108 -The Michigan Daily - Weals.4 e&. - Thursday, April 11, 1996 Slinky, exotic lounge music making comeback from '60s, '70s By Heather Phares Daily Arts Writer Hot and cool, slinky and spacey, exotic, sophisticated and sometimes downright weird, lounge music has been making a big comeback in the past few years. The advent of current groups influenced by the easy listen- ing and pop records of the '50s and "60s, like Combustible Edison, Pizzicato Five and (to a lesser extent) Itereolab, has prompted the reissuing end re-evaluation of works by lounge composers and performers like Esquivel, Les Baxter, Martin Denny ,and many others. These reissues include the six-disc "Ultra-Lounge" series by Capitol, the three-disc "Cocktail Mix" collection by Rhino and two recent Esquivel reissues: "Cabaret Maiana" and ,"More of Other Worlds, Other Sounds." Overall, the "Ultra-Lounge" col- lection is probably the best of the ;batch. The first three volumes of the :set feature the wackier side of lounge music. Volume One, "Mondo Ex- otica," brings the jungle into your rumpus room w th exotica tunes by 'composers such as Les Baxter and ;Martin Denny. Crowing birds and -other jungle sound effects meld with lightly Carribbean-inspired melodies :on tracks like "Atlantis" and "Cara- van." Volume Two, "Mambo Fever," pretty much explains itself by its title; it includes Latin dance favorites like featuring Julie London again along with Rat Packers Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin and the incompa- rable Peggy Lee with her classic "Fe- ver." And finally, on Volume Six, "Rhapsodesia," the musical subject is seduction. Tracks like "Tenderly," "Seranata" and "Ebb Tide" are cheesy but sexy musical aphrodisiacs. Even if it's not possible to get all six vol- umes, one or two of its discs - par- ticularly "Space Capades" and "Rhapsodesia" - are worth picking up. Rhino's "Cocktail Mix" series is also good, but not as ambitious in scope as the Capitol collection. How- ever, it does make a good introduc- tion to lounge music in general. The Rhino series focuses mostly on the jazzy/vocal side of lounge; there's very little space-age bachelor pack music or exotica to be found, which is a bit of a disappointment. Still, there's fun to be had on each of the volumes of "Cocktail Mix." Volume One, "Bachelor's Guide to the Galaxy," features some demented instrumental takes on classics like "Fe- ver" and "I Get a Kick Out of You." Volume Two, "Martini Madness," lives up to its name with Ann Margaret's stinky song "Thirteen Men," Rene Touzet's take on Henry Mancini's"Baby Elephant Walk" and Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova." Volume Three, "Swinging Singles," focuses on great vocal performances from such swingers as Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee and Robert Mitchum. As a less expansive, expensive collection than the "Ultra-Lounge" set, "Cock- tail Mix" caters to champagne tasg on a beer budget. Finally, the Esquivel reissues are just two in a growing number of trib- utes to the inspired Mexican bandleader. "Cabaret Maiana" is an- other compilation of Esquivel's wackier moments, much like Bar None's "Space Age Bachelor Pad Music" and "Music From a Sparkling Planet" reissues of recent years. It covers some of the same territoryas those two, such as the excell "Mucha Muchacha" and Esquivel's take on "Harlem Nocturne." Unlike those collections, "Cabaret Maiana" features five tracks that have never been released in the United States before: "Mini Skirt," "El Cable," "Guanacoa," "Todavia" and "Yeyo." The generally good song se- lection makes it a good starting point for those interested in learning aba Esquivel, and the "new" tracks ma it necessary for diehard fans. "More of Other Worlds, Other Sounds," however, is a straight reis- sue of Esquivel's 1962 album. This album is much less wacky than the collections of Esquivel's work, at- testing to his talent not only as a crazy composer but as an almost serious one as well. Again, for diehard fans, it's necessary. All these collections, however, show just how hip the sqi music of the '50s and '60s could be. Peggy Lee consults with producer Michael Frank on her latest project. The incomparable Lee's lounge hit "Fever" appears on Capitol's six-disc "Ultra Lounge" set. "Oye Negra" and "Peter Gunn Mambo." Volume Three, "Space Capades," focuses on one of the most popular facets of lounge: Space age bachelor pad music. Les Baxter is back again with "Saturday Night on Saturn" and "Moon Moods." The in- tergalactic sound effects and gener- ally off-kilter feel of the tracks on this volume make it a winner. The other three volumes focus on the smoother, more straightforward side of lounge. Volume Four, "Bach- elor Pad Royale," is a swank collec- tion of tunes like "Sexe" by Line Rinaud and "Black Coffee" by Julie London. Volume Five, "Wild, Cool & Swingin'," is the jazziest of the set, Cher's career grows dull as she grows older Audiences can't decide which role they like ... if they even like her at all _ I . By Kristin Long 'Daily Arts Writer Ifyou're like most people, the men- tion of a movie starring Cher prob- ably makes you a bit skeptical - not to mention a tad nauseous. Perhaps it's the singer/actress dual-role prob- lem that we have; we cannot seem to decide in which role we like her best -- or even if we like her at all. Cher has certainly had her share of winners and losers, and her recent mix of duds _- both in music and film - will hardly build her an esteemed reputa- tion. For awhile, audiences only knew of Cher as the better half of the "I Got You Babe" singing duo. She and hus- band Sonny Bono were the pair who created the timeless song that has con- tinued to survive through the trends of heavy metal and rap. Their hit even still provides a nostalgic tune for the hippie generation. When Cher hit the silver screen, she made ofmix of dramas, comedies and even a thriller to keep a balanced resume. Most of her films don't rank among the best of all-time; still, how- ever, some of her performances have astounded audiences and amazed crit- ics. In 1982, she starred in the drama, "Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean." It is a story about a reunion of high school friends that worshipped the rebellious sex symbol. Cher delivered a criti- cally acclaimed performance. Then, two years later, she worked with Kurt Russell and Meryl Streep in "Silkwood," the frightening tale of the secrecy behind a nuclear plant. Her appearance and general per- sona helped her with her stellar role in "Mask" (1985). Her unforgettable acting as the mother of a disfigured child earned her great respect through- out the industry. She moved audi- ences to tears with her rough, blue- collar appearance, a role that she filled best. Cher earned an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1987, with her amazing performance as the heart- broken, yet lovestruck widow in "Moonstruck." Starring opposite hunk Nicholas Cage, she played the epitome of a New York Italian, and put the amour back into theaters. 1987 was a big year for Cher. She starred in three pictures with some of the brightest and best talents within Will the lovely Chet have better luck with' The Program in Film and Video Studies announces our NEW CURRICULUM "Faithful" this year? the industry. Aside from being able to flirt with Cage, she was the love inter- est of Dennis Quaid in "Suspect." In this suspense thriller, she played pub- Expanding the "VIDEO" in Film and Video. Register NOW for new FALL '96 classes like. . 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STAR THEATRES *ABOVE AVERAGE PAY *CONCESSION SALES COMMISSION *HALT1I BENEFiTS OEJREET PLAN (4011) 'TUlTION $$$ FOR COLLEGE "TRAINING IN MONEY HANDLING, SUGGESTIVE SELLING & CUJSTOMER SERVICE FRS MOVIES FEE MOVIES FRESEMOVIES FRSEMOVIES lie defender for Liam Neeson. Then, Cher, along with Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer, was the object of the devilish J0 Nicholson in that peculiar sexual com- edy "The Witches of Eastwick." The profound and obscure story had the world talking about this flick and its dynamic cast. After that, Cher hit a lull. She found her niche in those annoying night spots on infomercials, representing cos- metic products and the like. It must be a sign of a falling career when celeb- rities resort to selling products that take an hour to show their im - tance. 1990's "Mermaids" was a bit of a rebound. In addition to a decent soundtrack, she did a grand job as Winona Ryder'sandChristinaRicci's uncontrollable mother. She mixed comedy with drama, making a half. way decent performance. Cher mingled with some of Hollywood's finest in Rol Altman's 1994 murder mystey "Ready to Wear." A mediocre film portraying the shallowness of the fash- ion world, it included stars like Tim Robbins and Julia Roberts. Aside from her film montage, Chei has produced numerous hits in the music industry. Remember the early '90s, late'80ssingle, "If I CouldTurr Back Time?" It isn't that hard to for- get. Perhaps it is her singing car i that flawed our impression ofhermU She gives a sample of her style in two minutes, which is barely enoughtime to get accustomed it. Last Friday, her latest film, "Faith- ful," opened. In it, she plays a New York housewife enduring a 20-year- long marriage to co-star Ryan O'Neal From the look of the ads - depicting Cher in a robe with crazy hair - the future doesn't look so bright for star. "Faithful" is a comedy with a i of a somber side. But if you look at Cher's previou hits, that is what she does best - mixing jokes with tears. She surprise: audiences who are thinking tha there's nothing much to a singer Television History: FN 370 This survey of television from the early live network. programming to contemporary media events provides not only historical background but also examines television's role as a mass medium in U.S. society. (satisfies distribution requirement for humanities) STAR GRAI1D RA~PIDS ALPINl "IIE OK T 146 Critiral Thinkinn & Writing About Television: FN 450 STAR GROTOT TH4EATRE GRA11TK iWRENUE A~T 15 MILE ROND i