is a song that can send chills up one's spine as Clive's lyrics and vocals are particularly poignant. Clive and Christine will be touring the U.S. at three separate times during 1989. They will be performing as a duo on the West Coast in February, then will tour the Midwest and East Coast in April and May. A national tour with a full band is being planned to start in October. Rhino also plans to release a new album in late May. The new album is currently being completed at London's Topic Records. Tour dates for the West Coast leg of their tour are listed in the Concert Watch section. The pair have one other album, _Home and Away_, released on the Flying Fish label. Both _Home and Away_ and _Mischief_ were originally intended for a small market. _Home and Away_ was originally a cassette- only live recording sold through Thompson's mail-order fan club that Flying Fish has released on vinyl here in the U.S. ======================================================================== Ana Ng Cowtown Lie Still, Little Bottle Purple Toupee Lincoln Cage & Aquarium They Might Be Giants Where Your Eyes Don't Go Producer: Bill Krauss T Piece of Dirt Engineer: Al Houghton R Mr. Me Bar None/Restless 72600-1 A Pencil Rain Released: 1988 C The World's Address Total Time: N/A K I've Got a Match Source - LP S Santa's Beard You'll Miss Me They'll Need a Crane Shoehorn With Teeth Stand on Your Own Head Snowball in Hell Kiss Me, Son of God They Might Be Giants are both wonderfully cerebral and gloriously demented. Their offbeat blend of lyrics, guitars, accordion and other occasional instrumentation is unique in the world of pop music. In a way their songs are a throwback to times past - few songs last for more than a couple of minutes - which means there's no wasted space in any of these 18 songs. Chances are that these songs wouldn't work as well extended past 4 minutes. Their length, though, allows the song to take a quick stab at your conscious mind before moving on to the next bit of zaniness. Some standout tracks are "Purple Toupee", "Piece of Dirt", "Snowball in Hell", "Santa's Beard" and "Ana Ng". With 18 songs on an LP you've got to figure that They Might Be Giants would vary their style a bit. And they do... They move from straight ahead pop songs ("Purple Toupee", "Ana Ng") to salsa ("The World's Address") to a pseudo-march ("Pencil Rain"). They also run the gamut in between these styles. _Lincoln_ by They Might Be Giants. Is it comedy? No, not really. Is it satire? No, not really. Is it serious music? Well, maybe. Is it entertaining? You bet! ======================================================================== Tender Prey The Mercy Seat Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Up Jumped the Devil Producers: Nick Cave & Bad Seeds T Deanna Engineers: Tony Cohen & Flood R Watching Alice Enigma 75401-1 A Mercy Released: 1988 C City of Refuge Total Time: 49:11 K Slowly Goes the Night Source - LP S Sunday's Slave Sugar Sugar Sugar New Morning After listening to _Tender Prey_ one is left with a sense that these songs would work very well on the stage, performed not just as songs, but as acts or sequences of a play. 'Watching Alice' would make a wonderful dramatic musical soliloquy. Cave's voice is perfectly suited for this album - at times smooth (though never silky) and at other times gravelly. His voice contains an appropriate amount of despair that sounds honest and not fabricated. 'The Mercy Seat' is a particularly compelling, chilling cut about the electric chair and an individual who is condemned to it. On this, Cave's fifth solo album, Nick is accompanied by original Bad Seed Mick Harvey, guitarist Blixa Bargeld of Eisturzende Neubauten, Kid Congo Powers (guitar), Roland Wolf (piano & keyboards) and Thomas Wydler (drums) of the German band Die Haut. Some recordings are obviously "created" in the studio that cannot be duplicated without gadget help in a live setting. The songs on _Tender Prey_ beg to be performed live, with a musical background that is almost minimalist at times. I don't have a tour schedule, but Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds will be touring the U.S. in early 1989. Be sure to check them out if they come to your neighborhood! If _Tender Prey_ is any indication, I'm sure they'll deliver a fine performance! ======================================================================== Let It Be Get Back Laibach Two of Us Producers: Iztok Turk and T Dig a Pony Janez Krijaz R I Me Mine Engineers: Iztok Turk and A Across the Universe Janez Krijaz C Dig it Enigma 75404-1 K I've Got a Feeling Released: 1988 S The Long and Winding Road Total Time: 42:45 One After 909 Source - LP For You Blue Maggie Mae If you can get past your first reaction to Laibach's _Let It Be_ and put it on the turntable more than once, you may find you'll start to like the album. Well, maybe "like" is a little much. If you let down the barriers that cringe at the thought of someone taking the music of that 'sacred cow', The Beatles, and covering it with some avante- industrial trappings. Shockingly different, to say the least! One thing is for sure... This album was not made with any large commercial success in mind. Which is too bad, in a way, because the people who most need to listen to a record like this are the people who would never buy the album or would change the radio the moment something started playing that might make them really listen and/or think a bit. Laibach's _Let It Be_ is better taken as a whole, as well, as only their hauntingly beautiful version of 'Across the Universe' comes across well taken out of the context of the album. If your tastes run towards the adventurous and the avante-whatever, then I recommend you give Laibach's let it be a chance. If you're a Top40 weenie, then you'll probably hate _Let It Be_ (and you also probably wouldn't be reading this!). One small item should be noted. Though this is Laibach's version of The Beatles _Let It Be_ album, the title track is the only one they did not cover for this album. Perhaps even Laibach have some sacred cows. ======================================================================== Cool Daddy in a Cadillac Disgraceland Live Fast, Die Young Elvis Hitler Hot Rod to Hell Producers: Elvis Hitler & Len Punch T Rocking Over Russia Engineer: Len Punch R Berlin to Memphis Restless 72330-1 A Elvis' Ripoff Theme Released: 1988 C Battle Cry of 1,000 Men Total Time: 31:36 K Green Haze (Pt. I & II) Source - LP S I Love Your Guts Ten Wheels For Jesus Black Babies Dancing on Fire Crush Your Skull Disgraceland _Disgraceland_ is a re-release on Restless Records, originally recorded in 1987 for the independent Wanghead Records label. The Restless release features a new mix and new artwork. The music on _Disgraceland_ combines punk, metal and rockabilly influences. The tune that will garner the most attention here is "Green Haze", which combines the music from Jimi Hendrix' "Purple Haze" with the lyrics from the "Green Acres" television theme song. Inspired insanity? You bet! It's one great tune and well worth the price of admission. The rest of the album isn't quite as inspired, but the tunes are solid, and there's some excellent guitar work. Some tunes to check out are "Cool Daddy in a Cadillac", "Hot Rod to Hell", "Rocking Over Russia" and "Black Babies Dancing on Fire". In 1985 James Hitler changed his name to Elvis, combining the names of two of the biggest overnight sensations in the history of the world. Elvis Hitler does not stand for fascism or racial hatred, but the iconoclastic spirit inherent in the greatest rock and roll. I don't think I can go as far as to say that _Disgraceland_ could be classified together with the greatest rock and roll albums, but it is a fine album that deserves to be listened to! ======================================================================== The Circle I Want a Way Wipers Time Marches On Producer: Greg Sage T All the Same Engineer: Greg Sage R True Believer Restless 72339-1 A Good Thing Released: 1988 C Make or Break Total Time: 32:23 K The Circle Source - LP S Goodbye Again Be There Blue & Red If grungy guitars and songs that have something to say are a combination that you like, then you ought to check out the Wipers. Their eighth album, _The Circle_, contains some of the grungiest guitar work that I've heard in a long while. The music hangs between punk-like anger and powerful rock 'n roll, with a pinch of psychedelia to add flavor. Greg Sage's influences are many, but the obvious guitar influence is Jimi Hendrix. There are some blues and jazz influences in his music and style as well. Sage said in a 1987 interview that he also uses a lot of classical ideas. The Wipers were originally formed as a recording concept, as opposed to a touring entity. Sage has recently been touring under his own name with a different backing band, though still performing Wipers material. I don't have tour dates, but keep your eyes open as Sage is supposed to keep touring throughout early 1989. ======================================================================== Prodigal Son The Saints Grain of Sand Producers: Chris Bailey & Music Goes Round My Head Brian McGee T Fire and Brimstone Engineer: Brian McGee R Friend of the People TVT TVT2121 A Before Hollywood Released: 1988 C Sold Out Total Time: N/A K Ghost Ships Source - LP S Massacre Tomorrow Stay Shipwreck Many of the early punk bands that are still around today are around because they've adapted and grown. Their