Kansan Reviews
RECORDS: Another look
By WILL HARDESTY
Reviewing a Beatle album is much like carrying the proverbial coals to Newcastle—which is why the album has not been reviewed in the Kansan.
However, by now, those who like the Beatles (many) and those who can afford (some) have bought and listened to the Beatles new album THE BEATLES on Capitol.
Those who have bought have been comparing the latest to former albums. Now it might be interesting to know what George Harrison has to say about the album.
As most persons figured out, "Back in the U.S.S.R." is done a la Beach Boys. It was "Paul's tribute to Brian Wilson, whom he digs very much," Harrison says.
Perhaps "Glass Onion" is a parody of the Beatles themselves. In this song are words and phrases from "Strawberry Fields Forever," "The Fool on the Hill," "I Am the Walrus" and "Lady Madonna." Harrison says, "It's just nice, the imagery of that 'looking through a glass onion.' It sounds very nice."
"Obladi Oblada" was at one time supposed to be released as a single, but, after "Hey Jude" went so well, it was held up for the album.
The sound of the song has a hint of pata pata-African folk music. "There's a fellow in London, Jimmy Scott, and his Obladi Obladi Band, and he made up that saying based on some African saying," Harrison says. "He says it all the time. Obladi Oblada. Life goes on, man."
"The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" is the confrontation of the adult world by children. Harrison says the children's chorus is "Ringo's chauffeur and wife and all the engineers and anybody who's around really . . . they're overdubbed about three times."
If the older generation in your family liked "When I'm Sixty-Four," they probably also liked "Martha My Dear." Harrison says "Martha is a big sheep dog."
"Birthday," sounding like the hard rock of the 1960s, leads off the third side. "Yer Blues" is a Creamish number about which Harrison says, "Now, you never knew we were really from Chicago, did you? I mean, we learned all the basic blues rhythms and patterns when we were young lads living in Chicago, so we thought we'd get back into it for a bit."
"Mother Nature's Son," which is Paul singing a very lovely song that he wrote about himself," is the way Harrison describes the third cut on the side, and about the fourth cut he says, "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey" is John Lennon singing a very lovely song that he wrote about himself."
The fourth side begins with "Revolution No. 1" which Harrison says "was recorded before the other side of 'Hey Jude,' has less attack, not as much of a revolution, more the Glen Miller version."
What can be said about the album over-all?
First, it would appear that this album is a contrast to SGT. PEPPER'S. THE BEATLES is an album of sounds dominate over lyrics, whereas SGT. PEPPER'S was lyrics over sounds.
Secondly, there are some cuts on the album which are destined to be the classics of this era in 20 years, like "Back in the U.S.S.R.," "Obladi, Oblada," "Bungalow Bill," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Rocky Raceoon," "Don't Pass Me By," "Birthday," and "Revolution No. 1."
Thirdly, the disadvantage of two-record sets seems to be that even the best are forced, at times, to use filler to complete their works. In this case, some of the fillers are real bombs, like "Wild Honey Pie." "Happiness Is a Warm Gun." "Why don't we do it in the road?" "Helter Skelter," and "Revolution No. 9."
It would seem, though, that with the quality of the rest of the album and with the Beatles' past record of excellence, one could over-look the bummers and fairly rate the album, as a whole, as good.
'Mikado' set for March 5
The play is directed by John Bush Jones, assistant professor of English, and his wife, Sandra Carson Jones. They are also co-founders of KU's Gilbert and Sullivan Co.
Rehearsals are under way for the Mt. Oread Gilbert and Sullivan Co. production of the operetta "The Mikado," playing March 5-9 in Strong Hall Auditorium.
Jones, who recently completed an anthology of critical essays of Gilbert and Sullivan for the New York University Press, said, "The Mikado' satirically pokes fun at various ministers of state of the English government, as do all Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Even the romantic plot is treated in a silly way."
The opera, which has never before been produced in Lawrence, is the story of the son of a Japanese emperor who runs away from home disguised as a wandering minstrel to avoid being married to the elderly Katisha.
The young man, named Nanki-Poo, falls in love with a girl named Yum-Yum, but the lord executioner wants her for himself. The opera's romantic and political complications arise from this situation.
A special critic's performance will be presented March 4, according to Charles Rose, public relations director and business manager for the company. Tickets for regular performances go on sale Feb. 17 at the Kansas Union SUA office and Bell's Music Co. downtown Lawrence.
The cast, chosen in tryouts in January, includes: Scott Holmes, Kenilworth, Ill., sophomore; Steve Goodman, Mission freshman; Paul Gilbert, Seneca junior; David Miller, Glenview, Ill., senior; Richard Weston, Washington, N.J., graduate student; A. G. Curry, San Antonio, Tex., freshman; Carolyn Weber, Topeka freshman; Linda Slezak, Des Moines, Iowa, freshman; Sharon Zongker, Wichita graduate student, and Kathy Kirkpatrick, Des Moines, Iowa, freshman.
KU's top brass and percussion players will present a Brass Choir concert at 8 p.m. today in the University Theatre. Admission is free.
KU Brass Choir performs tonight
The group has represented KU at various conventions including the National Music Education convention—one of the highest honors a music organization can receive.
Kansan Arts Calendar
Today
7 & 9 p.m. — Classical Film — "The Horses Mouth" — Dyche Auditorium
4:30 p.m. — SUA Poetry Hour
— Lee Joo reads his poems —
Music Room of the union
8 p.m. — Brass Choir Concert
— Swarthout Recital Hall
7 & 9 p.m. — Special Film — "King Kong" — Kansas Union Ballroom
Thursdav
8:20 p.m. - Concert Course -
Henryk Szeryng, violinist -
University Theatre
8:20 p.m. – Experimental Theatre – “Destroy Rides Again”
8:20 p.m. — Experimental Theatre — "Destry Rides Again."
Feb. 12 1969 KANSAN 5
OUR VALENTINE LATE SHOW IT WILL EVEN MAKE CUPID BLUSH!!
'It ain't me, Babe'
Bob Dylan is the subject of the documentary "Don't Look Back," the SUA Special Film showing at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday in the Kansas Union Ballroom.
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