Page 4 Retriever features Ivers, Aztecs play folk for the 80's

by Tony Sclafani Speaking of offensive, the package the EP vulnerability of Jonathan Richman, the caustic comes in is some portfolio-shaped thing, proba- wit of Lou Reed and . and the Ever think about ? bly invented by Sire records as a buy incentive kitchen-sink eclecticism of Roy Wood. Chances are, if you do you have visions of when they heard how dull the music was. Some- The new compilation, titled Nirvana Peter, 's wheezing voice and harmonica, body ought to tell that folk music collects songs of his from 1974 to 1981. There is the anthemic songs of Woodie Guthrie and Pete doesn't necessarily mean a quietly strummed lots of great stuff here, from the do-it-yourself Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary, Simon and Gar- quitar, wimpy vocal, and lackluster rhythm sec- keyboard-harmonica ballad "Miraculous Wee- funkel, the Kingston Trio, even Jonathan Rich- tion. The Byrds rocked, Dylan rocked, eve- kend," to the Johnathan Richman styled "On man, in his later days. ryone knows how bad Neil Young rocks, and the Grill" ("I'm a little hot dog on the grill"), to All of these artists are different, yet share even Simon and Garfunkel added electric gui- the near baroque "Even Steven Foster." The some unique characteristic, that of basic songs tars onto "Sounds of Silence." If Simon and range of Peter's talent is stunning, if a little that try and "say something," with minimal Garfunkel can rock, so can . But idiosyncratic. accompaniment. But that still doesn't explain let's forget about rock for a second, because Ivers' songwriting may seem idiosyncratic, what folk music is! What does the angry young think about how aggressive Dylan could sound but his voice is downright strange. It sounds like Bob Dylan have in common with the silly, with just one guitar. It takes a little soul to make most voices sped up! His chipmunk-like vocals childlike Jonathan Richman, besides a six- music interesting, not to mention compelling. sound annoying and strange at first, but after a string acoustic guitar? Aztec Camera can do that; Frame just has to while start to sound normal. Besides, people Perhaps the best definition of folk music is wake up with lousy voices always come off sounding by Terry Adams, keyboardist and founder of NRBQ. "All music is folk music, because we're all folks," Terry said, and he's right in a way. Dr. Todd Gitlin, political and culture activist, will lecture Thursday at 8:00 p.m. in LH III. But his vision of folk music, perceptive as it is, only obscures any definition we may have had in the first place. Well, in case you were wondering, folk music Culture expert Gitlin is still alive in the eighties, but its meaning has changed drastically. Synthesizers, once a novelty, have become mundane, rendering that instrument a (you guessed) folk instrument! to lecture Thursday (You heard it here first.) One band that has kept the flame alive in Gitlin is very politically minded: he helped by Timothy Doyle both their style and subject matter, is the Scot- found Students for a Democratic Society, and served as its president in 1963-64. tish band, Aztec Camera, headed by 20-year- Alright people—it's test time! Now what do old Roddy Frame. One person who kept the Dr. Warren Belasco, from the American these things have in common? folk flame alive in spirit, by updating it, is the Sudies Department which is sponsoring Gitlin's near-legendary late Peter Ivers, host of USA 1) The latest Ford Motor Co. ads: rapid-cut, talk, thinks it will be interesting. "He's [Gitlin] Cable Netword's Night Flight, and all around high-tech, whiz-whiz, superkinetic; one of the most important intellectuals to the 2) The "hot" style in prime-time TV action left," said Belasco. collaborator and composer on the L.A. scene. Aztec Camera has a new EP out, and Warner adventure series: the bang-bang alienated Author, political activist, sociologist, culture Bros, has just released a Peter Ivers compila- Vietnam-vet-turned-crimefighter show; analyst, Dr. Gitlin teaches Sociology and tion, and they both present different perspec- 3) The computer fetish: your two-year-old directs the Mass Communications Program at tives of folk music. won't get into Yale unless you buy her a the University of California at Berkeley. His The late Peter Ivers (left), and Aztec Camera's Roddy Frame Aztec Camera, or Roddy Frame (the band Commodore 64; and books include: Uptown: Poor Whites in isn't much more than a vehicle for his songwrit- more sincere, and this works to Ivers' advan- 4) President Ronald Reagan. Chicago (1971); The Whole World is Watching: Aztec Camera strummed their way onto the ing) has released a half great debut , a music scene in May 1983, when there wasn't tage, especially with such sentimental, quirky Beats me, it looks like a jumble! Mass Media in the Making and Unmaking of lousy followup, and now, a miserable live EP. much strumming of any kind going on. They material as "Peter and the Wolves," (a reminis- Well, Dr. Todd Gitlin claims to have some the New Left (1980), and Inside Prime Time One wonders if young Roddy Frame, the pro- were singled out as "torch bearers," Elvis Cos- cence about an old nightclub), or "Eighteen and answers to these confusing questions of our (1983). duct of much hype and heralding, has burned tello called Roddy Frame his only songwriting Dreaming (self explanatory). Great performan- himself out. The best song on this live e.p. is competition, and reviewers and underground ces, strikingly original chord changes, and Aztec's morbid remake of the hit radio stations went crazy over Frame's Neil incredible harmonica (an Ivers specialty) Popular culture and politics tie together. Some trends in pop "Jump," included as a "bonus"track. Young—meets-new wave songwriting. Like abound. This is very impressive stuff—you The tune is great, a real inspired remake, but Bruce Springsteen, NRBQ, Moby Grape, and really ought to hear it for yourself. culture share a mood related to the Reagan administration. then the original was pretty good too. What Brinsley Shwarz, they were the product of hype. Ivers seems to be a modern day disciple of Frame does is take the tune at half speed, give it Hype or not though, there is no excuse for the folk through his attitude mostly, and his style an acoustic guitar arrangement, and sing it like boring sound-alike drivel Frame has been spew- secondly. Everyone who knew him as host of day. Gitlin, due to appear at UMBC this "But exactly how will Dr. Gitlin tie all these a suicide note. A very different approach than ing out as of late. We don't need another James New Wave Theatre probably thinks of this Thursday evening at 8:00 p.m. in Lecture Hall things together?" asks the skeptical UMBC the original, but then, that's exactly why it Taylor; times have changed. / equasion as haphazard, but Ivers on record is a III, will discuss "Commercials, Cops, and student. How, indeed? A very good question. succeeds. One person who was probably very aware of different story than Ivers on TV (except for the Computers in the Reagan Era: Trends in Gitlin will incorporate lots of ideas during his Sadly, the other four songs from this EP do changing times was the late Peter Ivers. A voice). Nirvana Peter is on sale everywhere, Popular Culture." And those suffering from talk. Hell show TV commercials, among other not succeed at all. "The Bugle Sounds Again," multi-talented, multi-faceted artist, whose contains great songs, and great liner notes that lack of money should rejoice: the talk is free. things, to point out aspects of the public mood from High Land, Hard Rain, Aztec's debut work included soundtracks, videos, and scoring tell you everything you ever wanted to know "It's a quirky, kind of odd talk that I'm and how these moods are mirrored in our album sounds tired; Frame's voice wanders (he plays, Ivers would seem about as folk as the about the late Peter Ivers (except that he was giving," said Gitlin the other day from his culture, politically and otherwise. sounds like a slowed down Steven Barton from Human League. murdered), but make you want to know more California office. He added, "It's gonna take the "I'm not quite sure how it's going to wind Translator, or a proper Jonathan Richman). Yet despite his hip credentials, his gentle about him. talk itself to make my point." up," said Belasco. Well, neither are we, but a The other three tunes vary from bad to worse, childlike songwriting, and his fragile voice bear Aztec Camera's new EP is on sale everywhere Ah, yes, the point—that's certainly what we talk that promises to pull all these vast, mind- but leave little impression one way or the other. out a different Peter Ivers than one would also, and should be avoided like Typhoid Mary. seek. Gitlin explained, "It's part of a large way boggling issues together might well be highly Frame's songwriting is so lackluster, you hardly expect. He could be labeled new wave as easily Buy "Jump" if you must, but wait until Frame to understand how popular culture and politics entertaining and interesting, not to mention notice at all. If he admires Neil Young so much as folk, but then, genre confinement always wakes up to spend your money on more Aztec tie together." He clarified: "I'm gonna try to informative and educational. (he does) why doesn't he make like his mentor separated the greats from the dime-a-dozens. Camera. If you wanna hear people sleep, listen show that some trends in popular culture are If you think the answers to these perplexing and get electric once in a while. If Frame is (Example: what sort of music did through the walls or record yourself sleeping. sharing in a mood related to the mood of the questions are a tall order, check the lecture out, going to be bad, the least he could do is be play?) Both those suggestions don't cost as much as Reagan adminstration." and ask Dr. Gitlin Thursday night. offensively bad! The scope and vision of Ivers' songwriting are the new Aztec Camera EP, and are probably amazing. He has the pathos, innocence and more interesting.

