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F SECTION Rim F2 Hobbies F4 Leisure Best sellers F4 Gannett Westchester Newspapers/Sunday, Aphl 21, 1985
POP BEAT ANTHONY DECURTIS
All 17,000 tickets for Madonna's Radio City Music Hall concert sold out in a half-hour. The 'material girl' strikes it rich on video and film Madonna has, in large part, achieved her enormous popularity by offering herself as an alluring, if carieaturish, blend of traditional and feminist notions of womanhood. Her unblushing declaration that "We're living in a material world, and I am a material girl" strikes a sympathetic chord in a modern generation of young people who believe in the virtue of affluence.' At the same time, her bellybutton-flashing "Boy Toy" image winkingly intimates that even girls who don't go off to earn MBAs can have some fun and score some goodies in what's still predominantly a man's world. In her title role in the current film smash. "Desperately Seeking Susan," Madonna portrays a street-wise Bohemian hustler who manages to exchange roles temporarily with an upper-middle- class New Jersey housewife. The film's sharpest comedic moment is its depiction of Susan's effortless adjustment to the bourgeois luxuries of suburban living. As she instinctively sizes up the quality of the wallpaper and samples the pleasures of the backyard pool, Susan makes it clear that her bohemianism is simply a way to suffer poverty in style, not a protest against society's governing values. Similarly, Madonna's own writhing sexuality • and fashion boldatss are protests against nothing more substantial than boredom. And the four song videos comprising the "Madonna" compilation (Warner Music Video, $19.95) are the furthest distance from boring. The most sophisticated video here, by far, is "Like A Virgin." which features the singer indulging in an elaborate wedding-night fantasy while floating through Venice in a gondola. But Madonna's riveting erotic presence is all the more impressive in the less spectacular videos for "Burning Up," "Borderline" and "Lucky Star." Those vignettes depend almost entirely on Madonna's fleshy sexual magnetism for their visual power, and they succeed quite splendidly on that basis. Madonna's presence is virtually ubiquitous these days. Along with "Desperately Seeking Susan," her triple-platinum "Like A Virgin" LP, her video compilation, and a first-ever national tour that will bring her to Radio City Music Hall June 6, 7 and 8, Madonna also has two tunes (the hit single "Crazy for You" and "Gambler") on the "Vision Quest" soundtrack. All 17,000 tickets for her New York concert sold out in a half-hour, a record for Radio City. • • • ON "SOUTHERN ACCENTS," his first album release since 1982, Tom Petty reaches back to his Florida roots to forge a cycle of songs that is rigorously old-fashioned and earnestly contemporary. While most successful LPs these days are collections of four or five potential hit singles and an equal amount of competent, high- gloss filler, "Southern Accents" (MCA) is a thematically unified meditation on the American South — its self- ly Q«ora«tte Oovveia .'/L^V iMtilMte^ destructive parochialism and its nourishing sense of tradition. "We got our own way of living, but everything gets done/With a southern accent, where I come from," Petty croons on the album's deeply affecting title track. The quiet regional dignity of those lines contrasts sharply with Jom Pe"Y the hell-bent cry of red-neck doom that constitutes the lyrical hook of "Rebels," the record's opening cut: "With one foot in the grave and one foot on the pedal, 1 was born to rebel." Both visions are dramatically presented and left to stand on their own terms -the listener is left to discern the full picture of a region's pride and narrowness, and the eventual fates of both types of characters. But if Petty's thematic comprehensiveness and literary ambition are throwbacks to the concept- album idea prevalent in the late '60s. the California-based singer also has sought to update his sound on this LP. Known for their commitment to hard-hitting guitar-based rock, as evidenced on albums like "Hard Promises" and "Damn the Torpedoes," Petty and his band, the Heartbreakers, incorporate strings, horns, electronic voice tretments and more emphatic PIMM M9 POP BEAT on P n of F3
