February, 1989 GAY PEOPLES CHRONICLE Page 13

REVIEW

lizzard Doesn't Keep Jasmine From eing Hot

y Michele Smeller

I must admit, when I was asked to eview Bluefish Productions' Jasmine oncert, I was very skepcal."Jasmine... never heard of nem," I thought. The ad billed Michele Sam and Carol Schmidt as a "cool lassic fusion of jazz and pop," omparing them with the likes of Rickie Lee Jones. "It will be an exerience," I thought. I wasn't wrong.

Though they were incredibly ushed to get set up (they were caught 1 blizzard conditions outside of Bufalo), and with hardly a moment to arm up, Isam and Schmidt cranked ut two sets of enjoyable bluesy-rock. s their fragrant namesake fills the pring air with sweetness, Jasmine's usic filled Peabody's Down Under in id-December and captivated the iverse crowd with their sweet elodies.

Wearing smock-type things that eminded me of those tunics that were opular in the sixties, Jasmine aunched into their thirteen song first et. With Michele (she spells her name orrectly) doing most of the vocals and Carol on keyboards and providing the armonies, they performed tunes by Jina Simone, K.T. Olsin, and Bonnie Raitt, as well as a jazzy version of Under the Boardwalk." "This is pretty ood," I thought, as they mixed in their wn songs to complete the set.

I particularly liked the title track rom their album Wild Strings, and "By he Light of the Moon." The Wild trings cut was created in three ections, including the music from a hoe commercial they wrote, only backards."Good-bye is not a bad way to o," Isam crooned. "Memories are ever an alibi/They're better than

never saying hello..." It's a song that makes the analogy between a restless lover leaving a relationship and the phenomenon of wild strings---piano strings that never get in tune---and false beats. "By the Light of the Moon," sung by Carol Schmidt, is a soft ballad that allows the band to show their diversity.

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The second set started off with "Talking 'Bout a Revolution" a Tracy Chapman song (you know, the everyone is singing), and continued with the same high energy, bluesy/jazzy/rock music of the first set. Until the finale, that is. Isam exclaimed, "This is some get-down-get-funky music!" "Sure," I thought. But to my delight, Isam was correct.

Throughout the concert I got the feeling that Michele had more to give, but the crowded stage and the style of music they played would not allow her pure freedom of movement. The finale also proved me correct on that point. Isam's stage manner changed from a restrained Dalmatian pacing in the yard, to a true-blooded rocker reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Before leaving the stage, Isam put on another hat, this time erasing all doubts I may have had before the concert began. With a rich and powerful vocal ability, Isam smoothly and beautifully performed a real blues song, which earned her a standing ovation from the crowd. For their encore, Jasmine returned to the stage to do a salute to Motown---a little Nancy Sinatra and the Supremes.

"Good show," I thought smiling. Opening for Jasmine was Scott Bruder, a new Cleveland area artist who, with the aid of his computer and synthesizer, piqued the interest of fusion and new age listeners. His mood-invoking style is comparable to the Windham Hill artists. Each song created an image, a mood, from a hunt in the safari with "On the Frontier" to a

carefree horse ride on the beach. "Susie's Challenge," was so inspiring it very well could be the theme song for the 1992 Olympic team. Listen for Bruder on 'the Wave'. His debut album, "Stolen Moments," will be released on early this month.

I could possibly end this review without mentioning, in my mind, the hit of the evening---Shiah, the 3-year-old son of Bluefish Productions owner Brynna Fish. Between Bruder and Jasmine, Shiah illuminated the stage with his rendition of "Dingle Bells." A real delight.

Snowtime Popcorn Videos

by Ed Santa Vicca

So, it's February. And there you are, trapped inside your house or apartment, trying to figure out what you can do to beat the cabin fever of winter in Cleveland. Well, if you own a VCR and live somewhat close to a video rental store, here are some suggestions for viewing that will keep you distracted for a few hours.

All of these videos treat lesbian or gay life from one perspective or another. Some are well made, some are not so well made. Some are filled with stereotypes, others are on the cutting edge of liberation and reality. And even if you don't like them, you should at least see them. Some will make you cheer, some will make you sick. But this is us---the way the world sees us. And you should know what other people are seeing, because it influences how they perceive you and me.

So break out the popcorn, settle back in your favorite chair, and hit the switch. And rather than trying to sum-

marize each and every title here, I'll recommend that you consult a movie guide, or ask for a summary at your local video rental store. If I've missed any titles that are your personal favorites, let me know. I'll include them in a future list. So, in alphabetical order, here they are. Enjoy as many as you can!

An Early Frost As Is

Before Stonewall Cabaret

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

The Children's Hour

Come Back to the Five and Dime,

Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean Cruising

Desert Hearts

Dog Day Afternoon

Entertaining Mr. Sloan

The Fox

Fox and His Friends The Killing of Sister George Kiss of the Spider Woman La Cage aux Folles Leather Boys Lianna

Lilith Making Love Maurice

Midnight Cowboy My Beautiful Laundrette Oscar Wilde Outrageous Parting Glances

Personal Best Prick Up Your Ears Reflections in a Golden Eye The Ritz Rope

The Sergeant

Something for Everyone

Staircase

Strangers on a Train

Suddenly Last Summer The Times of Harvey Milk Victor, Victoria ▼

WARM, SENSITIVE AND FUNNY!

Harvey Fierstein's story is even more compelling on screen. Heartfelt performances by Anne Bancroft and Matthew Broderick. 'Torch Song Trilogy' is honest and real.”

"It's funny

and touching. YOU SHOULD

SEE IT!"

Dixie Whatley, AT THE MOVIES

"THUMBS UP!

IT'S A VERY POWERFUL

HUMAN STORY. I LIKED IT!"

Roger Ebert, SISKEL & EBERT

CBS-TV, LOS ANGELES

TORCH SONG TRILOGY

Based on the Award-Winning Play

"PASSIONATE, SINCERE, FUNNY AND

HONEST."

John H. Richardson,

LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

"OUTRAGEOUS, ENDEARING,

LARGERTHAN-LIFE!"

Elliott Stein, VILLAGE VOICE

NEW LINE CINEMA PRESENTS A HOWARD GOTTFRIED/RONALD K. FIERSTEIN PRODUCTION A PAUL BOGART FILM "TORCH SONG TRILOGY" STARRING ANNE BANCROFT, MATTHEW BRODERICK, HARVEY FIERSTEIN AND BRIAN KERWIN ALSO STARRING KAREN YOUNG, KEN PAGE AND CHARLES PIERCE CHOREOGRAPHY BY SCOTT SALMON MUSIC ADAPTED BY PETER MATZ. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER MARIE CANTIN. EXECUTIVE PRODUCER RONALD K. FIERSTEIN EDITED BY NICHOLAS C. SMITH. PRODUCTION DESIGNER RICHARD HOOVER. DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY MIKAEL SALOMON SCREENPLAY BY HARVEY FIERSTEIN BASED ON HIS PLAY⚫ PRODUCED BY HOWARD GOTTFRIED. DIRECTED BY PAUL BOGART

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UNDER 17 DEQUIRES ACCOMPANYING

PARENT OR ADULT GUARAN

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IN SELECTED THEATRES

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Now Showing Exclusively

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