April 20, 1978 DISC ussions By Greg Hall London Town-Wings (Capitol Records) Paul McCartney's new product is pure pop pabulum; sugar-sweet, easily digested, and totally disposible. Earlier in the Era, when the Beatles were composing and recording, this may have been known as "bubble-gum'music. Hit singles on London Town number two or three, a practice - turned - philosophy which has become the new McCartney legacy. It is the singles that will sell this album to a new, younger audience vaguely aware , of the Beatles, while the late teen audience and their "elders" will buy it for the name, reputation, and associated history. This commercial concept has been McCartney's secret of longevity and continued suc cess. Hit. singles aside, it will have to be the name alone that carries the weight (or more often non-weight) of the material. McCartney's main problem is not in catering to too wide an audience-others have done it with little or no sacrifice of creative force. The problems that burden McCartney stem from McCart ney stem from the imbalanced framework of Wings. On London Town, the group has l ki MARK SHER M . ''S lONE MENUUM lAtianUt-SA. Harrisburg, Penna. 171001 formally been reduced to McCartney, his wife Linda, and Denny Laine. McCartney car ries the lion's share of writing and instrumental chores, while the other two are assigned to augment the overall sound. If a position is not found for one or both members in a specific song, it seems for the finished produit he would write one or more parts to give them something to do. Burdening himself with providing roles for two minor figures, while at the same time elevating them as principles of equal stature is the key to Wings' mediocrity. Imbalances are most obvious where the music on the album calls for at least a competent treatment to give it life, but does not receive it due to insufficient talent or incapable hands. As an artist of any importance or respect, McCartney would be better off as a solo performer, surrounded by studio musicians. Southern Winds--Maria Muldaur (Warner Bros. Records) With Southern Winds, Maria Muldaur has made a satisfying record, her best overall effort since the now classic first album that featured "Midnight at the Oasis." Emphasis on the new album, Phone (717) 852-7714 • New and used stringed Instruments • Lessons in all styles • Expert repair and supplies • Bluegrass records and tapes • Friendly pickin' parlor ARTS and CULTURE In a time when even the small record companies are putting out albums of a more commercial appeal there is still a trickle of authentic folk music which permeates the total output. Rounder recently re leased a two volume set entitled The Old Originals, Rounder 0057,0058. These field recordings were collected by Tom Carter and Blanton Owen from the southwest corner of Virginia and northwest North Carolina. This region is broken down into sub-regions and each sub-region is discussed in detail. The idea here is to present music from counties and parts of counties not yet preserved as part of the folk heritage of this area. The names of the performers on this alb* will not, co re bright lights, moreAutn likely they will sound uncommon. The music covers a great Spill of .stzift • Tkere are fife i $41610460100414iie11e • C.C. Reader her fourth, is on short, intelligent pop songs with tight arrangements and instrumental support. Her voice can be wispy, willowy, seductive, burlap-rough, or downright tough, depending on her interpretation of a song. Producer Chris Bond and Muldaur have chosen a widely-varied repertoire to showcase her vocals, from a diverse collection of writers ranging from Leon Russell to J.J. Cale. Her many styles, influences, and moods are linked by unity of production as well as by logical, tempo-ori ented ordering of unrelated material and songs that complement one another. Muldaur and her band will appear for two shows in Hershey next friday evening. (See Cultural Events for time and place). To see her in concert should provide you with an evening of good entertainment. ELKS PAIUtt 414-4141, Mein- Ker 0 eS et fihowt "MC ' -itt;o Photo Exhibit Winners Announced The current exhibit in the Gallery Lounge consists of photographs made by students in six MM 480 Photography courses since Winter 1977. The show is organized by the Humanities Program. This year the Faculty Committee on Achedemic and Atheletic Standards, Awards and Scolar- By Bob Buckingham CULTURAL EVENTS April 20 Irish balladeer Hugh Ward in concert, Capitol Campus, Auditorium. 8 p.m. Free. 21 Average White Band in concert, Millersville State College, Pucllo Gym, 9 p.m. 28-29 Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman" presented by Lancaster Opera Workshop at Fulton Theatre, Lancaster. 28 Pure Prarie League/Robert Klein in concert at Lebanon College, 8 p.m. 28 David Bromberg/Maria Muldaur in concert at Hershey Community Theatre 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. May 5 Renaissance in Concert-F & M College, Mayser Center, Lancaster 8 p.m. April 23 Author Joyce Carol Oates, readings and commentary, free, at Millersville State College, 8 p.m. Lyte Auditorium. 20-23 Graphic Images of Japan-Community Gallery of Lancaster 13 W. Grant St. Free. SHOWS IN PROGRESS Vincent Smith, N.Y.C. artist, Dana Room F & M College, Lancaster Daily 1.6 p.m. Ceramics Invitational Show, Skyes Gallery Millersville State College, M-F 8 a.m.-12, 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays also 7-9 p.m. Linda Cunningham, N.Y.C. artist, Tuemelley Gallery, 137 E. Grant St., Lancaster. Exhibit "Faces of China" - 200 photographs of China 1860-1912, Phila. Museum of Art. April 21 Film "Masculine/Feminine" HACC 8 p.m. 21 Films "Shipshot" and "Fritz The Cat" at Student Memorial Center, Mrnersville State College, •$l.OO 7:30 p.m. ships provided funds for ten awards of $3O each for purchase prizes. The winning photo graphs will remain on campus for permanent display. Our judge this year is Sharon Ament, Harrisburg photo grapher. The show will remain on display through Friday, April 21. 14'; rafi4q.Pweb3s pieces and even piano and harmonica solos. The booklet which accompanies each record details information on the performers and their stylistic differences. These people are not important for the commer cial qualities of their music, but they are important in that they function to preserve a musical tradition. As one might expect, the range of performance varies. There are some fine moments and a fair share are merely adequate. If your interest is in the roots of bluegrass and modern stringband music, this album will prove to be interesting and fun. Stoneman is a name long associated with country music. Ernest V. Stoneman could have been called a hustler. He saw an industry booming and spent his life trying to cash in. He formed a family bated which still exists playing a commercial form of bluegrass. Ernest V. Stoneman is gone though, but as this shaskrt forgotten. MUSIC AND DANCE FILM AND DRAMA This year's award winners Richard Coogan David Elrod (2 awards) William Lenio Elwood Meanar Ingeborg Miller James Moore Cindy Nero William Vogt (2 awards) Ernest V. Stoneman And His Blueridge Corn Shuckers, Rounder 1008 documents "Pop's" early career. His early groups had many different names and included any one who was free to record. Like A.P. Carter, Stoneman collect ed, covered and wrote many new songs out of the great body of traditional music, and Khale Brewer, Uncle Eck Dunford and George Stoneman were among the side men he used. Though today Stoneman is dead, his family band just released an album on the CMH label and his daughter Ronnie is a featured banjo picker on Hee Haw. His late son Scotty was one of the hottest fiddlers in bluegrass and many folks still get excited when the name Stoneman comes up. This set is a good representation of the man's early work and a fine 1p of old time music. The enclosed booklet goes into detail on a man that led an interesting and vartAbialital Page 5
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers