Rock · a · Rama

Rock a Rama

BARRY MANILOW II (Arista):: If Barry could talk his beagle companion into being his side-kick he could pick up where Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme left off. "Mandy" — for that matter, most of the album — is nothing more than the typical monotonous wonderbread that passes for music on AM these days. N.M.

ERIC CARMEN (Arista) :: Tony Williams once said that he and his group Lifetime made music for people who got into the sounds of their refrigerators turning on and off. Eric Carmen makes music for people who get into their refrigerators and find them stocked with lots of the "right" things (fondue, for instance, or filet of sole and the wine that the Guide to such things described as "perfect for that special evening").

That Carmen has been hailed as bejng in the same caliber as Brian Wilson is like mentioning Rod McKuen and John Berryman as comparable poets. It has, and will be said again, that Eric's record is every bit as useless as Barry Manilow and his ilk; what's worse is that Eric doesn't rock at all, he couldn't write a truly bright pop song if you gave him all the cocaine in Barry White's suitcase, and f come from his hometown and know for a fact that his mother still comes over to scrub out his apartment. The final touch is that a reputed sixteen grand was dropped by Arista for those glucose strings that coat his whole waste of time...and one should consider what Cecil Taylor might be able to create with even a third of that money. P.L.

ROXY MUSIC - Siren (Atco) :: Oh, hell, I admit it, these guys can be appealing and exciting even WITHOUT Eno..."Love.Is The Drug" not only makes the best foot-to-the-floorboards cruiser to hit AM in years, it even makes me want to start hanging out in singles bars. (But only them that gots:. .you just KNOW that's the sound of an XKE Jag revving at the start). But please, v guys, next time MORE McKay and Manzanera...

P.L.

LINDA HARGROVE - Love, You're the Teacher (Capitol) :: When she walks the line between pop and country, Hargrove cuts Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and all the rest. But the closer she moves to mainstream Nashville, the less interesting she is, a couple good songs notwithstanding. For that reason, pass this up and check out Blue Jean Country Queen, her previousalbum. J.X.M.

ROY WOOD - Mustard (United,Artists) ::Roy casts off his wizzard's cape for the moment and gazes admiringly at the Tree of Flock, not noticing that the tree's roots are encircling his throat. If he puts out one more self-defeating, do-it-all-yourself early 60's homage like this one, he might as well kiss off America for good. M.D.

STREETWALKER^ - (Mercury):: Okay, schmucks, you missed 'em the first time around; don't blow it twiqe. Ex-Family men Chapman and Whitney have connected with Bob Tench in this powerfully basic band; with Joe down bedwetting and Rod out jet-setting, it's time for Chapman's brutal sensitivity to break on through.

M.D.

TELLY SAVALAS - Who Loves Ya Baby (MCA) :: I've got it: he's the white Barry White!

L.B.

TELLY SAVALAS - Who Loves Ya Baby (MCA) s: No, he's not; he's the man ,who was stupid enough to make the mistake I was smart enough not to make. B.R.

LOU REED - Coney Island Baby (RCA) :: For this I committed suicide? D.S.

MAGMA - Jah Weh Rasta Wigout (RCA):: Stephen Sondheim is back with a vengeance. Kick ass, motherfucker! B.W.

KRAFTWERK • Weather Reconnaissance Balloon Farm (Capitol) :: Everybody knows Canadians all play guitar with their antlers. When are these guys and whoever's hyping them gonna give up? They're only the Wackers in drag.

L.B.

THE DOORS - Moonlight Drive /Recorded live at the Matrix 1967 (Trademark of Quality Bootleg) :: What we have here are twelve tunes from their Waiting For The Sun period. Good sound quality, and I guess that I should be happy with this, but I'm not 'cause it reminds me too painfully that Jim Morrison was the best goddamned rock vocalistthat ever lived, and I can't help but wonder what he'd be doing today, if... J.M.

ROBERT WYATT • Ruth is Stranger Than Richard (Virgin import) :: Robert Wyatt is one of the most courageous musicians around. The poor guy falls out a window, gets crippled for life, and comes back singing "I'm ,a Believer." He's not kidding. All Neil Young, Lou Reed and John Lennon do is complain about how rotten their shallow existences are, and Wyatt is singing the Monkees' most optimistic love song. Virgin apparently isn't going to release this one over here, which is especially unfortunate because Eno plays guitar and synthesizer. What you should really buy it for, though, are Wyatt's hypnotic keyboards and vocals. \ T.M.

McCOY TYNER - Trident (Milestone) :: Typer, piano; Ron Carter, bass; Elvin Jones, drums; the affinity is breathtaking. The music comes at you in waves, cleansing — it's incredibly wholespme. Maybe a little awkwardness would strike some deeper emotional chords in the listener but there's enough beauty in the strength and purposefulness of this music to uplift. Tyner plays like a wild eyeebRomantic and Jones is the Norman Vincent Peale of the mystic arts. Carter is, of course, perfect. It would be an instant classic but they've done it all before. So enjoy it again. R.C.W.

SONNY FORTUNE - Awakening (Horizon) :: This is.the kind of set that conjures Up damning words like "solid" and "competent," possibly because it's a typical example of the peak art of jazz on a road traveled but not worn...safe but not cautious blendings of expertise and emotion. Fortune plays a hard liquid alto sax (& some flute) & leads an acoustic quintet of solid competent musicians through five rather lyrical structures in a refreshing,continuation of pace.R.C.W.