A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, October 10, 2002 Page 21 Peter Gabriel’s ‘Up’ Is Downer; But Indies Don’t Disappoint Arts & Entertainment By ANDY GOLDENBERG happening. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Universal Music sent some good As fall arrives, the quantity of CD reissue material beginning with a two- Pen & Ink releases continues unabated. disc Deluxe Edition of The Who’s CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 Beginning with his first album in “My Generation” album complete and make trouble,” encouraged about 30 (well, 10) years by Peter with bonus material and the sound Sarandon, who coincidentally has Gabriel, “Up” on Geffen Records is quality is extraordinary. Also from not as much a return to Universal come great a movie coming out this month. form as it is a continua- compilations of “Kiss” As inappropriate as the enter- tion of form from his last and “T-Rex.” tainment industry’s desperate album “Us.” Some smaller labels The moody keyboard have put out some great scramble to stage a 9/11 sounds abound, there is a reissue and new material fundraiser (which I’m still con- lot of dark lyrical imag- beginning with Cunei- vinced was done to keep the peace ery. While the themes of form Records out of the last album dealt with Maryland. Known for the between their pocketbooks and relationships, “Up” deals devotion to Progressive their adoring fans), it is equally more with the finality and Rock, Cuneiform has just improper for celebrities to get fragility of life. While I Beck, “Sea Change” released another in its ex- enjoyed “Up,” was a bit cellent series of “Soft involved in or attempt to influ- disappointed, considering it was a de- Machine” live material. ence political opinions. cade in the making. The latest, “Backwards,” features Barbra must simply keep her Another Geffen artist, Beck, released songs from 1968-1970, recorded in his new album, “Sea Change,” last the United States, France and En- famous nose out of where it week and it is also a melancholy, slow, gland. “Soft Machine” played an in- doesn’t belong. almost country-tinged affair. While I teresting combination of jazz-rock, enjoyed it, I found it hard to get through which was much different than the FOR THE RECORD: in some places. Yet, on repeated play- American fusion bands. Photos that accompanied the ing, it is really growing on me. His The quality of the mate- “Take the Stage” review of the “Mutations” album, which I rial is excellent as is the UCTP’s production should have been consider to be an underrated other live offering from Soft credited to Theater Reviewer Susan QUALITY HANDICRAFTS...Diane Smith, left, of The Center For Hope Hospice and Palliative Care in Linden, and masterpiece both in content Dougherty, not Mark Spina. Carole Schmitt of the Golden Goose Boutique show some of the new items which will appear at the upcoming show. The Machine drummer Robert hospice will receive all admission fees from the benefit. and sound quality, had the On the Wyatt’s other band, same effect. “Matching Mole.” “Smoke POPCORN™ While Beck is more Signals” is real treat for widely known for his hip- Beat Progressive Rock fans, as Golden Goose Craft Boutique hop beats a la “Odelay,” “Mu- this band released only a Sweet Home Alabama: tations” and “Sea Change” few albums. The sound really show off Beck’s knack for melody quality and performance is second to To Aid Center For Hope Hospice and constructing pop hook. none. Rebel Without A Clue WESTFIELD – The annual the door to benefit The Center For Finally, Geffen also released the new Zoe/Rounder Records has just re- One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent Golden Goose Craft & Gift Boutique Hope Hospice and Palliative Care. album by Sonic Youth entitled “Murray leased a great new album for Grant- will host a benefit and raffle for The Customers will also have the oppor- Street,” a seven-song collection of gui- Lee Phillips, “Ladies Love Oracle By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER coxswain would show us both sides of Center For Hope Hospice and Pallia- tunity to purchase raffle tickets on tar anti-pop. It is an excellent offering (LLO).” While his last album tried too 2 POPCORNS the coin at the same time. If there were by the New York City- tive Care in Linden, beginning on baskets of crafts. These monies will hard to meld hip-hop It’s not necessarily an indication of a any humor in the obvious ambiguity, Wednesday, October 16, from noon also benefit the hospice. based band, but I would with pop songs, LLO is he’d mine it without resorting to conve- have preferred more vo- good movie, just proof positive