Expressing Female Essence Without Words by Kate Casano A review of Kay Gardner's album developing a theme with increasing interest · Emerging must take its context from the and suspens.e, as much of classical music ·On the Racord liner notes of her previous album, does, this album contains little slices of time Mooncireles. which were written by Kirsten containing set pieces of musical idea. In by James Wagoner BERNSTEIN, SYMPHONY No. 1 Grimsted. Grimsted says that the 1975 other words, this music does not build to a "Jeremiah" and "CHICHESTER recofd was part of an attempt by feminist climax. I'm sure it was intentional. "You don't have to mince or make PSALMS" (Deutsche Grammophon 2530- musicians to find "breakthroughs in musical The first three cuts on side one are alike bitchy remarks 1o get beaten 968) Christa Ludwig, Wiener Jeunesse­ form" to correspond with breakthroughs in and fit the description I've just been giving· unconscious and left in the dark." Chor, Israel Philharmonic, Leonard women's consciousness, to "transform the you. The fourth cut, "Anagram," stands out Bernstein, conducting. When Bernstein, at elements of sound itself into an authentic because it was composed by- pianist Althea These are pretty strong lyrics for a rock the age of 24, penned his "Jeremiah," he was vehicle for female content." To do this, Waites and because it Is atonal. Atonality group, especially in our present age of making one of the first steps of a long Grimsted says, Gardner has integrated sure as hell has nothing to do with any conplacency and nostalgia, but this is no Journey designed to enlighten or at least classical tradition with "the material, modes, "obscure female heritage;" it was invented run-of-the-mill bunch of bubble gum sex reflect the eternal human search for faith. instrumentation, and rhythms of our by a man and there's nothing soft or mellow Now that's a fairly admirable goal, and one obscure female heritage," etc. etc. about it. Waites does a fine job with this which has challenged composers, artists, Obscure female heritage aside, I am difficult form. To her credit, this is the least writers and even theologians for centuries. predicating this review on the assumption pretty piece on the record. In fact, some of the most profound musical that Gardner is still working on that same Side two opens with another good piano statements ever made have concerned kind of music that will express female piece by Waites followed by an amiable themselves with humanity's faith in some essences without words. The assumption double flute piece. But the rest of"the side is higher plane of existence. Bach's B minor seems valid. The music has no lyrics, some of strictly downhill- or more precisely, und_er Mass, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, it takes a 'serious' or 'classical' cast, and it water. Mozart's "Die Zauberflote" and, more apparently is an extension of ideas Gardner "Mermaids" and "Atlantis Rising" are recently, Penderecki's "St. Luke Passion" was developing on Moomcircles. unashamedly onomatopoeic, rife with are all rooted in a mysticai fascination with So what is the nature of this female music? bubbles and undersea noises, high winds and the human spirit. Yet I can't say that Light, airy textures, with no bass or drums, earthquake rumblings, and voices Bernstein has succeeded in his pursuit, at just flute, bowed string instruments \ (presumably the mermaids) going "000-000, least not to the extent of those mentioned (including viola da gamba), lute and piano. 000-000." In "Mermaids" all of this frippery above. Despite his ingenious, vibrant sense Mellow. Pretty. Passive. I would nave liked forms a backdrop for an exotic Phrygian of melody, his harmonies are often splashy a bit more excitement in the rhythm-and­ modal melody, but I see no such rationale and aimless, fitted all too neatly into a glossy texture department. for "Atlantis Rising." Hollywood orchestration. The music varies in tonality, managing to So here we have another experiment in the All of this is quite true for the"Jeremiah" avoid almost completely the diatonic major development of female musical form. It's an and the "Psalms." They are both ingratiating tonality that dominates our classical and ambitious experiment, and Kay Gardner has and charming, energetic and lucid, with even popular music. Pieces are modal or atonal or produced a record that is moderately an occasional spark of brilliance, however, minor, and the one piece that is in a diatonic exciting and even partially successful. they do not hold any vast eternal revelations. major key slips