University of Virginia Library

The Music-Go-Round

Reviewing By Spaghetti And Wine

By Stephen A. Sharp

After a number of years as a
critic, I decided to try something
new in reviewing. We ate spaghetti
and drank wine and listened to
records. While I reserved final
judgment for myself, I registered
the reactions of three non-critics to
some recent albums. Despite all
pretenses of objectivity the critic is
inherently subjective and the public
must listen to an album and make
their own decisions. To me, the
supreme test of any new record is
whether it is subordinated to the
conversation or it becomes the
center of the gathering's attention.

An album by Randy Newman
called Twelve Songs will soon be
released by Reprise (RS-6373) - it
passed that test. All the songs on
the disc are Randy's, save one. The
music does not assault the cars; it
subverts them. Instrumental accompaniment
is tasteful and well
arranged. The use of the piano is
especially good; it can be heard
most noticeably in "If You Need
Oil" and "Uncle Bob's Midnight
Blues." "Let's Burn Down the
Cornfield" shows some clean guitar
work. A credible version is done of
"mama Told Me Not To Come,"
but the original recorded version
was done by Eric Burden and the
Animals (ERIC IS HERE) and even
the composer cannot do better.
"Lover's Prayer" is just interesting.

Does anybody remember Van
Morrison? He recorded "Brown-Eyed
Girl" several years ago on the
Dang label. He's back with another
album on Warner (WS 1835)
referred to as MOON DANCE. He
has written all the selections and
they are good, but the LP just
doesn't grab me.

Another effort worth noting is
that of COLD BLOOD (San Francisco
Records SD 200), a group
distributed by Atlantic. That
tough-looking blonde on the cover
is named Lydia Perse and she can
sing, too. Raul Matute, who handles
the keyboard work for the group,
has arranged some older songs for
her able voice. She could belt and
scream like Janis Joplin, but exhibits
restraint and control. Take a
listen to "I Wish I Knew How it
Would Feel To Be Free," "I Just
Want To Make Love To You," and
her recent single, "You Get Me
Hummin."

Last but by no means least is the
product of ABC Bluesway by The
James Gang (YER' ALBUM, BLS
6034). This is a disc which is
difficult to describe. The group is
versatile and the musicianship
leaves me wondering where these
people have been for so long. It is
refreshing to note that inventiveness
persists. May I recommend
that the album be listened to on a
professional turntable which does
not reject, if possible. Turn your
car to "Take A Look Around" and
Steve Stills' "Bluebird." Check out
the arrangement of "Stop," an
often-recorded tune heretofore done
the best by Maxine Brown on Epic
(still excellent). This disc requires
listening to.