ALBUM REVIEWS

RUNNING ON EMPTY - Jackson Browne - Asylum 6E-113 New Copyright Law Seen as - Producer: Jackson Browne - List: 7.98 Jackson's fifth is a live album, but not in the traditional sense of the genre. None of the material has appeared on any of Benefit Despite Upped Cost (continued from page 7) his previous and though it was recorded on his recent years. The shift from 1977 to 1978 is par- fall tour, not all of it was recorded on stage in front of a live Some of the definitions could have been ticularly problematic. audience. The songs all revolve around life on the road, from made clearer, however. I am concerned 'Strengthens Protection' the loneliness and boredom in "Nothing But Time" to a tribute to with the area of assignment. Of course, "One of the most signficant changes is roadies in "The Load Out." The superior sound quality is just licensing is going to have to be changed. that it tremendously strengthens the one more factor that lifts this well above most live LPs. And it will be more expensive to file for protection afforded to us and writers of registration. I am very happy that foreign sound recordings. I'm very pleased with the DON DAUGHTER JUAN'S RECKLESS - Joni Mitchell - material can now be copyrighted. I also like clarity of the language of the new act and Asylum BB 701 - Producer: Joni Mitchell - List: 12.98 that lyrics can be copyrighted by them- also the open possibility of a performance From the multi -layered, orchestrated "Paprika Plains" (a 16 - selves. There are all kinds of nice changes." right. I think that provision is inevitable." minute piece of pure poetry) to the upbeat, pop -flavored "Talk 'Improvement' "The new law is an idea whose time had To Me," this is one of Joni Mitchell's most ambitious works to Irwin Robinson, president of Chappell come," said Steve Begor, director of mar- date. Mitchell's wanderlust and love -dreams spill from her Music, said, "I think that the new law is an keting and advertising for Janus Records. lyrics with tireless urgency while her voice weaves elusive improvement. Perhaps it did not go far "To me it is not that controversial. It's just a melodies around each line. And while Joni's musical approach enough. I see specifically two problem fact of life. I think it's good, although it has remains much the same, the everpresent, innovative bass of areas. The first concerns the extra rever- definitely driven up our costs. We have Jaco Pastorius, who appeared on her last LP, adds an exciting sion rights during the extended 19 year known about the coming changes for four dimension that is perfectly tailored to the songs. period. I see a problem as to how to imple- or five months and we took that and in- ment that ruling. There will be some confu- creased pressing and jacket costs into ac- ENCOUNTERS OF EVERY KIND - - Millennium 8004 but I think it will eventually be Producer: Meco Monardo List: 7.98 sion, count when we raised our list prices from - - The other problem Coming off his recent success with the theme from "Star straightened out. $6.98 to $7.98. What the new law really af- relates to the phrase 'permanently dis- is margin for the record Wars" it's only logical that Meco Monardo should stick to a fects the profit as it is used in the new law. There science fiction theme on this, his latest LP. With the aid of The tributed,' companies. However, there are an incredi- will be a problem between the Meco Time Machine, Monardo ventures into earth's musical again, there ble number of mega -bucks in this business record companies and the publishers as to is past from pterodactyls to you guessed it the theme from and this new law basically designed to - - - be used to make "Close Encounters of The Third Kind." Tasty instrumentals with what time frame should help the guy who is writing the songs. the arbitrary decision as to when a record is "What will hurt most a flair and some outrageous historical sound effects make the companies are 'permanently distributed.' It all relates to the artists who not It hurts this LP suitable for a variety of formats past, present and are successful. - in of future. reserves which is a problem now terms when you put a lot of money into an artist the record companies and the publishers. and have to pay increased royalties and DO YOU WANT TO GET FUNKY WITH ME? - Peter Brown - The record companies want to hold then it doesn't sell. However, most con- Drive Records 104 - Producer: Cory Wade - List: 7.98 reserves for a long period of time and the tracts have a reserve clause in which a cer- This long awaited premiere album contains the title tunes of publishers feel that beyond a certain time tain percentage of the royalties are withheld which the former has already received widespread recognition. frame, it is no longer reasonable or neces- against returns. The companies pay the ar- The latter has a moving danceable tempo which should sary. But, on the whole, I would say the new tists on net sales. What was so unusual generate some attention, as will a few others. On a more con- law is