6 - The Michigan Daily - Weekend etc. - Friday,_November 4, 1994 In search of NMOY By TED WATTS There are a handful of individuals who have the ability to truly excel in several fields. You might think of Will "Fresh Prince" Smith or Ronnie "Dutch" Reagan. But in all their glory, they are as nothing to the auteur of the century: Leonard Nimoy. Star of television and movies, an author of an autobiography and certainly a better director than William S h a t n e r, Leonard Nimoy is a man of many + obvious talents. Through the darkness of the years, however, one realm of his achievments has faded from our c o l l e c t i v e memory:hismusic. Itispossible that you've heard of Nimoy's folky singing career. The musty platters of vinyl put out by the Paramount-owned DOT Records (numbering at least four, potentially more) have developed a mythic reputation. At the same time, almost no one seems to have ever heard or seen the albums with their photos of Nimoy in butterfly collars with a crooked smile and messy hair. But some of Nimoy's greatest hits are available on CD. Creation Records in England released a 20-track compilation of Nimoy songs last year. Entitled "Highly Illogical," after one track done as if the singer was the Vulcan first officer of the first starship Enterprise, it is a disc that also boggles the mind with its campy country/folk feel. From the Johnny Cash song "I Walk the Line" to the J.C. Fogerty penned "Proud Mary" (and yes, Nimoy sings "Big wheel keep on toinin', Proud Mary keep on boinin"'), the album exudes a real '70s feel good aura. As explained by the liner notes of one of the original albums, "The New World of Leonard Nimoy": "Nimoy has remained, throughout all of the 'Hollywood hype,' a warm, genuine,down-to-earth and concerned individual. His interests are vital and real, his musical tastes, logically enough, are earthy." One would hope that copy writer was fired post haste from the Paramount organization. Well, maybe it's due to his need to get out of the pigeonhole of Spock while retaining its safety, but the album is nothing if not schizophrenic. Opposed to the earthy side are songs penned by Nimoy himself. They range from happy pop songs like "Highly Illogical" that are based on Spock to just plain violently crazy songs like "Amphibious Assault". Said psychotic song speaks graphically about a battle being fought by the poor while the rich have aparty in some sort of mobile Leonard Nimoy in "A Chorus Line." Oh, wait, it's actually Star Trek VI, the tuna melt. Nimoy has his phaser set on "toaster oven." ballroom. You know, if that's not vital, real and down to earth, Ijust know what is. Well,one of Nimoy's original albums was called "The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy." That's certainly some kind of tip off. Oh, but it doesn't end there. Nimoy takes on J.R.R. Tolkien with the song "Ballad of Bilbo Baggins." With lines like "In the middle of the earth in the land of the shire, there's a brave little hobbitt whom we all admire" being sung by the voice of a famous fictional alien over what sounds like a tuba from "Green Acres," it is the pinnacle of surreality. Gee, you'd have to find William Shatner singing "Mr Tambourine Man" to get something odder. The "Highly Illogical" CD is also a bit strange in what it leaves out. Specifically, "Put a Little Love In Your Heart" is missing. One theory might' be that since it's on one of the "Golden Throats" compilations of cheesy celebrity cover songs, it has been suppressed from the Nimoy compilation. Damn those beauracracies. Always working against the best interests of the consumers. Still, "Highly Illogical" is commendable for its resuscitation of some nearly lost songs by one of the preemminent men of the modern age. Perhaps it will snowball into a boxset release of all the Nimoy recordings. Oooh, the concept! Maybe someone in this nation will pick up the banner and run with the general idea. If they do, look forward to areissue of Bill Cosby's "SilverThroat" album. Quality art isn't far from home I Ann Arbor events and exhibits in November 0 By MATT CARLSON While New York City and Wash- ington D.C. may be considered by most purveyors of the arts to be two of the biggest and most influential cultural centers in the United States, the Midwest is certainly not the cut- out bin of "fine" art. Particularly within the realm of museums and galleries, Ann