al ARTS The Michigan Daily Friday, October 28, 1988 Page 8 Fun with Dick and friends Guitarist too good Clive, for this world combi Christine classes a I ne BY MARK SWARTZ H E's an electric guitarist of enormous imagination and artistry. He's a songwriter with a unique vision of the depths of rage and despair, as well as an ear for the lighter side. His discography stretches back 20 years, including two albums on Rolling Stone's top 100 list of all time. The question you might be asking yourself now is "Why haven't I heard of Richard Thompson before?" Good question. While he's no Gloria Estefan, most of his work is at least as commercial as, say, Dire Siraits or Van Morrison. The critics have heaped praise on him since he first formed Fairport Convention in 1967, at the age of 17. Above all, his live perform- ances are fearsome displays of instrumental prowess and personal, direct expression. The answer to why you haven't heard of Richard Thompson is easy: We live in a bad world. A forefather of so-called folk-rock (defined by Billy kBragg last week at the Power Center as, "Bob Dylan songs on an electric guitar,") Thompson's style has always assimilated diverse ingredients of American and British music into his own meaty, spicy goulash. He's equally comfortable yodelling Hank William's "Honky "Tonk Blues," grinding out a Cajun "Wooly Bully" with Beausoleil, and crooning his native Celtic ballads. His original compositions match these longstanding musical traditions with a wholly modern, intelligent outlook. Domestic strife, political unrest, urban vio- lence, and most of all, death are common strains that run through his albums. It's a morbid domain - sometimes horrifying, like the wife-stalking husband i the title track of 1982's Shoot Out the Lights. And then it's all twisted by an ironic humor. "There's no- thing at the end of the rainbow. There's nothing to grow up for anymore," he laments, addressing an infant who clearly has no idea what he's talking about. This from a man whose best song, "Wall of Death," is about a carnival. See Guitar, Page 9 ri V iii lV i BY D. MARA LOWENSTEIN SHE has a voice that sounds like a mixture of Stevie Nicks, Alison Moyet, and Cher. He plays an awesome acoustic guitar and sounds a bit like Michael Hedges. Together they are a powerful musical force. Opening for Richard Thompson, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister will wow the Power Center Saturday night. "We don't want to pigeon-hole ourselves, we play a. bit of folk, rock 'n' roll, blues, R&B, and jazz," Clive insists. Critical of artists who lump themselves into categories or who allow others (music critics and the like) to do the lumping for them, Clive and Christine have made an extraordinary effort to keep their musical options open. Promoting their new album Mischief , the duo stress that their live music is far different from their studio sound. Live the duo perform acoustic sets,' relying solely on their voices and Clive's guitar virtuosity. Their studio sound is enhanced by the talent of various other musicians, some collected from Clive's previous band, Any Trouble, and some who are simply friends from around town. Their music is an eclectic collection of heart- wrenching ballads and, albeit sometimes cynical, country-folkish "fun" tunes. The transitions that the duo uses exemplify fluidity; between songs, Clive mixes anecdotal tales with riotous introductions. r Civt ha b nn tho mnir crn fn niaO fix' The Vienna Philharmonic shares in the celebration of Leonard Bernstein's 70th birthday. Ann Arbor is only one of three American stops on the birthday tour. Birthday bash Bernstein BY ARI SCHNEIDER parties with included the first Rosza. His emoti %ve nas een o years, starting hi production of otherl this dynamic duo. club, and, finding convinced her to fo Clive and Christi Richard Thompson1 in the performancef What's the bes perform? Because probably the best si an the musical scene tor quite a iewrgnlitrrt 4UwL . original interpret s own band, moving onto the FOR most people who are celebrating their 70th music made Bernst band's sounds, and finally, creating birthday, it is a time to slow down and enjoy their American music. Clive "discovered" Christine in a retirement, but then again, Leonard Bernstein is not like In the years tha her voice so incredibly moving, most people or like any person. Bernstein, who was American-born an rm a partnership with him. born on August 25, 1918, is celebrating his birthday by prominent post of ine are also crucial elements in the conducting the Vienna Philharmonic on its North Philharmonic in 1 band, so expect to see them rocking American tour. Besides Bernstein's incredible endurance, He has become on following their own act. he is the only American musician to receive world - leading such o t reason for coming to see them acclaim as a composer, pianist, author, and teacher. and the Vienna Pr as Clive puts it ,"Christine is Bernstein first gained the public's notice on conducting a wid nger you'll ever see." November 14, 1943. He debuted in his position as Romantic composi Assistant Director of the New York Philharmonic when same brilliance t he substituted for the ailing Bruno Walter on less than 24 hours notice in a nationally broadcast concert that WIARD'S T-SH R T HAUNTED BARN PRINTING OPEN EVERY NIGHT THRU Oct.31 COTTON 7:00-10:00 pm HANES BEEFY-T &M HEV. WT SWEATS 1002 PONTIAC TR. 994-1367 TakeWashtenawtor Carpenter, south on Carpenter 4 miles to Merritt left on Merritt -1 1/2 miles - 482-7744 . Philharmonic performance of a work by Miklos onal direction and his vibrant and ations of both new and established .ein's performance an historic event inr t followed, Bernstein became the first d trained conductor to be named to the Musical Director of the New York 958 - a position he held until 1969 e of the few international conductors rchestras as the Israel Philharmonic hilharmonic - because he excels at e range of styles. He conducts the tions of Berlioz and Brahms with the hat he conducts the 20th century See Bash, Page 9 I I CAMPUS 1 R COORS LIGHT N 1/4 BARRELS $23.95 El +Tax +Deposit -While supplies last 1665-4431 I. d I III ' -. . . 1 4VP a