KANSAN REVIEWS RECORDS: Barbra Midas
By MIKE SHEARER Arts & Reviews Editor
There is absolutely no way to use any exclamative about Barbra Streisand without arousing ire from either her foes or her fans.
In fact, I can think of no woman in the arts in the past twenty years who has aroused more emotions (in both directions) than Streisand.
I am a Streisand fan. As far as I know there is no woman in the history of American entertainment to win top awards for her first play, her first record, her first television show and her first movie. None except Barbra Streisand.
After winning an Oscar for Funny Girl, Streisand threw herself into a whole string of movies which promise to be equally successful, hopefully as professional. She has finished Hello Dolly and has The Owl and the Pussycat and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever lined up.
During a pause in this impressive schedule, she has put out what I consider her best album: What About Today.
For my ears, there has been no one who could sing 1 Mercer, Gershwin or Matz like Barbra Streisand. But on
album, Stressland not only says,
"What About Today," but she
also answers the question by a
selection of songs by The Beatles,
Webb, Simon and Garfunkle,
Buffy Sainte-Marie and D. Shire.
A warning should go out to those who consider The Beatles divine, with sacred rights to their own works: whenever Streisand sings a song, it becomes hers and her version might be considered heresy.
For my money, Honey Pie didn't sound as good by The Beatles as it does by Streisand. And With a Little Help From My Friends, done magnificently by The Beatles, is completely readapted to Streisand. The effect, if you like Streisand, is the touch of Midas.
There is nothing dull about Streisand's standards (People, Second Hand Rose, Happy Days Are Here Again, Free Again, etc.), but there is something refreshing about hearing her intensity turned to songs with topics such as war (Little, Tin Soldier), conformity (Ask Yourself Why) and freedom (That's a Fine Kind O' Freedom).
What About Today is a fitting climax to Streisand's 1960's during which she has turned from a duckling into the most imaginative swan in her field.
Donovan hits KC Saturday
Donovan, tender-voiced minstrel from the British Isles, brings his melodies to Kansas City this weekend where he performs in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday in Municipal Auditorium.
"I don't think of myself as some sort of pop star," says England's 22 year-old "Sunshine Superman," Donovan. "I don't go on stage and turn into a different man."
"I don't think I'm a folk singer at all," he declares. "Folk is the wrong label, really, because I can do other things. I play other instruments besides guitar. And I like all kinds of music and try to use different styles in my songs. I'm just a singer and a writer. A contemporary writer."
He's been called a folk singer, the world's No.1 minstrel of pop music and just a beautiful person. And the last description probably fits him best.
Scottish-born Donovan Leitch, whose family moved to England 12 years ago, is possibly the most prominent soloist in Britain.
Do his songs carry a message?
"Well, it's been called that," he admitted. "But 'message' is a silly name to tag to music. But I suppose some people have to put labels on everything."
Oct.1 1969 KANSAN 5
"It had potential," said James Gunn, KU relations director, after watching "The Immortal," a television movie last night based on his own novel—The "Immortals."
Gunn: show had potential
Gunn, who has written a string
SS number needed
The state of Kansas will require social security numbers on all new drivers licenses effective October 1 the State Motor Vehicle Department has announced. Beginning January 1, 1970, the number will be required on all renewal licenses.
The number will be required in order to comply with the National Highway Safety Act of 1966, and to provide additional means of identification for driving records.
"A statement of human values...it is emotionally valid and moving!" -N.Y. Post
A film by Gordon Parks.
"Well-worth seeing!" —Judith Crist, NBC-TV
"A movie of rare high quality! Totally absorbing!" -Newsday
"What occurs in the story is that a boy becomes Parka, a man who parks. He obviously happens too soon in his life amidst a veritable deluge of occurrences.
Filmed on location in Fort Scott, Kan
Eve, 7:20 and 9:25
Adult $1.50
Children .75
Starts TODAY
of science fiction novels, said he watched the movie at home with "a couple people who have televisions which don't work."
He had, however, reservations about the production.
"Mainly I felt there are a number of cliches used that could have been left out," he said. "And the situations—some of them were pretty commonplace."
Gunn says the same thing of television he said of "The Immortal": "It has potential."
"Over-all," however, Gunn thought they had done a good job with "what they were trying to do."
which has been read with interest "in Hollywood" and another script which is being made into a movie locally.
Gunn said he has another book
The movie was about a man who had blood factors which fought old age, assuring him the closest thing man could have to immortality.
Barry Nelson, Christopher George and Ralph Bellamy starred in the science fiction action drama.