Play Meter

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mus1c
ptogtamm•ng
LOST IN THE CROWD?
by michQel b. klein
If I may,
would like to
paraphrase an old saying. There's
sound, and then there's sound. And
with all of the heavy Ips that are
coming out and becoming million
sellers before they're even in the
record stores, we tend to overlook
the artist that may have been lost in
the crowd. I would like to run down
a few of this type of single, and I
even have a comment about one of
the best, if more obscure, albums I
have ever heard . But first things first
. . . the singles. And maybe after
reading this, you'll get the "rush"
we call better sound.
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Talkin' Too Much About My Baby-
Chanter Sisters / Polydor PO 14378
Here are some very invigorating
and original answers to musical
mediocrity. The Charter Sisters'
music is a highly charged combina-
tion of southern funk and slick soul.
This uptempo rocker has super-tight
back up and vocals. There's a jazzy
edge to the tune, with a punch that
keeps the beat alive and embedded
in rock and roll. Thus it will appeal to
both rock and soul groupies. Give it
a listen: you'll agree ... the Chanter
Sisters are giving new life to an
already lively music. Yes indeed.
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6
Come Out and Play - Roy Ayers
Ubiquity/ Polydor PO 14379
Veteran jazzman Roy Ayers has
been exploring the new wave of
music called fusion in his last couple
of Ips as well as in his singles. And
he certainly has it down. Down
tight, and right .
Roy just shines and shines on this
track, pouring out heavy doses of
uptempo funk . This single is a
perfect example of Roy' s music; it
suggests where he's been, as well
as introducing some new uncharted
territory. If the record buying public,
as well as your customers, are as
sophisticated as they would lead us
to believe, this single should do well
for you.
Do You Ever Think of Me?- Myra
Ciar.di/Polydor PO 14375
Lest I be accused of being sexist, I
must mention a very strong first
single by this lady. This tune is a
finalist in the American Song
Festival competition, but that's
really beside the point: it's a good
tune whether or not it's in the
festival.
The familiar guitar on this side is
none other than Joe Beck, who,
through his nimble fingers, adds
some much needed spice to the
tune. Ciardi comes across emphatic
and agressive with her touching
lyrics. I feel that this single won't be
a hit, but I hope I'm wro119 : it
deserves listening . But if th is one
doesn't make it , you should still
keep a good eye on Myra ; I' ll bet her
next single takes off straight to the
t op of t he charts.
As you are aware, I don't review
Ips in this column , but every so
often I stumble across one that I just
can 't help mentioning. Very rarely
do I get so turned on by an artist
that I can't seem to get enough, but
such is the case with a poet / writer/
singer named Tom Waits . The man
is brilliant! He's a prophet and he
writes lyrics that can knock you out.
Here is a sampling of titles from
his new Small Change album on
Asylum Records . "Bad Liver and a
Broken Heart, " "The Piano Has
Been Drinking (Not Me)," "Pasties
and a G-String (At the Two O'Clock
Club)." This listing will give you
some idea of where Waits is.
His music soars, depresses and
takes you into the inner mind where
anything can happen . . . and
frequently does.
The lp is beautifully arranged,
complete with full strings and on the
drums the master, Shelly Manne. If
you buy only one lp for your own
collection this year, this is the one to
buy.