Arbor and its surround- ing area are actually quite blessed with a relatively large number of high quality exhibitors. Cleveland, of all places, has long been considered a center for the arts in the Midwest, but that's a bit too far for an average student to drive in order to take in some of that city's museums. But why should one have to do that much travelling (is there really any other reason to go to Cleve- land?) when Toledo is right down the road, so to speak. Now, I know that to many of you, Toledo will sound like an unlikely source for cultural enrichment. To- ledo will, unfortunately, be remem- bered foremost for the Mudhens, the zoo and its ... actually, there really isn't much to remember about To- ledo, but they do have one of the finest collections of paintings, sculp- tures and other forms of art housed in perhaps the most uniquely designed museum anywhere. Only an hour or so away, Toledo is a "must visit" cultural mecca for any avid worship- per of artistic endeavors. Now, Ann Arbor may not have nearly as strong of an art museum, but would you rather spend a luxurious evening here, or in Toledo? That's what I thought. The University's Museum of Art is a bit more traditional in its design and collection than Toledo, but usu- ally has a stimulating, new exhibition of significance. Besides the Museum of Art, the University's School of Art has exhi- bitions and displays which can be found in a number of buildings. Of course, the Ann Arbor Hands- On Museum musn't be forgotten, even though it is more of a science museum than an arts museum. Finally, local galleries like the Matrix and the Alexa Lee display new works by local art- ists who usually deserve more atten- tion than they receive. So, in an effort to cover "the arts" more completely, here is the first of a monthly calendar of present exhibits running through November at local showrooms. The University of Michigan Museum of Art "Isamu Noguchi: Exploration and Collaboration" showcases the work of Noguchi, a popular sculptor whose creaations are both surreal and mod- ern. His sets were used for Martha Graham's ballets "Cave of the Heart" and "Circe," therefore, this exhibit is presented in conjunction with the Martha Graham Festival. Runs through November 13. "The Jade Studio: Masterpieces of Ming and Qing from the Wong Nanp'ing Collection" spans four cen- turies of Chinese painting and callig- raphy. Runs through November 20. "Transition and Transformation: African Art of the In-Between" in- cludes paintings, woodcarving, masks, pottery and other forms be- tween states of being. Runs through June 25. "John Stephenson: After the Fire, A Retrospective" honors Stephenson's great work which bridges the gap between sculpture and ceramics on the occasion of his retirement from teaching at the School of Art. Begins November 5 and runs through January 15. look for storms in case you ever want Call 764-3731 for more informa- to be an air-traffic controller. Hurry tion. up, you don't want to miss this! Runs The Ann Arbor Hands-On Mu- through November 7. seum "Thunderstorm Detectives" See EXHIBIT, Page 8 teaches those interested in how to I An image from the New Eden exhibit is seen here. -A '3-E -., miss your chancy to moat tho with GUZZARD & BITE 3 pm SAT. NOVEMBER 5, DOORS 9:3 pm We Rent and Sell Electronic Equipment for All of Your Party Needs Camcorders VCRs Sound Systems & Disco Equipment Audio-1001 of items a TVs . LARGE SELECTION OF USED EQUIPMENT Ann Arbor Radio and T.V. a J tootballon .a.BJG. screen; We rent big screen TV's at low pricesl.. Hi Fi Studio Faithfully serving the student community for over 40 years 215 S. Ashley (Parking Available at 200 S. Ashley( 1/2 block N. of Liberty Downtown pick-up and delivery available 769-0342 N DRAG CITY RECORDING ARTIST PALAluE BR"'uTHER'S with PLUSH & APOLLO 9 SPECIAL 18 & Over Show WED. NOVEMBER 16. DOORS 9:30 nm The 1994 Iluaren Cultural Show Sunday, November 6,1994 4:00 pm Michigan Theatre Students $4 * Adults $8 Tickets are on sale at the Michigan Union Ticket Office until Saturday, November 5,1994 *Entree Plus Accepted FOR JUNIOR NURSING STUDENTS A NURSING EXPERIENCE AT MAYO FOUNDATION HOSPITALS - ROCHESTER, MN Here is your opportunity to work at Mayo Medical Center for the summer. Summer Ill is a paid, supervised hospital work experience at ROB Imm", "JOHN ickets will be sold on Sunday at the door, starting at 2:00 pm. F I I 1