music reflects this process. Perhaps moreso than any pure pop act, a band with punk roots that is still making popular music today has retained their edge, though the music has softened from the days of yore. With the exception of this album and 1987's _All Fools Day_ there has not been a Saints record released in the U.S. in a decade. Their latest, _Prodigal Son_, features nine original songs, a rerecording of "Ghost Ships" (originally on 1979's _Prehistoric Sounds_) and a special version of the Easybeats "The Music Goes Round My Head", which will be included in the film _Young Einstein_. _Prodigal Son_ is a very even album. All the tracks are strong, nothing is disposable, unlike many other 'popular' albums. If I had to pick one track above the others it would be "Ghost Ships", though I'm sure the band would rather have more attention paid to the newer songs. The Saints should be starting a U.S. tour soon, if the haven't already. ======================================================================== Volume 1 Handle With Care Traveling Wilburys Dirty World Producer: Otis & Nelson Wilbury T Rattled Engineer: Richard Dodd, Phil R Last Night MacDonald, Bill Buttrell, A Not Alone Any More Don Smith (no, not me) C Congratulations Wilbury 92 57964 K Heading For The Light Released: 1988 S Margarita Total Time: 36:05 Tweeter And The Monkey Man Source - Cassette End Of The Line Though they're never actually identified by name, one can deduce the participants here as being Jeff Lynne (keyboards, guitars, vocals), George Harrison (guitars, vocals), Roy Orbison (acoustic guitar and vocals), Bob Dylan (acoustic guitar, harmonica and vocals), and Tom Petty (acoustic guitar and vocals). Other non-Wilburys include Jim Keltner on drums, Jim Horn on saxophones and Ray Cooper on percussion. This is a GREAT recording. The producers, Otis and Nelson Wilbury are in fact Jeff Lynne and George Harrison. They have assembled an excellent combination of acoustic guitars, electric guitars, slide guitar, synthesizers, saxophones, drums and percussion. The only thing that is lacking is a pulsating bass. But it's not that much of an omission here. This is such an all-over-good recording that nothing in particular stands out. 'Handle With Care', the first single, features George with Roy adding his "lonely" refrain. 'Dirty World' is a Dylan song, and, having never been a great fan of his, I'd have to give him credit for a strong contribution, even vocally. George's "it's a dirty world" line at the end is a nice touch. 'Rattled' is Jeff's main singing contribution to the album, echoed in the ELO tradition and backed by lead guitar reminiscent of CCR and Roy Orbison's lusty growls. 'Last Night' (Tom) has a reggae beat and great drumming and percussion and more of Roy's solos. I wouldn't be surprised if 'Not Alone Anymore' is released as a single (if it hasn't already been). Depending on the rumoured release of Orbison's recently completed album, this could be one of his last songs ever recorded. Not only that, it's good. Whether or not you were ever a fan of Roy Orbison, you have to admit he had a terrific voice. George adds some backing vocals just like he used to 25 years ago with his previous band. The introduction to Congratulations has similarities to _All Things Must Pass_, and Jeff's synthesizer and George's slide guitar work well together with Bob's singing, such as it is. 'Heading For The Light' is a strong Harrison song. 'Margarita' has a little of everyone in it with synthesizers building to acoustic guitars and saxophones and even a bit of George's Beatle-esque electric guitar. 'Tweeter And The Monkey Man' is an old style, long Dylan story. Not TOO long but long enough. The last song, appropriately titled 'End Of The Line' is an excellent closer because it makes you want to listen to the whole thing again. Great harmonies and guitar and a chorus of "Well, it's alright" sums up the entire album. If you like any of these five guys, or maybe even if you don't, this is a GOOD recording. There's not a bad song in the lot and a great combination of talents, voices and instrumentation. One can only hope there will be a Volume 2 someday, although Roy Orbison will be missed. reviewed by Don Smith ======================================================================== American Dream American Dream Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Got It Made Producer: Niko Bolas, C,S,N & Y T Name Of Love Engineer: Gary Long, Tim McCollam,R Don't Say Goodbye Brently Walton A This Old House Atlantic 78 18881 C Nighttime For The Generals Released: 1988 K Shadowland Total Time: 57:31 S Drivin' Thunder Source - LP Clear Blue Skies That Girl Compass Soldiers Of Peace Feel Your Love Night Song After their milestone