The MichigannDlv -- Fridav.flDecember 8 19 - 7B ..-.o..-., Music awa is celebrate By Lis Harwin Awards was a time to recognize th Daily Arts Writer future of Detroit music. While Detroi Every person with an interest in lobal will always be known for its extraordi music is bound to have a particitlar narily diverse musical community and favorite band. A band that theytve remembered for artists like Aretha watched transform from a bunch' of Franklin and Smokey Robinson, this guys practicing in the garage into a awards show serves instead to high- band signed to a major label, tou'ring light the achievements of the next gen- eration of Detroit talent. Bands wer 111%, Ii I1VIIIFuI1 L-'Uily -- I IIA UYI WGVGI I INC.:1 WI .L cd +.l al - W e it i- d a s k- e RIEVIEW, Detroit Music Awards State Theater December 2, 1995 ground the country. A band that they love, whether ornot they sell-out shows, sell-out records, or just plain sell-out. So, for those people who consider De- troit bands "local," along came the De- troit Music Awards and a chance to give their favorite band the attention they deserve. In years past, the MetroTiries, in conjunction with several othe spon- sors, solicited nominations frm the public, then passed them on to a knowl- edgeable panel ofjudges who nade the final decision. But this year, the lucky thirteenth year, tradition was reversed. Instead of letting thejudges have all the fun as in years past, this year thejudges did the nominating while the fans of local music were the ones voting for the actualbwinners. So, if you were one of the people who merely glimpsed at the ballot in the November 15-22 issue of the MetroTimes...you let your band down. As was mentioned inoneofthe many Ifull page spreads in the MetroTimes, the Thirteenth Annual Detroit Music FILM Continued from page 28 directorial effort, "Unstrung Heroes" (December 21), is a more mature dark comedy about family and loss. Finally, the complex mystery film, " Mute Witness" (December 20 and 21), will provide some chilling suspenseto the local film-goer over Christmas break. FilmedinMoscow,thismovieisanintricate tale ofa group ofAmerican filmmakers and their many problems with the KGB. ,~Closing out the month, the atypical costume comedy "Restoration" (Decem- ber 23 to 31) will feature many popular actors involved in arichly-detailed tale of London's 17th-century aristocracy. Rob- ert Downey, Jr., Hugh Grant, Meg Ryan and Sam Neill all star in this sweeping period piece that is sure to enlighten. Moreover, it will appropriaely conclude what will be an entertaining few weeks at the Michigan Theater. KAUKONEN Continue from page 2B .I was lucky enough to bae chosen by music (folk/blues) that is timeless." In his first solo studio album in almost I 1 years, "The Land of Heroes," Kaukonen has mixed together a tasty blend of his folk and blues roots with that unique brand offinger-picking guitarthat has become his stylistic trademark. "This is the record that I have always wanted to make, and I finally foundIthe right situa- tion to do it," he said. 'This record is Jorma Kaukonen." It may have taken him 30 years, 40 some albums, and a million miles on the road, but Jorma Kaukonen may have finally found that elusive white rabbit. HICOK Continued from page 2B from AIDS to innocence, and his poetry is rich with a blend of realistic optimism, a t' ne that acknowledges both the hollow pain andthe siimplepleasures livingbrings. ,From the first poem,"In Her Hand," with a line like "the wandering signature of his heart's jazz," th'readerknows that this is a poet who can make magic out of language. Poems that seem intensely per- sonallike"530 Lakewood,"apoemabout revisiting a childhood ome, and "Ten Years Dry," a poem dedicated to a recov- eringalcoholic friend,arejuxtaposedwith broader, more universal poems. In some cases, these poems work like fiction, creating an image ofvividcharac- ters or complex stories in several stanzas and a few brief images. One such poem, "Duke," tells the story.of a man rendered mentally handicapped after being as- saulted by a mugger. The last image is so moving that you almost have to pause after it, reread it, and then take a deep breath and move on: "He could least accept and lived 12 years without/ no embrace or cares, no kiss on the lips before sleep,/until he died in the lounge looking out at a winter sky/that seemed eager to snow all day but didn't." Other poems like "Man of the House" and "85" take one into the minds of a middle-aged man and an 85-year-old man, respectively. These poems exemplify Hicok's ability to create the feeling of chosen on the basis of three qualities; persistence, commitment and talent. Furthermore, the proceeds from the .music awards went towards an excel- lent cause: The Rob Tyner Scholarship Fund. Formerly a member and singer for the MC5, Rob Tyner's unexpected death caused the Detroit music com- rmunity to unite to support a common goal. Many of the funds raised in his niame were donated to the Center for Creative Studies, in hopes that under- l1is year's music ow went far byond most exrpectations. privileged children will also have the opportunity to attend CCS. While at this~ time it is uncertain just how much money was raised, it is clear that the mon~ey is a worthwhile investment back into the Detroit community. This year's awards show went far beynd most people's expectations. Hosed by the ever-popular Judy Tenuta; then nght also featured perform ances by artis s such as Lucky Haskins and Harvey Thompson. In addition, fol- lowi I g the presentations, local artists local heroes Charm Farm, Kenny Larkin and Carl Craig all performed for theClubX audi- ences. Judy Tenuta was truly the most atten- tion-getting star of the evening. Filling the State Theater with her loud and obnoxious comments about everything from homosexuals to Jerry