RETRIEVER Features

PAGE 8 APRIL 30, 1991 Camerata comes to Chapel Europe's major cathedrals. They're 50 state choruses in the United by Juliette also in consortium at the National States. Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., On Tuesday, May 7, the Came- Forstenzer the only choir residency at a rata will present a free Spring National Art Gallery in the world. Concert at the Chapel of Our Lady Retriever Staff Writer The Camerata is comprised of no of Angels, Charlestown Retirement fewer than 24 and no more than Community, 711 Maiden Choice Students who play an active 30 students at one time. The choir role in UMBC extra- Lane in Catonsville. This year's is open to all students, although the performance will focus on modern curricular life are constantly majority of the participants are searching for methods to keep works by two American composers, music majors. Auditions are held Persichetti and Kern. The musical themselves motivated. One such each semester, however new method is taking pride in accomp- forms are diverse. Persichetti's members are often added in the Fall works are set to the poetry of E.E. lishments made by other students semester. They perform an average and faculty. The Maryland Came- Cummings, while other pieces are of 100 times per year, and the set to 16th century ancient texts. rata, UMBC's choir-in-residence, is majority of these performances are one accomplishment the entire It is shocking to discover that held on campus and free of charge. such a highly acclaimed and world- UMBC community can and should In the summer of 1990, the be proud of. renowned group resides on the Camerata performed in Germany, UMBC campus. Although there is The Camerata, directed by Switzerland and Austria, and there Samuel Gordon, has received crit- is a possibility they will perform at a large portion of the UMBC ical acclaim for its performances in the White House this June, in honor community who would be eager to the United States and abroad, and of the President's birthday. Gor- hear such a group perform, the very completed its eighth tour of Europe don, who's also chairman of the existence of the Camerata is not last summer. In addition to perfor- Music Department, is a tenor-in- well-known among the student mances at major international residence with the National Gallery body and faculty. Gordon encour- music festivals, the choir has of Art's Vocal Choral Ensemble. He ages students to come and hear the appeared at The White House, in was appointed conductor of the Camerata perform. Many will be concert for the BBC, on Italian and Maryland Choral Society in 1986 surprised by the overwhelming Spanish Television, and in some of and has guest conducted 32 of the talent of their fellow students. Thoughts is mortally wounded New film will not have you screaming for Moore the point in wondering whether she The only other performance and Joyce will"get away" with their worth noting is Harvey Keitel as the by Paul cover up? Was this how the writers cop interrogating Cynthia, He asks expected to maintain the suspense? her the questions that we, the Benson Anyway, we watch Cynthia audience, would like to ask. Keitel Retriever Editorial Staff recount how she finds Jimmy dead prompts Demi's stupid flashbacks, in the back of a van. Joyce thinks but we can't hold that against him. Ugh! she's killed her hushand. One thing He even rivals Bruce Willis for Best You'U find more suspense leads to another, and the next thing Joisey Accent. He asks believable watching a weeping willow you know, the two are dumping the questions, looking for a hole in tree on a humid August day than body in a lake. From there, the two Cynthia's story so he could throw you will enduring Mortal Thoughts, women have to cover up what the book at someone. The willow just sits there sagging, they've done, but we never actually Actually, I kept hoping Keitel and if you're lucky, you might see Joyce kiD her husband; thus, we photo by Joel Lipton would throw the book at Glenrie actually see it keel over. Bruce have to accept on faith that what Alison Brown indulges in "Simple Pleasures/' her new available on Vanguard Records. they're doing is believable. Headley for her atrocious Joyce Willis fans with a die-hard intent character. Headley, who's had to see this film will only watch If you're not willing to make this Mortal Thoughts keel over too. For fantastic leap of faith, the movie will better days as the con woman in ray money, I'll stare at the tree. bore the Hell out of you as you start Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and more A whole World of music This "suspense" flick tries mighty dreaming about such things as recently as Tess Trueheart In Dick electric blues really comes out of "expression of individual voices" is hard to be one of those "psycho- willow trees. If you are suckered Tracy, has set her career back with NYC, the feeling is honest, the realized as each soloist, and the two logical thrillers" a la Hitchcock, but into making this leap of faith, a nasal voice reminiscent of Edith sounds in all the right places. vocalists, perform with passion and it fails