Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY Friday, January 21, 1972 Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY Friday, January 21, 1972 1U records raffic Faces, Byr By HARRY HAMMITT Two recent releases are by English bands of some repute, Traffic and the Faces. Since these two bands have been re- sponsible for some really good music in the past, it is not ask- ing too much to assume that they will continue. The Faces have come a long way since "Itchycoo Park."Sing- er-guitarist Steve Marriott has left the group for Humble Pie, and has been replaced with Ron Wood on guitars. But, still, this isn't why the Faces are well- known today. Their tremendous success lies in the fact that they were joined by Rod Stewart, on vocals soon after Wood joined. With one promising album un- der their belts, the Small Faces dropped the Small from their name and became the Faces. On their second album, they gave some idea of what they were like on stage with great live versions of "Maybe I'm Amazed," and "Feel So Good," both recorded at the Fillmore East. Now the Faces have given us their third, and best, album, A Nod is as Good as a Wink ... To a Blind Horse (Warner Brothers 2574). For the first time, they have captured the raw energy of their stage act in- the studio. Credit for this goes to Glyn Johns who has per- formed miracles with other bands. The Faces derive a good deal of their inspiration from the Stones. This album has a well-balanced selection of raunchy rockers and country blues-rock. As a band, the Faces are hard to beat. Wood is one of the most innovative rock gu- tarists around. Ian McLagan, on keyboards, is only slightly short of genius. Drummer Kenny Jones is definitely amongst the very best of rock's drummers. Bassist Ronnie Lane is solid, steady, a good composer, and an unique singer. Take all these talents, put them with the immeasurable talents of Rod Stewart, and you have a combination that can't go wrong. And, as can be ex- pected, they don't The album commences with a strong rocker, "Miss Judy's Farm" which is based on a riff played incomparably by Wood, ending with punctual soloes from Wdod and McLagan. "You're So Rude" is next, and. it doesn's rock in the Faces', normal context, but comes over more like a fifties' rocker. The vocal is by Ronnie Lane who sings in an almost conversa- tional tone; his pauses are ex- tremely effective, and his de- livery is unbeatable. When.Wood comes in on harmonica, the tune is made even better. "Love Lives Here" is a pas- sionate lament by the Faces concerning the destruction of the pubs and pool halls that they used to frequent. Stewart's delivery is tasteful and passion- ate. Following this is "Last Or- ders Please," another nostalgic rocker by Lane which is given a touching performance. Side one ends with "Stay With Me" a Wood-Stewart clas- sic if there ever was one. Over one of thebest, most memorable, strong raucous rockers of past years, Stewart belts out his unique type of lyric. You won't need too much per- suading, I don't mean to sound degrading But with a face like that you got nothin' to laugh about Red lips, hair, and fingernails, I hear you're a mean old Jezabel Let's go upstairs and read my tarot cards The song ends with short soloes by Wood, McLagan, and Jones, suddenly changing tempos and cutting off, leaving the listener hungry for more. On the other side is "Debris," Program Information 8-6416 TONIGHT AT 7 and 9 P.M. "AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING FILM! A TOPNOTCH THRILLER!" -JUDITH CRIST, I A IIEW YORK MAGAZINE a cross between a slow tune by the Stones aid the Band, Lane singing with Stewart aiding on the chorus. After, is "Memphis," a relaxed, subdued version of the Chuck Berry classic. "Too Bad" is another captivating rocker with Stewart contribut- ing his typical whimsical lyrics. Finally, "That's All You Need" which is the sequel to "Plynth, featuring Wood flailing away on slide guitar, while Stewart sings the story-lyine above him, and Jones keeps things on the right track. All together, a really fine al- bum by the Faces. Hopefully this record will help clear up the misconception that has plagued the Faces for so long: Rod Stew- art is not the Faces. Stewart is nowhere without the Faces. the band is a whole, not Rod Stew- art and the Faces, but just the Faces. Traffic is another one of the finest English bands. Based on the talents of Steve Winwood, and beautifully complimented by the talents of Jim Capaldi and Chris Wood, Traffic has given the public many a fine al- bum Traffic, too, has under- gone some changes since its in- ception. The band broke up about two years ago, and then re-formed as a trio. They did JOHN BARLEYCORN and soon after, they brought in Rick Grech on bass and violin. This was criticized by many who felt that Grech would destroy the unique form of improvisation that 'Traffic was known for. Then came a change that no one had exnected. Jim Gordon, from