PAGE 12 / THE RETRIEVER MAY 12, 1992 Sammy loves long good-byes! Save the last dance

with expert performances on the effects-washed picking patt- art, and above all, sardonic or just (from MUSIC, page 11) fiddle, piano, and other ern which layers brilliant colors and plain silly, masterful wit. for Aimee Thomas instruments. This is pure, tradi- textures with a haunted synth From the media satire of "Wait- percussive tones and rhythms, tional folk song for trippin' 'round expansion. Towards the end of the "real world" just yet. I'm moving ing For The Electrician or Someone to the next level of academic impassioned vocals, group chant- the campfire or fuelin' up at the ol' disc they get into strings of 16th Like Him," to the reality play of ing, and the heavy bass throb of ale house. It even feels green. note, contrapuntal keyboard lines, by Aimee asylum—graduate school. I haven't "I Think We're All Bozos On The learned enough yet (though some- the . The divine spirit of Multi-instrumentalist/ composer much like much of Pinhas' solo Bus," or, from the tale of George existence seems to pulse from its and Englishman Peter Knight, work. Thomas times I don't know if my brain can Tirebiter who sells his soul to the hold any more). Though, I know core. formerly of 70s folk-fusion group And speaking of that, Pinhas' TV in order to cope with living, on Retriever Staff Writer 111 probably be swimming in the sea "Ritual Beating System," from Steeleye Span, steps out on his 1981 "LTithique" (Cuneiform) has "Dont Crush That Dwarf, Hand of debt by the time I'm finished the masterful group Bahia Black, debut solo effort, "An Ancient just be reissued as well. He really Me The Pliers," to the clever stream Editor's Note: Aimee Thomas getting "learned." melds funk, jazz and a massive, Cause" (Shanachie). His sound loves his synthesizers and min- of consciousness raging of "How has covered dance forThe Retriever native Bahian percussion ensemble. flourishes under the influence of imoogs, to say the least. This disc In an ideal world, 111 have earned Can You Be In Two Places At Once for the past two years, while serving the graduate degree which will get Notably, Wayne Shorter, Herbie classical and traditional Celtic and overflows with kind of a jazz rock When You're Not Anywhere At as a production assistant. Hancock and Bernie Worrell aug- English folk music. He's a master fusion, drenched with experimental me that mythical stimulating job All," these word/sound collage-o- with that salary which will enable ment the dense mix with glorious craftsman on the violin, viola, melodies and layers upon layers of grams will slay your senses, and Ah, my farewell article. Geez, me not only to pay back my loans, improv, creating brilliant surges, and . And when the electronic synthetics, often the stuff leave you babbling with glee on the where do I begin? I'd like to thank the Academy . . . rather, I would but to be able to eat every day too. and a meaty music and cultural adrenalin rush of improv within of dance music. He even explores floor. Three giant steps beyond like to express my appreciation to But in this "real" world IVe com- alloy. lushly textured songs kicks all the easy listening, sugary, pseudo-jazz . And USA-bred as Stepping into the Tanzanian way in, he lets his chops go wild: on a couple of tracks. well. all the people in all the parts of mitted myself to the fact that I will UMBC who have made my stay never have a beach house I can call realm of Africa, Virgin's Real swinging melodies, emotive, folky A brand new disc from one of But if you really want to freak here interesting and meaningful. my own. It's okay, though, cause World Records has just released, flavors, warm and inviting music. the many Erik Lindgren projects is out your friends, get Lucia Pamela's "Mambo," from Remmy Ongala & Another musician/composer Birdsongs of the Mesozoic with That includes my friends, instruc- in between bouts of stress-related- "Into Outer Space" (Arf! Arf!). This stress, I feel pretty good about what Orchestre Super Matimila. This is stirred by the Celtic tradition is "pyroclastics" (Cuneiform). This is has got to be the silliest pile of lard tors and fellow Retriever-ites (you my educational adventures have serious soukous dance music: mul- Loreena McKennitt. On "The Visit" true art rock for the ^Os: a grand I've ever heard on disc. (With the know who you are). I'd like to leave you with some- produced thus far. I'd say I got my tiple, contrapuntal, guitar melodies (Warner Bros.), she puts music to fusion of dementia and thick layers possible exception of maybe East money's worth. But IVe still got flittering about, interlocking, then the words of Shakespeare, Tenny- of scary synths with dashes of jazz, Bay Ray's "Skrapyard," where the thing profound, or at least clever, to remember me by. My parting miles to go before I rest on my disengaging, as solos and harmo- son and traditional Celtic lyrics. pop and world music. Eccentric former Dead Kennedys' guitarist wisdom or something. I'm actually laurels. About 3200 miles actually. nies mesh over a solid