PAGE .6 READER REVIEWS Suprise, suprise! It's finally appeared! After lust four months, and without waiting for the furor caused by his last album, Walls & Bridges, to die down, John Lennon has unleashed another bombshell. This one's titled Rock 'n' Roll, and is lust that: a collection of thirteen (fifteen, if you count the medl les) remade classics from out of the age of Ike and blue suede shoes. Actually, as those of you out there who stay informed know, this album has been in the works for at least two years. This is the final product of what has been heretofore known as "the Spector sessions", after producer Phil Spector, with whom Lennon originally worked back in the last quarter of 1973, when most of these cuts were recorded. In an interview soon after the release of Mind Games, Lennon hinted that his next release would be an album of oldies. As it turned out, he began work on it, then shelved it until after the release of Walls & Bridges heralded his return to popularity and success. Figuring, I suppose, that W&B assured everyone he still had what it takes, he could release his oldies album without fear of misconception. That is, no one could really say he couldn't write anymore. So, it is out now for us all to enjoy. By the way, it (or something like it) has been advertised on TV for the last few weeks under the name of "Roots", and marketed by something called "Adam VIII, Ltd." Well, I don't want to say that that's a bootleg, but this LP is an Apple record, and sounds much better than the samples they've been serving on the TV ad. Back to the album: This LP does not contain a single cut penned by him or any of his current rock friends; they are all previously-released songs that were highly successful in their day. This is, I suppose, the closest John has come to a concept album since Plastic Ono Band, and judging by the "feel" of it, it was all done just for the fun of it. And fun it is. All the songs are instrumented by a small band (the kind with trumpets 8. saxes), with the normal complement of guitars, drums, and piano. However, the album jacket lists no credits for any of the instruments, so the only thing one can be relatively sure of is that Lennon himself probably played guitar and piano, and did an adequately good job of it. Lennon has latched onto the nostalgia wave with an album that rocks vibrantly and breathes renewed life into middle-aged tunes. Here is a mess of fifties' rock redone by a sixties' superforce for the audience of the Seventies, and Lennon has rearranged these tunes to appeal to his market, without losing the feel of that primordial age of rock-and roll. The LP kicks-off with a ricky-tick version of "Be-Bop-A- Lula," with fine guitar-work and Elvis-like vocals. This is followed-up with a pretty rendition of "Stand By Me." On this cut, there is a sparing use of what sounds like it must be a syntheseizer, which is something new for Lennon. Band No. 3 is the first of the album's two medlies, and it's a shortie at that: only P/2 minutes long. It's called "Ready Teddy-Rip It Up" and Lennon departs from his normal production practice of echoing his voice to double-track it here, which makes him sound about ten years younger. Of the rest of the songs on the first side, the two best are "You Can't Catch Me", which sounds hauntingly like "Come Together", and "Ain't That A Shame," which is one of the best songs on the album. Side Two is much like the first, as far as quality is con cerned, so there's no use boring you further by belaboring my point. But, on the last cut on the album, Lennon gives us a little dialogue. He begins it by asking "Do you remember this?" ("No," I replied), and then he spins the song ("Just Because) in a casual style that reminds one of a small late night coffee-house being entertained by a melody that the piano-player has himself lived. He sings it with a lot of soul. As it ends, Lennon reveals the true identity of Dr. Winston O'Boogie (as if you didn't know), and then wishes us all well before saying "Hello, and Goodbye." Personally I've never cared much for anything out of the Fifties, and the current nostalgia wave has always been repugnant to me, since my memories of the Fifties are of an age of ultra-conservatism, and cheap sci-fi flicks. But Lennon, who, just three years ago, put-out one of the most politically-oriented, leftist rock albums ever, has done a 180 degree trun and made the sounds of that ultra-conservative age palatable to the masses of today. All-in-all, this album is a fun trip back to the not-so-good old days, which seems tailor-made for today's current fad. Rock 'n' Roll should sell as well to the neo-greaser as it undoubtedly will to the Beatle-fan set. Well, now that John has finally gotten this album out of his system, and has shown such a marked improvement in his last two vinyl excursion (as compared to his previous effort), maybe he'll settle down now and give us another "Sgt. Pepper" or "Abbey Road." Or at least another "Plastic Ono Band." We'll be waiting. Rock 'N'Roll John Lennon er i° Apple 5K3419 What follows here is something I always wanted to do - a review of current single releases. They're lust a personal view of some of the Top-40's tops. Juniors Farm-Sally G, McCartney & Wings - Here's the first ex-Beatle's single to have two strong sides. Sally G is the betterand is reminiscent of the White Album. It's one of the few McCartney songs with good lyrics. Linda sounds good in C&W. Jrs. Farm sounds pretty, so what else is new? Lady Styx - If this song sounds like a throwback to happier days, it is. The album it comes from is four years old. Never heard of Styx before this, but they sound real good here. Fine synthesizer work. You're No Good, Linda Ronstadt - A fine song from what I understand is a good album. My favorite section is the guitar break in about the middle; although Linda is in very fine vocal form on this one. Bungle in the Jungle, Jethro Tull - I've never before bought a J.T. album or single. I may just change that pattern of behavior. This single has nice lyrics and music and all around good sound. Can't Get It Out of My Head, ELO • It's pretty but probably a flash in the pan. Sounds like the Bee Gees trying to sound like John Lennon. Emma, Hot Chocolate - One of the best, in some weird way, cuts to come out in the '7o's. Compelling, to say the least. Hope this new group can keep up the good work. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds-One Day (At A Time), Elton John - E.J. tackles a Lennon classic and a Lennon never-was. Lucy sounds sort of classical, it lost all its surrealism in this treatment. It's still a fine rendition. By the way, that's Lennon singing along and playing guitars. One Day is both better and worse than the original. A typical 'B' side. Don't Call Us, Sugarloaf - Couldn't resist this one. Vocals like the Bealte, chords from "I Feel Fine", and even a reference to "John, Paul, and, uh, George". It's flaunting plagiarism but it doesn't take itself seriously. Even has a message (somewhere). Black Water, Doobie Bros. - One of the very few unique sounds to come from anybody in the past few years, and to come from such an unexpected source is heartening. Rushed right out and bought the album, and it has more of same. I may even grow to like the Doobles. Laughter in the Rain, Neil Sedaka - I was pretty young when Neil was winning fans in the early sixties, so I don't remember how he was then. Now, He's very good, and this song is nicely sentimental, without dripping sweetness. Very nice to listen to. No-No Song, Ringo Starr - I've already mentioned this song in my review of Goodnight Vienna, but it's back for an encore because I like it so much. It's cute, not corny, and is light-hearted (but not for Julie Andrews). Oh, yeah: if I were you, I wouldn't discuss the lyrics with someone who's stoned when you're sitting three seats away from a cop in a donut shop. It can be a debilitating experience. --Jim Bollinger Pamesfamenmowasanaosinmoseeou Keggar S iows The annual Engineering Week Keggar could well have been the record setting event of the '75 Capitol Campus calendar. The Keggar, which was held last Tuesday, February 18th, was well supported by the student body and they deserve a lot of credit for supporting an activity on campus. Of course, twelve kegs of free beer and .a tremendous performance by "Hayride" didn't hurt the cause either. The Engineering Keggar, which was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the Institute of Traffic Engineers, was well ap- -Jim Bollinger C.C. READER 45 Chatter Record Crowd by Gene T. Eddy preciated by many of those who were in attendance. A note of special thanks goes to my co-chairman Skip Laratonda and Dennis Heck. Also, thanks goes to John Mailleue for obtaining the beer and K. Kniss, F. Mazurek, D. Bednar, T. Wessner, J. Schrum, D. Hoezle, S. Nehring, R. Halecky, P. Lund, D. Wolf, who al! participated in the Clean-Up duties. Dave Nicholas, I couldn't have, pulled it off without you and to all those other people who lent a helping hand, I thank you. Future activities which will be sponsored by the Engineering Societies in clude an upcoming Road Rallye in the Spring and a "Spring Buzz" for all Engineers of Capitol Cam pus! i FEBRUARY 28, 1975 SQ.4t News I Call To Order 8 At tendance, Honorable Russ Hogg Presiding. OLD BUSINESS - elections - Mark Fey reported that general elections are to be held on April 3rd, Thursday,. Max Rifer made a motion - that we accept these dates. It was approved unanimously. - treasurer - Jay said we received $3,000 dollars from the Provost. He suggested we send him a thank you note. He suggested that we get an action on the remodeling of the student center. Mark made the motion that we thank the Provost. It was posted unanimously. Andy made a motion that we send a letter of remodel the student center.. P unanimously. A new organization N.O.W. has asked for 150.00 from S.G.A. Dave made a motion that we give them the money. All for 1 abstain. Poll Results Dave made a motion that it be tabled. Bitch Booth - Max made a motion that this be tabled. Casino Night - Thursday is the deadline for SGA to decide on a bOoth. Rich suggested that we have a dice booth. Dave suggested that we let the committee know on Thursday. Betty, Chet, Andy, Rich, Russ will be there. New Business - International Club - Skip said that the Soc. Sc. Club would like to organize an international club. Current affairs and foreign relations will be discussed. The function would be to bring in speakers, seminars etc. SGA said they would need to set up charters. PIRG - Scott from U.P. came to speak. PI RG is in 21 states. (1) - work to infer social change modeled after Nader's for public interest work - they have professional staffs. (2) - educational benefit - primarily for students - they are experimental educationally. He asked that we petition to support PIRG w-a $2.00 per person donation. Student can request refunds or can discontinue at any time. University Park is asking for our support by cir culating petitions. Dan made a motion that SGA undertake to educate the student body concerning PIRG's goals and methods of attaining such goals. This resolution was passed with the S.G.A. recognition that PIRG must exist on a grass roots level. S.G.A. although concerned, feels that its role must remain as an educator and not as the campus consumer advocate. Meeting Adjourned 9:00 P.M.
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