in scale alterations and But is it female music? There are no This, along with their adherence to more juxtaposed chords from some other area of musical ideas on this record that men have Rob1n~on fom traditional tonal values, makes these pieces tonality. The fluency of Gardner and her co­ not also had. easily accessible to that vast American entity musicians in different tonal schemes is one But did women have them first? That's the everyone hears about, but no one sees, the of the best features of this album. question. idols out to make a fast buck, nor even general public. A oroblem I had with the record, which is crazed fanatics out to shock mom and dad Of special note is Christa Ludwig's not really a complaint, is that the music is This album is available at Lammas Women '.s • ·' with some scatological non-music. The Tom rapturous performance of the developmenta1Jy static. Instead of Store, 321 7th St., S.E. Robinson Band has some very intriguing "Lamentation" from the "First Symphony," social views, as is evident from the names of and the sparkling solo of an anonymous boy , the cuts on their recently released two record soprano in the "Psalms." At time the mixed 1 set, Power in the Darkness (Atlantic STB- choir is a little ragged but, on the whole, all 11778). Such titles as "Better Decide Which DISCO of the musicians perform exceptionally well Side You're On," "Glad To Be Gay," "Up under the precise and incisive control of the by Lenny Gray, guest reviewer/D.J. one of, if not the, hottest. Other sug· I Against the Wall," "Ain't Gonna Take It," composer. And D.G. has come across with a at the Exile gested cuts are "Je Suis Music" and ' and "Right On Sister"-leave little room for very clean, well engineered recording... but I RATING SYSTEM "Rocket in the Pocket." speculation, which is precisely still find myself waiting for the movie to composer/ writer Tom Robinson's point; Save your m-oney-LP has limited, The Three Degrees-New Dimen­ start. or no,ap~I , " ... to stand aside is to take sides. If music can sions (Ariola) erase even a tiny fraction of the prejudice * " A orte·hit album- but nothing to al}d intolerance in this world, then it's worth ** rush out and buy trying." Rather lofty sentiments for a Getting strong airplay- has over­ Giorgio's. latest production starts offl all appeal and is worth having in common mip.strel, but TRB aggressively your collection strong with the first track "Giving Up, addresses itself to the social upheavals and *** Giving In" and seems to go down hill backlashes that .threaten to burst out This one's hot- a destined clasSic from there. "Looking for Love," the ......._ that ev~ry discophile shou~d have , everywhere. second cut, is nice but it drags at times Tom Robinson is Gay. Militantly Gay in a Melba Moore-You Stepped Into My and could bore you half way through. I country where ·being Gay is legal. Yet he Life (Epic 12" disco disc) "Falling In Love Again" sounds like the recognizes the growing momentum of a Three Degrees of old and fans may enjoy I " ... backlash of puritanical power; kii:king us it, but at the same time find it boring. If down when we're on the ground is gonna be YES, TORMATO (Atlantic SD-19202) Melba's back and doing great! She you're a dedicated Three Degrees fan, I their finest hour." Sobering thoughts for the Through the last ten years, Yes has managed seems to have been in a slump since This rush out and buy it. If not, find someone post-Miami Gay, especially those who to create and maintain a sound distinctively Is It, but this latest pulls her right out. who has it, take a listen and think it over. I continue to keep their sexuality and lifestyle all its own, and this album follows faithfully With a running time of 7:48, it has a nice tightly tucked away in the armoire. in that tradition. For the uninitiated, the instrumental intro with good percussion. TOP TEN SONGS However, all those heroic ideas couldn't imaginative musicians of Yes produce a sort It's peak hour music with a lot offeeling. 1. "Ain't That Enough For You"-John make bad music good, and I'm happy to say of electronically synthesized folk-jazz-rock, Two very nice breaks, the first with per· often waxing garishly between delicate Davis (SAM 12") · they don't have to. TRB practices an eclectic cussion, the second with chants, make · ~ -Donna array of styles including music hall pastiche, splashes of sound and enormous oceans of it 2 . "MacArthur Park I this an all around hot disco record with "Martin;" jazz blues; "Too Good to be suspended in the air. They can be hard Summer (Casablanca LP) music and Melba at their best.