Williams'Glass Menagerie' well done by Studio Theater Sounds: By Marc Palasini Barbara McMally acted well as Tom's "The Glass Menagerie," a play by meek and sickly sister. At times, although. Tennessee Williams was, presented last frying to fulfill her role exactly, she did not Baby Coney Island Baby. Knowing , night and Wednesday night in the Ball project well enough to the audience. Lou Reed however, she is probably no more than a State Studio Theater. What Tennessee Williams had in mind RCA APL1-0915 one-night stand. The performance was well done even on for the bold, flashy character of Jim His hands have reached in desperation Spontaneous combustion within the a small scale. Both set and costume were O'Conner was definitely not casted well in for the edge of the shit can, saving himself artist has rekindled the spark of creativity original and convincing. The set was Jim Walker. The acting of Walker from the swan song, the final elbow, or and just in time. If this is the start of a designed by the director, Dale Basham, overcame that difficulty, however, as he maybe rock and roll hell. trend for Lou Reed, he may even start who also helped with the costume design. displayed a forceful personality in the Ever since his highly-touted days of the cooking with gas. But just in case, we'll Joy Fauvre did an excellent job as the climatic scene. Velvet Underground, rock's degenerate leave a place open in the can in case his obnoxious Mrs. Wingfield, speaking her The lighting for the performance was Lou Reed hasn't been able to live up to his pilot light goes out for good. I had already lines quickly and precisely, with a utilized very well to create an effect of expectations, definitely not ours and thought it had. Southern accent and a spine-chilling snarl flashback. The only disappointment was hopefully not his own. of a voice. Even her movements had a the use of background music, which was In rock's confusion since 1970, Reed has distinct Old Southern flair. sparse and could have been inserted at gotten lost. This isn't to say other once- Tom Wingfield, played by Esau Hislope, moments where it was badly needed and great artists have not done the same. Paul is the narrator of the play and the so have set a better mood. McCartney and John Lennon immediately character around which most of the action "The Glass Menagerie" will also be come to mind, as do Neil Young and Bob revolves. Hislope was dynamic in the tense performed tonight and Saturday Night at Dylan. Takin' It To The Streets moments of the play, and the anger and 7:30 in the Studio Theater. But these people have also come through The Doobie Brothers frustration of his character were acted with some flashes of brilliance, enough so, Warner Brothers BS2899 almost professionaly. anyway, that we haven't cast them into the By taking their music to +he streets, the can along with Reed. As everyone else Doobie Brothers hoped to bypass the seemed to be struggling to discover that critics. Sorry guys. Even critics wander secret ingredient again, Lou Reed did not out into the real world sometimes, even seem to be trying. His music grew although their perceptions may not steadily worse, culminating with the represent the multitudes. disastrous "." But success doesn't necessarily ensure Nothing like a little competition to get quality, as most number one records tell. the old adrenalin flowing again. First it The street may make the a big hit was the return of Bob Dylan to the ranks of record (with a bullet), but guilt feelings the musically alive. Then, on the strength may come to play with the artists' minds, of the powerful "Zuma," Neil Young knowing critically they have only settled arises from the rubble. Sweet inspiration, for a second or third rate performance. My at long last. goal here is to make the Doobie Brothers While I wasn't about to give the punk shudder with pangs of guilt. another chance, he too has me forced After raiding Steely Dan for members, against the wall, willing to listen. "Coney promise was the word for the Doobie Island Baby" arrives in time to redeem Brothers. their last outing failed Lou Reed, if just for the time being. miserably as does "Takin' It To The Crispy production chooses to tone down Streets." Good production and excellent the guitar throughout the new release musicianship can not overcome the ob- while centering on Reed's talk-style viously weak material. vocals. A laid back electric style is em- Attempting disco-flavored tunes and phasized in this manner, even allowing rhythm and blues influences, the some guitar highs to creep in through the realization is that the Doobies' real strong Photo by Dave Kirk gloss, as in "She's My Best Friend." point happens to be straight-forward rock Side one is sparkling in intensity, Reed and roll. Bad Company should give this finding an enjoyable low-key approach to band a few lessons. It's all in the licks. music once grisly and inconsistent. The only really exciting number to have "Charley's Girl," highlighted by a female been carved out on this vinyl is the opening chorus, reminds one of another walk on the tune, "Wheels of Fortune." And it is yet wild side. - Crazy Feeling" opens the side another typical Doobie rocker in the same with Reed's vocals actually expressing mold of "China Grove," at least confidence. "Kicks" fades out the side relinquishing itself to some funky jazz with blood-soaked lyrics finding home wanderings before returning to the melody among some nifty guitar work and par- line. tying voices. The Steely Dan influence is scattered The second side does not capture the throughout, the more mature trend of same enthusiasm as the first, although the horns and varying song styles leading the Reading: Doobies into some interesting moments. lack of seriousness on Reed's part leads to a refreshing feeling rather than boredom. But comparing this band to the former The man even has the balls to claim prowess of Steely Dan is futile. The- Adverturer that he was, O'Neill was himself a gift to the woman of the world. poignant and witty lyrics are missing as is very politically minded. He was elected Really, Lou, you can't be serious? Steely Dan's superior vocal style. sheriff of Yavapai County and later was The title cut ends the album, six minutes The talent is gathered, the group is Death was the Black Horse plus of honest questioning, a desire for made, successful and even garnishing Dale L. Walker made Mayor of Prescott. Twice, as a Populist candidate, he ran for the U.S. inner strength. Reed even sheds some of reviews as an excellent concert act. But Madrona Press, Inc. 1975 the task of making a consistent and quality The 1976 Western American Writers Congress, but was defeated. His his degenerate image, revealing he always reputation, however, is chiefly drawn from wanted to play football for the coach. album has baffled the Doobie Brothers award for Best Biography has, quite since the beginning. Taking it to the streets appropriately, been given to Dale L. his military background. O'Neill began as Through loneliness and despair, city life captain of the Prescott Grays, a city (referred to as living in a circus or a for all to hear, the multitude should not Walker for his outstanding recent book on rejoice this one. A much better effort the life of Captain William 0. "Bucky" militia, and later was made adjutant sewer) and times gone by, Reed finds the general of the Arizona National Guard. ultimate answer in the glory of love, should be demanded. O'Neill. Walker, a former Newsweek Jeff Edwards stringer and author of five previous books, In 1898, when the U.S. declared war on eventually wanting to give it all up for his is an historian with flair. His writing style Spain, Bucky O'Neill served as a captain is energetic and yet well-paced, his facts in Col. Theodore Roosevelt's "Rough are limitless but not pedantic. Riders." Bucky's fighting spirit and his Bucky O'Neill led an uproarious life wide knowledge of combat strategen ...the task of making a consistent during the post-pioneer days of Arizona. earned him continuous praise from From traveling journalist to square-jawed Roosevelt. During the famed charge up gambler, from frontier sheriff to small- San Juan Hill, O'Neill was killed in action. and quality album has time politician, O'Neill remained in the Author Dale Walker has presented an heat of conflict most of his life. Pictured historically pure, yet action-packed, with a self-rolled cigarette hanging from portrait of one of the last America's baffled the Doobie Brothers his mouth, a heavy revolver draped from colorful cowboy-soldiers. Walker's book his lip, and a cowboy's hat pulled over his can be enjoyed the same way one enjoys a eyes, Bucky was in-the-flesh what TV novel or it can be used as a reference since the beginning... westerns have tried to capture in-the- textbook. Either way, it is a gem. makeup. Dennis E. Hensley