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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 20, 1978)
j , I 7S ,TC HER of An B EER ^Dies f Rf , suv S 2 E M ' IE Moms Soul shaking music came down Russells deliver By KEITH TAYLOR the few moments * — n and Mary Russell ~ lose popularity on the record charts, they can always hit the evangelism trail, and probably make more money. The Russells managed to bring one of the hottest shows to G. Rollie White Coliseum in a long time Fri day night. Two of the most outstanding wkvWts were old iv v*- a song later, the crowd rushed the stage. He and Mary made their exit dur ing “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and left the band to finish, but the yelling, - stomping crowd soon brought them back for more. ducing the band. Leon finished the concert with a Leon sang a number of his hits, hot rendition of “Roll over Beeth- made famous either by him or other oven” that left the audience wanting » me most outstanding artists. more ■ftUTOWswere old gospel songs svmg “This Masquerade,” was very I ’ by Mary. She belted out “Mighty smooth. It was nice -- Clouds of Joy,” and “Jezebel” — - r she ins* ‘hot’ concert •, the crowd rushed the production • •’ OlH; ..wLaDie e\c • was his and Mary’s biggest hit „ ^ noil over Beeth- together, “Listen to Your Heart -- ^mer oven that left the audience wanting Beat.” “This Masouerade ” , more. Considering the show they put rinn^ of r ,e ” Delt j-T OUt , ^ ighty , smooth. It was nice and iazzv fnrl V, 1 had al T ways th , ou ght the fine on, though, I don’t think the songs she . f J ° y ’ and J eze bel as if the saxophone solo made me foraj! hari £ on,es ^on and Mary managed were missed by anyone except di<l ZdZ fr ° m 3 ^ ~ ViVa1 ' George Benson had eve r Teirded ^_^ er records to careful hard fans. Leon’s shining moment, though was Singing This So— - ri-» ’ cxa 11 , v-tjnie trom a tent revival. And she managed to rouse the near capacity crowd while looking as if she was bored to tears If »u- _ . ^vurcied as it Leon’s shining moment, though, ..»a uored to tears. was “Singing This Song For You.” If there was anything wrong with The band took a break during the the concert, it was Mary's lack of song, leaving just Leon and his interest. She got up from her piano piano. Despite his raspy, nasal just four times. voice, his rendition put the Carpen- I guess it is to her crerl.’* ' ters to shame. hni At the beginning ti ’ ‘ production, but they proved their different singing styles blend well in real life. The only disappointment of the entire evening was that Leon did not sing “Youngblood,” or “Tight- wire.” Another Russell notable exc^ lusion was his and Mary’s biggest hit together, “Listen to Your Heart Beat.” Considering the show they put i, though, I don’t think one g< just four times. ... ^«*ipen- I guess it is to her credit, though, _ ^..a*ue. that she can sing so well while look- At the beginning of the concert, I ing so bored. thought he would have to contend Leon seemed more interested. with the typical Aggie audience that Wearing a pinstriped three-piece politely applauds after each song suit and looking like a Satanic insur- and rarely stands. But when he ance salesman, he played the started playing “Out in the Woods,” boogie-woogie piano flawlessly. people started standing, and when The band was fantastic. During he swung into “Jumpin’ Jack Flfl'k” y-i I** 45-291 ...v. woods, _ started standing, and wher _ he swung into “Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ [Folksinger-Griffith evokes spirit of 60s By DOUG GRAHAM Battalion Staff Folksinger Nanci Griffith evoked the spirit of the sixties Friday and Saturday night in the Basement Coffeehouse. The Houston-based musician, performed music that recalled the quiet, creative sixties before antiwar violence, Charles Manson, and economics soured the decade. She, and her warm up act, Texas A&M University student, Lyle Lovett, personified the relaxed, unpretentious nature of folk singing. Both sang either their own compositions or those of others whose work they respected. And, except for one beautiful moment during Lovett's last song when Griffith walked up on. axvd. Vum, "iViey sang alone. Review M.ieview Folk songs demand thought, unlike mass-produced pop rock. That is the nature of good folk music that banishes it from the top 40s charts. People no loug,ev deswe \hougli\s and observations; they desire entertainment. | And that is too bad. I Down in the Basement Coffeehouse, it is possible to leave the madness of grades, and indulge in a little humanity. Sipping a coke and talking to a friend and listening to Griffith’s strong, soulful voice, proved a restoring tonic. She had no costume, no fancy lights, just naked lyrics and a voice. Griffith’s songs were of, about, and for people. She sang a Woodie Guthrie song to start. She sang of bar singers, and again about fair- weather friends. She briefly explained the song, as folk singers are | wont to do, saying that sometimes everyone needs a “good times | friend who never bothers you and is only around when all is well. And that was a pertinent observation. I She sang yet again, someone else’s song this time, of Kentucky and [ the ravages of strip mining. The song was a young boy’s request to go see a town devoured by the iron jaws of huge shovels. I Griffith tried to get the audience to sing the refrain. | Too bad. One song had a viewpoint the Reviewer disagreed with — tha William McKinley had been murdered so a pro-wealth Tedd; Roosevelt became president. Yet, the song was beautiful, besides provoking thought. That thought is avoided in song is saa, for folk singing is The common man, the workers, the miners - ave had their trae r f‘rl io ‘' Save now on our select group of dress boots. • Culpepper Plaza • Touch Calling now available in most areas. Most styles available in limited quantities only. THE BATTALION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20. INTERESTED IN POETRY? PHOTOGRAPHY? PROSE? LAYOUT? ARTWORK? P.R.? THEN COME JOIN MOEBIUS THE TEXAS A&M STUDENT LITERARY MAGAZINE 1ST MEETING: WEDNESDAY — NOV. 29 7:30 P.M. RMS. 305 A&B RUDDER TOWER SPONSORED BY MSC ARTS COMMITTEE ©Wal, Disney p, 0<Jucfions ' % s ... ant as t facts 10TC ild like )k into , dedi- i need a fact: io can e and cts. It e ever v..o servants, they all _ —- ciu struggles ensconced in folk songs. -.-•T wnen the songs of real life are woven in the rich fabric of Griffith s voice, they develop a texture so compelling, that it is a crime against one’s self to continue running the rat race to the disco beat of radio tunes It is time to give one’s ears and feet a break, and use the mind and heart to listen to good, relaxed folk music. It gets a person in tune with himself. W* Wm 4#^ • s-: ’■■.f w :: Bonfire is coming Nov. 30. CUTTING has started, so help out with a new AXE from WARDS m double bit axe 11.88 WARDS durable steel single bit 3i/ 2 -lb. axe. Strong forge- tempered head. 36-inch hickory handle. * r Looking for a Christmas gift idea with a special ring to it? ome see for ~ -ruic t —~^one you love SPECIAL BUY 10.88 urself mon. -frj 10-9 SATURDAY 10-7 TEXAS AVE. AT VILLA 823-5483 MARIA RD. This Christmas, why not surprise someone you with a special phone of his or her very own. 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