Londontown Wings I Laine Takes Flight "London Town" sold over one million Hy Bernie Russell copies in less than a week after its Wings is one of the most "hung up" release. It deserves this success and groups recording today. Since it was more. A lot of time and effort went into formecl in the early Seventies, Wings has the making of "London Town" and it been severely criticized for Paul Mc­ shows. Like the real London Town, there Cartney's dominance, Linda McCart­ is something in this record for everyone. ney's lack of musiral talent and the ''London Town'· will please both fans group's tendency toward a loud juvenile and non-fans of Wings. sounrl. among other things. In their latest album, ''London Town," Wings has over('ome almost all of these faults and made a yery sophisticated, subdued, Short Cuts tuneful record. In a recent interview, Paul McCartney ''Rubicon'' (20th Century) -- Rubicon said that VYings purposely recorded was a virtually unknown group that got more songs than would be needed for its first big break when it was booked ~·London Town'' so that the group could into California Jam II. Now they have pick only the very best tunes and put recorded their first album on the 20th them on the record. This extra work Century label and have a modestly show<>; there's no really bad cut on successful single from it called ''I'm. "London Town." Gonna Take Care of Everything.'' That In another wise move, McCartney has single is a good sample of Rubicon's given Wings veteran Denny Laine much style--much brass and electric guitars Wings: Denny Laine, Linda and Paul McCartney more creative freedom on ''London and a light, slightly soulful sound. Cross Town'' than on any previous Wings Children·' is made believable and cians who take advantage of them. Styl­ Earth, Wind, and Fire with Chicago and record. About a third of the songs on charming by Laine's wistful, gentle istically similar to ''Uncle Albert/ Ad­ you've got Rubicon. Judging from the '·London Town'' are performed by Laine delivery. miral Halsey," "Famous Groupies" is music on this record, that's not a bad and half are co-written by Laine and Linda McCartney has a voice so high it performed with appropriate bitterness combination at all. McCartney. A younger musician than practically squeaks. On previous Wings and sarcasm by Denny Laine. McCartney, Laine gives Wings' music a albums, she has been given one or two Laine also sings "Deliver Your lTeative freshness and zip that had beep really awful tunes to sing mostly because Children,'' a gypsy-like song with "Original Soundtrack" of 'FM' " sorely lacking in the· group's previous she's married to the head of the group. outstanding guitars. The novelty tune of (MCA)--Here is the latest entry in the releases. Here, in the song "Girlfriend," Linda "London Town" is "Name and Ad­ " 'Saturday-Night-Fever' -Million-Sel­ The first four songs on "London finally gets to sing something decent. dress," a flawless imitation of Elvis ling-Soundtrack-Sweepstakes.'' The Town'' are performed by McCartney. As Because it is arranged like a Fifties song Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel." Whoever music on this two record set is the best of in any tune sung by McCartney, there in the tradition of the Shirelles, "Girl­ sings "Name and Address" (the album the best. There is Linda Ronstadt live are hints of the past; ''I'm Carrying," friend·' makes allowances for Linda's does not identify who that is) mimics all singing "Tumbling Dice" and "Poor, for instance, sounds like "My Love." Of squeaks. It also has a tune simple of the King's voice inflections to Poor Pitiful Me," as well as the original the other songs, "Cafe on the Left enough so that she can sing it with little perfection. "Name and Address" is less hit versions of ''Night Moves,'' ''Fly Bank'' and ''Backwards Traveler'' are trouble and very few flats. The last song a parody and more a loving tribute by like an Eagle," 11 Cold as Ice," 11 Just the fast and fresh, and the title song, on Side One, McCartney's ''I've Had Wings to Elvis Presley. Way You Are," "Life in the Fast Lane," "London Town," has a cute, light tune Enough,'' also has a Fifties feel. There are more shades of the past in "Lido Shuffle," "More Than a with thoughtful but not too ambiguous Side Two begins with the hit single, "Don't Let It Bring You Down." Sung by Feeling," "Your Smiling Face," "Do It lyrics. "Cuff Link," a very well "With a Little Luck," a song with McCartney, the