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Thomas M. Tryniski •-. -•>-•. 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 ntim^^W:*—-*",:A"Jf ••*--»••• *•*•'•*• ">•• -Jfc A'-n-att jr.* MlMIMItHMIl www.fultonhistory.com mm
file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AM mmmmammmua mmmmmm F Section Gannett Westchester Newspapers/Sunday, Af 21, 1985
TWAIN/ VOCAL SCOOPS From page F1 BY LOU CEVETILLO
Oklahoma. I was raised by people who were not that far removed Opera fails to stay from Mark Twain-type people." Some of those memories are of his mother, a churchgoer who afloat in Westchester loved to sing hymns. Even though interest in opera continue producing operas in West "She would work in the fields seems to be growing in the United chester. and sing those hymns," Miller says. States, in Westchester, it seems to "We didn't have money or any be thwarted at each turn. Therefore, the serious opera buff thing, and we had crops to get in." In the early 1960s, Westchester must either look toward New York had two performing opera compa City or Stamford to get his "operat So "Big River" includes gospel nies. Both are now dead. C. Andrew ic fix." Some operaphiles have songs. Miller's first venture into Randall's Westchester Lyric Opera religious musk, avoided the productions of the Con performed throughout the county necticut Grand Opera, located at the SOME MEMORIES HE used and offered performances in the Palace Theater in Stamford, and the are of his father. Little Theater in the County Center in White Plains. Gene Talamo and Connecticut State Opera at the Arts "My dad was a farmer, not a his soprano/wife, Marge, had the Center in Stamford. Both these or man of the world. He would fuss Westchester Opera Guild, which ganizations have produced operas of about the government, but he held its performances in Yonkers professional caliber and, at times, didn't know what to fuss about, any as fine if not better than some of better than anybody still does to and starred such luminaries as day," Miller says. "He wouldn't baritone James Buckley. the productions at the Met or at the quite cuss the government, 'cause The 1970s saw the advent of City Opera at Lincoln Center. Out he respected it, but be would go two rather promising companies — side of New York City, the Connect through these rages." the Westchester Lyric Festival and icut Grand Opera continues to have the Singers' Theater in Northern one of the most impressive seasons That general ranting and raving Westchester. of any opera company in the tri- is the subject of "Guv'ment," a The Lyric Festival, under the state area. bluesy number in which Huck's direction of Franco Iglesias, made drunken, broken-down father vents a splashy entrance into the operat his frustration with that faceless The Connecticut Grand Opera ic arena with full productions of holds productions on subsequent institution called government The King (Bob Gunton), left and the Duke (Rene Auberjonois), right, lift Huckleberry Finn (Daniel "La Boheme" and "L'Elisir D'Am- ore" and, in the 1980s, "Aida," Saturday evenings in two cities — Given the range of music in H. Jenkins) in a scene from the play. Stamford and Bridgeport. Gounod's "Big River" — gospel, blues, vau "Cavalleria Rusticana" and "I Pag- liacci." Unfortunately, the Lyric "Faust" is the Grand Opera's last deville numbers and Broadway production of the season with per production numbers, as well as the Festival could not maintain a more the novel. bers spent a week discussing the because of his heart," Jenkins says predictable and stable calendar of formances in Stamford May 11 and country songs that are Miller's "TWAIN WORE THE mask of book and Hauptman's adaptation of the mischievous, but kind Huck, trademark — will the public be performances, leaving their follow in Bridgeport May 18. The cast will a humorist when he was writing before rehearsals began. "and that's just wonderful." surprised by his versatility? ers without shows too often. include Diana Soviero and Justino about a lot of things he was very "IT WAS A REAL luxury," Norma Bruce, 12 years ago, Diaz as Marguerite and Mephistoph- serious and angry about," Haupt- Auberjonois said. "In a Broadway ALREADY, MILLER SAYS, "I HOPE IT'S a pleasant sur created Singers' Theater for the eles. prise for a lot 0/ people," he says man says. "I think in my adapta situation, you usually jump right in. teachers are calling the box office purpose of bringing vocal music, tion I've done what I could to drop with a shy smile. "I didn't adhere But we worked on this like the and making plans to bring their mostly opera, to the forefront of For tenor buffs, the Grand Op the mask a little bit and make his classic that it is. It was like a to any musical boundary. I just let students to see "Big River." Westchester's arts circles. Miss era is sponsoring the inaugural Giu myself go." original anti-slavery intentions college course in Mark Twain and Bruce, a mezzo soprano, brought clearer." 'Huckleberry Finn.'" "I would love it if it brings seppe Di Stefano International Miller says his score does not some very enterprising events to renewed interest in the book and Vocal Competition for Tenors June deal explicitly with the issue of One of the novel's themes that It's clear from talking to cre the operatic scene by merging with the play illustrates is the conflict ators and cast members of "Big Mark Twain." he says. "Twain was Opera on the Sound. This collabora 20-22, at the Palace Theater. Di racism. Even in the song "Worlds Stefano will be joined by some of Apart," for Huck (Daniel H. Jen between Huck's society-formed River" during rehearsals and the so good. He must've had a real tion brought fully staged, full or conscience, which tells him to re current preview performances at twinkle in his eye," Miller adds, chestra performances to the Music the greatest tenors of the post kins) and the slave Jim (Ron Rich World War II period — Franco ardson), the idea that brown eyes turn Jim to his "owner," and his the Eugene O'Neill Theater that with a twinkle in his own. Hall in Tarrytown for the past and blue eyes see the world differ heart, which urges him ultimately they hold Twain and "Huck" in several years. Corelli, Ferruccio Tagliavini and ently was an afterthought, he says. to help Jim find freedom. affection. Performances of "Big River" Standard repertory was the of Carlo Bergonzi — as judges of the Hauptman says the recent dis "It is the great American nov are Tuesdays through Saturdays at fering from Singers' Theater, but competition. "I wanted a friendship song," covery of a letter, in which Samuel el," Hauptman says, echoing the 8 p.m. except for opening night, even so, attendance was at times Miller says. "Huck and Jim are L. Clemens (Twain's real name) view of many. "It embodies a lot of marginal, and the level of perfor The competition will begin friends. Black and white is not in which has a 6:30 p.m. curtain. agreed to finance a black student's themes we're still struggling with Matinees are at 2 p.m. Wednesdays mance was not always of accepta Thursday, June 20, from 2 to 7:30 their talk or their feelings but in law school education, supports his — friendship, friendship between ble quality. Nevertheless, Singers' and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. p.m. The finals will begin Friday, their lives. As they go along, each view that "Huck Finn" is an anti- blacks and whites, the problem of Theater was the most stable of the June 21, at 8 p.m. The festivities is faced with his own realities." Tickets range from $30.50 to $40. racist book about a racist world. growing up and the problem of operatic ventures, and it did hold will end Saturday evening with a The Eugene O'Neill Theater is at The theme of racism, veiled by To cut through the veil of what to do with one's freedom." performances with considerable concert by Di Stefano, "Canzoni 230 W. 49th St. For more informa- Twain's humor, is addressed in Twain's humor and ensure that the "The innocent survives and tri regularity. Recently, however, it Italiane," in which he will sing William Hauptman's adaptation of cast shared this vision, cast mem umphs in a stifling atmosphere, Hon, call (212) 246-0220. was learned that Singers' Theater is no longer in existence. Miss Italian, Sicilian and Neapolitan Bruce, in a recent telephone con songs. This will be Di