Page Two
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Page Two THE MICHIGAN DAILY
Saturday, September :26, 19709'
A
records
Moody Blues in a
1lyrical 73alance'
By ANN L. MATTES
Without a doubt the Moody Blues (Threshold, London) have
created another success in A Question of Balance. Continuing
i the tradition of their last three albuns, this release centers
around a theme that unites each of the songs. In this case the
lyrics offer philosophical statementes that alternately criticize
and exalt the condition of man. Wisemen of the future will not
marvel at the cogency of their thoughts, but the songs do produce
an atmosphere somewhat superior to the average "hit".
Side one asserts the evil aspect of the nature of man. "Ques-
tion" (Justin Howard) despairs at the abundance of greed thruogh-
out the world both on a nationalistic scale and in interpersonal
relations. The opening acoustic guitar opens up to full orchestra-
tion, but never do the lyrics cease to dominate. The next two
songs, "How Is It (We Are Here)" and "The Tide Rushes In,"
puzzle over pointless cruelty. While these songs lack melodic inter-
est, the use of the mellatron, an instrument that sounds like high-
pitched violins, produces quite a pleasing effect. I understand
from friends who 'vent to the Moody Blues' recent concert that
all the musical accompaniment can be reproduced on stage, a re-
markable feat considering the "largeness" of the sound.
"Don't You Feel Small" (Graeme Edge) contains another
effect that enhances the melody. As the group sings, a horse
whispering voice (Snow White style) repeats the words, slightly out
of phase. This weird puinctuation stems from the words:
Ask the mirror on the wall
Who's the biggest fool of all,.u
Bet you feel small,
It happens to us all.
The last song on this side, "Tortoise and Hare," has a driving
pace that is not particularly inspired but is in no way objection-
able.
As in the case of Days of Future Past and To Our Children's
Children's Children, the second side offers the most melodic con-
tent. The lyrics no longer stand alone in their cosmic significance.
The Accompaniment begins to really rock and rolL "It's Up to
You" and "Minstrel's Song" have their roots in the pre-acid rock
generation. In the second song both the musical and verbal phras-
ing "Love-Love/ Everywhere love is all around" sound as if it
were almost lifted entirely from a Beatles' song on the Sergeant
Pepper album.
The last two songs on the album lift the record to the realm
of greatness. "Melancholy Man" (Mike Pinder), with its descend-
ing chords, truly assimilates the melody into the lyrics which
also convey the idea of descent:I
When all the stars are falling down
Into the sea and on the ground,
And angry voices carry on the wind,
. A beam of light will fill your head
Anil you'll remember what's been said
By all good men this world's ever known.
Another man is what you'll see,
Who looks like you and looks like me,
And yet somehow he will not feel the same,
His life caught up in misery,
He doesn't think like you and me,
'Cause he can't see what you and I can see.
The last song, "The Balance" (words by Graeme Edge and
music by Ray Thomas) brings the group's thoughts to its most
poetic and positive height. Most of the words are spoken and con-
tain a parable that sounds very much like the Creation in Genesis.
This closing narration appeals to the listener to open his heart
attempting to alleviate his despair.
Both in its technical excellence and lyrical countenance,
Question of Balance surpasses the greater portion of recent
recordings.
-yy. / , . Teaching Office (2292 S) no later
Daily Official Bulletin than Sept. 28, to pick up important
I information and materials related to
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 procedures of assignment,
Genera Notices P1,r11nt ,r
Famous PIZZA & CHICKEN
from
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Another Guthrie folks!
Jeff Guthrie, related to all of the more famous Guthries, played his old-time, country fiddle last
night at the Ark. (repeat tonight). He is joined during the sets by Buster Jackson and together they
describe the old West vividly based from personal experiences.
Det. Symphony
opens -series
The Detroit Symphony Or-
chestra, conducted by Sixten
Ehrling, will give the opening
concert in the Choral Union
Series at 2:30 p.m. S u n d a y
(Sept. 27) in Hill Aud.
The concert. wlich is under
the auspices of the University
Musical Society, will feature
Judith Raskin of the Metropoli-
tan Opera as soprano soloist in
Sheherazade by Ravel and Sym-
phony No. 4 by Mahler. The
orchestra opens the program
with Berlioz' "Corsair" Over-
ture.
OPEN 12:45 P.M.
SHOWS at 1-3-5-7-9 P.M.
Program Info: 662-6264
THE LANDLORD'S
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A
THE MIRISCH
PRODUCTION COMPANY
presents
A NORMAN JEWISON-HALSASHBY
PRODUCTION
"
starring BEAU BRIDGES LEE GRANT DIANA SANDS
IER L - Ar I L Y-are"a Music by Screenplay by iBased on a novel by
ndEAAL BOOPER BILL GUNN KRISTHUNTE
Produced by Directed by
NORMAN JEWISON HAL ASHBY COLOR by DeLuxe'United Artits
I ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE ON UNITED ARTISTS RECORDS
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Hockey and Skating Classes: Regis-
tration still being' taken in ice hockey. SUMMER PLACEMENT SCHEDULE y
figure skating and ice skating classes September 25, 1970
which begin Oct. 1. Register in Room Te Summer Placement Service opens
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p.m. possibilities for summer job - where to
Any student intending to e I e c t go - what to do - go abroad - Na-
Secondary Directed -'Teaching next term tional Park. Many opportunities. Come
(Winter '1) must go to Directed one, come all. Welcome.
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