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS

Tuesday, April, 9 «5 UCPB Variety Showcase, Featuring the Vamps. Ballroom, 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. l/SGA FILMS Wednesday, April 10 SGA Movie- Conan the Destroyer. 6,8,10 p.m., LH II Progressions- Flutist/composer John Fonville with electric guitarist Tom North. F.A. 306 at 8:0f p.m. SGA Elections. VOTEll University Center, 1st Floor. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in Thursday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday- CONAN, THE DESTROYER, the exciting and thrilling sword and stress Conference. U.C. Ballroom. sorcery sequel to the highly successful CONAN, THE BARBARIAN. Monday April 15 In this larger than life adventure The Lefrak Lecture. A fish story as told by a 20 ton microscope. Special Collections room of Conan is entrusted to find the key to a the library. 3:00 p.m. magical kingdom and deliver it to an Dedication. For the Bio Sciences Research Building. In the Marsho Garden, adjacenttothe evil queen. Joining Conan in this bio building. 4:30 p.m. adventure are rock queen Grace UCPB Rehearsal Dinner Theatre. Ballroom. Jones as the Amazon warrior, Zulu; Wilt Chamberlain, as the queen's henchman who has orders to kill Conan as soon as the key is secure; and Mako returns as the wizard. Share in the adventure as Conan and his intrepid band battle wizards, warriors, monsters and evil gods in an attempt to save their world.

SHOWTIMES 6,8,10 P.M. LH2 ADMISSION $2.00 4/17 Dynamic rock star Prince makes an unforgettable feature film debut as "The Kid," a young musician struggling to make it on the Minneapolis rock club circuit. Exciting concert performances by Prince, the Revolution, Morris Day and the Time, and Appolonia Six are highlighted; featuring the hit songs "When Doves Cry," "Let's Go Crazy," and the title song from Prince's gold selling soundtrack album. Co-written by Emmy Award winner William Blinn (BRIAN'S SONG), PURPLE RAIN is an exciting story of love, survival, and triumph.