Mad Dogs, and the Dom- inoes, was taken on as drum- mer, and Capaldi was moved to the position of singer. A conga player named Rebop was also added at the same time. These changes seemed to make no sense since Capaldi was an ex- cellent drummer, and there was no need for a singer because Steve Winwood is one of the finest singers there is. The group was looked upon with ap- prehension and their new album was eagerly awaited. They put out an album called WELCOME TO THE CANTEEN which was only a live version of their old hits and didn't show what their new sound would be like. Now, they have released their long- awaited studio album, The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys 'Island SW-9306), and it's been worth the wait. Traffic has changed, but not as much as expected. Gordon is a fine drummer and fills in well for Capaldi. What's more, the congas fit in very well. The mu- sic is typically Traffic, most of the songs done by the Winwood- Capaldi team. As can be expect- ed, Winwood shines throughout. especially on guitar which he plays more often than keyboards. Winwood handles most of the singing, with Capaldi taking the lead on two songs. Most of Win- wood's tunes are calm and in- trospective, such as "Hidden Treasure," "Many a Mile to Freedom," and "Rainmaker." There are two faster paced tunes, one by Capaldi, "Light up or Leave Me Alone," and "Rock & Roll Stew," by Grech and Gordon. "Rock & Roll Stew" is a different thing for Traffic; it Is more reminiscent of Blind Faith in its steady riff with ex- tended guitar solo. The title song is the long piece and it's a good one. It uses the familiar Winwood ploy, starts out with a slow tune and moves in to a bouncy chorus. Throughout the middle, is some reflective piano by Winwood and a little bit of sax from Wood. Grech is given a violin solo on "Rainmaker" and he makes it short and to the point. The only disappoint- ment is the unaccountable lack of soloing by Wood. He is rele- gated to a supportive role, one which he is brilliant in with highly intelligent and tasteful flute passages. This is a highly satisfying album, another in the long line of good albums that Traffic has done. The Faces and Traffic are, and rightfully deserve to be, in the forefront of rock music. These records are just another brilliant chapter in their careers. The two records are even more satisfying because of the im- peccable production. The public deserves good music, and the Faces and Traffic can be re- lied on to give it to them; they won 't let you down. The Byrds were one of the first important bands of the six- ties. Their version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." was a major breakthrough for that era. The Byrds are still around today, although the group has undergone major changes. The most famous Byrd, David Cros- by. has left to make a name for himself elsewhere. Other mem- bers of the original group left to form the Flying Burrito Brothers. The only original member still around is Roger McGuinn, the old lead singer who used to wear the tinted sunglasses. The Byrds kept plodding along, becoming an institution of American music on the way. The Byrds are taken for granted which is the trouble with too many musicians these days. When a band realizes that they are taken for granted and that not many people notice them anymore, they just might quit playing. If the Byrds quit playing, the public is going to lose out, because the Byrds play some mighty fine music. This all leads to the Byrds' new album, Farther Along (Co- lumbia KC 31050) which they recorded in London during their summer European tour. If the Byrds are to be classified, they would probably be referred to as country-rock, but they're closer TG Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity FRI., JAN. 21, 8-11 p.m. Live Band & Refreshments 1502 Hill St. ds roc) to country rock 'n' roll than anything else. This album is evi- dence of this country rock 'n' roll aspect along with a few more traditional country things. The album begins with "Tif- fany Queen" which is quite a pleasing rocker sung by Mc- Guinn who is the only person I've ever heard sing with a lisp. That's not at all bad, it only adds to the uniqueness of his tunes. This number is quickly followed up by "Get Down Your Line" which starts out as a catchy country tune, but by the chorus the song is rocking with the best of them. Then the sec- ond chorus comes along with some really fine harmonica which continues in the back- ground during the vocal. The song fades out on some fitting scat singing which is shared be- tween two voices. The listener then gets a change of pace with "Further Along" which is a traditional spiritual. The tune is good and it's played well, but what really makes the song is the soothing mandolin - work of Clarence White. White doesn't try to show off on the mandolin, but is satisfied to remain in the background throughout the song. In just this way the mandolin fits beautifully, making the en- tire song something special. '"B. B. Class Road" is probably the most rocking number of the album. The playing isn't spec- tacular, but then the song doesn't call for superhuman ef- fort, it's just a throwback to the fifties rock 'n' roll. The harmon- ica, guitar, and particularly the piano are played to perfection. They're just what the tune calls for. Side one is climaxed by "Bug- ler" which starts out almost ex- actly like Rod Stewart's "Man- dolin Wind," but quickly changes into its own tune, another coun- try spiritual. This time the man- dolinis perhaps just a little too subdued. What comes next is a whim- sicial number entitled "America's Great National Pastime" which rocks well enough. Besides that, it puts across a nice lyrical mes- sage which takes a pessimistic view of American society. The song sounds like a string of ----- --- -- ~ (OUZENS FILM (0-OP presents "A Man Called Horse" starring Richard Harris at: COUZENS HALL FRI. & SAT.-7 &r9 ADMISSION 75c American cliches sung like they came straight from an AM radio jingle. "Antique Sandy" is certainly a good song, but not as good as some of the other tunes. It sounds more like the Byrds of the past few years. "Precious Kate" is just a nice, but typical, country-rock tune. It features some good piano, and a sensi- tive, but short, guitar solo. "So Fine" is another rocker, but this one was written by Johnny Otis and it falls short of what the Byrds do for themselves. Even so, the tune rocks well and the guitar passages are handled with originality and sensitivity. "Lazy Waters" is the type{ of song that the title implies. The song is de- livered in a plaintive manner. It floats along until a beautiful, sensitive harmonica solo takes over where the singer leaves off. The singing comes on again with several repetitions of the chorus and the song's loose ends are then tied up by a duet of the guitar and the piano. The only complaint about, this song is that the harmonica doesn't last longer than it does. The al- bum is finished off by "Bristol Steam Convention Blues" which is a typical country banjo-pick- ing tune which displays some fine interplay between the gui- tars and the banjo, but no over- whelming banjo playing. The album doesn't quite rate as a masterpiece, but it has more than its share of fine mu- sic. All members of the band are good, but credit is due par- ticularly to Clarence White's mandolin, Skip Battin's fine pi- ano, and, especially, Gene Par- son for his great work on drums, harmonica, and banjo. The Byrds are the type of group that would probably be fantastic jamming. The rough- ness of a jam is glossed over here, but then the best diamonds are those that are polished. on DOROTHY and THE WIZARD (in the land of -Oz) See the Good Witch, the Evil Witch, the Scare- crow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion on the big Screen at Saturday and Sunday nights * at MAST'CA.M. DOWNTOWN 217 S. Main St. 2 LOCATIONS 619 E. Liberty Clint Eastwi IS Dirty Harry rand. ~it's a Sizzler" .4 $; "ONE OF THE YEAR'S TEN BEST" IAdR -Adi d -Ken Barnard, Detroit News * STARTS THURSDAY * Program Information 2-6264 At State and Liberty OPEN 1 P.M. Shows at 1:15, 3:10, 5, 7, & 9 P.M. Subscribe0to The Michign Daily__ I aI I Tonight Only DUET FOR CANNIBALS Dir. Susan Sontag, 1969 The great critic/novelist turns to film. Susan's first feature made in Sweden in a genre which Berg- man made famous: the Swedish chamber drama. Two earnest revolutiona- ries serve as fodder for an elder couple's psycho- logical and sexual feast. A STOP RAPE a 4 Conference . 5 Sponsored by: Ann'Arbor Womer's Crisis Center Conducted by: Detroit Women Against Rape All WOMEN Welcome * Admission Free * WOMEN ONLY!! * I "THE MOVIE IS A GREAT BIG RICH AMERICAN.XPERIENCE.SGO I" -COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE 7P5lI155II115i7 ... is better than he has ARCH ITECTU RE AUDITORIUM 7:00 and 9:00 75c STOP RAPE! Saturday, Jan. 22 10:00A.M.-3:00 P.M. St. Andrew's Church N. Division at Catherine SOUP, BREAD & BEVERAGE PROVIDED for 50c CALL LOUISE AFTER 6 P.M. AT 761-0422 for CHILD CARE ARRANGEMENTS COPIES WILL BE AVAILABLE OF: STOP-RAPE HANDBOOK (25c) SELF DEFENSE FOR WOMEN (95c) I " DISCUSSION: RAPE AS AN INSTITUTION Who Are Rapists? What Sort of Women Get Raped? Where? When? Why? What Happens Afterwards? With Police? In Court? In Our Heads? Why Are Few Rapists Prosecuted and Fewer Convicted? " FIGHTING BACK: Dealing with Rape/Rapists Aggressively. Demonstration and Practice of Self-Defense Methods. * WOMEN'S STREET THEATER-On Rape AND MORE! f yi _ i - - - - - been in years!" -TIME MAGAZINE ;'.the best work 'ofalifetimel" -TIME MAGAZINE Read and Use Daily Classifieds 7IEIJRFGI1II I 70%,166RmC .. is simply fantastic!" -COSMOPOIUTAN MAGAZINE d- CORONET MAGAZINE 2 Performances!-Tonight and Sat. ... finei1" - CBSJTV JACK MACGOWRAN DRei 'wRK FRI. & SAT. JAN. 10' -- +4 MF - . -.M - U " E A ..7 'l U i -- . . . U ~ ~' I i _ _ _ _ _