Page 14 HIGH GEAR November 1980 VINYL VIEWS

Music in a New Dimension

by Joey Romano

Whilst we creep into the preChristmas season, traditionally we should be flooded with new musical product. So far, not much has surfaced. What has, however, seems pretty promising.

Kool & the Gang's new album · "Celebrate" is a fine follow up to last year's "Ladie's Night." Along with the Commodores and Earth, Wind and Fire, the Gang seem to have become quite comfortable in their role as pop/funksters, and the songs on the new Ip should satisfy exising fans as well as win them new ones. Crowd reaction to the title cut has been quite favorable. While just

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slightly faster than Ladies Night", the energy level seems much higher. Still present are the smooth production sounds of Deodato and the groups finely crafted layered harmonies.

sounds as if it may have been partially snatched from Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Goin. to a Go Go." If so, at least they borrowed from a good source. The song "Fashion" (no relation to the David Bowie tune), should also make its mark, although a remix might be necessary to cure a few sore spots, most notably a dull intro and a week rhythm track. (Speaking of rhythm tracks, does Prince realize he forgot to add some to "Uptown"?) A not too well disguised Dr.

Carrie Lucas's new album. 'Portrait of Carrie.". contains the remixed version of "Keep Smiling" which is still quite popular here in Cleveland. "It's not What You Got, It's How You Use It" is a new tune and should have no problem going over. It's an uptempo tune which seems to pay homage to 60's r&b, as did Buzzard's Savannah Band has her earlier "Street Corner Sym-surfaced, this time as Kid Creole phony". In fact the melody

Patrick in print

(Continued from Previous Page) writer and talent will out. He's finally getting the wide recognition he has earned, and, best of all, he didn't have to pretend to be what he isn't, in his life or in his art.

plays is always surprising and delightful, and yet one doesn't have the sense of slickness that one feels with Doric Wilson. however amusing Wilson's plays may be.

The only questionable aspect of Patrick's plays I can find is an occasional giving into New York sentimentality, for example. when problems are solved with characters saying, "I love you."

I particulary enjoyed the three one-acts grouped under "The Loves of the Artists" in this volume. Patrick has a mad romp with Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria and Richard Wagner, with DiaghThere's a Renaissance in gay ilev and Nijinski, and even with theater at present (even though Hymen and Carbuncle. (Who? most people haven't noticed yet).. Well, let's just say that Simon and and it's no exaggeration to say. Garfunkle must be boiling.) that Robert Patrick is gaining on The word play in Patrick's. Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde..

& the Coconuts. Their Ip "Off the Coast of Me" is full of their usual Caribbean colorings, and is

Joey Romano

probably the most fun album

since the first from The B-52s. Also look for their remake of "There But For The Grace of God Goi," available only as a tweive inch single. Highly recommended, espcially if you like old Carmen Maranda movies.

Aretha Franklin has left Atlantic Records for Arista. Her new album "Aretha" finds her singing the sassiest she has in recent memory. (Thank God she wasn't put in the production hands of %#@head Barry Mannilow to be mercilessly destroyed. (Remem ber what he did with Dionne Warwick). She makes the Doobie Bros. "What A Fool Believes" her own, in fact, you should forget the original version even exists by the time her version is halfway through. Hope it will catch on with the dancers here in Cleveland. Her remake of "Can't Turn You Loose" is also an energetic dance cut, although painfully short, clocking in at under four minutes. Also included is the single, a ballad called "United Together."

Gay press set

to meet

NEW YORK (IGNA) A convention about the Gay Press will be held in New York City January 9-11, 1981.

The convention, according to Joe DiSabato, the Coordinator, will have several purposes: 1) to enable everyone to meet everyone else involved in the gay press, 2) to have discussions and presentations meant to upgrade the professionalism of the gay press, and 3) to form an ongoing Gay Press Association.

Planned are panel discussions and symposiums on editorial, advertising, and distribution concerns. Many professionals from outside the gay press will be involved. For example, an executive from Young and Rubicam, one of the country's largest advertising agencies, has already agreed to be on the advertising panel.

UPI.

Several major newspapers have indicated a desire to Tina Marie is back already with explore the possibility of an elec"I Need Your Loving." a non-tronic wire-service, sort of a gay funky, down tempo song which took no time in finding its way to the top of the charts. The heavy orchestration is just a backdrop for Tina's raucous "I'm in heat" vocals, as she rips her way through this soon to be classic.

SHOWTIME AT THE CROWN

COTOBER 30 & 31 NOVEMBER 1

Showtimes: 9:00 p.m.

¡NOVEMBER 7.& 8

11:00 p.m.

& 3:00 a.m.

Showtimes: 9:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. only

¡NOVEMBER 21 & 22

Showtimes: 9:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER 28 & 29

Cocktail Hour

11:00 p.m. & 3:00 a.m.

Showtimes: 9:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. & 3:00 a.m.

4:00 6:30 p.m. Daily

1⁄2 Priced Drinks

Gay Breakfast

Fridays & Saturdays 1:00 a.m. 0 5:00 a.m.

4153 Lorain Avenue Cleveland, Ohio

(216) 631-9771

KATIE ALEXANDER

CUYAHOGA LIMITED

ROXANNE

ISIS

Suggestions for topics and arrangements for attending are being handled by: Joe DiSabato Rivendell Marketing Co. 666 Sixth Ave. NY, NY 10010

3:00 am. Breakfast Show -Weekly Live On Stage

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