debut recording of 1969, Crosby, Stills and Nash added Neil Young to their lineup because they "needed to rock," according to Stephen Stills. Now, 18 years after their only studio album (Deja Vu), Young has emerged as the source of most of the slow acoustic songs, _This Old House_ being one of those that "starts out kinda slow and then threatens to fizzle out altogether." Neil plays all the instruments on this one and the CSNY harmonies never sounded better. Actually, the entire recording is filled with those amazing harmonies. Their voices never sound anywhere near as good alone as they do together. Fortunately they know this. Other than the bass and hand- clap dominated title song and an electric one that sounds as if it were part of his 1975 Zuma album (_Name Of Love_), Young specializes in haunting love songs (_This Old House_, _Feel Your Love_). After all these years Young is still writing great songs. Even his voice is becoming less annoying. He and Stills have even cast aside decades of disagreements to co-author two songs, _Drivin' Thunder_ and _Night Song_, though they are both basically Stephen's songs. _Drivin' Thunder_ is a tasteful excursion into the formerly overdone realm of slide guitar, played expertly by Stills, as always. Should these guys play any concerts in the future, this would be the candidate for the "20-minute-jam" they always lapse into (speaking of things overdone). Stills' best song, _Got It Made_, showcases CSNY harmonies at their best. Graham Nash supplies his usual assortment of anti-war (_Shadowland_, _Soldiers Of Peace_) and ecology (_Clear Blue Skies_) songs. Personally, I think he excels more at love songs and _Don't Say Goodbye_ is one of his best, although, in a song dominated by acoustic piano, the electric guitar solo seems quite out of place. _Shadowland_ is carried by drummer Joe Vitale's synthesizers, beginning and ending with rain, wildlife and helicopter sounds. David Crosby is conspicuous by his absence as a musician on all but two songs, one of which speaks of his "ten wasted years" (_Compass_). The other, _Nighttime For The Generals_, is an Almost-Cut-My-Hair-type anti- establishment song that you would expect from David. Stills adds a good guitar solo, but the reference to its "James Marshall Hendrix inspiration" seems blatantly self-gratifying. Neither of Crosby's songs are particularly tuneful but he does demonstrate his acoustic guitar talents, if only on one song. (His playing is indistinguishable on his other part) A lot has changed in the last 18 years since last we heard a new Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young recording (1973's Human Highway never seeing the light of day). Production is better, instrumentation is fuller, the faces have aged, the hair has thinned, a few pounds have been added, they no longer rely on Stephen Stills' instrumental dominance, but those incredible harmonies are still the same. Though the majority of the songs are easily identifiable, there is only one that doesn't seem to fit in here. _That Girl_, aside from the inane lyrics, has HORNS! Actually, the horns are the only part of the song that sounds good, but HORNS on a CSNY song? NO! Please! It just ain't right! Still, this is a great deal. Fourteen songs, over 57 minutes of music on one album. I think they've made up for depriving us of their collective music for the last 18 years. And none has lent as much to the project as has Neil Young. Where the careers of the other three have all but died in the last few years, Young keeps rolling along pumping out quality material. Thank you, fellows, we've waited a long time for this. reviewed by Don Smith ======================================================================== Ok Let's Go Carolee The Tail Gators Crawfishin' Producers: Don Leady and Till it's too Late Mike Stewart T My Michele Engineer: Mike Stewart R Sidewinder Restless 72275-1 A Start All Over Released: 1988 C Drop Your Head Total Time: 39:01 K Eyes Like a Cat Source - LP S Ok Let's Go All I Really Want Mama Rosin Sexy Ways I get the impression that the Tail Gators are playing what people expect to hear on _OK Let's Go_ rather than what they may want to play. Or, perhaps they are trying to play for an audience, though this is a studio lp. Rather than playing for themselves, it sounds like the tunes, the pace and the delivery are geared towards a generic crowd. That said, except for a sense of overproduction, this is still an extremely enjoyable record. But it is a very safe record. The best tracks are 'Eyes Like a Cat' and 'Sidewinder'. Check out their _Mumbo Jumbo_ LP and _Rock and Roll Till the Cows Come Home_ EP on Wrestler Records for more of their swamp-rock sound. These two recordings are a little more raw