Page 16 Dec. 1987 Cassiar Courier The Courier welcomes Brian Nicholson as a regular contributor. Brian, has enjoyed music since the age of eleven. “My favorite artists at that time were Petula Clark and the Supremes.’. As he grew older, his tastes in music developed to encompass many different forms. The quality of the recording, the sound of the vocals and instrumentals were all recognized and appreciated. “You need to be emotionally involved with listening to the music.” says Brian, “Then you can relate to it.’ Brian has a varied collection, everything from jazz, pop, big band, modern, Broad- way, rock ‘n roll, country and western, and classical. RANDY TRAVIS “STORMS OF LIFE” & “NOW AND FOREVER” “Storms of Life”, the first and strongest of the albums benefits from the song writing talent of Paul Overstreet who contributed the hit singles “On The Other Hand” and “Diggin Up Bones”. Randy Travis, no slouch in the song writing department, contributed “Reasons | Cheat’, a poignant song about a middle-aged man facing the reality of being stalled in a career and bored in a marriage. He also wrote “1982” about the desire to go back a few years and recapture the magic of a love affair that he gave up to roam. These well-crafted songs benefit from a heart-felt delivery in a deep, smooth barjtone that easily communicated feelings in an open and unabashed manner. “Now And Forever” contains some real gems like the hit single “Forever And Ever, Amen” and “What You Gonna Do About Me”. The latter is interesting by the fact that the man is hurt and enraged that he was wanted only for his body and not his personality. Randy has contributed “Good Intentions” which re- flects upon the fact that even with the best intent we can end up down the wrong path. Equally moving is his composition “The Truth Is Lyin Next To You” that deals with rumours of infidelity. The standout tune is “Home” written by Paul Overstreet. It’s a senti- mental picce about a man’s gratitude for his family and sense of history in certain belongings. Two years ago, Randy Travis was cooking catfish at the Opryland Hotel and now is the top country male vocalist. We can only hope this sudden success doesn’t burn him out us an artist. Randy Travis has revealed a new voice steeped in the traditions of country music and a fine song writing ability, but memories of Hank Williams Sr. are not that distant. Merry Christmas & Happy New Wear RZ; BANK HOURS Decémber 22nd Noon - 5:30 p.m, 23rd & 24th Noon - 2:00 p.m. ; 25, 26, 27, 28th CLOSED December 29th Noon - 2:00 p.m. 30th Noon - 5:30 p.m. 31st Noon - 2:00 p.m. January Ist, 1988 CLOSED Cle Ropal Gank SS SOS SSF SUBSCRIPTIONS $10.00 per year CASSIAR COURIER Box 100 Cassiar, B.C. V0C1E0 * , CRITICAL *“ NOTES ”°” SARAH VAUGHN & MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS “GERSHWIN LIVE” (CBS) Here we have the potential for the ultimate collaboration - the music of Gershwin, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the glorious voice of Sarah Vaughn. The first problem in undertaking such a project is the vast amount of material worthy of performing and a one hour concert format for its display. The medley concept is the dominant format with a few songs performed in their entirety. Full versions of “Summertime”, Embrace- able You”, or “Someone To Watch Over Me” would have been preferable over such choices as “Sweet & Low- down” or “‘Do It Again” - the latter suffering from a glib interpretation that denied the potential of the song to display vulnerability and sensuality. On a more positive note we get a magnificent performance of ““My Man’s Gone Now” that fully projects the emotional depth of the song and the dynamic range of Ms. Vaughn’s voice and truly explains the title “The Divine One”’. The CD version is superior to the album format because here we get the balance of voice and instruments. The L.P. suffered from the vocal being too out-front - not a problem with most of todays LP’s which suffer from the opposite effect. It really is a shame that this could not have been a double album or CD offering full versions of these standard tunes. The “live” format displays the Vaughn voice with those unbelievable lows and thrilling highs better than any studio album has managed to capture. This album won the Grammy for Best Performance Jazz - Female Vocal.in 1982 - could we dare hope for another of Cole Porter tunes? It has become the rare occasion when we get top rate material interpreted by one of the most gifted female jazz vocalists of our time and one who sadly has been neglected by the record com- panies - if art doesn’t sell then it just isn’t made. Do yourself a favour and pick up this CD and get 60+ minutes of art. ANITA BAKER “RAPTURE” (ELECKTRA) Much of today’s music has hinged on a good musical hook, so many beats per minute or a catchy video, in an attempt to find the formula that will guaran- tee a top ten hit. The vocal track