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Loca rhythm and blues band
relies on obscure composers
By Meg Greene
The Megatones, a local rhythm and blues
band, made its Lincoln debut at The Zoo late
last December.
Since then, they've played several Lincoln
bars and also played as backup group for
Freddie King and Willie Dixon at Pershing
Auditorium last month.
All the members have played in other bands.
Charlie Burton, lead vocalist, guitarist and
harmonica player, has with him two
ex-members of his Star-Spangled Wranglers: Bill
1 ?
Meg3tono Charlie Burton
Dye on guitar and drummer Dave Robel.
Rounding out the band is Walt Warnsholtz,
saxophone; Gary Spaultie, bass, and Butch
Berman, keyboards.
Burton picks the group's music, usually
searching for music by such unknowns of
rhythm and blues as Mickey Gilley, Jimmy
Patton and Billy Lee Riley.
"Obscurity is essential," Burton said. "It's
more like we have an awareness of artists who
weren't advertised like others. All have been a
great influence."
Burton says he believes that rhythm and
blues is as new today as when it started. Burton
- and Warnsholtz also write music.
Burton said it's not necessary to put on an
act in order to play good music. In their music,
he said, the Megatones strive to play rhythm
and blues as it should be played.
The band isn't concerned with hitting it big.
Burton said he would like to broaden their
circuit, however, and is in the process of talking
to out of town people.
As far as performing rhythm and blues,
Burton said, he and the Megatones are "sharing
their music with everyone. Performing is one of
the best ways to tell people that this music is
alive and well."
The Megatones will play Saturday at The
Zoo.
Callas'
'Un Ballo'
substitute
for tour
Un Ballo in Maschera, by Verdi
In the wake of Maria Callas' tour of the U.S. and
Canada, comes her Seraphim recording of Verdi's Un Ballo
in Maschera. For those of us who are unable to hear her on
tour, this record is a fine substitute.
Tenor Guiseppe di Stefano, who also has been heard
rarely in the U.S. in the last decade, plays Riccardo tc
Callas' Amelia. Di Stefano and Callas make a great team,
already evidenced by their 10 other recordings made
together for Angel Records at La Scala.
Un Ballo in Maschera (A Masked Ball) is one of Verdi's
' finest vehicles for dramatically skilled singers, and the
entire cast is worthy. The story is one of the good old
eternal triangle. An American colonial governor loves his
best friend's wife, in spite of himself. It's an exciting story,
full of intrigue, and Verdi's mature scope provides the
frame for a lot of beautiful singing.
This is not a new recording; it's been remastered from an
old one. But it's a good one.
Keep Your Soul Together, by Freddie Hubbard
Tasteful is a good word to describe Freddie Hubbard.
Every release he has made with CTI since his first, Red
Clay, has been chock full of good taste.
Keep Your Soul Together is no exception. While he
formerly recorded with such veteran sidemen as Herbie
Hancock (in whose band he started his jazz career), Hubert
Laws, Joe Farrell and others, this new release has Hubbard
working with his own small studio group. The difference is
immediately evident; it's neither better nor worse. It's just
that this newer album, although cleverly wrought, sounds a
little more natural and less rehearsed.
Personnel include Ron Carter, of course, on bass; George
Cables, who plays a dynamite electric piano; Junior Cook,
whose name I don't recognize, but whose terrific tenor
saxophone I will from no on; Ralph Penland on drums;
Aurell Ray on guitar; and Juno Lewis on
dahka-doomdahka-de bello.
x
'ftps louuiil
Cinoma 1; Blazing Seddie,
1:30, 3:03, 4:46, 0:24, 8:02. 9:40
p.m.
Qnema 2: A Touch of Oast,
1:45, 3:35, 5:25, 7:15. 8:05 p.m.
Plaza 1: American Graffiti,
1:30. 3:03. 5:30, 7:30, 0:30 p.m.
Plaza 2: Serpieo. 2:15, 4:30, 7,
8:15 p.m.
Plata 3: Mwart Siraatt, (timet
not available).
Plaza 4: Th Last Detail, 1:20,
3:15, 5, 7,9 p.m.
CoopwUiTCoin: The Leond of
Frerjchie Kirsg, 7:30, 9:30 p.m.
Dowgb 1$ The Way We Ware,
1:30, 3:23, 5:22, 7:23, 9:32 p.m.
Douclai 2: The Sting, 2, 4:55,
7:09,8:20 p.m.
Dousla 3: Cinderella Liberty,
1:30, 3:23, 5:28. 7:25, 0:25 p.m.
Stuart: Man of the East, 1 :30,
3:30,5:30. 7:33,9:30 p.m.
State: The ExorcM, 1:15, 4,
6:40,0:15 p.m.
friday, march 22, 1974
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