Garcia, Tenuta managed to offend everyone while still making the audience laugh. But, despite her arrogance, the self- proclaimed "Love Goddess" did man- age to prove her skill at stand-up, and her impersonations of people ranging from Roseanne Barr to Rita Rudner to Dr. Ruth were consistently dead-on. Even her comment that if Sally Struthers really wanted people to be fed, she would just drop herself over Somalia, garnered some giggles from the crowd. But, where Judy Tenuta was abra- sive, the other live performers were soothing. Harvey Thompson, a jazz singer with a voice as smooth as silk, woke everyone up as the first performer of the evening. Taking over the reins were bands such as Stewart Franeke with a Detroit music medley, Thornetta Davis with members of now-defunct BigChief, George Bedardand the King- pins, and Ann Arbor's own Commu- nity High School rockabilly band, Lucky Haskins. All of the performers were outstanding, and one, Thornetta Davis, even managed to take home her own award for Best R & B vocalist. In other categories, bands like Blue Dog took Best Contemporary Jazz Band, while Mr. B and the Bird of Paradise Orchestra won Best Traditional Jazz Band. Likewise, Red Tree won the Best Metal Band, while Brothers From Another Planet lead the pack for'Best Rap Act. Ann Arbor was even recog- nized for being the home of the Best Everyone's favorite local perverts, Charm Farm. Local Music Label, Schoolkids' Records. At the Thirteenth Annual Detroit Music Awards, the presenters were well-known, even if the bands were not. Announcers ranging from radio DJs for The Planet and 89X to striking MetroTimes workers were all on hand to recognize the best that Detroit has to offer. Most notably, Juan Atkins, a Detroit techno-master, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, quite an honor given the achievements of other native Michiganders. Following the awards portion of the evening, 89X offered attendees a spe- cial edition ofClubX featuring the win- ners of Best Rock Record and Best Modern Rock Band, Charm Farm. Charm Farm put on an excellent show, blasting through most of their album, "Pervert." Immediately after, Carl Craig took the stage, moving the already en- ergetic audience into a frenzy with his techno. Having recently started his own label, I Ner Zon, Craig is already at the top of the heap of Detroit's techno art- ists. Likewise, Kenny Larkin, the final performer in the late night lineup, had been nominated last year for the award for Best Techno Artist. This year, Larkin came through, winning the category and winning over the ClubX crowd. Touring on a regular basis throughout Europe, Larkin is now enjoying suc- cess throughout the world. Overall, each and every performer, nominee and audience member went home from the Detroit Music Awards a winner. The performers won for having the opportunity to play for a tremendous crowd in a venue usually reserved for only the most current modern rock acts. The nominees, for having been good enough to be con- sidered one of the top four in their genre. And, the audience members for their support of local bands at any stage of development and for their skill at so adeptly picking the winners of this year's ceremony. Lita's back in the saddle and ready to rock motor city Well, Ozzy Osbourne is coming back in February. But if you can't wait for some connection to the Ozman until then, you might as well go see Lita Ford on New Year's Eve at Harpos. After all, they did do the duet "Close My Eyes Forever." The ultimate bloated rock togetherness song that predates Meatloaf's "I'd Do Anything For Love" by a good portion of someone's teen years. Of course, Lita is Lita, and has her own career. Sure, it's a career based on looking like a slutty metal babe, but that doesn't mean she's untalented. So get your masochistic butt down to the famous metal concert theater at 14238 Harper in Detroit and ring in 1996 with a songstress who will likely have hair with a volume several times the head it's on and fishnet stockings that require her to wax that tricky bikini area. Ted Watts. There's trouble in the monkey house. Actually, there isn't trouble there yet, but when Sub Pop recording stars Six Finger Satellite invade the Shelter next Thursday, there sure will be. Their recent album "Severe Exposure" is a fertile fiefdom of well produced noise in the vein of Chrome with-plenty of classic Instruments that include keyboard interfaces, but for the '90s. The band's appearance supporting Mike Watt at the Blind Pig this year should have driven home for the Ann Arbor community the power of the band. Looking pale, emaciated and scraggly, sort of like members of a reactioanry militia, the group transcended their appearance and entertained like a mamma jamma. if you missed them before, next Thursday's your chance to rectify your situation. Go to the Shelter for the all ages show. Doors open at 8 and Thometta Davis opens. RECORDS Continued from page 6B UItraviolence Psycho Drama Earache Well, it's another part of that dearth of techno CD operas. And as with most of its ilk, it comes with its own libretto, without which the work would make *minimal sense. Part of the CD's virtue lies in the fact that the songs themselves impart enough of the story to not be entirely uncomprehensible. "Psycho Drama" is the story about a woman named Jessica, from her birth to her drug-abusing life to her suicide pact to her journey through the after- life. Pretty standard. The music is fairly driving, however. It has enough beats to make it a club piece, undoubtedly. And it is at least minorly interesting as a story. How- ever, repetition over an extended pe- riod is unlikely to endear it to your heart. Well, it's better than spending your money on drugs. _ Ted Watts IV .: . .. >''. _ '" : w :w ,' . w BUY 1,I GET I (of equal or lesser value) UT ~ * m