MUSIC WEEK OCTOBER 11, 1980

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dedicated to his wife. Special guests (i.e. support band) Sad Cafe If Wakeman ended up in rhythmic for the evening were the Stray Cats, so MANY concerts arc billed as the cul-de-sacs — usually led by his the muck talked/written about most important in a band's career, backing band — he always escaped rockabilly trio recently signed to but this international showcase for by sheer virtuosity, pressing a strong Arista reportedly for an arm and a Sad Cafe in Amsterdam must claim as having the most nimble leg. Hacking back to the archives, certainly fit that description. fingers in rock. RCA arranged this concert for 250 they go through the old routines international subsidiaries, licensees His latest single Spider — proficiently, but originality is IF ANYONE was in any doubt that the music business in the featuring loo much vocals and not obviously not their forte. and members of the media, plus enough Wakeman — was perhaps Eighties has become a ruthless battleground, replacing the cosy about 500 of the Dutch public to the least satisfying contribution but JIM EVANS cottage industry of "the old days", then the sudden shock reproduce and build on success David Gcffcn can rest assured that departure of John Fruin from WEA will surely persuade them already achieved in the UK for this his new label capture will sell large Brothers Johnson . . . Whatever the reasons, official or unofficial, for his Manchester based outfit, yet despite quantities of albums for years to WITH THREE sell-out nights at resignation, Fruin is one of the industry's most talented the need to impress, there was no come. DAVID DALTON London's Dominion Theatre, the marketeers and Ncsuhi Ertegun might well find his projected sign of nerves. And the band showed Brothers Johnson proved themselves "few weeks" as caretaker turning into months as he seeks a no signs of stage rust after six to be well established in the premier replacement for his UK company . . . Fruin's resignation as months off the road, turning in a Toots & division of soul/funk music. chairman of the BPI means that vice-chairman Chris Wright will slick, polished performance. While their vocals could do with take over the reins until the council decides who to recommend as It is easy to see why Sad Cafe have The Maytals an injection of strength, their act is been picked out for special fun, entertaining and classy. a replacement — that recommendation then has to be agreed by treatment. While difficult to AS PROMISED and much Drawing mainly from their current the membership, but an extraordinary general meeting might be categorise — sometimes driving publicised, Island Records faithfully album, Light Up The Nights considered expensive and time-consuming at this time of year, so produced a live limited edition it seems likely that the "recommended chairman" will remain rock, sometimes smooth, album of Tools and The Maytals' (A&M), they did not take long to sophisticated pop — their music has Hammersmith Palais gig on the get the audience dancing in the until the AGM next June . . . and Fruin will not be replaced on a broad appeal and could ultimately following afternoon, making it the aisles. the council as his position was ex officio. achieve greatest success abroad. fastest turned around live LP ever. Outstanding was the bass playing Their sound is encapsulated in the And it was a choice gig to record. of Louis Johnson whose solo was CONSIDERING THE vehement opinions expressed by some current single La Di Da, performed nothing short of brilliant. They industry leaders about the chart in recent months, it was flawlessly, as were several tracks The audience was big and in the closed the evening with their last hit, from the new RCA album. But mood for singing and dancing all Stomp and by popular request this surprising that more of them did not turn out to see the almost all their material was new to night, and Toots, following a was repeated for the encore. presentations by Gallup and BMRB last week — if they could not this appreciative international rousing set from the bouncy LOUISE FARES be bothered to see for themselves what was on offer, they will gathering and Sad Cafe reached Bodysnatchers, was in great form. hardly have cause to complain if the new chart set-up is not to Maybe he did go slightly their liking . . . Gabriellc James leaving Record Business to join back to their first album for the overboard on the audience The Tourists tender ballad Hungry Eyes and participation side, but from the Broadcast, and her page will be taken over by Pat Thomas , . . Black Rose and the more recent gold opening favourite Pressure Drop, THE TOURISTS obviously now feel MWs Chris White recuperating at his Yorkshire home after album Facades for Every Day Hurts. and through Monkey Man, Funky at home as a headline act. The size smashing his leg falling off a moped over a cliff edge in Corsica If the band does break abroad — Kingston and many more, Toots and of the audience at the Rainbow . . . Considerable haggling going on between and the signs look good already — his audience shared the time of their belied their chart successes, but Rocket/Phonogram/WEA/Geffen over who gets Elton John the international companies will those present were treated to an outside the US . . . Derek Everett taking calls on 868 9874, and have a wealth of repertoire to lives. DANNY VAN EMDEN excellent set