Enterta-nlllent Page 8, The Retriever, December 10, 1973 , Beach Boys Concert lacks vitality and Brian The Beach Boys are only human, and frustrating bind-if they don't play the country. Released in January, 1973, it "The Beach Boys in Concert" o (Brother I Reprise ) Recorded during do err. (If Brian were in charge, the old favorites the audience will scream is still the best recording I ha ve heard their summer of 73 tour, it is the first sound would have to be perfect, or it their nostalgic heads off. Con­ this year. Their folIo-up Ip should album by the group that Brian Wilson ust wouldn't. be released) sequently, their new material is have been a well planned monster. has had no invlvement with. Because "In Concert" does have a few bright largely ignored. Instead, the bous have shrugged their of his absnece, the album lacks the moments however. A nice version of When the group asked Brian's opion responsibilities to themselves and energetic vitality of their studio ef­ Brian's "Funky Pretty" is rendet:ed, of the tapes that they planned to, took a breather that will surely hurt forts. Since Brian no longer tours with as well as a nice keyboard jam by release, his immediate response was them. At a crucial point in their the group, their vocal sound shows a Dennis Wilson - on "Leaving this "Don't release it!" They of course, career, they choked under pressure. definte loss. (A prime example of this Town," off of their "Holland" album. became highly pissed off and released It's hard.to say what's ahead for the occurs on "Caroline No," where It would be safe to say that the best it anyway. Releasing this album could group, but one thing is certain after brother Carl Wilson demonstrates his cuts are their most recent songs-the prove to be a mistake that they may listening to "in Concert"-they are lost inability to carry the same notes as ood favorites seem as tired and worn never recover from. "Holland" their without Brian. His voice, songwriting, the studio version that Brian so out ai the group must be from com­ last release, was a work which and production techniques have masterfully handled.) stantly playing them. When ap­ brought tons of praise from every always been the spark behind the pearing live, the group is caught in a major music publication in the group. He remains the key to their destiny.-- Neal McGarity Powerful performance A different view of Brodie After a highly successful two reporter, Mr. Perry was from the Angela Atkins giving an exceptional weekend run, UMBC's production of South, I thought that Michael performance in the difficult role of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie closed Coleman's dialect detracted instead Sandy and Susan Duvall Steinwedel on Saturday night. Those who did of added to the scenes. It made the doing an equally fine job as Mary Mac make it to the theater during the run character faintly humorous when it Gregor. The Brodie girls worked very were treated to a most entertaining shouldn't have been. well together, their scenes were fresh and well acted piece of theater. Although I did disagree on these amusing and believable. I read the play before seeing this points, I did enjoy the play immensly. The set was very servicable as well production and came to the play with The play was entertaining and on that as attractive and Demitri Hondroulis' a different conception of the main role level it succeeds-succeeds very well. original music was beautiful and of Jean Brodie than the Brodie played It was uniformly well acted, with appropriate. by Charles Lean by Ruth Williamson here. I thought of Brodie as being smoother, and more sympathetic; not as gaudy. Although the costumes were beautiful, I thought them to be too dressy and Brodie to be too made-up and not natural looking enough . As Ms Linda Ronstadt here Williamson played her, I couldn't see CARL WILSON why the students would be attracted ... can't sing to Brodie and why Lloyd would be This Sunday female vocalist Linda either. I certainly wasn't enthralled Ronstadt will appear in concert at The lineup of songs on this two­ by her as I should have been for the Gym II. Besides being one of the most record set is impressive, (Good post to work. Brodie's charm should beautiful women in the world, she is Vibrations, California Girls, Heroes & flow and I felt tht Ms. Willamson's gifted with one of the most beautiful Villians, HelpMe Rhonda) but their Brodie tried too hard. Her mere voices in the world. She made her delivery seems a bit weak when physical qualities didn't mesh with national debut with a group called compared to their other live efforts. A my conceptions of Brodie and in this The Stone Poneys and a song called 196k9 album, "Live in London" part, physical appearance is im­ "Different Drum." Shortly afterward (available through import) contains portant. she left the group and released the most of the same material, and is This isn't to say that Ruth did a bad song "Long, long Time," one of the technically and aesthetically job-she didn't. She is a fine actress most moving vocal performances to superior. Beach Boys Party is an and demonstrates it in this play ever hit the AM airwaves. "Long, intimate and casual glimpse at t~e beautifully. Indeed, I don't think that Long Time" was unique in that it group which came off as a rock Ruth could have played the part any demonstrated the full possibilities of documentary. And Beach Boys in other way and have been as effective. Linda's tremendous vocal range. Concert (circa 1933) was an album of Ruth's Brodie worked for her and After "Long, Long Time" Linda good, clean pre-Vietnam fun. Com­ especially in the ending scenes, she began to move into a country-rock­ plete with hysterical screams, and emotes very well. blues style. An album was released candy-striped shirts, the album was By the end of the play you really with The Eagles (before they became instrumental in setting up the feel for Brodie but, you feel for her not famous) backing her up in­ "California Dream" to whichmillions because you are drawn to her, but strumentally. It was after this album, of idealists subscribed. Their latest because of Ms. Williamson's powerful ' entitled simply "Linda Ronstadt" live album is a sad step backwards, performance. Thus, the play becomes that she went on to do some instead of the positive upward a vehicle for Ruth Williamson's sessionwork with Neil Young and direction the group demonstrated on talents instead of a statement on the James Taylor. <that's her in the their last 3 studio releases. effects that Brodie had on her kids, background on "Heart of Gold") The albums' failure lieslargely in and on those around her. Now, Linda seems to be interested in . its poor sound. Engineer Stephen For that reason, I felt that more many styles of music all different, all Moffitt must have been asleep at the importance should have been placed appealing. Her voice is versatile wheel during this one. Key vocal parts on the convent scenes that framed the enough to lend itself to blues, ballads, are drowned out by live drums, vocal play. These scenes really tell you hard rock, and opera all on one parts are missed, and at times, what the author, Jay Allen wanted album. She is a dynamic live per­ . everybody seems like they are you to get out of the play. I felt the former, to the point that Cat Stevens tripping over one another. If scenes were not made big enough. askedher to appear on his one-man anything, this album will prove that Although the play states, that the t. v. 1. .