groove, Her almost fairy-like, almost melodies drip onto truly tripped- performs Westview Inn lounge finally going to graduate. After six Yep, with an achin' in my heart I'm entirely anchored with reggae bass angelic vocals and dedication to out rhythms where the Phantom of music.) This reissue of a late '60s years and three different majors, leaving UMBC and stadium-city to , lines. Dr. Remmy calls for "one folksong, coupled with the exotic, the Opera meets the Simpsons and recording features the deranged you'd think I'd be gushing, over- seek poverty and enlightenment as J world" of universal love and sitar-like twang of the balalaika, they get down 'til the cows come sensibility of Pamela's rockabilly- flowing with interesting things to a graduate student in California. freedom. makes for an engaging disc. home. echo-smothered voice cawing over Cheb Mami's "Let me Rai" say about my experiences in the Who, me, an idealist (a cliche boogie piano rag-type tunes. This perhaps)? Well, I figure if I made| (Rhythm Safari) employs modern is either meant for kids, or diehard university world of academics and it this far I might have it in me to < synthesizers and a funky horn space cadets. And she says she bureaucracy. But nothing comes continue my pursuit of happiness section to turn his happy, soulful, recorded it on the moon! Yeah, it's immediately to mind (probably R&B reggae songs into a world because it's temporarily blown). and personal growth (whatever that weird. It's almost funny. But it's is) until I can't take it anymore (or dance party. Slick production. something you'll only play for I can tell you one thing IVe I run out of money). So, I'm off On another Rhythm Safari new friends. And then, only for a song learned—and will probably never to seek my fortune or fame or at release, "The Storyteller," by clas- or two. forget, thanks to the demands of least a master's degree. sical/folk guitarist David Hewitt, The moon? Psshaw. Small-mind. college life —and that's my social But before I go, I guess I can the music assumes an exotic, soo- Jazz eccentric Sun Ra alleges he security number. I'm quite sure it thing feel, due to the crafty arran- came from Saturn. And now's your will come in handy when I go to impart to you these thoughts: ' gements of a vast band, which chance to hear for yourself. Evi- apply for a job. Regardless of my question everything, stop at features a huge string section, dence Music is reissuing a huge qualifications otherwise (or lack nothing, and support your local i horns, percussion and synths. batch of his earliest, long out-of- thereof), any employer is bound to artists (and don't drink on a school be impressed by the confidence and Barefoot's latest disc, "Dance of night, unless it's absolutely neces- print material, on CD. And while skill with which I whip out my Life" (Rhythm Safari) continues to some of his compositions on personal tax-ID number; never sary and you don't drive, or forget spread the ever-expanding group's "Super-Sonic Jazz," for instance, even having to consult my wallet to wear a condom). improvisations on the celebration lean toward a somewhat more for that special card. Adios UMBC, and au revoir mes of life, music and dance. Expansive dissonant, swingin' harmonic- But, lucky me, I don't have to enfants (I'd better stop before I cry). arrangements mirror the vastness of collision, his material is not as concern myself with the silly ol' It's been fun but, uh, later on! the earth, changing of the seasons, daring as I was expecting. But we the wind, waters and mountains, have come a long way in musical with a tranquil, lush, harmonic exploration since the time of these balance. A dream state. Various mid-'50s recordings. And it seems instrumental textures are the key to that Sun Ra's masterful invention UMBC heats up for this graceful, exotic sound. lies more in his bold arrangements With a dazzling melding of pop, of the massive Arkestra. The other funk, jazz, dance and traditional disc IVe heard, "Sound Sun Plea- Othello's summer run Indian music, Sheila Chandra sure!!" finds him trying to break down-to-earth reality as the "go- charms with her latest, "Silk" into the mainstream with a fine (from OTHELLO, page 11) with-the-flow" lifestyle of the (Shanachie). Much of this borders semi-standards collection, which company. They tour throughout on funky, world-disco, synthetic features '"Round Midnight" and the manipulative, scheming Iago, July and August, staying in var- beats, but the Indian melodies and "Deep Purple," among other clas- and Webster, in her role as the ious dorm rooms and hotels. Each twanging sitar certainly ignite for sics and a smattering of originals. innocent, but accused Desdem- member receives a small stipend, a tantalizing blend. The following are a few other ona. "I actually auditioned to be enough to live on through the Moving into Tibet, for "Night photo credit: Edwin Schober, courtesy ARF! ARF! productions. smashing jazz reissues, originally the maid, Emilia," admits Webs- summer, but not enough to put Songs" (Scarlet), Raphael Mostel No, this is not Sammy