friday, September 28, 1975
daiiy nebraskan
mmm
Discos are
rejuvenated
By K. Micf Betts
Imagine you are from another planet or
galaxy.
You are conducting a survey on the
social activities of Americans. Your study
is based on one type of their physical loco
motiondancing. You are conducting a survey on the
social activities of Americans. Your study
is based! on one type of their physical loco
motiondancing. ; After a local social center examines
your spacemobile license (universal securi
ty reasons), you proceed with your expedi
tion to earth.
Upon arrival, you observe brilliant color
schemes that beam upon the aliens as they
dance. It first appears their motivation
radiates from the apparent leader-a man at
a podium with strange dome ear coverings.
Further observation, however, leads you
to believe the pulsating sounds govern the
dancing subjects, as you realize your foot is
also keeping, time with the electronic
vibrations.
You now understand. This is the disco
scene.
"Twist" era
The disco concept originated in France
decades ago. In America it found momen
tary popularity during the 'Twist" era of
the 1960s. , t
The recent discotheque revival began
about two years ago on the East Coast and
has gathered irrepressible momentum
throughout the United States.
One recent survey estimated at least 600
discotheques are open in the New York
City area and more are planned. -
The report also indicated 50 disco
theques are operating in Los Angeles,
Chicago, Detroit, Atlanta and other major
cities. . -
All the ramifications of the discotheque
movement are unknown, but the concept
has been effected. v ; '
Successful development
President and promoter for a small disco '
management and production firm, Jay
Ellis has successfully developed eleven
disco acts, including nine chart records in
the last two and a half years.
Instead of promoting clients such as
Gloria Gaynor (Never Can Say Good-bye)
via radio and concert, Ellis goes to the
discotheques first. Popularity at the disco's
turntable has frequently led to national
recognition,
Licks
Several large recording companies have
shifted budget allocations to include the
- disco artists and their recordings.
A discojockey association has been
formed with a membership of 200.
Universal format
Discotheques, share a universal format,
varying in decor and degree of standard
characteristics.
Controlled by a slick talkinV "disco"
jockey, turntables spin off the latest
sounds for the latest dances. Strobe, black
and flashing lights create rhythmical
reflections.
With unbelievable coordination, dancers
Hustle, Bustop and Bump into blissful
frenzies.
The disco scene it now enjoying success .
in Lincoln. Little Bo's, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. "
Hyde and HP. Cassidy's have joined the
national disco craze.
Perhaps the most successful discotheque
in Lincoln is Uncle Sam's. Uncle Sam's at
25th and O streets, is one of nine in a chain
owned by the American Scene.
Basic scheme
Uncle Sam's follows the basic scheme of
discotheques. A sophisticated light show
enhances the rhythmic mood with a mirror
ball and Plexiglas dance floor reflecting ,
flashing lights.
According to a regular Uncle Sam's
patron, Kathy Putnam, group dancing
monopolizes the dance floor. Dancers form
double lines and Omaha Bustop, Teapot,
and just plain Hustle for hours, only stop
ping briefly for the "last call"-(drinks that
is). . .
Bill Montgomery, manager of Uncle
Sam's, estimated that disco jockeys play
sixty per cent "disco" music. Recordings
by the Ohio Players, Rufus, Cool and the
Gang, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and the
Average White Band inspire the footloose
folk into action.
The remaining music played is rock,
oldies and slow songs.
No one seems jto understand the revival
of the disco scene. Some speculate it is a
result of the United States' economic situa
tion because discotheques offer relatively
inexpensive entertainment.
Whatever the reason, discotheques have
resurfaced in a raging glory. Their combina
tion of song and dance may even convert
ttauitjCiiai iGXtiOucis anil iwosieppers.
By Deb Gray
James Taylor(7(?fi7aWarner Bros.$6.98
. Sweet Baby Jjmes was the man to be
"into " the first War I lived in the dormito
Sweet BabyfJTiAiei was the man to be
"into" the first jfcar'l lived in the dormito
ry. Everyone whoas anyone bought this
album ' and hung the Sweet Baby James
poster on his or her bulletin board.
If you think Sweet Baby James is one of
the three best investments you've made in
your years as a record consumer, this
album is for you.
James Taylor hasn't changed much
during the last five years. His voice still has
that childlike purtiy. He still fits simplis
tic melodies with sweet chord progressions.
The resulting music is-well, nice.
But this album doesn't stir me emotion
ally or . physically. It seems many of these
tunes have been recycled-that Taylor has
melted together all the hooks and tricks
he's used during his career and regurgitated
them in slightly different packaging
(dubbed-in strings here, sax solos there).
The songs (except for nevelties as
Gorilla") are about love and its variations
(Ah, where would music be without it?).
The magic of Sweet Baby James, which
captured a mystic wonderment about love
and hate, is gone. Taylor isn't saying any
thing new. His love only deals with its
veneer, in much the same way Love Story
dealt with the subject.
My favorite song on the album is "How
Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)". It's a
catchy tunc. Even after ' hearing it the
j'Zm t. i i iiiwiii -'ii'ii i ! ir ..i mm m Bwmi mm nniimwiri mtm r n
200th time on AM radio, I still could
manage to hum snatches of it as I carried
out the intelligent tasks of the week.
Roger Dal trey? a Rock HorseMCA
$6.98
By all rights, Roger Daltrey should be
burned out by now. After all, he's been
screaming at ear-splitting octaves with The
Who for more than 10 years. But he keeps
on gaining power.
When I first saw the cover of this album,
with Daltrey (unclothed to the hipbone)
posing as the top half of a centaur, I had
my suspicions. After Tommy made Daltrey
the Robert Redford of the rock set, I was
afraid his music would be influenced by
Hollywood commercialism.
But this album is far superior to his
first album. Daltrey contained a lot from
then-unknown songwriter Leo Sayer, relied
mostly on ballads and was mostly a bore.
In Ride a Rock Horse, Daltrey returns
to his root3-pure, driving rock. He is total
ly in command of his material, wrenching
all the gritty emotion out of his tunes that
he can.
The highlight of the" album is "Walking
the Dog." Anyone who can take a war
horse like this one (Rick Derringer also has
recorded it this year) and keep it fresh, has
got to be more than a good musician. He's
an artist. .
U1W
it l 1 A
n . jt .y
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and the
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in Concert
Sept. 30 8 p.m.
Civic Auditorium Music Ha!!
Presented by
Student Programming Organizatl
University of Nebraska at Omah
imissson
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$5 day of the show "
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