often is not the centre ‘of the recording, but merely an extension of the instru- mental and the lyrics can range from negligible to inane. Anita Baker has eschewed this approach and has recorded an album of mid-tempo love songs, dealing with the ups and downs of relationships and come up with a winner. She has co-written three tunes on this album, two of which are standout pieces - “Sweet Love” and “You Better Watch Your Step”. There is a superior cover of the Manhattan Transfer’s tune ‘‘Mystery”’ that evokes just that atmosphere, as the singer longs for the innocent times of a past romance. “You Bring Me Joy” is sung in a pure gospel fashion, while at the same time not denying the very sensual lyrical content of the song. It builds with quiet fire to estactic shouts, you normally would hear in a black church. “No One In The World” is given a very impassioned vocal, in the true rhythm and blues tradition, as she growls to an old lover “please take me back” and you feel the desire and frustration in her voice. “Too Long” demonsttates Anita’s jazz roots as she scats through certain instrumental sections most singers would have left to the band. It would be nice to hear more of this on her next album. What makes these performances stand out above other female vocal- ists is the ability to apply excellent vocal technique; re- strained but passionate singing, and fine interpretations of the songs lyrics. Too often you find R&B singers are given over to demonstrations of vocal power and histrionics that deny the meaning of a song. Anita’s smooth and soulful vocals seem to ride just above the band’s instrumentals, making the ups and downs of each song, like a well oiled roller coaster. You can tell from the standards of this album and Anita’s singing that this is an album she wanted very much - there is heart and soul to these performances. If your musical taste runs to fine singing of well crafted songs, in this musical form, then I suggest you pick up this album or CD. This is a performer to keep your eye on and we can hopefully expect future performances of this calibur. ; CMM RMR RMR RRR RMR RRR MRM RK MR MM MK HMR KKK KKK RR HK RR KKK KH HERR RK HH KH Ke HR HHH HK. Friends of the Stkine ~ News, notwithstanding Meech Lake, Free Trade, and the Bull Market comes out of the Fourth World Wilderness Congress in Colorado (Sept. "87). Among the 50 resolutions passed by this international assembly, re- lated specifically to Stikine, resolu- tion # 46 - STIKINF TRANSNATIONAL PARK. The Stikine River in British Colum- bia, Canada and Alaska, U.S.A. is one of the last remaining wilderness rivers of international. importance, containing a pristine coastal estuary, majestic mountains and_= glaciers, a grand canyon, expansive alpine headwaters, and an exceptional diver- sity of fish and wildlife. Tt. is threatened by logging and mining and a proposed $20 Billion hydro- electric development to export power to the United States. It will be lost forever as a wilderness within the next five to ten years without a concerted international effort to save it. Construction of trans- mission lines from British Columbia to California could cause major en- * vironmental impact. so HM MK MM MM HHH HM The 4th World Wilderness Congress: 1. Urges the Governments of Canada, the United States, Alaska and British Columbia to establish a Stikine Trans- national Pexk, to include the entire ee ekg Ye hoe 4a es 4 ; « Fe ee KKK KKK KKK KKK KK main stem of the Stikine River. 2. Calls on the States of Washington, Oregon and California to reconsider the construction of transmission lines and the purchase of energy from British Columbia. Other resolutions passed by this congress called for protection of Robson Bight and its killer whale habitat, creation of a National Wild- life Area to protect the entire Khutz- eymateen Watershed and its grizzly bears, and called for an accurate and independent inventory analysis of the old growth forest areas re- maining in British Columbia. While congratulating the Canadian and British Columbia governments for-recent establishment of a National Park Reserve in South Moresby and while declaring its support for Wes- tern Canadian non-governmental organi- zations in their efforts to preserve the wilderness heritage of Western Canada, the Colorado Congress urged the governments of Western Canada to introduce comprehensive wildermess legislation to formalize and puolish park system plans, and to strengthen mechanisms for public involvement. The Western Canada Wildemess Forum under the chairmanship of Step- hen Fuller made a strong statement for the issues at large in B.C.’ and Yukon. Wook OO KKK KKK KKK KKK KKK KS RAS Services Ltd. WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR PATRONAGE AND TO WISH ALL OF YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE BEST OF EVERYTHING IN ‘88. 98> ' ee *& 62s es Ne Rime eS ~ “BOB & SHERRY SETHEN e %. . a)