Prestianni. It's musician Lucia recorded in the '50s, that you simply ter. "The maid-type character anything away. Each week, they has assembled about a dozen musi- Pamela, whose work is reviewed on this page. must get your hands on: "Jaws & seemed more like me." But, she are performing in a different area, cians for his Tibetan Singing Bowl Stitt" (Roulette), featuring tenor- says happily, as production time adjusting to a different set. Ensemble. This is something wholly In electronic/experimental cir- Erik Lindgren's a genuinely men Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and creeps closer, she grows more and unique, very soft and hypnotic, as McCready, Webster and cles, few labels come up with bizarre individual. What's even Sonny Stitt goin' head to head, live more excited about portraying Brown-Orleans all recall one it strives to reach a meditative state consistently challenging, rewarding scarier is that he puts out a ton of at Birdland, with a drum/organ Desdemona. performance of The Tempest, in a continual hum of healing, sounds, as do Lovely Music and CDs on the Arf! Arf! label. Two rhythm section (the organ sounds To aid them in capturing the when the lights attracted so many weaving timbres and non- Cuneiform. Lovely's recent release, of the discs he sent me, "The Space uncannily at times like an intro to emotional intensity of the charac- bugs that they were flying into the tonalities. "Upper Air Observation," from Negroes Do Generic Ethnic Muzak a '60s game show... warped jazz?); ters, costume designer Elena actors mouths as they spoke their Russia's Terem Quartet has just Barbara Held, is a pure, progressive Versions Of All Your Favorite "Tenors Head On" (Pacific Jazz), Zlotescu has "color-schemed" parts. "James would come off- released the amazing "Terem" (Real workout for flute. Held's interpre- Punk/Psychedelic Songs From The featuring Bill Perkins and Richie their attire. Othello will be dressed stage, and be spitting out bugs," World). This essential recording tation of the works of three exper- Sixties" and "Dig Archaeology Kamuca, carrying on the Lester in the bright red of passion, shudders Webster. "I was lucky, features four classically-trained imental composers, as well as a 1980-1990" sound as if Todd Young tradition, delving into bop Desdemona in the flowing white I wasn't on-stage much that year." musicians performing on tradi- performance of a single composi- Rundgren lost it on angel dust, and swing standards; "The Artistry dress of innocence, Iago in evil And, just in case bugs aren't tional instruments (the mandolin- tion of her own, the title track, hooked up with a soused, of Pepper" (Pacific Jazz), with Art black, and Cassio in earthy, like alto and soprano domras, result in an edgy, emotional pro- synthesized-lounge act, and some- "back to nature" enough for you, Pepper, of course, in his best quintet natural brown. To offset the Catto warns that if you "get close bayan accordion and bass bala- gram which wavers methodically how they found their way into a sessions, alongside Bill Perkins, and costumes, set designer (and to an actress who has been in the laika) with a sound steeped in old between the nervous and the con- recording studio. Do we really need in a big band led by Shorty Rogers; UMBC Theatre Department Europe and Mediterranean influen- templative. She utilizes flashes of to hear Muzak covers of obscure same costume for two months, "The Best of Chet Baker Plays" Chairman) Bill Brown is creating [you] get a real whiff of the ces. Their music echoes the sounds prose, poetry and lyric, even exper- '60s tunes? How about painfully, (Pacific Jazz) features some wond- a heavily textured, symmetrical theatre." of my Italian youth, particularly imenting with the playful, electronic dorky versions of "Back In The erful playing by this cool, fluffy- structure to serve as the place of with the accordion, but the originals manipulation of the lyrictron for a USSR" or "In A Gadda Da Vida?" toned trumpet stylist; "The Roost central action^ If McCready has- his way, and traditional Russian tunes couple of the pieces. Over an hour's It may be funny at first, but the Quartets" (Roulette) 21 tunes and If Othello follows the recent audiences will walk away from breathe with a much bolder, starker worth of sheer magical sounds! humor wears thin real fast. After alternate takes of warm, romantic tradition of Shakespeare on Othello with more than a whiff of sound, with a pronounced bass and Cuneiform's CD reissue of "allez all, isn't music supposed to be tenor saxophonist Stan Getz at his Wheels productions, the interpre- the theatre. He hopes the play will heavy rhythmic sense. teia" by Heldon II (Richard Pinhas somewhat pleasing? finest, with Horace Silver or Al ters will also play a major part in show Othello as "an every-man Crossing the continents to merry & Georges Grunblatt) sets one Now, are Haig at the keys, and a couple of the emotion Of the play. Associate figure, open to passion and manip- ol' Ireland, Arcady gives us "After adrift in space. There is a definite bizarre, but in a thoroughly