Thursday, November 29, 1990
Who should take the rap
for Milli Vanilli?
b Robb Frederick
The Collegian
Quick, everybody run for cover.
That seems to be the common reaction since last week's
announcement that Milli Vanilli members Rob Pilatus
and Fab Morvan didn't sing a single note on their Grammy
winning debut LP Girl You Know It's True. Since the
disclosure, the duo has lost their best new artist Grammy,
claimed they were victims of a "pact with the devil," and
gave an unimpressive demonstration of their true vocal
abilities.
Public opinion has unreservedly condemned the duo, who
have announced plans for a new record with their true voices.
But the blame shouldn't rest entirely on Milli Vanilli.
The back-up singers who actually sang on Girl You
Know... are also to blame for allowing the record to be
credited to Pilatus and Morvan. These vocalists not only
sold-out their dignity and self-respect, they significantly
contributed to the scandal by allowing the mis-credited LP to
be released.
The band's producer, Frank Farian, clearly knew about
the we vocals, but he only exposed the hoax after a nasty
departure from the Milli Vanilli entourage. Farian and the
band members have placed the blame on executives at Arista
Records, who supposedly pressured the band to continue lip
synching.
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences,
which chooses and presents the Grammy awards each year, is
also at blame. The Academy voted Milli Vanilli Best New
Artist in February after the band actually lip-synched a
performance during the awards presentation show.
This list is not complete without placing some blame on
the fans of Milli Vanilli. These same fans have flooded radio
station call-in lines and demanded compensation for their
misleading record purchases. One station actually accepted
trade-in offers for Girl You Know.. compact discs and got
responses from 150 listeners. Milli Vanilli fans have a right
to be upset, but maybe they should have spent some more
time looking into the group. After all, these guys can barely
Liner Notes
speak the English language, so how did they sing it so
clearly? And if Girl You Know... was successful because of
its musical content, why should it matter who actually sang
the lyrics anyway?
This scandal has done more than ruin the short careers of
two "ghost" vocalists, it has served as a reminder that the
music industry has become a purely commercialized
business which places more emphasis on achieving
platinum sales status than producing original, inspired
music that might not sell as well.
Now that that's over with
• George Michael and former bandmate Andrew
Ridgeley will reunite at the Rock In Rio II festival in
January, marking the first Wham! performance since 1986.
The pair will perform at least two Wham! hits, but vow the
reunion is a one-time event only. Santana, Faith No
More and Debbie Gibson will also appear at the festival.
• Ron Wood will need another six to eight weeks for
injuries from a recent auto accident to heal. The Rolling
Stones guitarist was attempting to direct traffic after being
involved in an accident when another car struck him,
breaking both legs. Reports say Wood is in good spirits and
quote him as saying "I've been prescribed a pint of Guinness
a day - that can't be bad!"
• Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman has ended his
17-month marriage to 20-year-old Mandy Smith. Wyman,
54 began dating the model when she was 13.
• A new track by 10,000 Maniacs will not appear as
planned on the forthcoming Tame Yourself, a compilation
LP benefiting People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
The band's label, Elecktra, has stated that none of the label's
artists may appear on benefit works.
• Queen's latest, Innuendo, will hit stores on Feb. 5.
The band's new label, Hollywood Records, will also release
Queen's entire catalog on compact disc at that time.
• Paul McCartney has been in the studio
collaborating with conductor/composer Carl Davis. The
pair is working on an orchestral piece that will be performed
next year at a celebration marking the Liverpool
Philharmonic's 150th year.
The Collegian
Entertainment
Collins tour comes back to life
New disc captures phenqmenal 1990 tour
b Gre: Geibel
The Collegian
From February to October of
1990, "Mr. Collins's Galloping
Horses" played 127 shows around
the world. This phenomenal tour
has been captured on Phil
Collins's latest disc, Serious
Hits... Live!
This 15 song collection
contains classic hits such as
"Sussudio," "Easy Lover,"
"Against All Odds," and "You
Can't Hurry Love," as well as
"Do You Remember?," "Another
Day in Paradise," and
"Something Happened On The
Way To Heaven," from Collins'
previous ...Bug Seriously CD.
The recording quality of the
CD is excellent, and each
musician can be heard, although
none are overpowering.
Unlike a studio album, a live
album captures the nuances and
moods of the performers.
Serious Hits... Live! has captured
top notch musicians like Leland
Sklar on bass, Daryl Stuermer on
Next week: The Collegian's music critics
look back on the ear's best releases.
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Available at
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guitar, Brad Cole on keyboards,
and Chester Thompson on drums,
giving a little extra more than
what was recorded on the studio
album.
The album has been recorded
in such a way that there are no
fade-outs between the songs.
The disc's excellent
recording quality
captures the
nuances and moods
of each performer
The songs just flow from one to
the next with the crowd
continually cheering.
"In The Air Tonight" is one
of the definite high points on the
album.
The moody mysteriousness of
the song is captured perfectly, and
due to the pure recording quality,
the drum kick makes for a truly
amazing song. (I have found that
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this song, particularly off of this
CD, is best when it is played
loud. Go ahead, crank it up, your
neighbors will love it.)
The CD comes with a 24 page
booklet highlighting the concert.
The pictures of Collins, The
Serious Guys, The Seriousettes,
The Phoenix Horns and the
elaborate stage setup help to
capture the magic and enthusiasm
of the tour.
Part of the magic of the tour
is captured right on the booklet.
By flipping through the pages in
a fan-like motion, the carousel in
the lower right hand corner will
close right in front of your eyes.
Keeping with the tour, the
CD ends with "Take Me Home,"
capturing Collins's repertoire
with the audience.
Serious Hits... Live! captures
the enormous talent, energy, and
enthusiasm of musicians willing
to give and the accolades of a
very appreciative audience. For
those that missed the show, this
is a definite must.
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