4.
Friday, September 12, 1975
University Daily Kansan
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Staff Photo by DON PIERCE
Cookin'in the kitchen
sap Be F warns up his opening act in the kitchen of Paul Gray's Jazz Place. De Vol, who has appeared on the Johnny
Carson, Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin shows, will appear this weekend at the Jazz Place and next week at the Free State State Fair.
By BILL KATS
Jazz artists echo moods
It has been eight years since the death of saxophonist John Cottrane, yet his music still remains relevant. He is one of most modern jazz musicians.
Caltare have been written, and many albums have been dedicated to his memory. But of all these albums, few have the integrity of a recent solo release by Dillon Eisler, named "Echoes of a Primer."
Tyner, the pianist for
Coltrane's ensembles during
the early 1800s, succeeds in
"Echoes," both as a musician
and as a solo pianist, where
others before him have failed.
Recorded during November 1972 in Tokyo, the album contains three Coltrane standards, "Wildfire," "For his wife, Alice), "The Promise" and "My Favorite Things," and two Tyner compositions, "The Discovery" and "Wildfire," performed on acoustic piano.
"Echoes of a Friend", is like Tyner's own quartet and quintet performances, mainly improvisational. The success of any good improvisationalist depends on his ability to be
The cadences have never been more varied in a Tyner collection, including "Discovery" he shoots out frightening, jagged rocks of sound. Moments later he sounds with another soothing child's tune on the wheels.
Tyner takes hold of this moment with supreme confidence and his solo effort loses its intensity. Tyner terazizes his greenie clapling.
Throughout "Echoes" Tymer seems concerned with evoked moods, colors and events. He beats earth-shaking tremors out of his hair three times he achieves a harp-like plucking from the keys.
intensely aware of the music at the moment of creation. This is even more true of solo performances, where the musician has total control over the musical event being produced.
"Echoes of a Friend"
ultimately works so well because of Tyner's ability to hear and know his part of his work. He has the gift to call out for and touch the tender spots of the soul—those parts of all of us that need soothing, comforting, or recognizable and unapparitable.
'Ragtime' big ideas, little insight
Perhaps the success of E. L. Doctorow's new novel, "Ragtime," has something to do with a current belief that America's decline results from the failure of the American dream. Recently, it appears that Mr. Doctorow's piece that critiques America is the first insight and is in effect an American metaphor.
DOCTOROW IS A CLEVER and extremely entertaining writer. He takes a period of time, 1902 to 1914, and fills it with some of that period's most notable characters, including Henry Houdini, Harry Houdini and Emma Goldman. He interweaves their
By IAN KENNETH LOUDEN
"Ragtime" has big ideas, many laughs and little substance. It is not an American metaphor.
The family falls apart by the end of the book. Thus, an American metaphor of decline is that everyone is fortunately, no one can be sure. Doctorow's family is empty. No member of the Family has any character or personality. The family seems such a rhetorical device exists.
lives with the lives of a contemporary family.
Doctorw, a master of subtly and irony, can tease the youngest of the physical opulence of wealthy men. Then, without warning, he shows some of the consequences. For example: "The doctor had instructed the sacrament. A man who carried a great stomach before him was thought to be in his prime. Women went into hospitals to treat the sick, but their lungs, overtaxed hearts and meningitis of the spine
America was a great farting country."
Through his witticisms, double entendres and his ability to shift suddenly from foolishness to deadly reality, Doctorow wins the reader's affection. The reader is caught up in the humor and falls to his knees. To be successful, he double negatives, the misuse of whether and if, and the misuse of that and which.
Still, these dregressions can also be forgiven by Doctorow also has a firm grasp of life's realities. He notes the eras' poor labor conditions, the slums, the poverty, and the sexual hangups. The criticisms of these problems are serious, and Doctorow invokes pathos.
DOCTOROW USES a fast flowing narration—pure narration—he does not believe in using quotation marks.
Abercrombie shows a thorough understanding of guitar styles in the album. He covers all styles between the electric and acoustic guitars. One can hear traces of Hendrix, McLaughlin and Martino. Abercrombie, the result is distinctive.
The only other important black, Coalhouse Walker Jr., represents an attempt at allegory—the noble black who is destroyed by whites. Unaware of the symbolism sympathetic with him because nothing about his past or present beliefs is revealed.
The story resembles a well written 1910 dime magazine, full of gossip and kitch, that lacks the shame to the mass media.
