12—The Daily Collegian Wednesday Oct. 29, 1980 MC doing what he loves most By MICHAEL KULP Daily Collegian Staff Writer Imagine, if you can, a man with the charm of Gene Raburn and the sincereity. of game show host Bob Barker; if you can, then you’ve imagined Brad Benson. Benson is the emcee for Expo America, the traveling consumer show. State College had the honor and pleasure to have this razor-sharp individual and his en tourage in town last week. And those who, like myself, had the great fortune to witness Benson doing what he does best emceeing can undoubtably share my thrill. His duties as Master of Ceremonies for Expo’s “Bat tle of the Bands” allowed Benson to do what he enjoys most being on stage. It’s “a natural high, a way of soaking the ego,” Benson said. “I love getting the au dience rockin’; I thrive on being in front of the people.” In the course of working for Expo America, he has, ashe modestly admitted, “made bands. Bands rely on me to get the audience worked up for them,” he said. After the last number in each band’s set, he lunges on stage and shouts to the audience, “If ya’ like ’em let ’em know!” And at the end of the evening’s perfor mance, Benson holds “a little straw poll to let the bands know how they performed.” Benson has been involved in music throughout his career. He spent eight years in Chicagoworking as a disc jockey, and is now an important element in Expo Bruce Cockburn UNIVERSITY CALENDAR SPECIAL EVENTS Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 29-30 Wednesday, Oct. 29 Red Cross Bloodmobile, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Walnut Bldg. Alard String Quartet recital, 12:45 p.m., Room 112 Kern. Colloquy, Raymond Lombra, econ.’ on “Money, inflation and Government,” 2 p.m., HUB Main Lounge. Acctg. Club, “Insight to Accounting,” 7:30 p.m., Room 204 HUB. Black Film Series, For Love of Ivy, 7:30 p.m., Robeson Center. Colloquy lecture, 8 p m., Eisenhower Auditorium. Radu Florescu, expert on Dracula, speaker. History Roundtable, Halloween Party, 8 p.m., Acacia Frat. Women’s Collective, 8 p.m., HUB Assembly Hall. Dorothy Harris, phys. ed., on “What Exercise Can Do For You!” Alard String Quartet, 8:30 p.m., Music Bldg. Recital Hall Ag. Mech Club meeting, 7 p.m., Room 105 Ag. Eng. Bldg. Chess Club, 7 p.m., Room 307 HUB. Sigma lota Epsilon, 7 p.m., Room 320 Willard. Froth, 7:30 p.m., Room 308 Boucke. Baha’i Fireside, 8 p.m., Room 211 Eisenhower Chapel. Equestrian Team, 8 p.m., Room 119 Boucke. Aikido Club, 8:30 p.m., IM Wrestling Room. USG, DWS, 8:30 p.m., Room 232 Hammond. Thursday, Oct. 30 CDPC Seminars: “Looking for a Job,” 3rd period; “Choosing a Major,” 4th period; “Interview Skills,” sth period; “Resume Preparation,” 6th period, Room 321 Boucke. Public lecture, 11:15 a.m., Room 69 Willard. Charles W. Freeman, U.S. Dept, of State, discusses American policy to war China. Kern/WPSX-TV, Cosmos series, “Blues for a Red Planet,” noon, Kern Lobby. Colloquy, Mr. Moran, Social Security, on “When I’m 65,” 2 p.m., HUB Main Lounge. Cinematheque, The Abominable Dr. Phibes, 7 and 9 p.m., HUB Assembly Hall. Asian Area Studies symposium, 7:30 p.m., Room 112 Kern. Charles W. Freeman, U. S. Dept, of State; Victor Trifonov, USSR Embassy; Stanley Kochanek, pol. sci; Parris Chang, pol. sci., on “Major Powers in Asia.” Haunted Crow House, 7:30 p.m., through Nov. 1, AXP frat. house. Art History lecture, 8 p.m., Room 105 Forum. Alan Gowans, Univ. of Victoria, on “Learning to Look: The Three Traditions of Art History.” English Colloquium, 8 p.m., Room 101 Kern. Ann Beattie, novelist, reads from her works. Linguistics/Slavic Languages lecture, 8 p.m., Room 251 Willard. Henry Hoenigswald, Univ. of Pa., On “American and European Linguistics.” Paul Robeson Center lecture, 8 p.m., Walnut Bldg. Jacquelyne J. Jackson, medical sociology, Duke Univ., on “Black Women Still, Where are the Men?” Penn State Thespians, Bells are Ringing, 8 p.m., Schwab. Leadership Skills Workshop, 8 p.m., Room 305 HUB. John McCauley, student activities, on “Student Organization Promotion and Publicity.” URTC, Sly Fox, 8 p.m., The Playhouse. Women’s Collective lecture, 8 p.m., Room 320 HUB. Phyllis Mansfield, health ed., on “Taking Our Bodies Back: Women and Our Health Care.” DWS meeting, 6 p.m., Room 306 Boucke. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, 6 p.m., Room 117 Music Bldg. Orienteering Club, 6:30 p.m., Room 212 Wagner Bldg. Council of Exceptional Children, 7 p.m., Room 119 Boucke. Delta Sigma Pi, 7 p.m., Room 311 Boucke. Science Student Council, 7:30 p.m., Room 307 HUB. PSORML, 8 p.m., Room 173 Willard: America’s “Battle of the Bands” competition, which he describes is “a mucho success.” He, along with en tire Expo America show, have traveled through many college campuses across the country. In his travels, Benson has the opportunity to see and hear hundreds of different bands. This experience, along with his past radio career, have set Benson in an excellent position to feel the pulse of the American rock scene. Hopingto gain valuable insights into the popular music scene is of major concern to Benson. As a music critic, any inside information on the music world comes as invaluable. Benson, on top of the latest music trends and movements, noted that “disco is definitely out; music is going back to straight rock ’n’ roll.” So far on the Ex po American tour, most of the audiences have been “into hearing good, loud rock,”he said, adding that thus far, the “Battle of the Bands” competition held at other college campuses, have been won by hard rock bands. Strange things can happen on these tours, Benson said. One such incident happened when the Expo tour was at Ohio State. While a Punk band was playing, some of their fans in the audience began throwing ice and spitting at Ben son. “I was never into any of that sado-masochistic stuff,” he said. Cockburn's 'Humans' may suffer from growing ennui “Humans,” by Bruce Cockburn; RCA, OBXLI-7752 By JOHN ALLISON Daily Collegian Staff Writer If your parents walked into the room while Bruce Gockburn’s “Humans” was-playing, they would probably be pleased. Cockburn’s music is pleasant and soothing, yet sophisticated enough to make him more interesting than some mellow guy strumming a guitar. However, it’s usually not worth listening to unless your parents are around. Bruce Cockburn is not a New Wave rocker who changed his last name; Cockburn is pronounced “Co-burn.” He’s a Canadian songwriter with a six piece band and more than 10 albums (some can be found in the cut-out bin), playing music that’s not particularly innovative but fresh enough to bear notice. He could be placed in the same category as Steve Forbert or Leo Kottke. Cockburn has been termed “Canada’s best-kept secret” and has apparently been very successful in that country. He had a hit single in the United States about a year ago, “Wondering Where The Lions Are,” and is no stranger to the American music scene. I had never heard of him until recently, but don’t think having this best-kept secret revealed to me added much to my musical life. “Humans” is soft enough to be suitable for con versation or studying French the'music blends in and creates a nice, calm atmosphere. Not saying it’s boring or innocuous, it just doesn’t come out and hit you in the face. < Cockburn’s acoustic guitar is always noticeable, and other instruments, such as synthesizers, various woodwinds, keyboards and violin, con tribute to make a full but uncluttered sound. Hugh Marsh’s violin solos have that Jean-Luc Ponty tone, and add a bit of class. Cockburn’s voice is nothing special, but his lyrics are worthwhile. Iri fact, they’re his strongest point On Thursday, October 30, (and most Thursdays thereafter) Leland Enterprises will be buying the following at the Penn State Sheraton Inn oh Pugh Street between the hours of 11 and 5: For Information, Call Leland Enterprises, 355-1642 Benson does not see New Wave as the music of the future, but concedes, “New Wave does have its groupies." Benson was hired for Expo America through an amusing incident. While working as a taxi driver in Chicago, he would give resumes to whoever entered his cab. Old ladies, teenagers, anyone and everyone. And, one day, he got lucky. One of the top men from the sponsoring advertiser for Expo America, Camel Cigarettes, received a resume from Benson. The rest, as they say, is history. But success hasn’t changed Brad Benson. This is no obnoxious, show-biz egotist. Times haven’t changed Brad Benson either. Throughout the past eight years he has seen both the times and the rock scene change; but it hasn’t changed him.. He’s seen trends and fads come and go, but he'is still just as comfortable in a casual, open collar leisure suit as he was six years ago. Don’t call this guy trendy. Benson was disappointed with the lack of euthusiasm shown by Penn State audiences. “They were the mopiest audience on the tour; they hardly cheered at all,” he said. The Expo America show went back to the road Sun day, off to another college, slowly moving toward the final destination, and the final “Battle of the Bands,” in Daytona, Fla. And Brad Benson will be