ROCK · A · RAMA
STRAWBS - Nomadness (A&M) :: This could be very embarrassing at a party, although it can be very inspiring at four AM in downtown Birmingham during burned-out deadline rush. Rick Wakeman plays very nice electric harpsicord on “Tokyo Rosie,” while Dave Cousins remains an Old-English romanticist.
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ROCK · A · RAMA
RECORDS
STRAWBS - Nomadness (A&M) :: This could be very embarrassing at a party, although it can be very inspiring at four AM in downtown Birmingham during burned-out deadline rush. Rick Wakeman plays very nice electric harpsicord on “Tokyo Rosie,” while Dave Cousins remains an Old-English romanticist. Play this continuously at first, then reserve for particularly introverted moments. D.M.
ARTHUR BROWN - Dance With Arthur Brown (Gull) :: According to the press info Pyromaniac Brown has entertained the Dalis and the Kennedys but even Stray fans wouldn’t bother with this grime. T.M.
RENAISSANCE - Scheherazade and Other Stories (Sire) :: Superfluous British fairytale eleganza gone classically insane. Sure beats Star Trek re-runs. T.M.
UFO - Force It (Chrysalis) :: Whistle clean thundermugs that make their lyrics so insignificant that you can listen to ’em without thinkin’ of crucifixes or Chevies. T.M.
JET (CBS import) :: Most new bands nowadays are the work of one person and a bunch of nonentities that do the chores and share the doughJet is the work of many talents: Davey O’List, guitar, is the guy who set the studio on fire during Ferry’s version of “The In Crowd.” Martin Gordon, ex-Sparks bassist, wrote all but one song here, while Andy Ellison sings in the Mael tradition, squeezing as many words into each breath as his lungs permit. All totaled it’s a perfect rock ‘n’ roll album — great titles, dumb lyrics, and not a bad spoof. T.M.
COMMANDER CODY AND HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN - Tales From The OZone (Warner Bros.) :: Cody’s search for the hit single continues; they’re bound and determined to get one if it’s the last thing they do, which it may well be. This time out, they’ve chosen the Campy Novelty Song Approach over the L.A. Country Rock Approach which failed them on their last try. Still, what comes through most on this album is boredom and lack of energy or imagination, attributes which are neither novel nor the key to a hit record. They’ve even acquiesced to a Hoyt Axton production, and done two of his songs. J.X.M.
STARRY EYED AND LAUGHING -Thought Talk (Columbia) :: These blokes play as though simple hard rock, built around organ and guitars and shot through with earnest harmonies, was still a good way to get your kicks. A little Byrds, a little Mott, and very English. One of the year’s better white rock debuts. J.X.M.
THE FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS -Flying Again (Columbia):: Just what the world needs — the reformation of another legendary group whose members have nothing better to do right now. No focus, no feeling, no fun. And “Why Baby Why” and “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke” are two of the best arguments going for liberalizing the unemployment laws enough that these guys can qualify. After all, you can’t eat past glories. J.X.M.
ERIC DOLPHY & RON CARTER - Magic (Prestige) :: Master Dolphy blows sweet, strong, and relatively structured over the ebullient bass of Ron Carter, a low-profile marvel in nearly any setting. With Booker Little, Jaki Byard, and Mai Waldron, among others. This one’s a beauty.
J.X.M.
EL CHICANO - Pyramid (MCA) :: Nothing offensive here, kids: Paul McCartney meets Santana after both’ve been castrated by a Black & Decker chain saw. J.M
GARRY BARTZ - The Shadow Do (Prestige) :: Well whaddya know, a Mizell production that doesn’t make me wanna vomit. Whyz that? Prob’ly because Gary and his buddies (including Mtume, Lucas, and Henderson from Miles Davis’ band) take care of the arranging and somehow make the contemporary funk thing sound like a natural outgrowth of past jazz traditions instead of a pre-packaged aberration. M.D.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN - Clearly Love (MCA) :: This big-eyed bimbo is the only bitch with enough gall to put “Summertime Blues” and “He Ain’t Heavy...He’s My Brother” within 3 minutes of each other. Pop-top slop, non-stop.
M.D.
LEWIS FUREY (A&M) :: Already they’re calling this guy the Canadian Lou Reed (whatever happened to Leonard Cohen?), a title that’s not only insulting to Reed, but to me as a Canadian as well. Hell, he doesn’t even come close to becoming a second rate Jobraith, let alone Lou Reed. He qan’t write, and even if he could he’d still never be able to capture the true essence of Reed ’cause at least Lou has a respect for the street, whereas this Furey character is just wandering down dead end alleys with a dated transfer in his hand, in search of light. Somebody oughtta beat the kid up and send him back home to his mother. J.M.
This month’s rockaramas were written by Doug Mumm, Toni; Mastrianni, John X. Morthland, Jeffrey Morgan, and Michael Davis.
Just thought you ought to know that we got Horses, the Patti Smith album, mere minutes before printer’s deadline, and it’s everything Tony Glover said it was and more. Check here next month for the rest of the action. — Ed.
