f ^ f * * I »i*l
' cut
It's THAT WEEKEND again. That's right, we get to go to Aus
tin so we can get massacred. I hate to be pessimistic, but as a ju
nior, just 36 hours from graduation, I figure it's time I faced real-
ity.
But, hey, it might not be all that bad. Miracles do happen, and
there's always 6th Street. A few hours there Saturday night
should heal the bruised Aggie egos. Or at least numb them. Take
my advice: if we lose (and I'm not saying we will, for sure), go to
Joree's, forget about what happenea (if you know what I mean,
and I think you do), and think about next year.
For anybody staying in town this weekend — like me — there
will be ways to entertain yourselves. Aside from the obvious fun
thing to do (reggae group Killer Bees is here, finally), you could
always do something Christmas-y. Like go see the Nutcracker to
night at 7 p.m. It's being put on by the new Brazos Symphony
Orchestra with the ballet being performed by some local classes.
It ain't Barishnikov, but it's still the Nutcracker. It'll be in Rudder
Auditorium — call 845-1234 for more info.
If you do want to do something Christmas-y but don't want to
(or if you're like me, can't afford to) spend too much money to get
into the holiday spirit, there's one last alternative. Rudolph the
Red-Nosed Reindeer will be on channel 3 Saturday night at 7
p.m.
As for stuff going on during dead week, the smart thingprob-
ably would be to hole up in the library for a few days, but Thurs
day night think about taking a break. Shake Russell's going to be
in town. Russell, who does blues-y, folksy country-type music,
probaby won't be as good as he was when he and Dana Cooper
were together, but he'll still be worth your time.
Le Cabaret
This jazz club offers live entertainment on weekends and occa
sionally during the week. For more information call 846-1427.
Information on shows not available before press time.
Dr. G's
Located on College Main, this club offers a little bit of everything.
Acts over the summer have included everything from reggae to
punk to rockabilly to folk music and just about everything in be
tween. The club sells beer and wine — no hard liquor — but does
provide set-ups for those who bring their own bottles.
Most shows start around 9 p.m. For ticket and other informa
tion, call Dr. G's at 846-1812.
Here's this week's calendar:
Tonight — Dr. Rockit and the Sisters of Mercy. Rock 'n' roll.
Saturday — Killer Bees — reggae, from Houston.
Sunday — Open stage night — a kind of amateur night. If
you'd like to perform call Dr. G's for more info.
Monday — Monday night football.
Tuesday — Video night. Something new — canned music
with some kind of big screen TV set up.
Wednesday — Dance Attack, with Deanna as D.J.
Thursday—Shake Russell.
The Lakeview Club
Country/Westem dance club that hosts live bands most of the
time.
Saturday — Crossfire. For ticket information and reservations
call 823-0660.
The Texas Hall of Fame
CountryAVestem dance club that hosts live bands most of the
time.
The club is located on FM 2818 and shows start at 9 p.m. For
more information call 822-2222.
Tonight — Texas Unlimited.
Saturday — Bubba Cox and the Easy Going.
Okay, road-trippers, here's the out-of-town stuff:
Houston:
Neil Diamond — Dec. 10 in the Summit.
For Summit ticket information, call (713)961-9003
Austin:
At the Erwin Center:
Neil Diamond — no date, informationpending.
REO Speedwagon with Survivor and Zebra — Dec. 6.
full of cheer, surprises
By ROBIN BLACK
Staff Writer
When the plain, brown, 12-
inch-square package landed on
the At Ease desk Monday, I
knew it was an album, but I
thought "no big deal." We get
records up here from time to
time, most of them from some
pretty obscure groups I've
never heard of.
This time, however, I think I
have discovered something
truly neat. It's the "Austin
Christmas Collection, Vol. 3."
It's good, and it's got a little
bit of everything (not to men
tion the fact that it's home
grown).
You've got your traditional
songs. You've got your new
songs. You've got your songs
with a rock 'n' roll flair and
you've got your songs done
country style.
All eleven songs on the al
bum are performed by Texas
artists, some solos and some
groups.
The real standout on the al
bum is a song by Ernie Sky and
the K-Tels. "All I've Got for
Christmas is the Blues," is a
great song co-written by a cou
ple of the band members. As
much as I love good, sleazy
blues and jazz, I never thought
a Christmas song done in that
style would sound quite right.
This one does.
The song is faintly remi
niscent of the Eagle's contribu
tion to Christmas music,
"Please Come Home for
Christmas," which came out a
few years ago. I think that this
one is much better.
The other original sonp on
the album, "Mason Dixon s on
the Line," played by Jerry Jeff
Walker, isn't so hot.
This tune takes a stab at mak
ing a sad, sappy "let's get
drunk" country song into a
Christmas carol. It doesn't
work. At all.
The rest of the songs on the
album are all traditional (or at
least oldies like "Silver Bells"),
but most of them have a new
twist.
Extreme Heat contributes a
jazzed-up version of "I'll be
Home for Christmas." The
band, which has appeared here
several times over the last few
months, does a pretty good job
(but it is different) with the
oldie.
The best new approach on
the Christmas album is done by
rock group 14K. This one is
really good, but be ready be
cause I promise you've never
heard "King Christmas Bells"
(also known as "Carol of the
Bells") done quite like this.
It's got nice vocals — good
harmonies — and a really good
guitar solo right smack dab in
the middle. No, I don't mean
acoustic guitar, either. This is a
.euitar solo in the Eddie Van Ha-
len electric guitar category.
There are two other tradi
tional carols on the album that
turned out well.
"The Lord of the Dance" by
Arthur Brown and "Rise up
Shepherds and Follow" by Lisa
Rhodes are both excellent. The
strong vocals in both songs are
what set them apart.
And, the album wouldn't be
complete without something
from the red-haired stranger.
Willie Nelson does a nice — but
somewhat average—job of "Si
lent Night."
Other artists on the album in
clude The Argyles, Bobby
Bridger, Judy Price and Karen
Kraft.
Although there are a few
weak spots in the album, it is
good. And it gives a new twist
to some old Christmas songs.
This is the third year Felicity
Records has put out the album
featuring Texas — mostly Aus
tin — musicians, and it looks
like it's the best one so far. It
was released Nov. 15 and is
supposed to be available all
over Texas.
80-200 is back...
In Style!
You’ve probably heard of the
Kiron 80-200 zoomlock lens - our
fastest seller, sharp enough for
any comparison, extra rugged.
Announcing
KIRON’s economical
80-200 f/4 “non-lock”
Same great optics,
same great build
No Lock
Macro to V4 life size
$149“
only
80-200mmf/4
fits: Canon/Nikon/Minolta/Olympus/Pentax/Konica/Yashica
CAMPUS PHOTO CENTER
401 University Drive • 846-5418 • Northgate