enjoy- crack rhythm sections; "One More producer Edie Catto explains that ulation." By doing so, the produc- The Ball..." (Shanachie). Here's an feeling of levitation, a sense of able, sometimes even riotously Time" (Roulette) featuring the in traditional productions, inter- tion would wake them to the fact exotic balance of jigs and ballads, leaving this earthly plane. It's time funny way. Good thing the great Count Basie Orchestra performing preters for the deaf are positioned that they can also be targets of instrumentals and vocal pieces to fire up the candles and dip into thinkers at Mobile Fidelity Sound ten rich Quincy Jones composi- off to the side, and a deaf person manipulation from media, friends which reveal Irish song as a music the peyote jam. Robert Fripp and Lab decided to reissue on disc the tions, recorded in the late 1950s. can choose between watching the and self. "We're hoping to break deeply infused with heritage and that chain, to a small degree, in Brian Eno influences abound first 4, long out-of-print Firesign Splendid indeed. action or the interpreter. Shakes- 1 passion. The tunes sound quite like throughout, and the disc even kicks Theatre records. These are classic Adieu. Adieu. It's been fun. But peare on Wheels incorporates the Othello " bluegrass and classical at times, off with a kind of Pink Floyd, examples of culture, politics, audio uh, later on... interpreters into the action, mak- ing them an "artistic element" of Othello will open at UMBC on the play, who act and interpret July 2 and 3, then the cast will simultaneously. tour through Maryland, Virginia The actors, interpreters, cos- and Pennsylvania. A more com- A ntarctica blows into the IMAX tumes and set all contribute to the plete schedule will be made avail- "realness" of the play, but perhaps able by the Theatre Department Maryland Science Center offers you a big screen tour nothing adds so much charm and at a later date. the continent was, needless to say, swim through a crystalline cavern It includes the ceremonial barber- dangerous and challenging for the submerged within a glacier. They striped pole and flags representing by Lisa filmmakers to work. will then drill through centuries- the 12 nations that first signed the "For the first time in history," old ice to unlock scientific secrets Antarctica Treaty. "Working in Schlegel said director John Weiley, "people and join a company of penguins this climate is a physical challenge Retriever Staff Writer will have a real sense of what it in a graceful underwater ballet. that can be frustrating enough to is like to explore an unknown The film includes scenes pho- bring tears to your eyes—tears Antarctica is the new IMAX continent where it never rains, tographed in the deep blue waters that freeze your eyes shut," said film at the Maryland Science where the sun rises and sets only of a crystalline cavern submerged Weiley."Antarctica" is a Helio- Center. The name says it all. Yes, once a year, where you can travel inside Choas Glacier. This glacier graph Production produced by it is about the great and frigid thousands of miles across an has never been seen before or John Weiley and David Flatman. continent at the bottom of the unforgiving desert of ice without explored by humans. The crew Chicago's Museum of Science and world! The movie will be opening seeing a single living thing, then often experienced difficulties with Industry is the executive producer May 9 and continuing through be engulfed by teeming life at the the film equipment in the frigid of the film. The Maryland Science November 12. edge of the sea. That's temperatures (the film would Center is open Monday-Friday, Antarctica captures the Antarctica." freeze), delaying filming for hours, 10-5; Saturday and Sunday, 10- untamed beauty of the world's last Antarctica will be shown on the sometimes days. At times, the 6. Admission is $7.50 for adults, great wilderness. The film Science Center's five-story tall, 75- cameras were kept running with $5.50 for students 4-17, Seniors explores the history, science and foot wide concave IMAX screen. the assistance of hand-held dryers, and military personnel. The center delicate ecology of the world's The huge size of the screen makes a technique used by the makers includes three floors of hands-on southernmost continent. Film the audience feel that they are of The Empire Strikes Back in exhibits, the IMAX Theater and director John Weiley and his actually taking part in the action filming the ice planet sequences on the Davis Planetarium. Beginning seven-person team spent two of the film. The viewers will take a glacier in Finse, Norway. May 15, the hours will be extended eight-week sessions filming this a helicopter ride through icy Another interesting scene pho- to Monday-Thursday, 10-6; n&rv remote "otherworld." With crevasses and towering pinnacles tographed in the film is that of Friday-Sunday, 10-8, and adult temperatures dipping below -76 F, and dive with the first humans to the South Pole's entire horizon. admission will be $8.50.

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