The tone Abercrombie gets from his acoustic guitar is unique, full and bell-like. He shows a fine command over the soft medium tone. The song *Timeless* is also especially smooth.
Some of Doctorow's characters are merely caricatures; like girl, doctor, or Eliza in "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
But Doctorow's apparent ignorance of his characters doesn't understand them or he doesn't want to understand them. He is detached and afraid to explore their navies.
John Abercrombie is one of the new jazz guitarists who has done admirably. He hasn't been in a band produced by McLaughlin or capitalize at McLaughlin's success like Larry Coryell initially did, but instead to learn from McLaughlin and on his way.
short—270 pages, all large type.
Too many characters are incorporated into too little space.
Much irony are used in place of insight and examination. Apparently Doctorow wrote to please his readers. And frankly, Doctorow would want to read a 1,000-page epic.
"Ragtime" isn't an epic. It more closely resembles a screamplay. Doctorow seems to have anticipated the popularity of it, but he didn't make it so it could easily be transferred onto the screen.
"Ragtime" is a good novel with big ideas. The humor is some of the best a reader can find in modern novels. The subtle irony is almost reminiscent of Mark Twain.
Two other recent jazz releases show the efforts being made by two young musicians, guitarist John Abercrombie and saxophonist Azar Lawrence, to develop distinctive styles.
Such pre-loveplay writing smells of "Love Story." Even the thought of the comparison degrades the value of "Ragtime" and hurts the author's credibility.
One of Abercrombie's assets is his act, something that many electric guitarists might well learn from. The restrain he uses to hammer his solos is "Ralph's Piano Palzer" is indicative.
Orchestra several years ago proclaimed 'jazz as fair territory' and proceeded to create a body heavily amplified brand of jazz.
Unfortunately, Doctorow's insights are reminiscent of Harriet Beecher Stowe and Upton Sinclair. Before getting on the current Doctorow bandwagon, one should examine the novel carefully. What good are big ideas without insight?
"Bridge into the New Age" on Prestige Records is a xophornist Azar Lawrence's first independent venture, Lawrence, who plays tenor and soprano sax in the McCoy Tyren ensemble, hasn't apparently been damaged as a result of Playboy's last year naming him as an up-and-coming jazz talent. Lawrence is one oasis in the tenor saxophone desert.
The guitar world has been exploring new directions since John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu
The title song features vocalist Jean Carn, who also sings on the final cut, "The Beautiful and Omnipresent Love!" Another cut, "Bridge into the New Age," is getting its own staging stations on the nation, and it deserves a wide hearing.
Although Lawrence plays soprano sax more than competently, the tenor is his best. He has the finest qualities of the horn, employing a wide range of vibratos to complement his steaming attack. All his notes are to be no indecision in his solo.
Lawrence has collected an outstanding group of musicians for his album. Trumpeter Woody Shaw is a man worth watching. His solos on "Bridge" have a refreshing quality about them; his playing is clean and assured. Also appearing are Joe Bonaire and Kenneth Nash from the band Pioneer. Bonner, Nash and Lawrence render Lawrence's "Fatish" flauntingly.
'Conversation' taps scruples, examines wiretapping ethics
By WARD HARKAVY Contribution Writer
The Conversation," a 1974 film directed by
francis Ford Coppola, examines the wretched
women and their sufferings in the lives of
migrants.
Most of us are familiar with wiretapping, or at least the results of that art, because of the Wateregate scandals. But what about the wiretappers—those who intrude on our privacy?
The despicable character in "The Conversation" is a plain, middle-aged devout Catholic named Harry Caul, brilliantly portrayed by Gene Hackman.
Caul is an excellent wiretapper; he uses all the latest equipment and usually gets results. As a freelancer, he bugs people only for money, not politics, and keeps as low a profile as he possibly
The conservation that Hackman bugs and for which the film is named takes place in a busy city at lunch time between a man and a woman (played by Frederick Forerest and Cindy Williams). The content of the conversation is full of amusement. When they meet, the two conversation, and thus it is uncertain whether the two people are having a love affair or are hatching an insidious plot.
That ambiguity is a theme that recurs throughout "The Conversation." In a later sequel, he says, "You have to look next to his. He finds you next door to investigate and finds no evidence of a struggle or of anybody having been in the room. But he goes into the bathroom and blood begins gushing out of the window."
The audience can't determine with certainty whether this whole sequence is one of Caul's faults.
