Page 10
Liner Notes
Keeping the life in " live" shows
by Robb Frederick
Entertainment Editor
The ongoing controversy over lip-synching during concerts
formalized this summer when two New Jersey assemblymen
sponsored a bill requiring promoters to inform fans of the use of
pre-recorded vocals. The highly-publicized subject has raised
questions concerning consumer rights and the definition of "live"
performances.
Assemblymen Neil Cohen and Joseph Mecca created the
bill, which would require tickets to include the message THIS
CONCERT MAY INCLUDE IN WHOLE OR IN PART
PRERECORDED LEAD VOCALS.
The legislation would affect a wide range of performers,
including Milli Vanilli, Paula Abdul, Madonna, and
(believe it or not) New Kids on the Block. These bands have
incorporated pre-recorded vocals during concerts to guarantee prime
sound quality and allow for more elaborate stage choreography.
Opponents of the ticket-labeling bill claim fans attend shows
for the "concert experience," and that pre-recorded vocals assure
musical quality. But lip-synching eliminates any possibility of
musical spontanaeity, damning the opportunity of an extended solo
or an inmprovised vocal.
Concertgoers have the right to be informed when pre-recorded
vocals will be used in a concert. As ticket prices continue to
escalate, fans deserve to be told whether they will hear a
spontaneous, truly live performance, or the reiteration of a CD they
can appreciate for a much lesser cost. Those fans who care only
about a light show or the latest dance moves of Paula Abdul will
still buy their tickets, and those who appreciate the value of a
genuine live performance can save their money for the real thing.
And now for the news...
• Three men, a baby, and a ghost? Maybe I've been watching
too much of "A Current Affair,” but the much-publicized ghost in
Three Men and a Baby looks pretty realistic for a cardboard cut-out,
as Disney officials have explained. Either way, the filmmakers
have discovered a promotional goldmine and videotape rentals for
the film are soaring, so we'll probably get another glimpse of the
spectre when a sequel. Three Men and a Little Lady , hits theaters
on December 19.
* Cult frontman lan Astbury has organized a two-day music
festival scheduled for Los Angeles in early October. Confirmed
appearances include Guns N* Roses, Public Enemy and
Lenny Kravitz.
• Controversy continues to follow Sinead O'Connor on her
latest tour. The Irish singer, who walked off a Pittsburgh stage
after a 30 minute set this summer, threatened to cancel her
performance at the Garden State Arts Center in New Jersey if the
national anthem was played before her show began. Officials at the
venue gave in to the request, hoping to maintain control of the
9,000 fans present at the show. An overwhelming amount of
listener response spurred six radio stations in the N.Y. / New
Jersey area to ban O'Connnor's records from the airwaves. A few
days later O'Connor donned a brown wig and a baseball cap and
ventured into a crowd of demonstrators waving flags outside her
concert in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
• Members of Judas Priest have been cleared of charges that
subliminal messages hidden in their Stained Class LP led two
Nevada teens to commit suicide. A district judge cleared the group
and CBS Records of liability, saying the alleged subliminal
message "do it" was merely an unintentional chance combination
of sounds.
• Court dates have been rescheduled for Chuck Berry, 63,
who faces charges of marijuana possession and child abuse. The
rock pioneer reportedly videotaped 2SO women and schoolgirls as
they used the restroom of a restaurant owned by a "friend" of
Berry's. The charges stem from a July 19th raid of Berry's estate in
Wentzvile, Mo.
• Warren Zevon and R.E.M. members Peter Buck, BUI
Berry and Mike Mills have formed The Hindu Love Gods,
a "garage blues" band that will reach record stores on September
25. The band's first release will be a remake of Prince's
"Raspberry Beret"
• Just who the hell gave the members of House of Lords the
right to cover Blind Faith's 1969 classic "Can't Find My way
Home"? And I though: that "Freebird/Baby I Love Your Way"
medley was nauseating.
• And speaking of cover songs, Dweezil Zappa has recorded
a heavy metal version of the Bee Gees' smash "Stayin' Alive."
Ozzy Osbourne provides the vocals for the track, which will
appear on Zappa's forthcoming LP. Chances are this one won't
remain too faithful to the original.
The Collegian
Collins fills Star Lake
Sellout crowd treated to carnival-style performance
by Greg Geibel
Collegian Staff Writer
The stage was set as a giant
make-believe carousel called
"Mr. Collins's Galloping
Horses." Camival-style lighting
highlighted the vibrantly painted
horses on the carousel.
As calliope music was being
pumped through the P.A.
system, a familiar British voice
announced that the show will
begin in five minutes. This was
the stage for the Phil Collins
concert. Within minutes, the
carousel opened up like a giant
umbrella, and the show began.
On August 29, Phil Collins
performed the first of two shows
at the Star Lake Amphitheater
outside of Pittsburgh.
The "acoustically perfect"
amphitheater was just that,
perfect. The weather was
accommodating, and the show
was enjoyed by a sell-out crowd.
With the Phoenix Horns,
Leland Sklar on bass, Daryl
Stuermer on guitar, Chester
Thompson on drums, and three
backup vocalists, Collins'
accompaniment was nothing
short of amazing. Collins' own
talent was shown as he
continually switched from
drums to keyboards to vocals.
Collins wasted no time in
getting the audience involved.
Opening with "Hand in Hand",
he was greeted with a 20,000
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person chorus alternating vocals
with him.
Collins played crowd
pleascrs such as "Can't Hurry
Love", "Sussudio", "Hang in
Long Enough", "The West
Side", and of course, "In The
Air." He also took some time
to slow down with "Colours",
"Against All Odds", "Separate
Lives", and "Another Day in
Paradise."
Before a few numbers,
Collins gave some explanation
as to why the song was written.
Review
i ~i
'That's Just The Way It Is”, for
example, was written
concerning the absurdity of war.
"Some wars are fought
because of misunderstandings,
some are fought for religious
reasons, some are fought
because of an undying love for a
crazed leader, and lately, it
seems that some are fought for
no reason at all, ” Collins said.
Although every song seemed
to be the highlight of the show,
one definite pinnacle was when
Collins's son, Simon, (who is
at the most 13) played drams on
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"Easy Lover." This kid was
good, and obviously following
in his fathers footsteps.
Collins' boyish antics with
the band and with the audience
made for an enjoyable night.
During the introduction portion
of the show, the musical
prowess of Collins and his band
was shown as they did slices of
James Brown's "I Feel Good"
and "Papas Got A Brand New
Bag."
Appropriately, the show
ended with "Take Me Home", as
Collins iyas once again
supported by the 20,000 person
chorus. As Collins continued to
sing with the audience, the
carousel began to close. Collins
waved goodbye, and "Mr.
Collins's Galloping Horses" and
his carnival was over.
This show demonstrated
talent at its finest, comprised of
musicians who are dedicated to
what they do, enjoy what they
are doing, and respect the fact
that a live show should be
exactly that, live.
There were no samples, no
lip-syncing, and no drum
machines, just gifted musicians
who are able to put on a real
show. (Unlike five guys who
"sing" to screaming pre
pubescent 12 year old girls, but
I won't mention any names.)
It's a shame some of you had
to miss it, you would have had
a good time.
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