terribly because of the plot— though, you'll pay attention to the Bunker. I always wondered why Particularly, "Me & The Blues" engaging individuality. or should I say, lack of plot. The movie, but the ending will leave you Archie would wince whenever Edith genuinely breathes real blues, with entire movie is a Demi Moore feeling utterly betrayed. would start whining, Archie Retriever Staff Writer Butterfield's blowing, Collin Jr. BRUCE FOWLER: "Ants Can flashback as she recounts to the This betrayal is caused by one of couldnt put up with Edith, nor can Green's guitar weeping and Little Count" (Terra Nova/Box 455/ police the death of James Urbanski the most fantastic loose ends in we put up with Headley. Her WORLD RHYTHMS! BLUES! Mike's passionate vocals. Sunland, CA 91041) (Bruce Willis), the domineering motion picture history. I pictured character becomes somewhat psy- JAZZ! & NEW AGE?!? Trombonist Fowler has com- husband of Demi's best friend Joyce Gene Siskel defiantly shaking his chotic later in the film, trying I'm sure you know by now that THE CHRIS CAIN BAND: "Cut- posed a diverse, optimistic collec- (Glenrie Headley). fist at the screen while the credits futilely to remind us of Glenn, Close I devour whole any thoughtful tin' Loose" (Blind Pig) tion of 11 melodic songs where Demi's character, Cynthia, gets rolled, crying out, "Did Cynthia's in Fatal Attraction. Gleiine wasn't blues, jazz or world-inspired Chris Cain is a clean-cut suit- multiple lines chase one another sucked into a cover up when she husband really die? Or were all Close. sounds. The following are a few of sportin' "barely 30 years old" throughout trading off instrument and Joyce "find" Jim dead. Alive, those homicide investigators in her the latest treasures I've unearthed As for Demi Moore, the plot has quality electric blues singer/guita- leads between various horns, flute he was nothing short of a sleazeball, house invited for tea?" her do the stupidest thing at the end that I'm sure you'll dig as well. The only thing going for Mortal rist/composer with a unique full- and , with a constant rhythmic and if there were some semblance of the film, completely contradict- Therefore, I urge y'all to truck on bodied sound. The saxophones add pulse from the bass throb and of a plot, you would say that he Thoughts is Bruce Willis. His acting out to your local music shop and is superb: He even has this wicked ing everything we've seen before. punch to the powerful arrange- usually simplistic, effective drum had it coming. Unfortunately,: The ending not only undermines the buy them! ments of the 13 original songs grooves. From the solo trombone Willis plays the only interesting goatee that Spike Lee would be featured on this debut Blind Pig selections, multiple duet and trio character in this flop. When he dies, proud of. And he tawks with such plot, it subverts her character. Her acting is adequate, but nothing RAY & GLOVER: "Ashes In My release (Cain's second). The acous- formats and up to 7 man ensemble the movie follows him to the a New .loisey accent! I never close to her success in Ghost. Oh Whiskey" (Rough Trade/611 tic romp, "I'm Going Through A pieces to the horn quartet finale, grave—with our $6.00. realized how tough it is to play a Broadway/NY, NY 10012) Love Detox," equals the authorit- Bruce Fowler asserts the potency of So we're stuck watching Demi character from the Garden State. well, at least she grew her hair long. Dave "Snaker" Ray and Tony ative tone of the electric numbers ant-inspired sounds. (that's Mrs. Bruce Willis to you) Willis has clearly turned a corner, But it's not enough. Too bad there "Little Sun" Glover haven't throughout. being interrogated by two cops^ breaking out of his maverick good- weren't any willow trees outside the recorded their personal rendering of ALLISON BROWN: "Simple Plea- Since the whole movie's a flashback guy roles. You may actually hate theater. This movie was mortally the acoustic blues for twenty-five STEVE HANCOFF: "New Orleans sures" (Vanguard/1299 Ocean anyway, there'sno suspense. What's Urbanski's guts. boring. years. On their new 15 song CD, Guitar Solos" (Out Of Time/Box Ave/Santa Monica, CA 90401) "Ashes In My Whiskey," they 4498/Silver Spring, MD 20904) Few artists achieve a level of soulfully pick through 4 unique A remarkable and versatile guit- eloquence with the language of originals including "HIV Blues," arist, Hancoff tackles "Easy music as does Allison Brown on this Dance fans savor with its atmospheric guitar vibrato, Money: A Ragtime Sonata," an debut. It's a thoroughly pleasing sincere lyrics and soulful vocals, "Original Dixieland One-Step" and disc vibrant with the fluidity of jazz, and "Elegy #2," Glover's mournful Jelly Roll Morton's "Kansas City Latin grooves, folk and bluegrass solo piece. The tradi- Stomps," as well as 9 other tradi- technique. Disregarding mammoth Jones' Last Supper tional and cover tunes, i.e. Walter tional ragtime/jazz/New Orleans technical feats for a moment, Sextet enrich the performance with Davis' title track are performed parade band pieces, most of them Brown's aggressive, distinctive dissonant flavor. with