UNEQUALLED PERFORMANCE Weingarten Scans the Field

Sherwood L. Weingarten

K-180 Unique design provides "subjec- tively controllable sound." Innovative AKG engineering again provides optimum (Grunt, FTR-1002) meaningful lyrically, and "The Tramp," listening performance ... superb sound is another offshot. a heavy-beated opus. as you like it! The RCA -distributed recording takes TIGERS WILL SURVIVE (VEL off where and Grace 1010) features the folk- of IN SOUND Slick's Starship halted; it's all Ian Matthews, former leader of about the hope for a brave new world, Southern Comfort and ex -lead singer REPRODUCTION sociologically and ecologically. The of Fairport Convention. The disc, with package includes a dozen cuts, with one 11 tunes (six of them penned by instrumental ("Titanic"), and a libretto Matthews), spotlights lyrics that tend booklet. The super -session includes to be poetic and music that is mainly backup musicians and vocalists such folky. Backed by 10 musicians, Mat- as , , Graham thews shows a high-pitched, interesting Nash, , , voice that doesn't have that fake and the Edwin Hawkins quality so many pop singers are trying Singers. The title tune, dedicated to for nowadays. The album, Matthews' Airplaner , includes a second for Vertigo, is distributed by summation of the LP's motion: "The Mercury. sword of the Lord don't mean nothin' STORIES (Asylum, SD 5052) is to me if he won't get down on the mis -titled, for it contains tunes that people makin' such a mess of the land better might be called tone -poems. K-150 Lightweight. Interchangeable cush- and the sea all around us...." David Blue offers a lot of minor keys ions affords "fatigue -free" use. Highest HOT ROCKS 1964-1971 (London, and minor themes, but he should be- performance in true sound. A quality buy! 2PS 606/7) is a "best of" album by The come a major star. Blue, outstanding Rolling Stones. There's great stuff in on vocals with his deep, rough Dylan- -AN AKG the double -disc package, but only for esque voice that contains a sad quality, those who don't have all the Stones' performs eight of his own compositions TRADITION previous LPs. and accompanies himself on guitar and ARETHA'S GREATEST HITS piano. The folk -blues material sounds (Atlantic, SD8295) shows why Miss on occasion like something from the Franklin remains queen of soul. The mouth of Carl Sandburg, especially if 14 tracks are all winners, but the best you've ever heard the late poet doing are "Spanish Harlem," "Chain of the traditional "Hearse Song." The disc, Fools," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Dr. distributed by Atlantic, includes such Feelgood," "Let It Be," "Bridge Over thoughtful material as the line from Troubled Water," "Respect," and "Call "Blues (All Night Long)" that declares, Me." "Life sometimes is an endless sleep." VERY YOUNG AND EARLY HOT BURRITO (A&M, SP 8070) SONGS (Deram-London, DES 18061) reprises the Flying Burrito Bros., contains the voice vitality foreshadow- country-rock material. The 11 cuts ing the greatness of Cat Stevens. Many form a "best of" LP despite an attempt Vs4 say that Rod Stewart's music insists that at disclaiming that via liner notes. K-100 Combines AKG's traditional high quality sound and wearing comfort. Eco- you move around, that you just can't Personnel changes are frequent, a nomically priced! stay still while listening; the same ap- symptom of most modern groups' ego Try them at your dealer's, or write for plies to Stevens, who here offers 10 problems. Most interesting facet of more information today! of his own pieces. Although these cuts album is the dustjacket, which opens have been heard in Britain, this is their to become a full -color poster. fa% first release stateside. Highlights in- AMERICAN PIE (United Artists, ..a; clude "Here Comes My Wife," a simple UAS 5535) is Don McLean's second yet explosive ditty; "Lovely City," album and it MICROPHONES HEADPHONES provides statements, with an echo -chamber effect and sing- 4,4 uTED Er? musically, of what he's been thinking MERICAN PMILIPS CORPORATION song, childlike quality, playful yet since his debut, "Tapestry." The whole TUE I.T.NEWVOHn,NEWVOUH,tiii

on Reader Service Card 92 AUDIO OUR 25th YEAR MAY 1972

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