: CASH BOX JULY 25, 1992 7 INDUSTRY BUZZ EAST WEST By Randy Clark By Lee Jeske COAST COAST The infectious rhythms and passionately sung melodies have brought out this "dancing in the aisles" phenomenon wherever they played, as the group con- tinued to record three more albums over the last few years, and as they traveled the globe performing in front of sell-out crowds. For me... The Gipsy Kings well, since I don't understand the YOU’D HAVE THOUGHT with words, I rely mostly on what I per- the rare appearance of precipita- ceive visually and hear musically. tion in Los Angeles, that hardly What I saw and heard was lively, anyone would show up at an out- well-played music without ego... a door concert... Christ, people here simple joy in bringing their music Third World ain’t no fools. As soon as they got to New York, the don't even want to get their cars to the happy reaction of people Kingston quintet went to Sylvia's in Harlem for some fine eating, wet. This definitely wasn't the dancing in the rain, and to me... all where they ran into singer Cece Peniston, clearly no fool either. case for the three nights of "bring those things are very refreshing... your umbrella and dance in the ATTENTION ALTERNATIVE A BIG MOTTA: Ed Motta has everything it takes to be a big aisles" shows at the Greek MUSIC FANS! This is a rare op- star as a soul singer—a large, rubbery, expressive voice and a Theatre, put on by the Gipsy portunity to pick up a fantastic style that takes gospel melismas out of the church and into the Kings last week. Now don't get deal on a 16-track compilation CD. listen to bit Green, bedroom. You him and you hear a of A1 a me wrong, it wasn't pouring rain, You all know that corporate spon- smidgin of George Benson, a dollop of A1 Jarreau. In fact, Motta, (the covered stage stays dry) but it sorship lends a migh ty hand to the as a singer, is as good as Luther or Peabo or any of those other was wet enough to have brought world of music, via television pretenders to the soul-singing throne. There's only one problem some kind of shield, unless you commercials, concert tours, etc.. he doesn't speak a word of English. were one of those who would have You name it, there they are. Well, danced up a sweat anyway... and the folks who sell Stolichnaya Ed Motta, you see, is Brazil's greatest contemporary soul there were plenty of those. Vodka (Monsieur Henri Wines, singer. Brazilians were on hand during his U.S. debut at S.O.B.'s The music of the Gipsy Kings is Ltd.) have put out a promotional a or two ago, and what they saw was a classic case of coals week known well enough throughout gimmick that's actually worth the to Newcastle. Motta's tight band seemed to have absolutely no the world to bring an interesting price of the phone call. Brazilian influences whatsoever—no samba rhythms underpin- looking, rather ethnically diverse Here's what you get: Stolar ning the standard-issue soul melodies, no forro filling in the crowd. The band hails from the Tracks Vol. 1, a full-blown, 16-cut Memphis soul cracks, no bossa nova cooling off the gospel heat. south of France and sings primari- CD (in jewelbox) featuring songs ly in Spanish, but the audience had artists like "The Ballad Listening to him sing a style so clearly American in a language from XTC large variations of Europeans and Of Peter Pumpkinhead," Arrested so clearly not English was a bit surreal, like the first time you Latinos, even mid-Eastemers were Development "Tennessee," Peter happen to catch 1 Love Lucy on a TV in Italy. He sang the hell out out in the drizzle yelling out their Murphy "You're So Close," EMF it but didn't offer of whatever the hell was he was singing, he joy in Lebanese. "Getting Through," Jesus & Mary much to music-drunk New Yorkers that they haven't been find- The group of Gypsies (literally) Chain "Sugar Ray," Matthew ing plenty of for the past 30 years or so in the neighborhood. are two sets of three brothers ac- Sweet "Does She Talk?," Lush New York fans of live Brazilian music have been somewhat companied by five other musicians "Superblast," and nine others. So, the price of single, deprived over the past few years, but, if everything works (like (guitar, bass, drums and keys), and basically, for one suggests, they live get the chance to sample full American customs red tape, visas for performers can be hard just as the name you and travel together almost con- cuts from 16 different artists. things to come by), things are about to change. Joao Bosco, one stantly. Founded in 1979 by the Sound like a deal? Sure it does. of Brazil's best singer-songwriters, will be at the Blue Note, Aug. sons and nephews of famed How do you get it, you might Titas, hot pair of rock bands, will be at 11-16; Paralamas and a flamenco singer Jose Reyes (whose ask?... Just dial 1-900-STOLI-CD a the Ritz, Aug. 29; Ney Matogrosso, MPB's glitter rocker, will be last name translated in Spanish, $2.95 charge appears on your at Hall, Sept. Rita Lee, another MPB star, will put on the the group played bill, and there's no further Town 11 ; means "kings"), phone Ritz, Oct. 3; Nana Caymmi, a great jazz-influenced singer, and around St. Tropez, France and charge! That's it! C'mon! That relatively manufac- Luis Melodia, a sambista, will be at Town Hall, Nov. 7; and Marbella, Spain but was barely covers the cost of unknown to world audiences until turing and mailing! Give 'em a Caetano Veloso will be at the Ballroom, I believe, sometime in the release of their self-titled debut call... tell your friends, give it to September. Break out the cachaca. album exploded them onto the your kids if you don't want it, have ROCKS AND GRAVEL: Leo Nocentelli, the spectacular charts with the smash single, it sent to someone who hates alter- guitarist from New Orleans' spectacular Meters, will be leading "Bombeleo," in 1987. The album native, use it as an office bathroom the blues jam sessions at Manny's Car Wash every Sunday for hit the Top 10 in over a dozen keyring, who cares?... but hurry the immediate future.... Deep Blues, a feature-length documen- countries, and earned 15 gold and up!... there's only 100,000 of 'em... tary directed by Robert Mugge, based on Robert Palmer' s book platinum records. Next week... of the same name, will be showing at Lincoln Center's new Walter Reade Theatre, July 31 -Aug. 4. The movie prowls around the Mississippi Delta in the company of Palmer and Dave Stewart. Compare it to The Search for Robert Johnson, a feature- length documentary home video covering some of the same turf and out the same week from Sony Music Video.... Quincy Jones' next project is going to be a soul version of Handel's Messiah with contributions from Patti LaBelle, Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Mathis, A1 Jarreau, BeBe & CeCe Winans and others. 1 kid you not. STOLAR.