Hasbinger residents planning notpourri of creative projects
UNDER DOCTOROW'S PERSONAL analysis Houdini becomes a Freudian mother love, J. P. Morgan a lucky rich man, J. D. Goldman an empty, free-loving radical of many persuasions.
By MARY ANN HUDDLESTON
And Writer
Amid their ordinary routine of classes and homework, residents of Hashinger Hall can take time out to pursue artistic inclinations through special arts programs the hall offers.
The casting of "The Conversation" is generally good, although D.C. Williams seems too innocent to be involved in any kind of plot. Allen Garfield, one of the most effective character actors working in films today, is perfectly cast as a greasy man, and both Hackman's skill and his feelings of guilt.
This Saturday, hall residents will display their creative works in the Hashing Variety Show at p.m. in the Hashing Theatre.
THE SHOW COMPRISES solo numbers, blues and folk rock music, production numbers and dialogue, according to Mary Butler, one of five student directors for the show.
It's discomforting because the audience is also cast in the role of evesproper. Those who watch you have to make their own ethical decisions about the topic. It is a movie that can make one think.
John Cazale, who was Fredo in "The Godfather," portrays Hackman's nervous and ultimately backstabbling associate, a role similar to his Fredo in "The Godfather."
Besides the variety show, which is being produced entirely by students, various workshops, guest artists and theatrical productions are being planned by students this fall.
Anne Abrams, Hashinger's program director', said Wednesday that interest group meetings were organized last week to determine in what order interests lay. At the meetings, she said, each group worked on a program of activities and chose a leader to represent the group at the budget meeting.
A pottery program has already begun with a guest artist, Mel Clark, a professional potter and Hashinger resident who's teaching a series of seven workshops.
Abrams said that the hall would have other guest artists this year, possibly in dance and weaving. Artists whose names were suggested to her was invited to visit Hashinger to be involved with her in an interest interested in the artists' field of expertise, she said.
Perhaps the main problem with the book is that it is too
A guest artist in weaving came from Kansas City for four years, said he and the weaver had the same weaver could return this year. However, residents will learn about the first three sessions, she said.
The weaving interest group will also prepare for Hashinger's Spring Arts
Guest artists are hired with funds from the Pearson Trust, which provides money for the arts at the residence bills, she said.
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Abrams said her primary goal as program director would be to achieve more common areas of the arts between different areas of the arts.
Festival which includes an art exhibition, dance concert and a theatrical performance, she said.
THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS will be part of Hashinger's fall program. "Bilte the Spirit," a farce by Noel Coward will be presented at the end of October. Abrams, who was called 'collected' by "comic ghost story," fitting for Halloween.
The dance program is still in the embryonic stage, according to Janet Hoffman, resident director. She said, however, that tap dancing had a huge response last year.
Three student recitals, two of classical music and one of popular music, are also planned.
Abrams, a graduate student in theatre, said she had done some teaching and directing in the past. Although her background is in theatre, she works with artists about other areas of the arts, which helped me meet the qualifications for the job.
"The idea is 'You help me, I help you,' " she said.
Abrams said she first became aware of the hall's program last year because she knew people who lived there. She said she liked the hall's healthy, enthusiastic atmosphere.
"A lot of it is your outlook and your ability to fit into the hall's philosophy," she said.
Films
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
THE CONVERSATION
HIDDEN professional wirelancer in a film that won one of the best Academy Awards. 1974. Francis Ford Coppola, who directed "The Godfather," directed this one. Also starring Don Johnson.
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM WILLIAMSON, of version Mark Wilson's classic story, this one was filmed in the series by Andy Kramer, Robson, Walter Brennan and Victor Jory (as Injun Joe). Double bill with the cartoon
JOHN CLEARANCE GARDEN HALL
(At 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday
and Saturday in Woodruff
Auditorium.)
CARTOOS—A fine package of cartoons including Suzie The Blue Coupe and Willie the Operatic Whale.
THE DAY THE EARTH
American science fiction films.
Michael Rennie plays an alien
visitor who warns Earth not to
fiddle around with bombs and
neal. Hugh Marlowe, Billy
Gray, Sam Jaffe and Gort the
Robot. Directed by Robert Wise
(At 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Woodruff Auditorium.)
