The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, January 31, 1972, Page PAGE 6, Image 6
(BtfwB it 0 lorry kubert In the past few years a musical category known as jazz-rock has become increasingly popular. This is demonstrated by the popularity of such groups as Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago and most recently, the excellent Chase. So where does a group by the name of Los Blues fit into the picture? Well, to begin with, the members of Los Blues are not a fly-by-night outfit. They have been together for the past 12 years even though they are all under thirty. And of these past 12 years, the last seven have been spent as one of the most successful in Las Vegas. Comprised of five Chicanos and two Gringos, Los Blues has just released their first album, Los Blues Volume 1 on the United Artists label. Utilizing tenor and alto sax, guitar, drums, congas, bass, trumpet, trombone, baritone and keyboards in various combinations, the vocals are divided up between Randy Garibay and Jimmie McFarland. Los Blues has a good sound, in fact on many cuts sounding very much like BS&T (which is a compliment since I'm one of the biggest BS&T fans around). But Los Blues also has its bad side, which I think is a result of their long stay in Las Vegas. Many of their arrangements sound very commercialized. On some of their cuts you can almost see the plastic, glittering Vegas. The Album opens with "God Help Me," an average little number with vocal by Garibay, but unfortunately that's all the cut ever gets to be average. BS&T's "More and More" is next up and Garibay gives a good vocal on this, sounding very much like David Clayton-Thomas. In addition, Louie Leos Jr. gives a good trumpet solo. Overall, this is one of the better cuts on the album. Carole King's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" finds McFarland doing the vocalization, but for some reason, possibly the commercialized sound, this song just doesn't make it. A driving instrumental, "The Squirrel," is probably the best cut on the album. Written by Jim Waller, one of the gringo ancTN members of Los Blues, it demonstrates good guitar and trumpet work by Garibay and Leos. Side Two starts off with a winner, "Ain't That Loving You." Garibay is back at the mike and wailin'. This is probably the best vocal cut on the album. Aretha Franklin's "Spirit in the Dark" has McFarland doing the vocal again, but this time he is more pleasing, giving the song a strong funky approach. "Vegas Funk," another instrumental by Waller, features Cleto Escobedo Jr. on a nice tenor solo. Although commercial in places, the song is enjoyable. McFarland hits the vocals again with "Life Is Just A Bowl of Cherry Bombs," an interesting tune that is part satire, part message and part just plain ole fun. Finishing up the album is a medley of BS&T's "Smiling Phases" and Jim Webb's "MacArthur Park." Los Blues has some positive points in their favor, but with acceptance as difficult as it is in the recording industry, I wonder if these points will be strong enough? I sort-of hope sol The UNL School of Music will present Puccini's tragic Japanese opera, Madame Butterfly, Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. in Kimball Hall. The opera will be sung in English. The Mud Slim Slide Players have their fourth review currently in progress at The Gas Light, 322 South 9th Street. Entitled The Mud Slim Slide Players' Greatest Hits, the review includes the best short plays from their previous three reviews, and will run Feb. 4,5,1 1,12,18 and 19, beginning at 9 p.m. Remember that Hair opens at Pershing Auditorium tonight and will also perform Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Good seats are still available and are reasonably priced at $5.50, $6.50 and $7.50. Curtain time is 8 p.m. "Let the Sun Shine In." Cfe ft rt m ..ilC. Garden Party Monday Wed-Sat 5- 10 p.m. Spaghetti, $1.50 Tuesday 6- 10 p.m. Mexican Dinner $1.95 Thursday 8:30-12:00, Single Ladies' Night, all hi-balls, 15c Two-ters 5-7 p.m. Mon-Sat. THE YACHT CLUB East end of Capitol Beach on Lakeshore Drive 0 9 S J DON ELLIS I AND FRIENDS JAZZ CONCERT 8 p.m. February 12 Nebraska Wesleyan's O'Donnell Auditorium 50th & Huntington Lincoln, Nebraska Admission: $2.50 (includes tax) Tickets on sale at Dietze, Molzer & Hospe Music Stores in Lincoln, Lincoln High School Band Directors, Nebraska Wesleyan Music Office, or at the door Television movie time again. Monday KETV, Channel 7, 8 p.m., Where Eagles Dare, conclusion starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. Allied, commando raid in World War II. KMTV, Channel 3, 8 p.m., Deadlier Than the Male starring Richard Johnson and Elke Sommer. 1967 flick about Bulldog Drummond, the James Bond of the 1920's. Tuesday KETV, Channel 7, 7:30 p.m., Hardcase starring Clint Walker and Stefanie Powers. Circa 1900: soldier of fortune in revolutionary Mexico. Wednesday: KETV, Channel 7, 8 p.m., Bedtime Story starring Marlon Brando and David Niven. Two con men on the French Riviera. Thursday: KOLN, Channel 10 and WOW, Channel 6, 8 p.m. Hunters Are For Killing starring Burt Reynolds. Ex-con trys to prove himself not guilty. Friday: KOLN, Channel 10, 8 p.m.. The Glass House starring Alan Alda and Vic Morrow. Prison drama by Truman Capote. WOW, Channel 6, 8 p.m.. Masquerade starring Cliff Robertson. Tongue-in-cheek spy thriller. KUON, Channel 12, 9:30 p.m., M starring Peter Lorre. Fritz Lang's 1931 film about a child-molester-murderer. Also I nrre'c firct film rnla nap !1 I , i .. .. J Ma If he asked you to wear one, which would you choose? i V SmujUmkSlim III "V JTS2T Registered Jewelers American Gem Society Speaker: John Bray, Ph. D. Assistant Prof, of History, Wayne State College Tues., Feb. 1 7:00 p.m. "The Evils of Religion" Wed., Feb. 2 10:00 a.m. Open rap with Dr. Bray 3:00 p.m. "The Occult and Christianity " 7:00 p.m. Symposium with Dr. Earl Wilson, Dr. John Brumbaugh, Dr. John Bray; and Dr. Hardy Thurs., Feb. 3 10:00 a.m. Open rap with Dr. Bray 3:00 p.m. "The Resurrection of Jesus History or Hysteria?" All Events in Union Ballroom Sponsored by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship PAGE 6 THE DAILY NEBRASKAN MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1972