The Michigan Daily - Weekend etc. - Thursday, February 10, 1994-5 Four songwriters come together 'on a winter's night' tBy DIRK SCHULZE It is a unique opportunity, the ,chance to see four of the largest names in the singer-songwriter business--a profession that encourages solo per- formances-work together. The "On a Winter's Night" tour features the rock 'n' roll-inspired passion of Cliff Eberhardt, the humor of Cheryl Wheeler, the magnificent baritone of John Gorka and the concise guitar work of Patty Larkin. "The shows are always infused with The first h enthusiasm," Larkin said. "Each night is night is gi different as we as- Of songs: sume different roles. OIf it always stayed requested the same, it would newest sc be boring for the au- dience and us." song. The tourcame to- gether three years ago when singer / songwriter Chris- tine Lavin assembled a compilation of songs related to winter. A subse- quent tour was booked showcasing a variety of artists, including David Wilcox, Kristina Olsen and the four rwho currently comprise the group. For Gorka, Eberhardt, Larkin and Wheeler, this will be the second year on the tour. "There is a certain strength to doing it two years in a row with the same lineup," Larkin said. Along with the lineup, the format of the shows has crystallized. The first half of the night is given to rounds Olof songs: most requested song, new- est song, favorite song. The spotlight is given to each in turn as they trade lead and harmony duties. The second half is the "game show" segment. Audience members are encouraged to suggest song topics and the four must think of a song that fits it. Sug- gestions usually range from songs about toxic waste to songs about hav- ing your ex-husband sitting three rows in front of you at a folk concert. Each of the four brings a distinct musical personality and past to the show. Patty Larkin, with five records and nine Boston Music Awards to her name, is not only an established songwriter, but an amazing guitarist as well. Hermost recent release, "An- gels Running," is her most polished and fullest record. "The songwriting is a little edgier," Larkin said. "I tried to not write formulaic songs." She brings to the tour both a gifted ear for melodies and a keen wit. At one early show, she stepped in after a David Wilcox number half of the iven to rounds most J song, ong, favorite and commented, "Yeah, well, I don't care," and launched into a song about self- indulgent songwriters. "I look for- ward to this pe- riod," Larkin said. "It is very inspiring to be around such incredible talent." John Gorka, over the course of his first three releases, garnered himself a reputation as an extremely talented and depressed singer-songwriter. His latest, "Temporary Road," retains the intensely personal aura of his earlier works, but finds him meditating on much happiertopics. "My formerview was backward / My backward view was blue / Now I'm looking forward to you," he sings on "Looking For- ward" and adds in "Gravyland," "I did not expect to feel this good." "This tour has a real good blend of personalities," Gorka said. "I'm laughing nearly too much." If anyone embodies the spirit of tour assembler Christine Lavin it is Cheryl Wheeler. Both her stage man- ner and sense of humor are quite simi- lar to those of Lavin, though her ample songwriting abilities and pure vocals are all her own. Her four albums are full of moving character sketches and wicked looks at the absurdities of American life. On her latest, "Driv- ing Home," she offers not only. the melancholic "75 Septembers" and "When Fall Comes to New England," Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, Patty Larkin and Cliff Eberhardt make up the "On A Winter's Night" tour giving audiences the equivalent of tour shows in one. but also the sarcastic "Don't Forget the Guns," in which a family strikes out on vacation armed to the teeth. Growing up in Philadelphia, Cliff Eberhardt was surrounded by music. He began performing when only eight- years-old and backed his older brother throughout high school while steadily honing his own songwriting skills. "I'm more rock and rhythm 'n' blues based than the others," he said. Both his guitar playing and vocals ring with passion. His lyrics have a sparse- ness about them that belies their emo- tional depth. On his two albums, "The Long Road" and "Now You Are My Home," Eberhardt proved that he was just as capable of rocking out, as on 'My Father's Shoes," as matching vocals with folk-legend Richie Ha- vens on the evocative title track of "The Long Road." Singer-songwriters are by nature given to working a stage alone. On tours such as "On a Winter's Night," it becomes evident that it is just as productive to join forces once in a while, not to mention just as enter- taining. "It's a good break," said Larkin, "like going to winter camp. It's a lot of fun." ON A WINTER'S NIGHT will be at the Ark tonight at 7 and 9:30. Call 763-TKTS for information. l Sure women bond, but men d( I believe there are some things in life which will forever remain a mys- tery. Why are there only seven won- ders of the world? Why does Richard Simmons sweat to the oldies? Why does the world need another talk show host? But amidst all these mysteries, one looms large in my mind: What's had gotten out of control. I thought that maybe I should point out that this was merely the Sports Coliseum and not Crisler Arena, but I decided I better not ruin the dream. Men also have a way of almost instantly bonding together when in the presence of women. Men who have never even met before are sud- denly best friends if it will strengthen their position against the women. Suddenly they are wrapped up in talk- ing about sports or the injustices women inflict upon them. Now, before all you men write to me and tell me about the existence of female bonding, I'm not denying that it occurs, but let's face it, men go a tad bit overboard. Traditionally, women have been able to communicate with one another and we don't usually have to pretend we're something we're not to do it. We are able to express our feelings on an honest and genuine level without having to hide behind a sport. We can cry in front of each other without being dubbed wimps. Men get very defensive when I broach this subject with them. It's as if some little warning light goes on which propels them to utter useless defenses against my search for an- swers. And usually the only thing they can come up with is "What about women and shopping? And how'bout how you all go to the bathroom to- gether?" What these men don't realize is that, while we may do these things occasionally, we don't lose our sense of decorum. And we never have to hit each other on the butts to show our approval of a good bargain. Now, I will admit that I know a couple of women (Mel) who get a little nuts when they come within a 20 mile radius of a mall, but this is a rarity. If men would only learn how to incorporate their testosterone induced bonding in with their emotions, they would be much better off. Women have been able to maintain their inde- pendence quite well while bonding with each other. We women cannot be totally blameless in the perpetuation of this phenomenon. We often are guilty of stroking these testosterone pumped male egos, when what we really need it badly to do is slap them around a little. While I'm sure I will never under-1 stand this primitive behavior pattern, I do acknowledge that it is healthy for men to bond and I don't want to deny them whatever pleasure these rituals' of manhood bring. But for heaven's sake, lighten up. And don't be sur- prised if you hear a woman snicker- ing nearby. Bi Thomas McGuane Vintage, $12.00 Friday, February 11, 7:30 p.m. Reading and Book Signing is rerty 11-6 ated Qoers 303 S. State at Lib Mon-Sat 9-10 * Sun1 668-7652 * parking valid Ii ' .4 up with male bonding? Recently, I have been the unfortu- nate witness of several ostentatious displays of male bonding. And my only response has been one filled with bewilderment ... and laughter. A couple weeks ago, I went to watch some friends play an intramu- ral basketball game. Now, what-pos- sessed me to go in the first place, I can't tell you - let's chalk it up to temporary insanity. But, once there, what I saw fascinated me. All of a sudden, men whom I re- spect and can usually talk to about politics and other intellectual topics, were transformed into competitive blobs of testosterone. Each magically turned into beings who shouted at each other in tones that no longer sounded human. One friend, we'll call him Bob to protect his fragile image (not to men- tion ego), attacked a bench after being charged (falsely he claims) with foul- ing amember of the opposing team. It was at this point that I realized things IT'9S A BLAST!1 "The opportunities I've had at the Daily will be of great importance after graduation-and for now, I'm having a blast!" Alisa Rosen, Account Executive BE AN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE FOR SPISU TERMS OR EAI I IfAIITED TCDMU " ,r,..r --Rnh... (khrrw Jt).LY ( REflP P OT~R Li~D *il lliliON:I MY i[R IUU Ii~I~ IU M I~