0 -f 07f I J Best Music Del Fuegos Boston based newcomers The Del Fuegos brought their own brand of post- wave-country-spiced rock to Joe's last fall to a typically small but ecstatic crowd. The Fuegos, a quartet con- sisting of two brothers and a couple of friends captured the crowd with their raw, gotta-get-up-and-dance guitar rock. The momentum never dipped below sheer recklessness and their comic antics, such as a couple of in- spired Jackson 5 covers, inspired a level of fun not usually seen in the of. ten unamused Joe's crowd of regulars. Their bopping about onstage reminded one of a bunch of kids frolicking in a backyard sandbox, having pure, un- selfconscious fun. The crowd, caught up in the whirlpool of the Fuego-beat, found themselves so enraptured that they didn't stop dancing until well after the houselights went up and the juke- box began to play. Bruce Cockburn Bruce Cockburn is one of the most prolific, compelling talents around, and though very successful in his native Canada he remains essentially a well kept critical and cult secret stateside. While Cockburn's last March at the Michigan Theater drew a large, responsive crowd of admirers, the true wealth and depth of the man's work warrants a far more substantial following. Cockburn is a poetically inclined lyricist whose singular metaphysical/darkly romantic rum- minations are melded to vital, often stunning arrangements that incor- porate elements of rock, jazz, and third world influences into swirling musical pools of melody and rhythm. Backed by a fiecely proficient quartet, Cockburn and band strove for, and found, that rare, magical plateau where virtuosity and raw, impassioned spontaneity combine into something quite powerful, giving added momentum to the material, making the anxiety wrought "Lovers In a Dangerous Time" that much more desperate, and the bitter outrage of "If I Had A Rocket Laun- cher" searingly furious. If Cockburn hasn't amassed a huge following its because his work is perhaps too thoughtful at times to be easily digested, and because he fashions his songs in a unique, highly personal style oblivious to current trends. If he embarks on more tours such as this one his following will un- doubtedly swell considerably, but even if he doesn't his extensive body of work will endure long after more fashionable bands have passed out of vogue. dB's The dB's opened for R.E.M., but by all rights they should be headlining shows of at least the same size on their own. Simply put, the dB's-under the in- spired guidance of songwriter-guitarist Peter Holsapple-are creating some of the best crafted, purest, most inspired pop music today. Onstage, their im- passioned, bright delivery surprised and enchanted a crowd mostly un- familiar with their work and for a moment it even looked as if, had they more than the frustratingly short allowment of time given to opening ac ts, they might conceivably have stolen Y the show. If there is any justice in the w music world today the dB's will find their long deserved recognition, and . return to conuer Ann Arbor's someday i on theit own terms. Guad Guadalcar: band from variety set combining e' to "Kumba originals fro ween. Fusing Christian si Murray Atta try/congo 6 Diary prove crowd that I shadow of an alone and p instrumental romps that their diverse Over 16 y through Ann his career Undergroun Hill Auditor during his l sations tour his best m though ofte astonishing despairing \ to the comp coin with hi and affirma labeled one Reed is in su Ann Ar Star-cram the Eighth Festival ea barrage of f The classic f Rush, Sippie Bonnie Rait some surpris Buskin, Rob Griffith. Th hour evening "New Orlea: less than so Great thanks ts office, and The Best Mu Byron L. Buy C) i: C Cockburn: Cult Classic UB40 UB40's sold-out show at the Michigan Theater in March was a triumphant return to Ann Arbor for the British pop- reggae band. Playing older favorites as well as material from their new album Geffrey Morgan, the band delighted the crowd with their music and their per- sona. Many members of the audience had attended the UB's show in early 1984 at the Second Chance; many other fans had just recently discovered the band. No matter, everyone enjoyed the reggae-pop event of the year! Los Lobos The L.A. based Los Lobos have racked up a considerable number of Best Album plaudits this year for their How Will The Wolf Survive? album? and their winter night stopover at Joe's gave all an ample opportunity to see what all the talk was about. With a strong Tex-Mex flavoring, and fondness for fifties styled rock and roll, Los Lobos put on one of the hottest, most in- vigorating and joyous nights of foot stomping this town has seen in some time. Folk Festival: Best of the folk barrage Wee end/Friday