I
ARTS
he Michigan Daily
U
p
Tuesday, December 13, 1988
Page 8
'What finals?': Music to shirk by
ive-legged Dogma walks varied path Chenilles in harmony on, off stage
14
~B JIM PONIEWOZIK
The big problem when describing a
knew band is to try to figure out what
~other band they sound like. ..
The big problem when describig
Walk the Dogma is to try to figure
:out w/hether they even sound like
themselves. '
The reason: five members, five
songwriters, and five sets of influ-
:ences. With the Detroit band's mem-
nbers boasting influences stretching
from Jefferson Airplane to Bach and
back again to XTC, the Dogma de-
fiver a League of Nations approach to
their music that serves as a vivid re-
minder of just how broad the term
'"rock" actually is. And their egalitar-
ianism extends to their interviews,
~ Our motto's been, 'If you don't
~like this tune, just wait three mm-
~utes -"'" says drummer Kerry
~Gluckman, over lemon chicken soup
at Frank's Restaurant.
A A
Dire
~ Musi
Dec
SA'.
F0r)
BY MARY CHINNI
TEY sang with the Persuasions, appeared twice on
Garrison Kellor's Prairie Home Companion, and per-
formed live on Kelly & Company. Recently opening
for the Nylons, performing for a crowd of 35,000, an
area music critic claimed that, had they performed
longer then their 35-minute warmup set, they would
have stolen the show.
Success at such a wide variety of concert engage-
ments attests to the Chenille Sisters' talent and appeal.
The female vocal trio continually captivates audiences
with its mesmerizing harmonies, offbeat humor, and
funky stage dress. Offstage, they are just as successful.
Their first album, The Chenille Sisters, sold more
copies on its first day of sales at Schoolkids' records
than any other album in the store's history.
Critics struggle to define them. An eclectic, hybrid
folk group? A cross between the Supremes and the
Roches with a little Bette Midler humor thrown in?
How about Lily Tomlin in triplicate, plus musical ac-
companiment?.,,
"We haven't really come up with a good definition,"
says Chenille Sister Grace Morand. "We're going to let
other people do that."
"I don't think we really know," adds second Che-
'We jus defy description," concludes sister number
three, Cheryl Dawdy.
One thing's for sure - these women can sing. Re-
cipients of two 1986 Metro Times Music Awards and
another from the Washtcnaw Council for the Arts, their
harmonies are so tight, as one critic says, you don't
know that they're harmonies. Their diverse repertoire
consists of old swing tunes, pop favorites, and folki
hits. They also write their own music and find songs
by rumang houghc agarage sales, second-hand
Along with reviving old songs and writing newi
ones, the Chenilles also adapt their own lyrics to con-
temporary pop tunes. Creedence Clearwater's "Bad
Moon Rising" becomes "Bathroom on the Right," and
The Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian" becomes
"Walk Like a Beautician." They turned Tina Turner's
"What's Love Got to Do With It" into "What's Chub
Got To Do with It," and added their own aerobic-eating
routine complete with "eat and reach exercises."
The Chenilles' sense of humor is an important part
of their performances. Their stage costumes, consisting
of anything from '40s vintage dresses to miniskirts and
clam diggers, would leave Cyndy Lauper speechlesse.
Their jokes, directed primarily at themselves, ard
satirical but not biting. Their between-song banter and
skits break down the barrier that typically exists be-
tween the performer and his audience.
"I hope you all like each other," Grace tells the aul
dience during one Ark performance, "you sure do have
to sit close together." Last year during their first solo
concert at the Power Center, the trio opened with a so-
licitation for the "Jill Rogers Institute." Beginning
with a slide show (of themselves, of course), they re-
count he sor of Jil o w hon deiae ei f
ter revealing that she had never spent any of the
money, the lights went back on and ushers walked
through the audience distributing pennies.
See Chenil1es, Page 9"
I
Fast-rising Detroit band Walk the Dogma displays their rough
and ready pose. Don't worry; they're not as tough as they
loo k.
-- then they can get up and go
to the john," interjects guitarist
Muicby
Leonard Bernstein
Betty Comden & Adolph Green
cted by Mary Ann Stevenson
cal Director: Robert Pazur
ember 14-17, 1988-8 p.m.
Matlnee-2 p.m.
AT THE
LYDIA MENDELSSOHN
THEATRE
Icket Information, Call 662-7282
George Schuster. '"So it keeps a re-
ally regular circulation to the re-
str-mthi is a democracy," finishes
lead singer Asta Jurgutis.
And with any democracy comes a
sense of wonderment on the part of
See Dogma, Page 9
'4
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YOU'VE MADE IT TO THE ROSE BOWL!
Stressed out over finals?
Concerned about going home?
Your friends may leave town early for the
holidays but 76-GUIDE will be here throughout
the long haul
~113 11131 I444444444N4*1444l4444444444444444444~44 444~44444~.4d44444A44d44444444dd44A44 4ddddAA*A~d~AaAA~a .........................................................................*..*....w*******w*u..*... ...n..
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Disneyland congratulates the Wolverines
on a terrific season! And we want to make
your visit to Southern California even more
exciting. Come take time out and see all the
holiday fun Disneyland hqs to offer.
Celebrate Roger Rabbit's 1st Christmas
at Disneyland, every day through January 2!
< Meet him in person at Roger Rabbit's
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