of how to 9 p.m. Hand-painted Christmas orna- a superb set of simple little I know when it comes to affairs of nient but simplistically unfair stereo- The event, which is also scheduled ments, grinning jack-o’-lanterns, cals by Kim Gordon. piano and acoustic gui- types. Speaking of a pop the heart. for Thursday, October 17, from 9 country bears, reindeer and trees will tar numbers that all rock. Even in the 11th hour of director In any case, at least there’s lively hook, RCA Records re- Finally, on the Indie- a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, October 18, be vended, as well as tole items, leased another gem by Andy Tennant’s Sweet Home Alabama, background music to accompany the from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, affordable antique and “shabby chic” label, Merge Records, lighthearted, celebratory mood that per- The Dave Matthews come two totally di- a jaunty but inconsistent farce about a October 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., furniture. Band, “Busted Stuff.” poor Southern lass (Reese Witherspoon) meates the doings. Only problem is, will be presented at the Westfield No strollers are permitted on verse-sounding yet en- we’re not exactly sure what we’re sup- Almost every tune could joyable albums from who makes it big in the rag trade, I Tennis Club, 139 North Chestnut Wednesday, due to large numbers of be Top 40 radio fare but Spoon and Imperial couldn’t deduce which of two suitors posed to be celebrating. So let’s synop- Street in Westfield. shoppers. Ample parking is avail- that is not an insult, as Imperial Teen, “On” Teen. Spoon’s “Kill The she would choose. size and make sure we haven’t missed A $1 donation will be collected at able. Matthews is definitely Moonlight” is a strange post-modern Nope...I couldn’t guess if Melanie something: on a roll musically. I would love to see batch of disturbing yet intriguing tunes. was going to pick wealthy and well- Melanie Carmichael, who was this band in intimate venue like the Imperial Teen’s “ON” is a full-on coifed Andrew (Patrick Dempsey), one Melanie Smooter before she attained Beacon Theater but I don’t see that happy pop record. of New York’s most eligible bachelors, fame and fortune, has agreed to wed or whether she would reunite with Jake Andrew Hennings, man about town and WYACT and WF Symphony (Josh Lucas), the rakishly handsome son of New York’s Mayor Kathryn country boy she left back in the bayou. “Kate” Hennings. However, when I later relayed that But before they can say “I do,” there To Reunite for New Year’s Eve Ghouls, Gourds and Hayrides are two problems the couple must over- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 specific quality about the film to an WESTFIELD — Last New “God Bless America.” The frightening ride, which costs $2, is residents is a small price to pay for the inquiring damsel, the immediate re- come. For one, Mayor Kate, deliciously Year’s Eve, the Westfield Young Art- Reminiscent of Fred Astaire and Gin- the advanced version of a milder hayride hayride and campfire festivities on tap at sponse was, “Ooh, O.K....don’t tell me.” dished up by Candice Bergen at her ists’ Cooperative Theatre, Inc. ger Rodgers, Judy Garland, Ethel that was held during the facility’s Mum Mountainside’s Trailside Nature & Sci- The thing is, I have heard that ooh cynical best, isn’t particularly enthralled (WYACT) and the Westfield Sym- Merman, Bing Crosby, and Rosemary Fest in September. ence Center. The next opportunity for before. It is an international expression with sonny boy’s fiancée. However, phony Orchestra (WSO) united to Clooney, audiences will be treated to Signs warning, “You’d Better Turn these activities will be tomorrow, Friday, of appraisal. By the lilt of the ooh, the that’s nothing compared to the stum- present “Richard Rodgers – A Cen- musical classics from such movies as Back Now!” will add to the goose bumps, October 11, at 6:30 p.m. trained ear can determine just how many bling block Melanie has yet to share tennial Celebra- “Top Hat,” but Miller assures The Leader/The Times Wherever the road takes Halloween karats of value are being attributed to with her newly intended. tion Of His Mu- “Easter Pa- that none of the actors jump in the hay revelers this season, prime chances for the item in question. It’s bad enough that she has embel- sic” at the Pres- rade,” “Holiday byterian Church Inn,” “White wagon or touch the participants. pumpkin picking are abound. Hence, this critic’s decision to give lished on her socioeconomic background, Miller added that pumpkin painting Alstede Farms, Route 513 in Chester, leaving Andrew et al to believe that she in Westfield.