Stefano's only versation, told Vocal Scoops, she is United States concert this year. From page F1 leaving the world of opera im- Last year he sang at the Palace POPBEAT/, pressario to continue her own sing with unparalleled success. For in drum tracks on "Southern Ac and easy, enlightened cliches, time of his shooting a year ago this cal collapse of Thompson Twins' ing career. The demands of such an formation and tickets, call (203) cents." To achieve these modern "Southern Accents" restores Petty month and some songs he had lead singer Tom Bailey in England endeavor would not permit her.to 359-0009. izations, Petty brought in Dave and the Heartbreakers to promi recorded earlier. has forced that popular British trio Stewart of the Eurythmics, who co- nence and makes their summer By all accounts, the albiim to postpone all touring and record wrote and helped produce three tour an extremely welcome pros Gaye was working on when he died ing plans indefinitely... Texas songs. The droning, psychedelic pect. carried the sexual themes of his blues guitarist Johnny Winter will What The Creators Of "Police Academy" single, "Don't Come Around Here be appearing at the Beacon The That tour is scheduled to begin "Midnight Love" LP (which includ- Did For Law Enforcement Is No More," which uses a sitar, is ed the "Sexual Healing" single) still ater (212 874-1717) in Manhattan one of the tunes Stewart worked in late May. Reports indicate that Friday. On the same night, reggae Petty, who broke his hand when he further. As it is, "Dream of a Nothing Compared To What They're on. Lifetime" will include tunes called star Pablo Moses will be appearing put his fist through a studio wall at The Ritz (212 228-8888). Doing To Traffic School! Not all of these innovations are last year, is able to play guitar "Savage in the Sack" amd "Mas integrated into the songs in a com again to a limited degree and ochistic Beauty." Gaye, one of the pletely satisfying way, and many should be restored to full powers grestest soul singers of all times, is die-hard Petty fans have expressed by the tour's start. currently memorialized in two hit initial objections to their hero's • • • songs: Diana Ross' "Missing You" move away from rock purity. But and the Commodores' "Night "Southern Accents" assumes a COLUMBIA RECORDS WILL Shift." worthy place beside the numerous soon be releasing a collection of other LPs that have taken America previously unissued Marvin Gaye • • • as their focus in one way or anoth songs. Titled "Dream of a Life BACKBEATS: The recent physi er in the past few years. Like the time," the LP includes some of the best of these records — Bruce tracks Gaye was working on at the Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." and John Cougar Mellencamp's "Uh-huh" - "Southern Accents" 'MORE BIG LAUGHS THAN explores its vast subject with a ANY RLM THIS YEAR," thoughtful, critical affection. "Put'Alamo Bay' Avoiding both mindless chauvinism on your must-see list. "An inspired comedy." ' It's powerful, provocative and -IXNCWYOWriVtS Jon«IMoD-n deeply engrossing." -Wllltim W«*. CAAKCTT XWfl SMWCt "Don't Miss HI "A funny, high-energy Hysterically funny." combination of rock, -US tMGAXHl. SWph«o Scnoe** romance, and Karate!' AlBW BROOKS JUUE HAGWIY —RogtrEbtft Chicago Sun-Tinm Alamo W A story Inspired by true events. A ixysr IN A C :«*? fn CiTfr SUSPENSE! EXCITEMENT! DON'T WALK, RUN! SAm •LADYHAWKE' ••rjurviycmd• IS OLD-FASHIONED FIN AT THE MOVIES." Thh Movie'i Sew Clocked dt 55 Laughs Per Minute! EXPERIENCE THE ma0coll -Pat Collins. CBS-TV. CBS Morning News JOY OF "MASK? frolS) Sometimes the most unlikety people become heroes •— fc- -—-• *— • •- •*. * PG 13j 1 Tr#~*" C*~Si 'si V»»« fpG*13| 4£ A UNtVtKAl PtCTUBt [ convL i«4 IMMMM C*> tortm r» -jf?j—">.W-w^«w n n»^f»_ WJB momrn KOW WJkn*Q AT THEM MrJUiCTfD TMIUTWES WXtW TM Wt r.-> ''J W ««>st»tr MUTMU * ii mm i f PG I UTrSM I WW I* <»» .'SMW cwtn Klffii WX0CB •r* •oexn i« ALIEN. ^* m-t«B MrVTWMPUU •noes »••""" —• •"* n ,,,.,,. - - .... t» ~rr. Mmr- «OC« Untitled Document v. I Thomas M. Tryniski 309 South 4th Street Fulton New York 13069 www.fultonhistory.com file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator/Desktop/hello.html2/18/2007 11:01:03 AM