there. GOLD & SILVER Gold Class Rings, Silver and Gold Jewelry and Coins, Dental Gold, Industrial Scraps, Platinum, Palladium, Coin Collections, and Antiques of all types Cash Basis and give him credibility as an artist. They’re nothing like, “Ooh ooh my baby left town and oh I still love her so and I’m so bummed out.” His songs can be political (two are about war) or about the general human condition. For the most part, they seem intelligent. “Redness, richer than a rose/ bloomis against the background of somebody’s/ white clothes/ bitter lit tle girls and boys from the/ Red Army Underground/ they’d blow away Karl Marx if he had the nerve/ to come around.” Even though the tunes make good background music, they can still be catchy some of the melodies get stuck in your mind. It’s the type of music that can be liked immediately. Unfortunate ly, it’s also the type of music that can be gotten sick of very easily. One of those catchy little melodies could torment you all day. I could see a disc jockey, AM or FM, getting hold of the first song, “Grim Travellers,” and playing it iK 13 ** Brad Benson constantly. At first people might think, “Hey, this Cockburn guy is alright. What a nice pleasant tune and good lyrics.” After a while it might be, “Get this warbly-voiced creep off the airwaves.” After listening to Cockburn for a while, I get a slightly queasy, wimpy feeling. The songs are potentially annoying, especially « some of the refrains. The last line of the refrain on “Tokoyo” (an okay song) goes: “Still I’m gonna miss you. . .” Cockburn drags the last word out in a pretty sickening way. He sounds like a melancholy second-rate coffeehouse pseudo-artist. It’s a low point of the album. ;. Bruce Cockburn’s “Humans” is not bad pared to some of the commercial tripe cranked out these days. Cockburn is not a schlocko artist being vigorously promoted by a record company. His music is inoffensive, pretty and somewhat soulful. It’s also nothing to jump up and down and tell all your friends about. !■ Supporting roles may stand out By KAREN KONSKI Daily Collegian Staff Writer The leading actors will not be getting all of the audience’s attention when the Penn State Thespians’ “Bells Are Ring ing” opens tomorrow night in Schwab Auditorium. Although they only have supporting roles, A 1 Johnson (9th-electrical engineering) and Karl Unterholzner (4th-accounting and .public relations) promise to stand out during the performances. Johnson creates a series of characters throughout the play: everything from a snob at a party to a drunk in thepark to an announcer in a night club. .Though each character is different from the others, Johnson said he has no problem going from one character to the next. “Each has its own motivation,” he said. “I hope the audience'will see that it is the same guy doing the roles, but not the same character.” Johnson is an electrical engineering major, but he says that he has always enjoyed doing plays as an amateur. While in high school, he portrayed Judas in “Godspell” and performed in “Celebration, ”an avant-garde play that incorporated mime and interpretative acting. THE PATHFINDER SPECIAL PURCHASES UP TO 33% SAVINGS! !'■ j* •■Mj jpjjr g ----- Chamois Shirt Reg. 1 /3 JJSijf by Frost proof S l6 OFF | $ jQ 95 100% Wool co ß lin.f2o%l JJ2EL Rag Sweaters $26.50 OFF Bristlecone Reg. 20% NOW Down Vest 860 OFF $/[q Levi Flannel Reg. 25% NOW Shirts S2O |OFFJ S |S Granite Stairway & ORO/ ACC Jan Sport Daypacks /O vir Fruit of the Loom Reg. 40% N^W , Thermal Tops & Bottoms 8450 OFF *2*® Sale Ends 11 238-3153 * November Ist J tf|flP|r/ / 137 E. Beaver Ave. u * AI Johnson Most of the humor in Johnson’s roles comes from the voices he uses. He said he doesn’t find it difficult to go from one voice to the next and seldom confuses one character with another. “I’ve always had an interesting voice,” Johnson said. “I could always do imitations, even when I was young. I could imitate my teachers in grade school. I always made the class~laugh with that. Later I found out I could do ac tors, too. I have a hundred different voices. “I’m sure I picked up the voices for the play somewhere. The thug is someone I’ve seen in a hundred ridiculous movies. The drunk reminds me a little of Foster Brooks, and the announcer is many peo ple I’ve seen: just totally obnoxious; he thinks he’s God’s gift to the world.” Johnson said he felt that the show wps really shaping up. “This show has reminded me of how much fun doing a show is. I haven’t done anything like this in 3 Vz years. The cast is fantastic. It’s like a family. When you have this kind of feeling among the cast, it turns out to be a really excellent show, plus you make a lot of really close friends.” Unterholzen is one of the supporting actors in the play. He portrays Carl, a guy infatuated with one of the girls in the office where the main action of the play takes place. “Carl is just a basically helpful guy,” Unterholzen said.