ROCK • A • RAMA
GODDARD LIEBERSON — Piano Pieces For Advanced Children, Or Retarded Adults (Columbia Special Products):: New Columbia solo star with heavy classical influence, would be boffo with Andy Warhol cover. Will move with in-store play and judicious mention of contributions froth guest stars: retard humor lyrics by R. Meltzer, slide guitar by Carolyn Hester, bass by Ed Naha.
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ROCK.A.ROMA
GODDARD LIEBERSON — Piano Pieces Foi Advanced Children, Or Retarded Adults (Columbia Special Products):: New Columbia solo star with heavy classical influence, would - be boffo with Andy Warhol cover. Will move with in-store play and judicious mention of contributions froth guest stars: retard humor lyrics by R. Meltzer, slide guitar by Carolyn Hester, bass by Ed Naha.
E.H.
NEW YORK DOLLS — Teenage News (notyet-released single):: If we can work out technicalities like getting it recorded, bought, and played on the radio, this'll be the single *of "75. Do your bit: call radio stations, record stores, Mercury records, your congressman; tell "em you want to rock and Elton John's not good enough. Flip: "Give Her a Great Big Kiss," not to be included on the LP.
M.J.
THE STOOGES - L.A. Blues (Elektra single):: I don't know what Mark Jenkins is complaining about. So the Dolls don't have a survey hit, so they're playing the same little dives, so what. Just snap on your AM dial, Mark, and check out what Elektra's done — yep, flash-whiz-jam-contrapuntal-textured rock has finally gotten to the old folkies up , there in Columbus Circle, and they've rush released this vintage track from the Ig's golden era to compete in the heavy New Year Frank Zappa market. Zipping up the charts it is, too; the vocal's a little rough to make out, but then "Tumbling Dice" was no elocutive A-plus. A lot of people around here have been arguing lately about what makes this song a hit, but I contend it's the sax break ~ beats Tom Scott numb at his own game. Kudos to Ig, the boys, their producer Don Galucci, and all concerned.
J.S.
SPARKS - Propaganda (Island):: I know several people who swear they like this group what it sounds like to me is some L.A. schmatahs who sailboated over to England, caked on a little image here and there, started playing like old Alice Cooper records on amphetamine at 78 run backwards and singing like the Nutty Squirrels, and managed to convince the gullible and plain hungry that they just might be the Next Big Fling or at least refreshing. They drive me up the motherfuckin" wall, just like Cockney Rebel, just like a lot of that other crap. Then again, I ask myself, if I hate this stuff so much, how come I just eat up everything Eno does, when a lot of it don't sound so different? Especially since some of Sparks" lyrics ain't bad at all. Here's why: Eno's always got a bottom. Drone. Drive. Velvets backbeat rock steady. Also Eno is smarter. These guys are just shrill and herky jerky, carnival music. Take it if you want it.
L.B.
FRIJID PINK — All Pink Inside (Fantasy):: Even Detroiters is gotta don them uniform CCR plaid wool shirts when they sign on with the Fantasy combine, and their music shows it, too. Energetic, traditionalist rock "n" roll, more or less, but nothing to write home to the Mother Motor City about. Highlight of the set is "(There Ain't No) Rock and Roll in China," a brilliant concept, although it's handled by Frijid Pink with considerably less wit than Chuck Berry almost certainly would've applied to the same subject.
certainly R.R.
JOHN COLTRANE — Interstellar Space & His Greatest Years Vol. 3 (Impluse); AZAR LAWRENCE - Bridge Into The New Age (Prestige):: Since Coltrane's influence has never been more pervasive in all areas of improvisational music than it is right now, these should meet with good responses. Space is previously unreleased stuff, energy music pared down to its essentials, just "Trane and drummer Rashied Ali. The Greatest Years package is a varied showcase of the man's talents over a six-year period, ideal for those just discovering him. Lawrence, the 22-year old .sax player in McCoy Tyner's present group, carries on "Trane's tradition in a more contemporary setting; help from the likes of Julian Priester and Billy Hart make Bridge a bitch of a debut.
M.D.
THE WHISPERS - Bingo (Janus)::: The Whispers are the latest group to surrender to the commercially successful Philadelphia Sound (the title cut even opens with coins falling out of a slot machine) and while not without its merits, the result is mostly a bland collection of standard soul slush. "A Mother For My Children" is the standout here, a 100% knockout dance number.
J.A.
JERRY GOODMAN & JAN HAMMER -Like Children (Nemperor):: Mahavishnu fans and foes agree; this Overdub Orchestra sucks. Come back when you grow up.
M.D.
GARY BURTON — Seven Songs For Quartet And Chamber Orchestra (ECM):: What could be worse than Burton's vibes bouncing around on a large orchestral cushion? Everyone involved with this record should be taking thyroid pills.
R.C.W.
BENNIE MAUPIN - A Jewel In The Lotus (ECM):: A real disappointment. Maupin can be a genuine mover and Herbie Hancock's here too (with some acoustic piano yet) but most of the compositions can be classified as tone poems. After the tenth held note you'll feel like screaming. It wasn't good five years ago, it isn't good now, and if you like it you're wrong.
R.C.W.
This month's rockaramas were written by Elizabeth Hatch, Mark Jenkins, Johnny Sandlin, Lester Bangs, Richard Riegal, Michael Davis, James Allio and Richard C. Walls.