THE ASTRONOMER'S DREAM--George Mellies, one of the founding fathers of motion pictures, made this film in 1895. Extremely interesting, and a classic film with importance, Double-bill with "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
NOW, VOYAGER—One of Hollywood's most polished movies, he once caused a soap opera by showing it but it's very good soap opera. The cast includes Bethe Davis, Claude Raupai. Paul Henrie, and the cast includes Lee Patrick—truly an awesome lineup. Max Steiner did the music for this super Warmer Bros movie. Directed by Irving
(At 7:30 p.m. Monday in Woodruff Auditorium.)
(At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Woodruff Auditorium.)
LA NOTTE - Forget Michelangelo Antonioni's disastrous "Zabriskie Point". This is one of his best efforts. Some might line it slow. But its beauty is still in Anselmo I. 1981. Subtitled
(At 7:30 Thursday in Woodruff Auditorium.)
EMERGENCE: A GRASS ACTIVISM—A 1974 film written byNorman Forer, associate director, art director and produced by KU graduates. Double-billed with a 1912 silent "The In-
(3 p.m. Sunday in Museum of Art.)
One of the 1975-76 University Theatre productions was inadvertently omitted from the schedule printed last week. The play, "Noh," will be presented Feb. 20-22 and 28-27.
BITE THE BULLET—
Another chase film, but this one is on horseback. Director Kyle MacArthur muleage from his performers, notably Gate Hexamak, James Coburn, Ben Johnson, Jan Michael Vincent and Candice
RETURN OF THE PINK
PANTHER—Peter Sellers
encores as Inspector Clouseau,
who discovered the Pink Panther
diamond the first time around.
Peter Seller hasn't been this
good in years but this otherwise
new character is a stepping stone.
EWlard's stevey direction.
A BOY AND HIS DOG-
Former KU student' Don
teapelite dog who gives
meaning to the phrase 'man's
best friend.' Based on Harlan
Ellison's shaggy dog story, this
**JAWS—Two of Hollywood brightens the direcct streets Stuart Spielberg and for Richard Dreyfus, are the office smash. The threatened townpeople look cartoonish, the shark is thoroughly convincing.
GONE IN 60 SECONDS—A car theft flick with a 40-minute dash. Cars are recommended to those who mellowed out on the chases in "Bullitt" and "The French." You may also recommend to anyone else.
VALLEY OF THE DOLLS
Two adaptations of Jacqueline Susann novels. "Valley" drops the original story and takes a new twist.
MAN-EATERS—A retitled pot-boiler re-released to capitalize on the success of that team. Raymond Reynolds lexes his muscles at the sharks. (Double-billed with THE CHALLENGE.)
Theater
Check advertisements for theater and times.
(8 p.m. Saturday in Hashinger Theatre.)
HASHINGER VARIETY
SHOW-Includes nightclub-
style acts blues and folk rock,
chorus and chorus
production numbers.
(B p.m. Saturday In Museum of Art.)
(Through Oct. 5 in Weaver Sculpture Court.)
THE MOUNTAIN-An original play by Haskell's hawk. Presented by the Indian jucs' Thunderbird Theatre.
Exhibits
HISTORICAL QUILTS
(Through Oct. 5 in Museum of Art.)
FOLK ART SCULPTURE—Decidedly original lunk art by the Kansas Grassroots Art Association.
THE ART OF THE INDIAN BASKET IN NORTH AMERICA—Basketball as beauty, the focal point for several sports, an介nion of games and programs about indian culture and history.
More beauty and utility, some examples of which crossed the plains in covered wagons.
(Through Oct. 2 at both the Lawrence Arts Center and Watkins Community Museum). A R T S T S T- CRAFTSMESH. Storeware, porcelain, pewter and enamels by professional artists.
(Through Sept. 30 at 7E7
Gallery, 7 E. 7th.)
MIKE OTT and JOE CLOWER - Vibrant and interesting variety of work by OTT, including painting and sculpture at KU, and Clower, who holds a similar position at Colorado University.
(Through Sept. 28 in Kansas Union Gallery.)
Recitals
(8 p.m. Monday in Swarthout Recital Hall.)
CAROLE ROSS—First of the 1975-76 Faculty recitals, Ross, a pianist, is an assistant professor.
Concerts
SKIP DE VOL AND THE GASLITE GABK—Gskip's one of the best banjo players around the backed by Paul Gray's group.
(Tonight and Saturday at Paul Gray's Jazz Place. Also Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Free State Opera House.)
JIMMY SPHEERI—A new name in the going brand of folk rock, playing piano and singing in front of a four-piece group.
(Saturday at the Free Opera House.)
Check advertisements for times.