an improvement." about the Elton John contract several years genial note, "For Your Love" highlights the vocal potential of Chris Whent, director of business affairs ago was that there was no reserve clause. law, Brown, who authored/co-authored all the material on this offer- THE DELLS for Polydor Records, called the new They paid royalties on everything that was ing. "one of the biggest shifts in the pie - the shipped. Many acts are now asking for in- money that the record buyer puts over the creased advances and under the new LOVE CONNECTION The - Dells - Mercury SRM-1-3711 - counter - ever seen in the industry at one provisions, the advance will be worked off a Producer: Norman Harris - List: 7.98 time. As carefully as we may have lot quicker, particularly if the artist is the The fact that this group has been singing together for 25 budgeted, I'm not sure to what extent writer of the material." years may help explain why they harmonize so well. And anybody in the industry is completely aware "What all this will cost I cannot as yet put although their formation long pre -dates what has come to be of the overall impact. I think we are into a dollar figure," said Mary Jane known as the Philly sound, the ever-present sound of strings definitely going to be faced with great Snyder, an attorney for Capitol Records. behind a cooking rhythm section finds the Dells now firmly im- problems in accounting. The act has not "What we're talking about is W4 cents times in like planted that musical style. With songs "Private Property" really been devised with practicality of im- the usual amount of 10 masters per record, and "Wasted Tears," this well on R&B should do formats. plementation in mind and given the incredi- or at least a 71/2 cent increase per record. ble complexity of royalty accounting You multiply that times the number of THIS IS THE MODERN WORLD Polydor PD -1- - - procedure these days, I suspect the records you sell and that's what the cost im- 6129 - Producers: Vic Smith and - List: 7.98 auditors will have a field day for the next two pact is." If the punk movement has produced an incarnation of the Who of the mid -1960s, it would have to be The Jam. In both UPCOMING INDUSTRY CONVENTIONS musical and vocal styles, TheJam has much the same spirit and Cream/Hi Conference Dec. 19-20 Los Angeles rebelliousness of its predecessors. On their latest album, they NARM Regional Meeting Jan. 11 San Francisco share the defiance of many of the punk bands, but their lyrics NARM Regional Meeting Jan. 12 Seattle show a sophistication in perception that goes beyond the basic NARM Regional Meeting Jan. 16 Los Angeles level of too many of their contemporaries. This LP should help MIDEM Jan. 20-26 Cannes, France take them to the upper crest of the new wave. 34th Annual Amusement Trades Exhibition Jan. 24-26 London ON FIRE - T -Connection - Dash Records 30008 - Secondary Radio Conference Feb. 3-4 Birmingham, AL Producers: Cory Wade, Alex T Sadkin and -Connection - List: NARM Regional Meeting Feb. 7 Washington, D.C. 7.98 NARM Regional Meeting Feb. 9 City T -Connection returns with another smash disco hit which is NARM Regional Meeting Feb. 16 Dallas the title tune of this LP. "On Fire" has a driving disco beat and NAIRD Feb. 17-19 Burlingame, CA should get good R&B in addition to disco airplay. Also included NECAA 18th Annual Cony. Feb. 22-26 New Orleans, LA are a couple of ballads which provide for a relaxing change of Secondary Radio Conference Marchl9-20 San Luis Obispo, CA pace. International Country Music Festival March 25-27 Wembley, England WINDOW OF A CHILD - Seawind - CTI 7 5007 - Producers: Harvey Mason and Bob Wirtz - List: 7.98 The second album from this Hawaiian septet contains a variety of jazz -flavored cuts that range from soothing in- strumental tracks to upbeat rockers to funky tunes featuring Ian Underwood's synthesizer programming. Seawind is led by the husband and wife team of drummer Bob Wilson, who penned most of the songs, and vocalist Pauline Wilson. Her silky voice is well complemented by stirring brass and woodwinds on nine songs celebrating life, love and God.

LOVE ON THE WIRE - Clover - Mercury SRM-1-3708 - Producer: Robert John Lange - List: 7.98 In the nine years that the nucleus of this band has been together they have collected and incorporated the styles of a as .: number of successful rock acts into their own sound. With PHILLIPS AT Z-93 - A&M recording artist Michelle Phillips recently paid a visit to radio plenty of tandem guitar harmonies in the Allman Bros. fashion station Z-93 in Atlanta while on tour to support her new "Victim Of Romance" LP. Pictured and the smooth vocal harmonies of the Doobies, Clover rocks (I -r) are: Don Tolle, A&M regional promotion; Johnny Shuler, A&M promotion/Atlanta; with an infectious pop flavor. Should do well on pop and AOR Dale O'Brien, music director; Phillips; Kris O'Kelly, program director, and Peter Mollica, formats. A&M national promotion.

20 Cash Box/December 24, 1977

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