song is similar in tune Again," and "We Will Rock You." Also performed jazz instrumental, follows striking synthesizer arrangements. The and arrangement to the Beatles' includ.ed are lesser known but equally McCartney's mini-concert. following tune, "Famous Groupies," "You've Got to Hide Your Love.Away." brilliant tunes by Steely Dan, Tom Petty, Laine's first vocal contribution on The final song on "London Town" is Randy Meisner, Joe Walsh, Jimmy takes a cynical jab not only at the naive "London Town" comes in "Children, "Morse Moose and the Grey Goose," a Buffett, Dan Fogelberg, and the Doobie teen-age girls who become groupies, but Children'' and it is brilliant. Sounding six minute tour de force with a driving, Brothers. Can the movie "FM" possibly like a British folk song, "Children, also at the egotistical, stupid rock musi- soaring melody. be as good as its soundtrack? WKTK Puts Baltimore's Bes~ On Vinyl I By Tonja Sas make a bad imitation. The group could ists Jay Graboski and Joe O'Sullivan. "Golden Throat" by Climbadonkey is have potential if they cut loose from "Seldom Bought" does have the flavor probably one of Kyf Brewer's less heavy "WKTK Presents Baltimore's Best Southern Rock imitations. of ELO's "So Fine", but not nearly the tunes. Climbadonkey, another popular Rock' • proves local music is not dead, Danon Wight's "Down and Out" is excellence of ELO. group, relies too much on the electric just struggling a Little. The album the only slow song. on the album. The "For The Land", by Springwind, sound of guitars and keyboard in all their features eleven songs written and played harmony between Bob Wight, Dan would be a perfect song for a commercial material. by Baltimore bands. Zukowski, and Janie Parker are excel­ by the American Ecologican Society. As This album is the first to feature local On the whole, the album is good. lent. The instruments provide a a rock tune, however, its only salvation is talent, although WIYY has since Some bands, however, definitely lack background to the vocals instead of James Ball's performance. produced "The 98 Rock Album", which originality. overpowering them. It has a soft-rock John Seay/ Alan Dawson's "One Way also features local music. Lou Krieger, flavor of James Seals and Dash Croft's Ticket" is a Country-Rock flavored song producer of the WKTK album, plans to Side One begins with ''Traveler'' by "We May Never Pass This Way Again". in the tradition of Firefall. It is a nice have a second album done by Christmas. Taurus. The harmonies behind lead The last cut on Side One, "All Night "sit back and relax" tune with If the groups practice their writing vocalist Sam Smith are the highlight of My Friend''' by Appaloosa, like Peter precisioned lyrics and music that flow abilities they should show their talents the song. The instrumental part relies Frampton's "Show Me The Way", relies together well. by then. heavily on repeated guitar riffs and is upon a strong penetrating vocalist to somewhat boring. The vocals are rem­ carry the sometimes repetitive instru­ iniscent of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. mentals. But Rob Finecey carries it off The next cut, "Hideaway" by well anyway. Appaloosa, however, one Basement Floor is better than ''Trav­ of Baltimore's most popular and eler''. In the tradition of Fleetwood polished bands, has come up with better Ma(', the song has a catchy tune backed tunes before and are capable of doing with a very rich blend of vocal and better. instrument~! sections. Overall the piece Side Two begins with "Turn Your is polished. Back'' by Hollins Ferry, another "Fish Bait" by Both Worlds combines well-known band. The tune, like many l·ontemporary Jazz with a good solid other songs on the album, relies on Rock beat. It is a perfect fusion of Brass, instrumental repetitions. The group percussion and ~uitar. The brass section seems to he wallowing in the sensation of the only instrumental piece on the of being the only local group with their album features Michael Carrick, William own album. This is not the band's best !\.1oore and Tom McCormick. The cut cut, although it does have a nice dance combines the best of jazz with rock. The next cut, "Texas City'' by heat. Kashmir. sounds like any cut off an early Oho's "Seldom Bought" would be a ZZ Top <llhum. Tt encompases the heavy total Joss if it weren't for the precision of metal sound vvith medione lyrics to keyboardist Mark O'Connor and g-uitar- WKTK's Disc J .