and I think are a truer indication of how these guys sound live. Don Leady, the head honcho of the band, was a founding member of the LeRoi Brothers and received a grammy nomination in 1986 for his contribution to the rock instrumental "Guitar Army" off the compilation album, _Trash, Twang and Thunder_. Bassist Keith Ferguson was a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds for 10 years and was nominated along with Don for a grammy in 1986. Drummer Gary "Mud Cat" Smith has played with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Charlie Sexton and the Teddy Boys. Chances are these guys are a little more loose and adventurous in a live context. Their sound is that of a quintessential bar band. Their 'swamp-rock' style combined with a few beers would make for a rollicking good time! ======================================================================== Shock Of The New Brad Goode Clock Radio Producers: Robert Koester, Dave T Tribute to Clifford and Sonny Jemilo & Brad Goode R Stew's Blues Engineer: Joe Daniels A Old Folks Delmark DS-440 C Winter's Song Released: 1988 K The New Blues Total Time: 36:47 S You Don't Know What Love is Source - LP In any competitive business a new kid on the block with a lot of talent often ends up doing what the veterans expect or want him to to try and fit in. The kids who use these experiences to their advantage find that they 'fit in' better when they express their own ideas as well as the ones that are currently popular. These are the types of kids who will come to be regarded with the Miles Davises, the John Coltranes, the Monks, Rollinses and Minguses of the next generation. Brad Goode has discovered that in the jazz world you've got to play for yourself first and others, musicians and fans alike, will accept that as good (or not). Goode says he "went through a period of playing to be accepted by other musicians, putting things into a package, nice and neat. But I'm too impatient to play like that anymore. I just want to improvise." For jazz fans and trumpet lovers, this is great news! _Shock of the New_ opens with 'Clock Radio', a tune that starts by jarring you awake with an alarm clock buzz and then continues with a funky, meaty fusion of styles. Barry Winograd provides the voice of the DJ featured on this cut. At times, between spoken parts by Winograd, the music sounds like it would go well with a chase scene in a spy movie, a la James Bond. 'Clock Radio' grew out of Goode's visualization of DJ rantings he would subconsciously hear from his radio. "Tribute to Clifford and Sonny" is a tune that acknowledges Goode's Clifford Brown influence and Lin Halliday's Sonny Rollins influence. The tune is slow and mellow, with the intensity rising throughout the piece. The quintet stretches out a bit on "Stew's Blues", slowing the pace down and allowing Jodie Christian and Dennis Carroll some room for and extended duet midway through the piece. The rest of _Shock of the New_ explores various forms of more mainstream jazz tunes, showing Goode's (and the band's!) versatility. Goode's quintet, who've been together for 2 years, consists of Halliday (tenor sax), Christian (piano), Carroll (bass) and Jeff Stitely (drums). Christian is one of the founders of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). Lin Halliday has played with Maynard Ferguson, Philly Joe Jones and Louie Bellson. Some other players who lend their talents to _Shock of the New_ are Fareed Haque (guitars), Paul Wertico (drums plus keyboards on 'Clock Radio') and Ed Petersen (tenor sax on 'Clock Radio'). Goode has arranged all the tunes here (except "You Don't Know What Love is") and composed four of the seven tracks. Brad Goode is a talent who has arrived and will hopefully stay for a long time. As he was only 24 at the time of this recording, he has a long, bright future ahead of him. ======================================================================== In Human Terms Pop Ditto Bush Producer: Charles & Terri Ditto T Urban Engineer: John Hill R Eastern Ditto DIT-0101 A Rock Released: 1987 C World Anthem Total Time: N/A K Slave Waltz Source - LP S Western Christmas Before the War Basso Continuo I received a copy of this LP just a few days ago and have had a chance to listen to it only once. In that one listen I was impressed by the way Charles Ditto not only makes use of sound, but also by the way he uses space. So many composers using new technology tend to fill their compositions with sound. It is nice to hear electronic music that is different! This will certainly be an album that will linger around my turntable for a while! Though he uses a lot of electronics and Macintosh SE with MIDI-DJ to perform his music, the music does not sound like it's computer