finesse and feeling. dating from the early 20th century, melodic guitar and banjo attack is by Aimee The theatrical dances combine though "Folie Du Carnaval" was like a cool waterfall shower, spar- literary elements with sensational THE MUDDY WATERS BLUES born in 1861, with precision and kling, original. She creates brilliant Thomas athletic movement, imbuing The BAND: "Mud In Your Ear" (Muse/ feeling. His arrangements and songs smiling from behind blossom- Retriever Staff Writer Cabin with a sense of momentum 160 W 71st St/NY, NY 10023) interpretations of these classic tunes ing forsythia. This could be the driven smoothly by the onstage, This reissue of the 1967 sessions are as vital as they are tasty to the emergence of a commanding new Bill T. Jones is a master of spoken narrative. Tribal-like masks that captured Sammy Lawthorn, ears. voice in the world of instrumental movement. Illustrating the hide faces behind exaggerated Luther "Georgia Boy Snake" John- expression. full extent of his power, The visages as characters are distin- son, "Mojo" Buford, Otis Spann BOB SHEPPARD: "Tell Tale Last Supper at Uncle Tom's Cabin I guished through symbolic dance and Francis Clay performing their Signs" (Windham Hill Jazz) HOLDSWORTH/BECK: "With A The Promised Land, performed to devices. songs and a few of Muddy's (with Contemporary sax-led melodic Heart In My Song" (Gramavision/ a packed Lisner Auditorium last When the story suddenly Muddy on a little guitar) is a jazz. Sheppard doesn't squeal until JMS) month, combines provocative writ- screeches to an unhappy halt, a monster release of Chicago electric the organ-laden dual sax (with Rob Allan Holdsworth was certainly ings, theatrical imagery and emo- strobe-light begins to pulse and the blues. 20 songs, including "Snake," Lockart) funk jam, "Echoes," and moving into the synthetic new age tional movement culminating in a dance reverses in a double-time "Evil," "Diggin' My Potatoes" (a maybe the final track. Controlled realm on his last effort, "Secrets." masterpiece of dance creation. instant-replay. Retrograded to Washboard Sam/Robert Brown melody layers atop a tight rhythmic On this Gordon Beck collaboration, Multi-dimensional, his works soar begin anew, the tale climaxes to collaboration) and the silly "Blues groove. The crucial trap mongering he confirms that move. He's such to spiritual heights choreographi- glory in the name of human equality For Hippies," comprise over an by Peter Erskine at times, then Tom a great guitarist, as is Beck a cally imbued with humanity's and social righteousness. hour's worth of harp-squawkin', Brechtlein, who rolls into a sweet keyboard master. The production essence. The honest, insightful Eliza On the Ice gives provoking guitar wailin', urban howlin' vocal solo on "Might As Well Be," the is pristine and the jazz inflections, works break social confines, baring text a dramatic kinetic dimension. blasting blues. Scofield-guitar inspired song, beautiful. Holdsworth's solo piece the souls as well as the bodies of The text of "Ain't I a Woman" by would be more intoxicating if it is atmospheric and moving, while the dancers in visually dramatic Heidi Latsky finds life in the flailing LITTLE MIKE & THE TORNA- were louder in the mix than that Beck's best track, "So, So, scenarios. limbs of the expressive dancer DOES: "Heart Attack" (Blind Pig/ of this new progressive age Metheny Calypso," sounds like a playful Set in a dancescape of richly portraying the plight of women in Box 2344/San Francisco, CA jazz drum production land. The circus. Most of the other melodies textured atmospheres, the intensity a male-dominated world. "If the 94126) piano's delicious icing throughout. though, just don't seem to escape of motion defines themes of civil first woman God ever made was Three-and-a-half years in the the synthetic quality of the aggression, oppression and humor. strong enough to turn the world making, this 13 song CD features MALACHI THOMPSON: technology. The strength of the company's well- upside down all alone, the women notable guest performances from "Spirit" (Delmark/4243 N. Lin- honed technique sends electric together ought to be able to get it Hubert Sumlin, Ronnie Earl, and coln/Chicago, IL 60618) LES MISERABLES BRASS sparks of energy flowing with no right side up again!" Pinetop Perkins. The real treat Thompson's trumpet greets like BAND: "Manic Traditions" (Nor- short-circuits to interrupt the Each piece wails right-in-your- though is the harmonica cry of Paul an old friend with much wisdom to theastern/Box 3589/Saxonville, current. face about contemporary society, Butterfield which "may well be the convey. Heavy grooves, Latin MA 01701) It is the overall picture created presenting new aspects on the final recordings the late harp legend grooves, drive the seven lengthy by Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane & classic quest for a spiritual meaning ever cut." Though this Chicago tunes. Thompson's philosophy of (see MUSIC, page 9) Company which captivates. to existence. Ambiguity aside, the Abstract sets and the live jazz sounance of the Julius Hemphill (see DANCE, page 9)