The Michigan Daily-Tuesday, November 29, 1977-Page7
U{
kynryd survives
By AUSTIN VANCE
B Y NOW EVERYONE has heard of the unfortunate demise of Ronnie Van-Zant
and Steve Gaines. The problem here is to make this a record review and not a
eulogy, although they certainly deserve one. Luckily we have their new album,
Street Survivors (MCA-3029).
Do you remember the first time you heard "Sweet Home Alabama"? The
first guitar notes carne out of the one old car speaker and you had to know this was
not another one of Elton John's hits, it had an original sound. About halfway
through I realized the words had a point to them, that they weren't just words that
rhymed easily. Few songs since the Star Spangled Banner have expressed a love
for ones homeland better. It is surprising that a song that good ever made it on AM.
Another thing I like about this band is that they don't mince words. It would
be nice if a few politicians would make their position on gun control as clear as
Lynyrd Skynyrd does on "Saturday Night Special;" these guys are clearly not
your average rednecks. And their opinion on dangerous drugs is made very plain
in "Needle and the Spoon."
Here are the high points of the album: The definitive groupie song "What's
Your Name," notable because it is probably the first song ever to mention Boise,
Idaho by name and because it's a good rocker. Next there's another anti-drug
song, "That Smell," in the same vein as the aforementioned "Needle and the
Spoon." Complete with weeping guitars and spooky chorus. Hell Yeah. In the
I December Grad
Graduation Announcements"
on sale
Nov. 28-Dec. 16
t 12-4 p.m.
Michigan Union
Ticket Desk
S ~for X4.50 LAALL
iwwrq
r+WWT:x.
I
2
4
4
W;
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
Dancers
The DMBC Special (a Senior Dance Concert) will take place in Studio A of the
Dance Building, next to the CC Rec Building, on December 2 and 3, at 8:00 p.m.
AL pt
theme song for Nighthawks, Merle Haggard's classic "Honky Tonk Night Time s
Man," the feelings of late-nighters couldn't be better expressed:rP aDi S j
I'm a honky tonk night time man By NINA SHISHKOFF
I can't stand no light SEEN ANY GOOD kid shows late-
ly? If you haven't, it's probably
Iget my rest in the daytime because you haven't looked. At your
Do my running around at night age, you shouldn't be still watching
You female insommnaics can insert "women" wherever appropriate. "I Never them, or at least admitting to it.
Dreamed" is also an excellent ballad, probably similar to "Free Bird" when done Right?
in cozicert. Steve Gaines is a great guitarist. "You Got that Right" containing the Maybe not. But every Saturday
ironic line "When my times up... You won't find me in old folks home" and finally night at 7:30 channel 56 presents
the rest of the songs,, all solid southern flavoured tunes. . "Once Upon a Classic", the re-telling
I know an awful lot of very 'disappointed people looking forward to seeing of great stories like Heidi, The Prince
Lynyrd Skynyrd at Cobo. They were a band definitely on the way up. Lets hope and the Pauper, and David Copper-
their death isn't exploited the way Elvis' was, I can't imagine Van-Zant okaying field.
some "rush" album. Be glad this record was down before the fateful accident. Right now, Robin Hood is on. While
In short this is a great album for Lynyrd Sknyrd, one which should reaffirm Good King Richard is off on The
their position as one of the most progressive rock hands around today. Obviously Crusades, his cowardly brother John
made with lots of care and pride, it is an auricular delight, has been made a pawn of the evil
Sheriff of Nottingham and the Guy of
Gisbourne. Robin and his band of
outlaws are in Sherwood Forest
t m defended the rights' of the poor, and
iss live an then soethe Maid Marion, Gisbourne's fian-
cee, is sighing chastely for Robin.
By TIM YAGLE AND WHAT a beginning there is with This stuff is too good for kids.
T TWAS BOUND to happen sooner or "Detroit Rock City." The bass literally THE STORY LINES are faithful to
. later. In what is probably an at- explodes (listen for it) into the song af- the original, for one thing. They don't
tempt to capitalize on the great success ter the speedy beginning. "Rock City" underestimate the intelligence of
of their first live album, Kiss Alive is a good example of the ferocity of live their younger viewers by leaving out
(double platinum) the outrageous (this Kiss. tricky twists or issues that might be
doesn't necessarily imply I don't like Perhaps the only thing that detracts over their heads. The attention to his-
them) 'demons of rock have released from your listening pleasure is Paul torical detail is doubly commendable
another double album capturing Kill Stanley's occasionally, no, make that when you think that the kids wouldn't
live in'three performances at the Los- frequently abominable voice. He's notice the difference anyway.
Angeles Forum last August. It is imag- almost yelling throughout the album In the current Robin Hood, Robin is
inatively entitled Kiss Alive II and con- and this might make you cringe more played by Martin Potter, who is as
tains most of the tunes from Love Gun, than some of the music will. good looking and swashbuckling as
R knd R ll n ad D t lu After you've experienced three sides the role requires. Diane Keen plays
I
obInHood
Marion, sad and chaste, but also as a
sort of Middle Ages women's libber.
Prince John, has to be seen to be
believed. He might almost be termed
comic relief.
Robin Hood is noticeably more
violent, than the usual kid's show,
although less violent than Kojak or
Baretta. I suppose all the arrow
shooting could disturb some children,
but more likely, they'd enjoy the
quick action. And offhand, I'd rather
my kids imitate Robin Hood than
Baretta.
The main fault of the show is to
over-explain the plot in the introduc-
tion. The host, Bill Bixby, comes on
each week, recaps the story so far,
then explains what's about to hap-
pen. He reappears at the end to
re-explain what happened, and tell
what will happen next week.
Maybe the whole thing could be
settled if I stopped calling Once Upon
a Classic a kid's show. Anyone should
enjoy seeing David Copperfield, and
when it comes to Robin Hood and his
Merry Men, aren't we all kids at
heart?
S
S
I'
t I
Critics and art lovers alike were dazzled when this Matisse
exhibition opened in Washington. Overwhelming color and
gaiety! Joie de vivre! See this joyful sunburst of 58 cut-paper
paintings-works created "to make people feel better" Enjoy
the final flowering of this century's greatest artist.
noex anuime lver an u esAroyer, piua
five new studio songs.
The obvious purpose of this LP is to
'give you a feeling of what it's like to be
in an arena where Kiss is performing. It
achieves its purpose. If you like what
Kiss Alive did to you, Kiss Alive II
should provide the second of this rock 'n
roll one-two punch.
Before you even put side one on your
turntable, turn the volume up a bit so
you can feel the tremendous power of
Kiss from the very beginning.
of live Kiss, a side of new studio
material awaits you. A couple have al-
ready hit the airwaves, so they're prob-
ably worth giving a listen to.
"ALL AMERICAN MAN" is a steady
rocker with a stiff, heavy guitar and the
drums are accentuated in the right
places. The band moves from steady to
choppy sounds with "Larger than
Life," which is my favorite studio cut.
This tune features thumpy, Zep-
pelinesque drums and a nice grinding
guitar.
"Any Way You Want It" sounds simi-
lar to a 50's rhythm with only two or
three chord changes but its played 70's
style with a strong beat ,and heavy
guitar.
If you liked Kiss Alive, you'll like Kiss
Alive II. Though a mediocre rock band,
their unparalleled stage show has pro-
pelled them to fame and fortune. There
is some good hard rock on this album,
so go out and get Kissed.
The band is going to be at Olympia
Stadium on January 20. See them.
You'll never forget it.
4 the Snn arber ilm eov erse neTON"IGHT2
41Tuesday. November 29 q
" FIVE EASY PIECES
4+ (Bob Rofelson, 1970) -& 9-AUD. A
JACK NICHOLSON as Bobby Dupea, "an extraordinary person posing as
a common man," is arguably his best performance to date. As in Rafel-
son's other films (KING OF MARVIN GARDENS, STAY HUNGRY), he,
rentertainingly captures the charms and vices of American life. No one
orders a "chicken salad sandwich" like Jack Nicholson does. KAREN
BLACK, SUSAN ANSPACH, SALLY STRUTHERS.
Admission $1.50