programmed. The album is very aptly named, as Ditto does keep things _In Human Terms_. I'd really like to say more about this album, but without listening to it more closely I don't feel I could do it justice. Besides, you're better off checking it out because words cannot aptly describe what Charles Ditto is doing on _In Human Terms_. Some things you've just got to hear. For more information, write to Ditto, P.O. Box 49124, Austin, Texas 78765. ======================================================================== Mind Wars Judas Reward Holy Terror Debt of Pain Producer: Kurt Kilfelt T Immoral Wasteland Engineer: Casey McMackin R A Fools Gold Roadracer RR 9522 A Terminal Humor Released: 1988 C Mind Wars Total Time: 39:29 K Damned By Judges Source - LP S Do Unto Others No Resurrection Christian Resistance Behind (or is it in front of?) the shouting, screaming vocals of Keith Deen rides the potent guitar work of Kurt Kilfelt and Mike Alvord. These guys let up only for brief moments on this guitar driven metal album. If you look a little deeper than the screaming vocals buffeted about by the guitar attack, you'll find some songs that are worthy of closer scrutiny. The lyrics provide some intense imagery and Holy Terror's songs have an air of angst and protest about them. Who says folk and metal music have nothing in common. Unlike most folk artists, though, you do need to refer to the lyric sheet to be able to understand what Keith Deen is singing/shouting. This is partly because his vocals should be mixed a little more to the forefront, or a little louder, and also because his vocals are as fast as the twin guitars driving them. Whoever made the almost trivial decision to include lyrics made the right one! Some tracks to check out are 'Damned By Judges', which encapsulates some of the feel of Rush's 2112 saga into one song, both in imagery and musically, the title track and 'Christian Resistance'. ======================================================================== The Dark Sides King Diamond Producer: King Diamond and T Halloween Roberto Falco R Them Roadracer RR 2455 A No Presents For Christmas Released: 1988 C Shrine Total Time: 20:34 K The Lake Source - EP S Phone Call Though I'm not a big fan of horror in any format, this collection of King Diamond tracks is definitely of interest. The vocals are striking and the instrumentation is clear and soaring. This six track EP takes some grade B movie horror ideas and thrusts them into B+ and A musical settings. _The Dark Sides_ features a few regular lp tracks, a B-side ('Shrine') and a very rare track ('The Lake'), previously available only on the limited edition _Halloween_ picture disc. ======================================================================== NEW RELEASES Newly released from GAIA/Gramavision -------------------------------- LPs (also available on cassette and CD) ------------------------------------- Claude's Late Morning - Bobby Previte (Gramavision 18-8811-1) Blues Bred In The Bone - Ray Anderson (Gramavision 18-8813-1) Sarabanda - Martin Taylor (GAIA 13-9018-1) Newly released from Sona Gaia -------------------------------- LPs (also available on cassette and CD) ------------------------------------- Softwave - Jessie Allen Cooper (Sona Gaia 62753) Dreamchaser - Ancient Future (Sona Gaia 62754) Newly released from Delmark -------------------------------- LPs ------------------------------------- The Last Trio Session - Wynton Kelly (DS-441) Big Band Jazz: Tulsa to Harlem (DL-439) Honkers And Bar-Walkers (DL-438) Reunion - George Lewis/Don Ewell (DS-220) New reissues from Delmark -------------------------------- LPs ------------------------------------- Blue Stroll - Ira Sullivan (DL-402) I Remember Newport - Leon Sash Trio (DS-416) Young At Heart Wise In Time - Muhal Richard Abrams (DS-423) As If It Were The Seasons - Joseph Jarman (DS-417) Three Compositions of New Jazz - Anthony Braxton (DS-415) Bucket's Got a Hole In It - Barney Bigard/Art Hodes (DS-211) Somebody Done Stole My Blues - Chris Woods (DL-434) Forthcoming albums and Music News --------------------------------- Soundwings of Santa Monica, California and Duke Street of Toronto, Ontario, Canada have teamed up to release several of Duke Street's artists in the U.S. These releases are and will be on the Soundwings/Duke Street label. Several titles are currently available, among them Manteca's _No Heroes_ (reviewed above) and Hugh Marsh's excellent _Shaking the Pumpkin_ (reviewed in issue number 5 - October 1987) The Marsh CD is every bit as good as I thought it would be and then some! I've played the album a lot over the last year, and now I can file it away and save some wear and tear. For more information contact Soundwings and Soundwings/Duke Street