R1~coRms
Continued from page 16
Vari S Artists
"Panther" Soundtrack
Mercury Records
Perhaps the most important exten-
sion of the Civil Rights Movement of the
'60s occurred with the birth of the Black
Panther Party in Oakland, California. In
trying to recreate the story of this militant
bastion of Black Power, father / son
vie-making duo Melvin and Mario
Van Peebles have done a spectacular job
- at least on the soundtrack side of
things.
The "Panther" soundtrack follows in
the relatively recently-lain path of suc-
cessful Black soundtracks ("Above the
Rim," "Jason's Lyric"), and it is bound
to be no less popular than its predeces-
sors.
Variety is the cornerstone of this
sively star-studded, 18-cut produc-
tion. It begins with the already widely-
played and empowering "Freedom."
This theme song of the movie features 60
(yes 60) of the most well-known Black,
female singers, groups and rappers work-
ing together for a common purpose -
the creation of a dope, yet meaningful,
song. High name contributors include
Queen Latifah, En Vogue, Brownstone,
Lalah Hathaway, Mary J. Blige and
TC.
On the other side of the gender spec-
trum, the "Panther" soundtrack features
12 hard-hitting, male rappers like the
Notorious B.IG., Bone, Coolio and
Redman performing "The Points," in-
spired by the Ten Points, the centerpiece
of the Black Panther Party agenda.
Also featured throughout this CD are
sexy R&B /ballad songs like "Stand" by
Aaron Hall and "If I Were Your
Woman" by Shanice and Female, me-
odic gospel sounds like "We Shall Not
Be Moved" by Sounds of Blackness and
Black Sheep and "Star Spangled Ban-
ner" by Brian McKnight and the Boys
Choir of Harlem (Which also features
Slash of Guns 'N Roses performing on
the guitar) and of course, rap songs like
"The World Is a Ghetto" by Da Lench
Mob and "Head Nod" by Hodge. Jazz
great Stanley Clarke composes a stirring
edley, "The Ultimate Sacrifice."
From start to finish, the "Panther"
Crimson Tide-Gene Hackman
and Denzel Washington star in this
'Mutiny on the Red October' project.
Wednesday, May 10, 1995 - The Michigan Daily --17
soundtrack is a well-orchestrated piece
of work. It is beautiful, powerful, biting,
emotional, heartfelt and loving -- a per-
fect tribute to the short-lived, yet forever-
remembered, Black Panther Party.
- Eugene Bowen
Butch Hancock
EatsAway the Nght
Sugar Hill
Butch Hancock has one of the most
distinctive voices in contemporary folk
music: a blend of rasp, nasal whine and a
whole lotta Dylanesque phrasing, it has,
until now, been available primarily only
through livecassettes, a couple of compi-
lations and the mouths of his homeboys
Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Joe Ely. On his
first studio CD effort, "Eats Away the
Night," he offers up 11 freshly recorded
numbers, some old and some new, to
mixed results. "To Each His Own" and
"Eileen," both recently written, are killer
examples of Hancock's superfly writing
and ear for melody but his latest rendi-
tion of "If You Were a Bluebird" pales
in comparison to other versions of it
available. The title track is a keeper, all
poetry and lonesome guitar, but
"Junkyard in the Sun" feels like filler, at
least in light of what Hancock is capable.
Though the good definitely outweighs
the bad on "Eats Away the Night," it just
seems like Hancock can do a little better.
- Dirk Schulze
along with fellow locals Holy Cows,
breaking into the play-list at WIQB, Ann
Arbor's very own AOR radio station. Kiss
Me Screaming fits the AOR format very
well: They're boring, tried and tired hard
rock. But as with most hard rock radio. a
gem often finds its way into the turd.
Take for example the Plimsouls,
whose 1982 AOR hit "A Million Miles
Away" made the kids really roll with its
contagious power-pop amid the watery
wreckage of grandiose rock bands like
Loverboy. When Kiss Me Screaming re-
ally screams,,on songs like "Mutually As-
sured Destruction" and "I Came, I Saw, I
Wondered," their sound resembles that
same coherent approach to pop, much like
early '80s Detroit popsters, the Romantics.
But all too often, Kiss Me Screaming
SEE RacoRs, PAGE 19
How Sweet It is at the MaJestic
Matthew Sweet makes some of the most powerful power-pop around. His 1991
breakthrough "Girlfriend" had tightly written songs about breakups and
unrequited love surrounded by crunchy guitars and super-catchy hooks. 1993's
"Altered Beast" continued In that vein, with an added darkness and bittemess
about relationships that caught the attention of more than a few critics. Which
brings us to the Ironically titled "100% Fun," In many ways Sweet's best work.
The hit single "Sick of Myself" epitomizes the sound of the album. His range and
depth as a songwriter and performer will be on display at the Majestic Theater
(4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit) this Friday, May 12. Doors open at 8 p.m.,
and tickets are only $12.50. Be sure to check this show out; there's sweet
fun to be had.
The merry merry 102nd May Festival
For 102 years, The University Musical Society has brought first-rate
orchestras from around the world to Ann Arbor for its annual May Festival. The
multi-concert event serves as a grand finale for a season of world-renowned
orchestras, chamber groups, and soloists. This will be the final of the grand
finales, as the UMS has decided to discontinue the festival, largely because
of financial considerations.
A look at this year's schedule shows that the festival doesn't exactly appear
to be running out of steam, however. Thursday and Friday night's concerts at
Hill Auditorium will feature the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, conducted by
James Levine. Additionally, soprano Margaret Price and flutist James Galway
will complement Thursday and Friday's programs, respectively. Galway will be
saluted in a Gala Celebration Dinner in the Rackham Reading Room Saturday
at 6:30 p.m., with live jazz played by the Michele Ramo Latin Jazz Group.
On Sunday, Mahler's spectacular Symphony No. 2 ("Resurrection") will be
performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jerzy
Semkow. Soprano Edith Wiens, mezzo Florence Quivar, and the UMS Choral
Union will join the DSO, beginning at 4 p.m. In Hill Auditorium. Student Rush
seats will be available Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for $9, so
don't miss outl Call UMS at 764-2538 for more information.
Espresso Cappuccino e Gourmet Teas
Fresh French Pastries + Yerba Mate Haagen Dazs Ice Cream
Fresh Juice Bar (Over 40 Fresh-Squeezed Drinks)
Mediterranean Salads Spinach & Cheese Pies
Dell Sandwiches
HOURS: 7:30 am-3 am weekdays & 8:30 am-3 am weekends-
110 out nvrity AnArbor, M 48104 761-8600