A “HOW TO” BOOK FOR GAYS

by Mitchell Menigu

(Gay Spirit: A Guide to Be coming a Sensuous Homosexual by David Loovis. Grove Press. 1974. $6.95)

Gay Spirit is the perfect book to keep near the bed if you fear that while you have Mr. Right.in it, you will forget what to do next A quick, discreet glance through the Table of Contents at the subdivisions listed for the two chapters titled "How to Drive Your Lover to Ecstasy" should not only solve the problem at hand (if that's where it is) but perhaps even suggest paths of action that sound impossible but possibly stimulating like "Simultaneous Anal Penetration."

Loovis guidebook tries to consummate two ends simultaneously. in another sense. by offering some serious advice on attaining sensual satisfaction in the gay world and parodying such books as The Sensuous Woman and The Sensuous Man. Like the authors of these two books. Loovis presents himself as a person of no particular physical charms but one who knows how to make the most of his assets so that he makes it with most of those he wants and has them begging for a return engagement.

Gay Spirit works as a spoof only if read in short spurts. Parody is a form that ideally makes its point quickly and then stops. Sustaining a parody for the length of a book is an unlikely achievement: Loovis is not able to do it.

In the area of positive advice, Loovis can be taken seriously when he urges his readers to improve themselves so that their self-image is enchanced. What is harder to accept is his classification of types of gay sexual behavior, which in its either/or division into dominant or submissive ignores the complexity of both individual feelings and the interplay between twc people in a sexual relationship. Another weakness in the presentation is Loovis seeming to see his reader as having two somewhat contradictory goals.

both forming a close love relationship with one perfect, loving partner and, at the same time, making it with each and every fellow who looks beautiful, interesting or different.

Still, Gay Spirit is a book to read for fun primarily. Surely that can be found in the exercises Loovis recommends (read the book to find his rationale) such as imitating a Pigeon's head movements and discovering the sensual potential of one's tongue in a prolonged encounter with a very ripe peach. It is triumphantly there in Loovis' paean to analingus, especially in the danger he sees in the delight that activity may lead to. If things don't work out with Mr. Right, Gay Spirit may help make

it possible to laugh away that down feeling.

Midler's Songs For The Depression

With the release of Songs For the New Depression, Bette Midler has proven herself a very serious vocalist. She makes use of all styles of music and almost succeeds one hundred percent. The campiness is played down, Bette is concentrating more on the total sound of voice. The transition from the album Bette Midler to this one is so obvious that one wonders if there has been a total personality change in her.

"Samedi et Vendredi" struck me as the best tune off the album. It's a latincalypso-styled number written by Bette with the most insane lyrics. The unusual sound of the accordian and the background of jungle noises make this track sheer novelty.

Her disco version of "Strangers In The Night" works very well. David Spinozza's guitar work on "Let Me Just Follow Behind" is haunting, and Todd Rundren's background vocals add that completed touch.

For the Songs New Depression is a progression in Ms. Midler's career and establishes her as a true artist on record as well as on stage. The production of Moogy

Klingman has captured the richness of her voice, unlike her previous albums which focused too strongly on highs and lows. Bette Midler is no longer your crazy sister, she's a genuine star.

by Tom Eville

FEB. 17

KELF Valentine

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