Album Picks, Permission of the Publisher
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84 BIIIbOOfdSR Tot Survey For Week Ending 1/9/82 \umoer of singles reviewec INO in TM lec Copyright 1981, Billboard Publications. Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced. this week 14 Last week 37 stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means. electronic, mechanical. photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Doi-n\oo\ Shade Tree Music, Inc. (BMI) EPIC 14- 02686. This uptempo cut from the album by the same name should be a strong recommended honky-tonk dance tune. Its lyrics echo the old "take this job ART ESSERY -I'll Be There To Catch You (2:40); producer: Pop;: and shove it theme" but with more restraint. Lyrically it Robert John Jones; writers: R. Jones, M. Johnson; publishers: should still relate, even in this time of high unemployment. Blue Lake /King Coal, BMI /ASCAP. NSD 120. recommended JOHNNY PAYCHECK -The Highlights Of '81 (3:12); producer: EMMYLOU HARRIS-Tennessee Rose (3:40); producer: Billy Sherrill; writers: R. Hellard, M. Garvin; publisher: Tree, recommended ARCTURUS -Video Games (3:44); producer: Ace Jackson; Brian Ahern; writers: Karen Brooks, Hank DeVito; publishers: BMI. Epic 1402684. ELOISE WHITAKER -l've Come Too Far (3:37); producer: Lau- writer R Rizzi, publisher. Harley Cat, BMI Tristar 102. Warner -Tamerlane /Babbling Brooks /Drunk Monkey, BMI/ THE THRASHER BROTHERS-Best Of Friends (3:01); pro- rin Rinder; writers: Stanton Sheppard, Chauncey Matthews; ASCAP. Warner Bros. WBS49892. Harris's ducer: Jim Foglesong; writers: Linda Creed, Barry DeVorzon; publishers: De Note/Top-O. Line BMI, Destiny 2003. VANESSA DAVIS BAND -One More Kiss (3:43); producers: V. pure and earnest vocals nicely counterpoint the plodding arrangement publisher: Dutchess, BMI. MCA 51227. Davis Band, George Olszewski; writer: J. Watson; publisher: of this STARPOINT -Angel (3:42); producer: Lionel lob; writer: E. country- sounding devotional. RBI ASCAP, Spectra 01001. The fiddle adds a modicum of TOM CARLILE -Feel (2:48); producer: Gene Kennedy; writer: Phillips; publisher Harrindur /Licyndiani BMI, Chocolate City vigor and mood. Tom Carlile; publisher: Opa- Locka, ASCAP. Door Knob DK81- 3230. 172. SECRET WEAPON -Must Be The Music (3:36); producer: C.A. ANNE VERN GOSDIN -Don't Ever Leave Me Again (2:31); pro- MARIE AND COMPANY -I'd Rather Lie Awake With You Polk; writers: M. Blackmon, J. Prister; publishers: Trumar/ (2:47); producers: Prelude 8036. ducer: Brien Fisher; writer: Max D. Barnes; publisher: Blue Robert Allen Jenkins, Ken Christensen; Smootee BMI, Lake, BMI. AMI 1302. The matching of Gosdin's voice with writer: Bob Buker; publisher: Cristy Lane, ASCAP. LS 186. Picks -a top 30 chart tune in the opinion of the review panel which this fine song makes for a strong followup to "Dream JOHNNY Of Me." GRAY -My Life And Love For You (3:14); producer: voted for the selections released this week; recommended -a tune (2:58); producers: Haggard/ Harmonies are supplied by Rex Gosdin, with MERLE HAGGARD -Big City the expected Jack Powell; writer Johnny Gray; publisher: Upper Forty, predicted to land on the Hot 100 between 31 and 100. Review editor - Lewis Talley; writers: Haggard /Dean Holloway; publisher: high -quality production Fisher is noted for. ASCAP. Fox Fire 147. Ed Harrison. R Billboard's c Copyright 1981, Billboard Publications. Inc. No part of this pub- lication may be reproduced. stored in a retrieval system, or trans- Survey For Week Ending 1/9/82 mitted, in any form or by any means, electronic. mechanical, photocopying. recording, or otherwise, without the prior written Album Picks, permission of the publisher . Number of LPs reviewed this week 15 Last week 25 outings like "The Pressure Is On" to midtempo ballads like leader, the takes are all stunners, representing the smaller "Never Had It So Good." Dozier is one -third of the greatest ensemble arrangements sometimes overlooked in summaries EPs songwriting team in the history of black pop, and his tunes of Ellingtonia. Best cuts: All. A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS -Modern Love Is Automatic /Tele- are reflective of his abilities. Best cuts: Those cited plus "I communication, Jive Records (Arista), Produced by Mike FirstTime Around See You," "You Oughta Be In Pictures." GEORGE SHEARING & MARIAN McPARTLAND -Alone To- Howlett, Bill Nelson, Steve Lowell /Flock Of Seagulls. 