Entertainlnent Page 8 The Retriever March 19, 1973

,The early part of 1973 has" supposed to turn out a "~uperi banjo to violin. Excellent yielded quite a few musical Session" lp with the help of a rr angements, bea utiful releases - here are a few which competent musicians, and Bob lyrics, and Mickey's voice deserve attention. Dylan. There is nothing super makes tnis lp one of Marchs' Dark Side of the Moon Pink about the album, except that it best. Floyd (Harvest Capitol). Pink makes an excellent placemat. Don McLean (United Ar­ Floyd seems to be making· And oh yes, Dylan now has a ' tists) Poor Don, the critics are remarkable progress after tarnished record. jumping all over him. Let's their "Atom Heart Mother" lp Life In a Tin Can The Bee face it, "American Pie is a which received critical ac­ Gees (RSO/ Atlantic) A very very tought act to follow. I claim 2 1/ 2 years ago. Dark well produced package which mean, the critics still like Side of the Moon is a perfect showcases the group's ver­ Orson Welles even though he example of a once mediocre satility. The vocal hasn't given them another DOUG SAHM AND BAND group "making good". The' arrangements are superb, as ' "Citizen Kane". "Don album is an excellent are The Brothers Gibb com­ McLean" is not really all that ... album makes excellent placemat simulation (a lot less simulated positions. "I Don't Want to Be bad--maybe one or two songs if you light up a joint) of an TheOne" would be an ex­ are not so hot, but the the title) he sings of old also. Give the boy some time­ interplanetary voyage, and cellent choice for a single, done . "American Pie" album had a cowboys and egotists and the he may surprise us all once what that music might sound much in the same fashion as a lot of bad songs on it. His new rat race of life. "Dreidel" and again. like in the vacuum of outer, Bread slow song. Styx II Styx album has a litUe more "If We Try" are the two singles space. The vocal tracks are (Wooden Nickle RCA) One of originality to it. (Except for and perhaps the best songs --Neal McGarity reminicenl of the Moody Blues, the finest new groups of the and the instrumental backing 70's. Styx plays everything is reminicent of absolutely no from Bach to Blood, Sweat and one (on this planet, at least). Tears. They can be brassy, The Session Jerry Lee Lewis hard, soft, and folky all on the (Mercury) Perhaps the finest same album. They do all of of .the "London ' Sessions" their own compositions (except albums, Jerry Lee ta'kes on for J.S. Bach's "Fugue in G" A magazine ad for the new for the hit, "Danny's Song". evident in "Golden Ribbons". everybody from Alvin Lee to the little) and they are a very album by Loggins and Messina That same album also con­ The anti-war song dealing with Klaus Voorman. Though tightly knit band keeping an reads: "If you've seen one tained Nixon's theme song, dead soldiers couldn't have nearing the age of 40, Jerry excellent vocal and in­ Loggins and Messina crowd "Same Old Wine", (It's the come at a better time (Golden Lee still slams the ivories with strumental balance. They you've seen them all." The ad same old wine, but a different Ribbons - those golden chains the vigor he had in the early' deserve a listen. goes on to say that the album bottle) . of war). While Mike Omartian 50's. In addition to the ex- Ilea ven Help the Child "captures in a studio the Ken Loggins has always solos on piano, a rising chorus , cellent studio help he receives, Mickey Newbury (Elektra) A nationwide excitement they've been known for his hillbilly of -voices ask - What does it the Ip features a dynamite member of the "New School" generated in concert." Well, voice and folkish ballads, but profit a man to gain a fortune lineup of songs. "What'd I of country music, (joining Kris I've seen a Loggins and the addition of Jim Messina and lose his soul? Say", "Good Golly Miss Krisstofferson and Mason Messina crowd and they sure seems to have spruced things "Thinking of You", an old Molly", "Long Tall Sally", Williams) Mickey sings looked excited to me. In fact, up a bit. The refugee from time love song by Messina, "Johnny B. Goode", and Jerry straight from the heart, with a they looked like they had their Buffalo Springfield, Messina begins Side Two. Ken Loggins Lee's Own "Whole Lotta' voice that can move even the fingers plugged into an electric also played lead guitar for plays a good harmonica on this Shakin' Going On" are just a most , emotionally stable socket. Columbia Records has Poco. It was with Poco that one. But the real ass kicker is few of the outslanding songs. ' person. He has written for done the capturing and the Messina proved his pote ltial the next cut. Down-home Mr. Lewis keeps all the songs everyone from Presley to Ray album is simply titled, Loggins as songwriter and guitarist. country rock as only Messina down to 5 1/ 2 minutes or less, Charles. Some of his most and Messina. It would be unfair to review can play. "Just Before the to avoid the overworked "long ' famous compositions are "An It's nice to know that two this album without mentioning News" features Messina on solos." Out of all the fabulous American Trilogy", "Sweet people can get together and the powerful backup band lead guitar with Loggins once musicians assembled for this Memories" and "Just Dropped make good music. Duets like behind Loggins and Messina. again on harmonica. Al Garth album, JerryLee's piano work In rock music seen anything never miss a vocal backup. love songs by Ken Loggins. He which musical insignificant Orchestra, comprised of Nash­ like this. Their first album, The album kicks off with the seems to have the knack for Doug Sahm (former leader of· ville's finest musicians on Ken Loggins with Jim Messina raspy voice of Jim Messina writing songs of this type and The Sir Douglas Quintet) was every instrument, from the Sittin' In, is well remembered singing "Good Friend," which his powerful voice just belts it is excellently backed up with out. On these two cuts in Loggins on rhythm. particular there seems to be a "Whiskey" "a sweet, flowing strikIng resemblance of his number brings out the har­ voice to that of Jose Feliciano. I · monizing talent of Loggins and Messina comes through with Messina, with Omartian on another country rocker, organ. "Holiday Hotel". Mike There isn't much that can be Omartian once again does a said about the next cut; its fine piano job "- Elton John been played into the ground by style. AM radio so much that many ,It's only fitting that the best are tired of hearing it. "Your cut on the album be saved for Mama Don't Dance" written last. "Angry Eyes" is a seven by both Loggins and Messina minl'tp jam that utilizes the features Jon Clarke on abundant talent of the whole saxophone and All Garth band. Messina's acoustic lead, yelling, "Out of the car, Loggin's rhythm, heavy bass longhair! " lines from Sims, Garth crying on sax, flutist Jon Clarke, and "Long Tail Cat" is a true Mike Omartian on cl.arinet - all country tune. Loggins sings pulling together for this with simplicity, Al Garth musical endeavor. fiddles along, and Milt Holland So, if you've never been part provides some good percussion of a Loggins and Messina in the background. Rusty crowd or never seen one, do the Young of Poco follows right next best thing - pick up on the along on steel dobro, adding a album, Loggins and Messina, magic touch to the whole set. PINK FLOYD and stick your fingers into the Proba bly the most serious electric socket. ... an interplanetary voyage song writing of Jim Messina is --Joe CIO(;ker