“ He’s just always hanging around and tries to be friendly. He’s up on music and dancing. He’s naive and trusting. He exposes the front of the bookie operation (that’s the sub plot of the show) but he never realizes what he is doing.” Unterholzner has only one major scene, a comedy-dance numbercalled “Mu Cha Cha.” In this scene he teaches Ella, the female lead, how to dance. Unterholzner said he has had ex perience with dance before. He perform- Karl Unterholzner ed in “L’il Abner” and “Guys and Dolls” in high school, -helping with choreography, too. He has had only one class in dance, and professes" to' be basically self-taught. Unterholzen said he feels he can iden tify with Carl. “Carl’s part is Very type cast. I am like Carl. I try to be friendly and open. I love tp laugh and sing and dance and meet people. I always have a ‘Good Morning’ or a ‘See you later’ but that’s the way I was raised. I was alwaystaught to look for the good aspects, "even on a rainy day, and it works. I very rarely have a bad day or at least I try not to.” Unterholzen said he enjoys perform ing, and would like someday to try Broadway. “That’s why I like the Thespian shows,” he said. “The performers are not all theatre majors. You meet people with the same interest but in so many different fields. It’s a great learning experience.” Like Johnson, Unterholzen also feels the show is gelling. “In the beginning there was tension, but that didn’t last long. But now the show is really coming together.- You have your conflicts but you work with them and around them and the show comes together.” Ensemble's style educational By STEFANIE PLEET Daily Collegian Staff Writer Before any note rang through Eisenhower Auditorium last Sunday night, I was already stunned by the 4,000 pounds of acoustical in struments on stage. The concert performed by the Art Ensemble of Chicago was an in strumental education, demonstrated by the variety of instruments which produced diverse sounds. Roscoe Mitchell and Joseph Jar man were completely surrounded by instruments. Bell trees, gongs and saxophones enclosed them on stage and each had their own barrage of toys such as bikehorns and pen nywhistles to fidget with in musical finesse. Dressed in African clothing and face paint, Jarman also wore bell strips around his ankles. Mitchell played both bamboo and metal flutes, of which the deep resonance of the shakuhachi-sounding bamboo flute was particularly impressive. Also in triguing was a conch shell duet by Jarman and percussionist Famoudou Don Moye. > Malachi Favors was the only elec tric source when he pulled out his electric bass during a portion of the second of the two 70-minute sets. The Art Ensemble of Chicago’s music is not hard or soft; rather, it fluctuates. Instead of bombarding the audience, the ensemble . versifies music because people naturally listen for change. Trumpeter Lester Bowie described the AEC’s philosophy in an interview after the concert. “We offer the audience the chance to see the different possibilities in music, in hopes they might see the different possibilities in their lives,” Bowie said. And the possibilities are many Their motto “Great Black Music: Ancient to the Future” ac curately describes the musical con tent. AEC covers be-bop, swing, African, funk, soul, blues, Dixieland, and gospel, interspersed within a flow of spacious avante garde. Their music is sarcastic and cynical, a humorous parody and a serious endeavor seeming to play with your head in its metamorphosis from com plete trash to extreme proficiency. AEC took on the aforementioned The Daily Collegian Wednesday Oct. 29, 1980 —K! catchphrase because “jazz” is derogatory in its origin and sometimes in its connotation. “Jazz is not suitable for a music that has done as much as black music has all over the world,” Bowie said. The concert began with a profound moment of silent meditation to cleanse the environment. The inten tion is to capture the audience in an aware and open state of mind. “Instead of deadening the audience (by constantly producing loud and abrasive music), we give people something to think about,” Bowie said. Art Ensemble of Chicago
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