Cat Stevens Diversifies His Style with Izitso Events
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PAGE 6 THE TECH TUESDAY. MAY 17. 1977 -JILP-9~~~~MM I - r- FoI tI artgi Cat Stevens diversifies his style with Izitso I:itso - Cat Stevens on A&MN Records. Another surprise for old Stevens fans is By Rebecca Waring the use of disco and reggae beats in some Lirtso is Cat Stevens' best album since -of the new songs. "Killin' Time" has a Teaser and the Firecat. His last album, typical disco tune. Only in the lyrics can .Vuthers. a very self-indulgent composi- elements of his usually recognizable style tion which had all its songs centered on a be found. "Was Dog a Doughnut" is a common theme, didn't seem to have rock instrumental with traces of reggae. been meant as a commercial success. Stevens handles these styles Tlhe release of Izirso re-establishes expertly. and they seem to be enhanced Stevens as an incredibly talented compo- by his always imaginative lyrics and ser. He has incorporated some of the best expressive voice. elements of rock and reggae into his The other instrumental on this album, familiar style. and the results are tre- "K pros," is quite melodic and slow- mendous. moving, and a reminder of Cat Stevens' Izitso is a very happy album. All the Greek heritage. It is strategically placed songs move well, and one wants to get up right after the heavy beat of "Killin' and dance or at least sing along to such Time." The mix of songs is very good lyrics as: throughout the record. and both sides are I never Kanted to be a starr. I of equal caliber, characteristic of most nevrer wanted to travel fbr Stevens albums. I onlv wanted a little bit of love The other songs on the disc. "Life." So I could put a little love in nil' "Bonfire." "Crazy," and "Sweet Jam- heart. aica," are typically Cat Stevens. They are reminiscent of the cuts from Tea for Stevens reminisces about his youth in the Tillerman, his best album. this song. "I Never Wanted to be a Star," Izitso will not disappoint any fan of and tloo others: "Child for a Dav" and Cat Stevens, and indeed should win him "Old Schoolyard." These cuts give the many more loyal followers. He has added album much of its zest and character. several new -dimensions to his work - which have also been carried into the new instruments, beats, and moods - cover picture of Stevens playing with a without losing any of the old ones. His yovo and the children's drawings which normally great lyrics and melodies are decorate the lyrics inside. present here, as are his intricate Cat Stevens makes use of many more accompaniments and beautiful voice. instruments in this record than he has ever used before. A horn synthesizer solo ' hich opens "Old Schoolvyard" is an example of this. His strong points, how- ever. have always been guitar and piano. Live Beatles album displays brilliance - and they are not neglected here. The Beatles at the Hollywood was only about an hour long. time in the recording industry. This Bowl on Capitol Records. Even though it is too short, it still is album recalls the way they were over By Drew Blakeman great. These are the Beatles back in the twelve years ago. The Beatles have, in a sense, re- days when they made all the little girls There is so much innocent exuberance events united. Some old Beatles tapes were scream. The last time they appeared in in these live recordings, on the part of lyving around the basement of Capitol concert together was in 1966 - a long both the Beatles and of their audiences. The Spring Revels. a masque of traditional Records, someone saw how valuable they At one point, Paul says sarcastically and ritual dances, processionals. carols. might be, and the result is The Beatles at "We'd like to thank all you people for and drama will be shown at Kresge the Hollyvwood Bowl. coming," although it is unlikely that Auditorium Fri.. MNay 20 at 8pm and Sat.. Recorded live at concerts at the Holly- anyone there heard him. He starts to Max 21 at 2 and 6pm. Tickets are S3.50 and wood Bowl in August 1964 and 1965,' this laugh irreverently in the middle of ma; be purchased from TCA or at the record contains no material newer than "Help!" but manages to keep control. door. that on the album Help! Unfortunately, All thirteen songs on this all-too-short * t * * recording techniques were primitive at album -should be familiar to everybody. the time so that this album has extreme- Five of them weren't written by the ly poor quality sound. What is there is Beatles themselves, but they are among The Community Music Center of Boston history. the most memorable, There will un- Wind Ensemble will perform Tue.. MNay 17 These are the only live recordings of doubtedly be a number of top-ten singles at 8pm at 48 Warren Ave., Boston. The the Beatles in existence, excluding boot- released from this record, which is al- ensemble sill perform Octet-partitia by legs which sound even worse, and they ready getting heavy national airplay. Franz Kromrnmer, Rondindo for Octet by show quite explicity the power the group Every cut on this album adds some- Beethoen. and excerpts from The .far- had over its audiences. There is a steady thing to the legend the Beatles already riage :/f Figara by MNozart. There will be no drone of pre-pubescent females scream- are. It's hard to believe that one group admission charge. For more information, ing their lungs out during the entire could have so much impact on music, call 482-7494. length of the album. but this record shows part of the reason * * * * It is put together well. mixing songs why. It is unlikely that any single group from each year's concert very smoothly. will change the face of popular music so The University of Massachusetts College The record is much too short, however, a thoroughly again. of Public and Community Service Art Gal- mere 28 V, minutes spread over thirteen Those who don't remember the Beatles ler w\ill be showing a collection of works cuts. The shortest, "Twist and Shout" when they first burst on the scene would bx various Boston-area photographers at lasts only one minute twenty seconds, do well to listen to this albumrn. The 100 Arlington St., Boston. The show opens and "Dizzy Miss Lizzie" is the longest at material may be old, and the recording today and will run :hrought Sat., May 28. three minutes flat. It would- have been qualit)y may be poor, but they are the Admission is free. nice if a few more songs had been added Fans go literally frantic at a Beatles con- Beatles and they are live. The Beatles at * 0: * * or if they had been longer, but then the cert in the Hollywood Bowl more than the Hollywood Bowl is. for all its brevity. average Beatles concert in those days twelve years ago. a powerful collection of performances. The Communit) Music Center Chorus will present a complete version with orchestra of Henry Purcell's Dido and .4eneas Sun.. May 22 at 3pm at 48 Warren Ave., Boston. Foster, Sheen disappoint in Little Girl No charge will be made for admission. For '*4]44The Little Girl Who Lives more information, call 482-7494. nasty guy whose intentions are totally dis- romantic, and not funny (at least not inten- Dow n The Lane: an American International honorable. He visits her often, always tionally). It is boring, so much so that by $ * * * Pictures release; directed bvy Nicholas Ges- leching-after her poor innocent body. the end no one really cares that the in- snoer. screenplay by Laird Koenig; starring Alexis Smith portrays Mrs. Pallit. The Boston Lyric Opera Company will evitable ending. telegraphed to the Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen, Alexis Smith, Sheen's character's mother, who is also a perform The Kfng A nd The Wise Woman. a audience more than an hour earlier, ever M ort Shuman, and Scott Jacobi; playing at not-so-nice person. At one point in the comic opera by Carl Orff, Sat., May 21 at takes place. Sack Savoy 1, Chestnut Hill Cinema, movie, after demanding to go down into 8:15pm in the Berklee Performance Center The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Framingham Cinema. Peabody Cinema, the cellar to get some jelly glasses, she falls at 136 Mass. Ave.. Boston. For additional Lane does have one redeeming merit - Burlington Cinema, and Showcase Dedham: - or (gasp!) is pulled - to her death. I will information, call 542-0308. some of the background music was written rated PG. not compromise the element of suspense by Frederic Chopin. However, even the * * * * (what there is of it, anyway) by revealing music sounds bad in the context of this By Drew Blakeman The Secret Of The Cellar, but I will'say that film. It is a shame that such normally fine The Institute for Contemporary Dance will There is only one thing wrong with The it is not worth waiting around to find out. thespians as Foster and Sheen can't remove present MIT Movemrnent Theater Fri., May Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane - Mort Shuman is the local cop on the themselves from this fiasco, but then even 20 and Sat., May 21 at 8:30pm and Sun., that the movie was ever made in the first beat who really cares for poor waif Foster's Bogart made a few clinkers.