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From: etan@tellab1.UUCP (Nate Stelton)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: mini reviews
Message-ID: <442@tellab1.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Dec-84 18:05:33 EST
Article-I.D.: tellab1.442
Posted: Thu Dec 20 18:05:33 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 22-Dec-84 02:33:42 EST
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                            Mini Reviews

It's been a while since I posted any reveiws, so some of this may seem dated.


Bruce Cockburn (pronounced co-burn) Stealing Fire

This is the first time I ever heard anything by Cockburn, although I
understand his discography is extensive.  The style is sort of rock-folk-pop
with heavy emphasis on vocals and lyrics.  His voice sounds to me like John
Wetton's (which for me is a plus), and the songs are personable and catchy.
The production is slick and so are the backup musicians.


Marillion -- Fugazi

Marillion is also new to me.  The music here is reminiscent of Genesis from
their "Tresspass" LP; classical/art-rock, but not a lot of compositional
developement.  Their vocalist sounds very theatrical and makes me think of a
cross between Peter Hamill and Peter Gabriel (I think someone else said
this).  The guitarist displays strong David Gilmour influences.  Pretty good,
but I'll take Genesis or Yes over these guys.


Pat Metheny Group -- First Circle

I find this album about as enjoyable as the other "Group" albums.  They are,
however, following a different direction as defined by the "Travels" LP.
There are lots of pretty melodies and chord structures and vivid colors
throughout, not to mention a decent solo by Pat on his guit-synth (I think
he's starting to get the hang of that thing).  I can't get into the first
piece, though.  It sounds like a high-school band that forgot to tune up
before playing an Anthony Braxton march.


Jethro Tull -- Under Wraps

This is Jethro Tull meets the '80's complete with high-tech synthesizers, 4/4
time signature throughout, and a computer playing drums (I doubt that Ian
actually was beating the skins).  "Under Wraps" may be dissapointing to Tull
fans at the outset, but if you really look under the wraps, there is some
nice stuff with interesting instrumental interludes here and there.
Unfortunately the musical quality is inconsistent and the recording quality
is poor.


Mahavishnu

If your looking for a comeback, forget it.  If your looking for good fusion,
here it is.  I think this album is really much more sophisticated that the
likes of "Birds of Fire", but the raw and spontaneous energy of early
Mahavishnu is only a shadow of its former self here.  The compositions are
beautiful and the playing and soloing is dazzling.  This is sort of an
electric extension of "Music Spoken Here", the last McLaughlin LP.  Nate says
check it out.


Danny Elfman -- So Lo

The lead singer from Oingo Boingo comes out with a solo LP in the techno-wave
genre that exhibits a fairly good level of uniqueness.  Elfman constructs
some interesting counter melodies and toys with synthesized tuned percussion.
His lyrics are optimistic most of the time without becoming corn, and he
displays a good command of his vocal cords.  The album is well crafted and
sounds to me like good party music.


Jean-Luc Ponty -- Open Mind

Ponty seems to have developed a fondness for hypnotic repetition.  Most of
the pieces seem to consist of machine-generated rhythm tracks with humans
taking solos here and there, with guest appearances by Chick Corea and George
Benson.  Random moments taken from the album would always sound good, but
sitting through the whole thing becomes tedious.  My wife says: "If there's
anyone who can make a repeating two-chord change sound good, it's Ponty." 
I don't know if that's a compliment or not.


The Cars -- Heartbeat City

I'm not really a Cars fan, so I don't like "Heartbeat City" too much.  Too
much bubble gum and rock themes that are recycled a hundred times over.  I
don't think I really qualify to review this LP, but I just wanted to say that
if you are into good production and recording techniques, this album is very
impressive.  Nice effects and convincing sonic spaciousness in the mix.


McCoy Tyner -- Dimensions

This album shows that Tyner is truly a growing musician and a master
performer.  Most of this LP is not Tyners own charts, as were previous
releases, and consequently there are more different flavors here.  Especially
enjoyable is an unaccompanied piano rendition of Ellington's "Prelude To a
Kiss."  John Blake on violin adds some interesting textures, but his phrasing
sounds just a little bit awkward to me.  Overall I like this album quite a lot.


Andy Summers and Robert Fripp -- Bewitched

Most of this instrumental album sounds superficial, but there are a few
exciting moments.  I don't like this as much as either King Crimson or Police
(the groups that these two play guitar for).  


All for now...  Happy Holidays!

                                 -etan