which came almost half exploit. DAVID DALTON way through an extensive UK tour. RCA regional promo guys can be contacted as follows; Mike Elvis Costello From the opening number, Blind Davies (021 454 0829), Richard Searling (0204 21096) and Jim Among The Flowers, old favourites McGinley (0236 874756). . . Chris Charlesworth quickly back to Rick Wakeman SOME FOUR years ago the and new material were equally work as a journalist following exit from RCA with a feature for A PACKED Hammersmith Odeon bespectacled Costello and his band enthusiastically received, the new MM on John Bonham. greeted Rick Wakeman with near The Attractions rode the crest of the including the current RCA single adulation even before he promised new wave to deserved acclaim and Don't Say I Told You So. Anne GOOD VIBES at Vidcom in Cannes last week with many to play something from each of his recognition. He soon established Lennox, as stunning as ever, got the solo albums and it was clear that his himself as both performer and crowd on its feet early on for I Only delegates agreeing that the atmosphere of excitement very much admirers included many who would songwriter of character and note. Want To Be With You and there it like Midem used to be and actual meetings (as opposed to ligging) not bother to turn up for a Yes Last week, at the Rainbow stayed. JOHN ELDON going on to the early hours — Chrysalis met with Magnetic Video concert. Theatre's 50ih anniversary concert, at midnight and Catalyst Video's Bonnie Molnar attended a 1 The chirpy Wakeman, whose he showed that, while the cutting a.m. meeting with PolyGram . . . BBC's John Ross-Barnard banter with audience and band edge of his performance may have Split Enz quote at Cannes: "If the video companies allow the same people turned a mere performance into a become a shade blunted, he can still SPORTING WHITE suits with to run them as the record companies do then God help video" show, was as good as his word, deliver the goods with style and . . . Hot tip at Vidcom: Ex-EMI LRD MD Alan Kaupe to be next opening with an extract from his power. dayglow stripes. New Zealand's Arthurian epic, working his way And, to use an athletic parallel, he leading rock exports made a British MD for Magnetic Video after departure of Brian Payne has mellowed the show from a stunning entrance onto the stage at two months ago . . . Meanwhile, back in London, among items through three of Henry VlII's wives, the Hammersmith Odeon. And their going under the hammer at Abbey Road Studio next week (16), conjuring a fun version of Merlin frantic sprint to a well-paced first three numbers, delivered with The Magician and ending with a middle distance event. The songs conviction, threatened a barn- during auction of recording memorabila is the last roll of shiny Journey To The Centre Of The varied from the old — Watching The storming evening. loo paper with EMI printed on every sheet (apparently Earth that was well worth the trip. Detectives, Radio Radio, I Don't Unfortunately this initial McCartney rescued it after persuading the studio to equip the These grand pieces were pleasantly Wanna Go To Chelsea — to tracks momentum was not maintained and gents with tissue rolls). interrupted by the slow, romantic from the Get Happy album such as the set began to drag its feet as the Sea Horses, from the Rhapsodies Temptation to brand new material band pounded out some pretty album, and new cut Danielle — such as Luxembourg. unsubtle rock, only receiving a shot in the arm from 1 Got You, their current A&M single, which was received with rapturous applause, ^LM^XLRETORDiNGEQUIPHEm-GATHEREDFROMALLOVERTHEWORl^ATSALE OF THE CENTURY possibly of relief. Nonetheless the band are competent and EMI Studios/Abbey Road professional. JIM EVANS OCTOBER 15th & 16th Main Sale: MIIM This once in a lifetime sale of used professional3 recording equipment-at realistic Pnce " THE FOOTNOTE to your report of o £3-99 includes-Mixing consoles-multitrack recoils b the meeting of videogram persons >c5 R.R.P. v (MfV September 27) was obviously mastering & dubbing machines - mo-' meant to be helpful: "Anyone OCTOBER RELEASES ON BEGGARS BANQUET duplication, test and ancillary e wishing to join the British microphones, stands, noise tr Videogram Association contact cutting lathes, screens an^/ Garry Pownali at Thorn EMI." SPECIAL £3.99 rrp. 85®) and a Jumble ^ But Garry has been acting hon sec of the Videogram Producers and —^ Memorabilia' Distributors Association since it Studer J37 4, came into being last year, so this CHE pper helpful advice happens to resemble a The Beatles o he legendary ❖ Limiter compr sinister plot to hi-jack potential FIGHT AMONGST YOURSELVES Jor ' ,i4tar' BVA members! BEGA 21 .,i used by The Because the VPDA and the BVA ❖ MellotK^ ore making an earnest attempt to Beatles with //&\e original tapes come together, would you be so kind peEESHxl as print this message: | Plus tapes, videocasXf and much much more. "Videogram people who recognise the need for effective Ilhis will never happen again- representation of their interests 1 LIP SO BE THERE! should contact either: The VPDA (per Garry Pownali), or 1 he ^BVA Sale Time (per John Deacon of the BPI)." "A MASTERPIECE "-NME.' And with a little luck we will soon 10 a.m.to9p.m. "get it all together". DONALD MACLEAN, managing Wednesday and Thursday. director, Videogram Production, More ^torrrieti^troiTi: Hertfordshire Thorn EMI, Dean. Street, London IVI. PAGE 47