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Platter Picks

For about 2 decades the guitar has reigned supreme in pop
music; during the last eight or nine years, the flash guitar player
has been the most idolized musician. All this idolatry is not
without reason.

Rock, after all, is derived from the glues, an idiom steeped in
the six-string tradition. In addition, the technical range and
variety of tones available on an electric guitar, combined with its
intimate scale and stage mobility, make it deal for straight rock'
n' roll.

Music is changing, though, and as rock absorbs elements of
classical, eastern jazz, etc., its palette is expanding. Early attempts
at integrating violins and horns resulted in hackneyed music
performed by non talents like Chicago and Blood, Sweat and
Tears.

Several bands have emerged over the past few years, however,
to demonstrate how new instruments can be successfully used.
It's A Beautiful Day, ManFred Mann, and Blodwyn Pig are fine
examples.

String Driven Thing is an English group whose drive is
supplied by the strings of Graeme Smith's violin. Three other
members provide a background, often imaginative but never
melodic, over which the violin wails, slides and cavorts,
embroidering and sustaining the melody expressed with Chris
Adam's voice. The songs range from the manic "Circus" to the
plaintive "Easy To Be Free." In between are the best numbers;
"Hooked On the Road" and "Let Me Down" are true movers,
both featuring fine harmony and Smith's glissando-didden
approach. Despite the absences of a drummer, the tunes have
rhythmic muscle, usually supplied by Pauline Adams' use of
unusual percussive tools, Chris's one, chugging guitar, and Colin
Wilson's bass. String Driven Thing are yet further proof that the
traditional instrumentation of rock bands will have to move over.

String Driven Thing may be heard on WTJU at 3:00 today.

By Hut Dean