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TO

ENTERTAINMENT HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977

In Everyone I've Ever Loved

I'm

Martin Mull

MARTIN MULL

By Byron Ditmar

DISCO

DOWN

CELEBRATE SPRING

AT THE

I'm Everyone I've Ever Loved (Martin Mull, ABC Records) On the heels of his acting debut as Garth in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Martin Mull's latest vinyl effort is autobiographical ego trip. It is a satirical look at a recording artist's frustration of laying down tracks in a commercially successful way.

an

The album is presented in a dialogue-music format. This lead-in dialogue on all tracks presented here becomes somewhat of a nuisance, but proves necessary to carry off Mull's need to portray a humorous style.

It seldom fails that once a dialogue album (ala Firesign Theatre) has been listened to only a very few times, it tends to become a "party" album solely. Individual listening satisfaction dwindles significantly after the punch lines have initially been heard.

This effort by Mull does not deserve to be entirely "put

Phil Spector's Greatest Hits (Various Artists, Warner/Spector)

No other record producer has been able to capture rock and roll's potentials and realize its limitations as masterfully as Phil Spector. His "Wall of Sound" style has been ineptly imitated by countless other producers. A true record-making genius, Spector actually made many of the artists he worked with instant successes by using his special recording techniques. The finesse he used in his productions of the early 60's is still little understood today even with the far superior recording equipment that is now available.

This album is a tribute to a superstar of record producing. His craftsmanship with acts the likes of The Crystals, The Checkmates, The Righteous Bros., Darlene Love and many others have made him a true legend in his own time.

The tracks represented here

down" though, since musically, most tracks deserve merit (A slight few might be considered filler material).

Many gay overtones are evident in a few of the songs presented. In the title track, Mull admits that he is "everyone he ever loved"... "I'm kinky, straight and gay"... all rolled into one. His reference to Maurice's love letters in "Artist Relations (Or Don't Write Me At Home)" has direct homosexual implications. "Men" is a humorous song about the great fun one could have on a ship filled with nothing but men.

Some of the other well produced tunes on the disc include "Honor Roll," "They Never Met," and a try with commercial disco on "Get Up, Get Down."

Mull has almost succeeded in presenting his idea of a concept album. If you can last through the short dialogue excerpts, the disc will prove to be an enjoyable listening experience.

are gems. Songs we all remember and find ourselves nostalgically humming from time to time. The Righteous Bros. hits, "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" and "Unchained Melody" are included in this tasty sampling of Spector's talents. Also included are Darlene Love's "Wait Til My Bobby Gets Home," Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep Mountain High" and Gene Pitney's "Every Breath Take."

The Crystals add "Da Do Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," "He's A Rebel" and a few others. The Ronettes (the group most of us have trouble distinguishing from the Crystals) top this double record delite by belting out "Baby I Love You," "Walking In The Rain" and "Be My Baby."

Ken Barnes, rock afficionado, gives us an excellent biography of Spector's accomplishments in the well-written and interesting liner notes. This fascinating essay contributes nicely to the album's concept.

Spector's golden package of classic oldies is a huge credit to one fine producer. Your record collection and frame of mind will be nicely rewarded by the prompt addition of these marvelous discs... This is chic nostalgia.

AMERICAN HOTEL & RESTAURANT

AKRON, O.

WE'RE

ALWAYS

IN STYLE