at 1299 Ocean Avenue, Suite 800, Santa Monica, California 90401. Kaleidescope Records has recently released _The Wind Blows Wild_ (F-30, C-30 & K-30 on lp, cassette and cd respectively) an album of live and previously unreleased studio material by the late singer, Kate Wolf. Some of Kate's back catalog has also been released on compact disc recently. The titles released are _Give Yourself to Love_ (K-3000), _Close to You_ (K-15) and _Safe At Anchor_ (K-11). A live performance titled _An Evening in Austin_ will be released on cd and cassette at the same time as a video of the same name. A release date has not been set. Tom Paxton's new album _Politics_ was released in December. For more information write to: Mail Box Music, P.O. Box 341, Rye, New York 10580 or call 914-937-8601. A&M artist news - David + David are currently in the studio working on a new album set for late summer release. Bryan Adams is in the studio with Steve Lilywhite in Vancouver. Charlotte Caffey (former Go- Go) is working on her solo debut with producer Rick Nowels. Big Pig will be working on a new album sometime over the winter. Albums by Oingo Boingo (_Skeletons in the Closet_), David Crosby (_Yes, I Can_), Matthew Sweet (_Earth_), Royal Court of China (_Geared and Primed_) and Various Artists (_The Mighty Quinn Soundtrack Album_) should be in the stores or will be soon. Twin/Tone-Coyote recent and forthcoming releases are: _Body Talk_ by The Wallets, _Headburn_ an EP by Halo of Flies, _The Four Mile Road_ by Myra Holder, the debut from Speed The Plough, _Blue End Blue_ by the Neats, _President Yo La Tengo_ by Yo La Tengo, and _Party Favors_ by Al Anderson. Water Music, the studio in Hoboken that just about everyone on Coyote records lives in, is releasing a compilation of bands that have recorded there. The album is a sort of history of the studio in song and the debut release on Water Music Records. It features unissued tracks from Chris Stamey, Myra Holder, Faye Hunter (ex-Let's Active), the dBs, and Rage To Live. There's also a track from The Original Sins which has been released previously. Lost Records is putting together a sampler cassette for the uninitiated, featuring tracks from all their bands. And it's free! For more information, write to Lost at 346 E. 13th Street #7, New York, New York 10003 Upcoming releases on GAIA/Gramavision include albums by Oliver Lake, Peter Kater, John Scofield and Nelson Rangell. These will be released in February and March. Cymbiosis - The Marriage of Music and Magazine is a quarterly magazine that is now accompanied by a compact disc. The CD features the music of several of the artists written about in the magazine. Cymbiosis was designed as a venue for adult music which might otherwise be overlooked by the public. Vol.2 No.1 features the music of Pete Bardens, Bill Bruford, Stanley Clarke, Tangerine Dream, Steve Kindler & Teja Bell and Steve Smith & Vital Information along with numerous other columns, reviews and features. For more information write to Cymbiosis, Inc., 6201 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 80, Hollywood, California 90028 If you like novelty and/or humorous records then you ought to check out the 4 song EP _Hanukah Rocks_ by Gefilte Joe & the Fish. This is the debut recording from the world's oldest and only known Jewish Senior Citizen rock band. It contains such tunes as "Matzoh Man", "Napper's Delight", the title cut and an extremely amusing "Walk On The Kosher Side". Lou Reed says the Cowboy Junkies do the most authentic version of his song "Sweet Jane"... Well, wait until he sees what Gefilte Joe & the Fish have done to "Walk On The Wild Side"! ======================================================================== CONCERT WATCH ***NOTE*** All information concerning concert dates is subject to change without notice. Halo of Flies will be doing a couple of gigs at the end of January. They will be appearing at Maxwell's in Hoboken, NJ on 1/28 and The Rat in Boston on 1/29. Clive Gregson and Christine Collister will be performing at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival (Ann Arbor, MI - 1/28), Club West (Santa Fe, NM - 1/29), Colorado College, Packard Hall (Colorado Springs - 1/30), the Hi- Lo Club (Boulder, CO - 2/1), Cactus Cafe (Austin, TX - 2/2), in Claremont, CA (2/3), McCabes (Santa Monica, CA - 2/4) Backstage (Seattle, WA - 2/9), Harpos (Vancouver, BC - 2/10), Vancouver East Cultural Center (Vancouver, BC - 2/11), East Avenue (Portland, OR - 2/12), Great American Music Hall (San Francisco, CA - 2/14), American Victorian Museum (Nevada City, CA - 2/16), Palms Playhouse (Davis, CA - 2/17) and Ella Guru's (Knoxville, TN - 2/18&19). ========================================================================