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.