Thursday, September 13,1990
Entertainment
James Taylor unites diverse crowd
Outdoor venue enhances relaxing performance
by Gary L. Nolan
Collegian Staff Writer
The summer sun set and the
stars came out on a beautiful
August 31st evening for James
Taylor in concert. The Blossom
Music Center in Akron Ohio,
was poised for an open air
engagement with a true musical
talent, and Taylor was determined
not to let them down.
He took the moderate-sized
stage without introduction, and
without much hype. The middle
aged singer quickly manned his
acoustic guitar and staked his
claim on center stage.
Taylor was backed by a full
band including drums, guitar,
piano, bass, and a trio of singers
that lent some flavor to the
sound.
Mellow and soothing,
Taylor's unmistakable voice
roamed through such hits as
"Carolina on my Mind” and
"Handyman". The diverse crowd
/IRVED
Q college jewelry Payment Plans Available H 3
varying both in age, and judging
from their dress, in lifestyle,
seemed to bond together; the
solid first set left them teased and
undoubtedly wanting more.
The Blossom outdoor
amphitheater lent itself well, and
the acoustics remained
exceptional throughout the night.
Eclipsing the exceptional first
set, the second set showcased
such classics as "How Sweet It Is
(To Be Loved By You), "Shower
the People", and the
autobiographical "Fire and Rain".
Taylor seemed one with his
audience, and he proved to
personalize the show by
periodically conversing with the
crowd. At times he seemed so at
ease in the spotlight the onlooker
almost felt as if the superstar was
playing to a group of friends in
his living room.
An unexpected highlight came
when the singer invited his
brother Livingston Taylor to join
him on stage. Livingston, a
SEPTEMBER 20&21
The Collegian
respected folk singer, joined his
sibling to fill the arena with
harmony.
The crowd hit a fever pitch
during the two encores "You've
Got a Friend", and the rocking
blues hit "Steamroller". During
the latter Taylor donned an
electric guitar and proceeded to
showcase his underrated guitar
ability. Taylor then left the stage
for what was expected the last
time.
Suddenly, Taylor appeared
again to delight the crowd with
the classic "Sweet Baby James".
An already exhausted crowd
joined together in song; most
were still humming the chorus
long after Taylor left the stage,
and onward into the parking lot.
Taylor makes his second area
appearance in Pittsburgh on
Saturday, September IS at the
Star Lake Amphitheater. Take a
loved one, collapse into their
arms and enjoy a night of
classics.
10-4 pm
Liner Notes
Nicks, McVie leave
Fleetwood Mac
by Robb Frederick
Entertainment Editor
Was it something they said?
Town officials in Westerly, R. 1., have taken steps to avoid a
local performance by rappers 2 Live Crew. The band was scheduled
to play Oct. 6 at the Windjammer Concert Club, but officials have
revoked the club's liquor and entertainment licences in an effort to
keep the band out.
Despite the continuing Crew controversy, Choice Entertainment
has scheduled a pay-per-view special to be broadcast November 8.
The two-hour concert will be offered to subscribers for $19.95, but
it is not yet known whether the group will perform their more
controversial material.
• Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie are leaving Fleetwood Mac,
marking the latest line-up change the 23-year-old band has
undergone. McVie, who joined the band in 1973, and Nicks, a
member since 1975, will continue with the band through 1990,
completing a U.S. tour beginning Oct. 17.
• A reunited Foreigner, fronted by new singer Johnny Edwards,
recently packed a venue in Amagansett, N. Y., for a show which
included the hits "Hot Blooded,” and "Dirty White Boy."
• Former Guns 'N Roses drummer Steven Adler and ex-Hanoi
Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy are forming a new band.
• Amnesty International will benefit from a two-day benefit
show titled "From Chile...An Embrace of Hope." The event, which
is scheduled for Oct. 12-13 in Santiago, Chile, will include
performances by Sinead O'Connor, Sting, Jackson Brown, and
Crosby, Stills and Nash.
• In an attempt to reach a new generation of fans. The Rocky
Horror Picture Show finally hits video stores on Nov. 8. The cult
classic, which has played in selected theatres for 15 years, will
include a prologue documenting the unique relationship between
the film and its fans.
Attention home viewers: Throwing toast and screaming
obsenilies during portions of this film may work in a crowded
theater, but don't try it in the living room.
• Keyboardist Vince Welnick, formerly of the Tubes, will join
the Grateful Dead for the remainder of their current tour.
• Some people just can’t take no for an answer. Actress
Stephanie Zimbalist (Remington Steele) has pressed charges
against a fan who sent her over 200 threatening letters signed
"Your secret admirer."
Michael Shields has been sentenced to five years probation,
ordered to seek psychiatric counseling, and restricted from coming
within 500 feet to the actress.
• A survey published in the Oct. issue of Mademoiselle
suggests that marijuana is making a low-key comeback. The study,
which surveyed 125 college educated people, found that 90% of the
respondents have tried marijuana and 40% use the drug regularly. '
• Danny DiVito has agreed to appear on Fox's Simpsons.
DiVito, who says his children love the show, will provide the
voice of Homer's visiting brother.
• Phil Collins is scheduled to release a live double album
documenting his recent world tour on November 5.
• ZZ Top end a five-year hiatus on October 16, with the release
of Recycler. A subsequent tour of the west coast will begin on
October 20 with a benefit concert at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
• Enlightenment, the forthcoming LP from Van Morrison,
should be released near the end of next month. The release's first
single is titled "Real Real Gone.”
• Hall & Oates will release their next Arista LP on October 9.
Titled Season of Change, the album was produced in part by Jon
Bon Jovi and Danny Karchmar.
• B. B. King received the Hollywood Walk of Fame's 1917th
star on Sept. 5.
• David Byrne is working on another compilation of Brazilian
music, scheduled for an October 30 release.
• Whitcsnake's David Coverdale and Adrian Vandenberg have
completed "You Can Neva’ Forget Where You Came From," a
track written for Clint Eastwood's upcoming film The Rookie.
• HELP! If anyone out there has bought Nobody's Child, the
Romanian relief compilation album, please stop by The Collegian
office and let me know. I have to get a copy of the track
contributed by Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, but I can't justify
spending money on a recording that also contains a Bee Gees song.
• Happy endings:CAerry Pie, the latest release from Warrant,
ends with the one-minute "Ode to Tipper Gore,” a montage of four
letter words directed at the PMRC spokeswoman.