Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 July 1978 — Page 10

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PAGE 10 ™ E INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER SATURDAY, JUiT IS, 1t7»

Believe Me,, When I Tell You

$ BOB WOMACK SR. i

Greetings! Fans: THE BIG BAND sounds are on the way back. During the mid-thirties to the mid-forties, the big sounds were the rage on the international musical scene. Many reasons have been given regarding the fall of the big aggregations. During the bleak days of World War II. many topflight sidemen including some bandleaders were drafted: there was a monstrous nationwide recording strike of 1942, spon sored by the International Board of the American Federation Of Musicians (AFM). Also the difficulties of travel and the ruinous 20 percent amusement tax kept many music-lovers at home. In fact, to engage a large musical group at that time was very expensive. Therefore, the public went to diggin’ the smaller combos and the featured vocalists of the big bands. Although for some, large crews like Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, the late Duke Ellington. Harry James, Benny Goodman, Lawrence W’elk, Guy Lombardo and others, the big sounds never left. Believe me or not, the “now generation” is beginning to appreciate the big sounds more, and more just like their parents did... And “That’s The Black Truth!" RECORD POLL: The first-five weekly “National Soul PlatterHits" as they appear from coast to coast are as follows starting with the ALBUMS: (1). “Na tural High” Commodores (Motown). (2). “So Full Of Love”... 0’Jays (Philly-Inter-national). (3). “Life Is A Song Worth Singing"...Teddy Pendergrass (Philly-International). (4). “Central Heating”...Heatwave (Epic). (5). “Show Down”...Islev Brothers (TNeck). The SINGLES: (1). “Use Ta Be My Girr....O , Jays (Philly - International). (2). “Close The Door"...Teddy Pen dergrass (Philly-International). (3). “Boogie Oogie Oogie"... Taste Of Honey (Capitol). (4). “Shame" Evelyn “Champagne" King (RCA). (5). “Stuff

Like That"...Quincy Jones (A&M). BLACK CULTURE QUIZ: Which opera did Scott Joplin write?...Joplin composed the innovative folk grand opera, “Treemonisha,” in 1907. The opera was not well-received by those accustomed to his ragtime music, and he was forced to publish and produce it at his own expense. “Treemonisha" was first staged by the AfroAmerican Music Workshop in Atlanta in 1972 and later on Broadway. SPOT NEWS: Those rumors about Jackie Wilson being dead is not true. However, if anyone wishes to send Jackie a donation, they can by mailing it to: Jackie Wilson, c/o Friends Of Jackie Wilson, P.0. Box 262, Carteret, N.J. 07008... Georgia’s Lt. Gov. Zell Miller has named Attorney David Franklin of Atlanta as a member of the new Music Recording Industry Advisory Committee of the Department of Industry and Trade. Franklin, an agent, manager and entertainment attorney, also, handles Richard Pryor and Aretha Franklin among others. Ray Charles, superstar was the recipient of an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters at Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., recently. Meanwhile, his show is currently set for his second European tour. L.T.D., one of the most popular musical groups of the 70’s and Michael Henderson, musical prodigy, were the star performers recently on "Soul Train”, weekly all-black TV show. L.T.D., short for Love. Togetherness and Devotion, demonstrated their unique talents on “Never Get Enough Of Your Love,” “Back In Love Again” and “Party Hearty." Each of the ten artists who comprise this versatile crew has wailed with some of the leading cats over the country. Michael Henderson, who began singing at age 3 and who became one of Motown’s top TURN TO PAGE 11

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COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS

A MOTOWN CASABLANCA PRODUCTION ol

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There was ‘Flash’, sparkle and boredom

Manchild might not have been what some expected at last Saturday's Indiana Black Expo “Shower of Stars I”, but you've gotta admit the band has improved. There weren't any strobes, magic tricks, or flying saucers. It was just straight-ahead funk rock and mesmerizing ballads which left the band’s largest hometown crowd--a Market Square Arena audience of 18,500quite pleased. Group’s performance was much tighter than we’ve ever seen it, and an abundance of confidence was there. Lead singer KEVIN “FLASH” FERRELL and lead guitarist/ saxophonist REGGIE GRIFFIN took the show under control visually, while the remaining five held down their forts quite

well.

They did most of the favorites: “Maybe My Baby,” “Don’t Get Me Rowdy,” “Our Message,” "Especially For You," and “The

Phuff’.

However the band could have replaced rocky “If You Don’t Tell No One” with CHUCKIE BUSH’S “Joy," which would have given his potentially smoth falsetto more of an outing. His limited solo on “Our Message," which had its vocal harmony ending intact, and toned-down “Especially For You,” failed to garner the brand of female response which add a bit of flair to a Manchild concert. There was a bit of flair, though when percussionist DARYL SIMMONS revealed comedian BILL COSBY banging on a drum kit behind him. Cos was then whisked out front to do some humorous dancing with Ferrell, who was about to come out of his shoes for "Don’t Get Me Rowdy.” We skipped much of Cosby’s solo appearance, as well as the entire NATALIE COLE set, which reviewers prior to this date said offered nothing to rival last summer’s tour. We were disappointed, however, with PEABO BRYSON’s 45 minutes. Bryson appeared to be ill backstage, and out front, he sounded even sicker. His “Have A Good Time” opener dragged in places, and wasn’t complimented by the singer’s gravelly vocals. Bryson’s voice improved slightly, as

World’s largest car to be featured in Motown’s "The Wiz" Diana Ross and Michael

Jackson will be among entertainers assisted by the world’s largest car in keeping moviegoers happy later this season in Motown’s production of “The

Wiz.”

Dubbed the “Ozmobile producer Ron Cohen, the mammoth car is 36V* feet long, 8 feet wide, and 7 feet high The size of a standard bus, th< car is 10 feet longer than th< previous record holder, i stretched-out Cadillac be longing to the president of the American Automobile Associa

tion.

The computer sings The newest “thing” on the rock music scene is a trio of computers -- “programmed" with the moog synthesized voices of the Bee Gees -- which sings the Beatles' “She’s Leaving Home” in the forthcoming movie “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band." Others appearing in the movie include Earth, Wind and Fire, which will perform a version of the Beatles’ “Gotta Get You Into My Life,” and S tar gar d, a female threesome which hit big recently with the soundtrack of “Which Way is

Up?”

PERFORMANCE

he closed with “Reaching For the Sky" and “Feel the Fire." The O’Jays wowed an 18,000-plus “Shower of Stars II” crowd in true Las Vegas showroom style, complete with a full orchestra and background was of multicolored lights and images. The group got on with a mass of strobes as they appeared from a grey curtain under the drummer’s platform. They wore white capes and robes, singing “Traveling at the Speed of Thought." From then on, aside from images of the New York skyline, sunbursts, and flowers projected on a huge screen behind them, the show as traditional O’Jays. Tight choreography (check out Sammy Strain), even tighter harmony, and Eddie Levert. Although the current tour and album, both titled “So Full of Love,” appear to be pushing Walter Williams out front in place of Levert, the shortest member of the group still continues to be a ham. He often falls to his knees (a la James Brown) to express a point, and yanks his glittering jacket off during an intense version of “Let Me Make Love To You." Levert is the group’s resident show-stopper. Oldies like “Back Stabbers,” “Wildflower,” and “For the Love of Money,” sounded good as new, and were well received. Levert was into the opening of “Wildflower, when an overjoyed woman screamed loudly her adulation from the cheap seats. Levert nearly died laughing, as he dropped the verse, and was probably amazed his “acting” could have such an effect on the poor soul. Other songs included “Use Ta Be My Girl,” for which the group got tremendous

Let's Get It Together

by Nettie Lester

DEAR NETTIE: I would like to pass this message along to my friend, Phyllis and her fiance. “Keep praying and keep

trusting God. He loves you both!!”

GARY

DEAR GARY: A message so beautiful should cast a ray of

sunlight on everyone’s path!!

**•

DEAR NETTIE: I have a transportation problem. I sing with a group and my parents don’t like to take me to the various engagements. This really makes me feel bad! Should I get out of the group because of this, or hope for the best and stay in? DISGUSTED DEAR DISGUSTED: Talk to the Lord and if He tells you to stay in, surely He is aiBIG ENOUGH GOD to eliminate such a small problem as transportation! You can’t always expect others (even your parents? to be as deep into your areas of interest as you are, whether good or bad! Whatever you decide, please look up and trust in the Lord with all your heart for He will direct your path...if you let Him!! DEAR NETTIE: I know a girl who has a very bad smoking and drinking problem. I have told her that she needs to stop because it can hurt her badly. What else can I do?

D.L.W.

DEAR D.L.W.: You can pray and ask the Lord to step in and take control of this young lady’s life!!! Also, you could refer her to Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35,1 Corinthians 3:16-20, and Philippians 4:13. Make sure you are not participating in the same activity, for if you are, all of your talking will be in vain!! Are you concerned about your problems? Write me, Nettie, c/o The Indianapolis Recorder, 2901 N. Tacoma Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46218. For a personal reply, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope. If you do not want your letter printed under any circumstances, please indicate this when writing. WE NEED YOUR LETTERS!!!

TWIN EAST BEL AIR

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response; new single “Brandy,” and “You’ve Got Your Hooks in Me." Boring was the word for Cameo and Chic. Chic brought in their cute little horns and electric violins, and, joined by fellow Atlantic artist Luther Vandross on vocals, got into several numbers, including “Everybody Dance” and “Dance, Dance Dance (Yousah, Yousah, Yousah)." Each tune lacked real flair. Cameo’s opening, which featured an unidentified cut from an unreleased album, was an improvement from their last two appearances here, both of which were less than a year ago. The group managed a nice performance of current single “It’s Over," and hit album cut "Why Have I Lost You," which for the second-straight time here was heavily abbreviated. It was downhill from there. Interestingly tight choreography which

looked so nice at the opening began to lose its appeal, and Gregory "Funk Funk Man" Johnson’s attempts at heating up the crowd were in vain. End result was a nice, boring drag. Betty Wright might have been the reason Chic and Cameo didn’t amaze this reviewer. She was dynamite. Miss Wright, backed by a slew of native sons, appeared totally possessed by her music, as she climaxed recent single “Wjiere is the Love.” She kicked her legs, swiveled her dress, and rocked her body in an emotion-tilled dance routine. By the time she had wound up versions of "Cleanup Woman” and “Tonight is the Night You Made* Me a Woman" (both with rap pieces intact from her seemingly simulated "live” LP), the crowd rose to its feet. It was the only standing ovation we can recall over the two nights. LYNN DEAN FORD

OJAYS Williams, Levert and Strain appear Vegasy

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Smokers of king size Carlton, lowest in tar of all cigarettes, have asked for the same blend and gentle taste in a longer length. Here they are Carlton 100’s and menthol 100 s

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Box: less than 0.5 mg. "ta." 0.05 mg. meow*; Soft Pack and Menthol: 1 mg "tar," 01 mg nicotine av. per agarette. FTC Report May '78 100 mm 5 mg. tar," 0.5 mg mcotme av per cigarette by FTC method