'Tele- gether, Concord Jazz C1171. Produced by Carl E. Jefferson. A communication" has become a dance club hit, while "Mod- FREDERICK KNIGHT- Kinight lime, Juana JU4000AE. Pro- felicitous pairing of two major talents. Shearing and the lady, ern Love Is is lead of band's THE LIMIT -High In The Mid '60s. Flying Governor Music. Automatic" the track the English duced by Frederick Knight. The man who gave us Anita both British -born, cavort through 10 tunes with taste. Both Produced by Pete Smoyer /Rick Levy. This four man band, EP. This four -man band from Liverpool plays electronic rock Ward's No. 1 pop, soul and disco smash "Ring My Bell" is are accomplished keyboardists, and here they give and take with passion, with very The five - based in Bethelehm, Pa., takes its cue from the music of the some interesting effects. in back with his own album, featuring soft ballads the Kenny and share in a delightful collaboration. Nine of EP is mid'60s English invasion, specifically from the Kings, Hollies, the selections song an interesting sampler of the band's work. Best Rogers -Lionel Richie mold. There's a decided pop emphasis are proven evergreens, all worth hearing again repeatedly. An Those Searchers, and, of course, the Beatles. On this self -made LP, cuts: mentioned. on this album, with Knight's quivering vocals at times recall- Richard M. Sudhalter's annotation is commendable. Best the band comes up with 12 tunes in this vein. The songs are COMATEENS-Ghosts, Cachalot Records BIG4. Produced by ing Johnny Mathis. Best cuts: "The Old Songs" (the Manilow cuts: "All Through The Night." "Alone Together." "To Bill charming, inventive, and well done. Now all this band needs Fabrice Natal, Ray Yelaszuez & Comateens. Distorted basso hit), "I'll Come Back To You," "Shining Star." Evans." is a label to distribute its LP. vocals and moody music mark the title track on this three - Best cuts: "Light At The End Of The Road," "All Of You," song EP from this New York based band. Also included here is BILL DOBBINS- Dedications, OmniSound Jazz, N1036. Pro- "Just Another Girl," "Come To Me." the theme from the old "Munsters" television show. It is all duced by Bill Goodwin. Taped exactly a year ago in Strouds- jazz somewhat gimmicky, but there appears to be more to this burg, Pa., this LP showcases Dobbins' attractive piano styl- band than is, immediately obvious here. Best cuts: Those ings on eight titles, seven of which are his own compositions. DEWEY REDMAN -Soundsigns, Galaxy GXY -5130 (Fantasy). mentioned. An Ohioan, Dobbins was playing classical music at nine. Produced by Ed Michel. The veteran tenorist shows the same When he was 17 he reverted to jazz. This album confirms it PEARL, Denitoland Records KG1001. Produced by Peter Fish. daring familiar in his work with Keith Jarrett's ensembles and was a wise decision. Best cuts: "In A Sentimental Mood," This five -person band has achieved a measure of success Billboard's more recently with Old and New Dreams. Varying both ac- "Cantankerous Chromatics." playing both covers and original songs in the Northeast and companiment and compositional style, he moves from the Canada. Its music is mainstream commercial rock. The mate- avant -garde's more fragmentary, atonal areas ( "Piece For BROOKS KERR SALUTES FATS WALLER -Blue Wail rial here is not all that out of the ordinary, but vocalist Debbie Recommended LPs Tenor And Two Basses ") through meditative sketches BWLPP1001. Produced by Brooks Kerr. Only 29, Kerr has Randyn has the ability to make it work. Best cuts: "Hold Me ( "Adesso Lo Sai ") to sleek melodic jazz (Miles Davis' "Half gained New York recognition for his mastery, at the piano, of Tight," "Suicide." Nelson "). Support includes long time partner Charlie Haden Duke Ellington. Now he delves into Tom Waller's old bag with on bass. Best cuts: Those mentioned. THE NAILS -Hotel For Women, Jimbow Records CJN111A. 11 in pop entertaining tracks which he's accompanied by vets Produced by Jim Reynolds & Doug & Epstein. The Nails is a Sonny ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK -Sharkey's Ma- Greer and George Duvivier. There's humor as well as New York based band originally hailing from Denver, which STEPHANE GRAPPELLI -Vintage 1981, Concord Jazz CJ169. enviable musicianship in these Kerr does chine, Warner Bros. BSK3653. Produced by Snuff Garrett. grooves. it all -and plays tough ska -based rock. This 12 -inch EP shows it to be a Produced by Frank Dorritie. At 73, the illustratious French well. Best cuts: "Early A The newest flick starring Burt Reynolds features vocal per- "Midnight Stomp," To Bed," "Keep band of impressive diversity, with each one of the three songs fiddler -like the late Joe Venuti- continues to perform with Song In Your Soul." formances by Randy Crawford ( "Streetlife" originally per- showing an equally impressive side to its music. An LP would brilliance. Here he presents nine strong titles, all but one formed with the Crusaders), Sarah Vaughn, Peggy Lee, Julie be most welcome; this is definitely a band to watch. Best standards, backed by two guitars and bass. It is indeed Grap- London, the Manhattan Transfer and others. While the music cuts: Hotel For Women," "88 Lines About 44 Women," "Cut- pelli of rare and honorable vintage, perhaps the most pleas- might not be in the pop mainstream, the cast of performers, classical ting- Edge." ing jazz violin being played in the 1980s.