The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, September 21, 1978, Page page 12, Image 12
page 12 daily nebraskan thursday, September 21, 1978 arts and entertainment Blind blues Icing bases music on audience request By Mary Jane Winqucst "It's traditionalist to a point, but we're not purist about it," says bassist David Kasik describing the "blues" played by Bryan Lee and the Street Shuffle Band, per forming in Lincoln for the first time this year at the Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St. Blues in the traditional B.B. King style are part of the group's 75-tune repertoire, but the high-powered sound put out by an amplified harmonica and organ is the band's obvious point of departure from other blues heard in Lincoln. The honky harmonica, taking the place of a saxo phone, was emotionally played by musician Madison Slim, complete with widened eyes, waving hands and an un ceasingly swivelling body, lean as the name implies. Back at the Zoo Slim, joined by his brother Bruce Koenig at the organ, whined out a fine sound. Koenig, who has been with the band six months, said he has played at the Zoo before with James Solberg who is now teamed with Luther Allison, another Zoo favorite. "I was excited to come back, Koenig added. According to Koenig, his brother had his own band called Madison Slim and the Nightcrawlers before joining Lee a year ago. Blues seem to be popular in several midwestern towns, according to Kasik. Me listed Lincoln, Madison, Wis., and South Bend, Ind., as solid homes for blues music. Between sets at the Zoo members of the Milwaukee- : f 'i .:CV7 SJ A Bryan Lee, performing blues king at the Zoo bar. Photo by Bob Pearson based five-piece band agreed that blues were alive and well there. Club well-known "WeVe heard so much about the club, so many of our friends have played here," according to band leader Bryan Lee. Called the blind king of blues by other band members, Lee said he has experienced an abundance of musical style the plast 22 years. According to Lee, the three-year-old band plays 28 days a month throughout the midwest. Lee labels his music blues or rhythm and blues, but he said his music varies, depending on the crowds reaction. "If they feel like dancing then well play something funky," Lee explained. Probably a reflection of Lee's involvement a few years ago in top 40 material is the group's upbeat, rocky sound. Like Kasic said, their blues style is not purist. B.B. King tunes "Never Make a Move Too Soon," and "Beautician Blues" are two of the B.B. King tunes played by the group. "I met a fine beautician in a real lost condition," Lee wailed out as he almost exclusively provided the vocals. Another crowd pleaser was the unusually titled tune, "EverybodyWants To Go To Heaven But Nobody Wants To Die." Although the band opened Monday night at the Zoo, Lee said they were taking a couple of nights off before re turning there for shows tonight and Friday. The blind band leader's musicatexperiences seemed the most diverse, stretching back to 1956. Starting out imitat ing his rock'n'roll idols Fats Domino and Chuck Berry, Lee said, he then experimented with blues and instrumen tal music similar to the Ventures before joining the English movement in the 1960's. Back to first love "I had to make money ," Lee said, explaining his switch to top 40 tunes in the early 1970's. "But I said to hell with it," he added, and is now playing what he loves best, the blues. Lee, perched at the bar accompanied by his white cane, said even though he is blind he is totally independent. Lee said he has only two restrictions. "I can't drive a car or read the printed page." But the lead guitarist said he wants to clear up some myths about blindness as he travels .with the group. "This is my part as a musician, to tell that blindness is a characteristic, not a handicap," he added. Lee said he dislikes the airline's habit of temporarily taking away canes from blind passengers. "Airlines look upon canes as symbols, but they are tools of mobility," according to Lee. As the group travels the midwest, Lee said publicity is the formula for drawing a crowd in a town the group has never played in. "When you get in to .town the first time round, you got to make it sound like you are something special," Lee explained. About a recent performance Lee said, "We advertised the hell out of it and 400 people came in." Even though this is the group's first time in Lincoln, there didn't seem to be much of the publicity Lee desired. Larry Boehmer, Zoo manager, said he relies on the group's music for publicity. "If they sound good well have a crowd Thursday, and they sound good." Sophisticates finding more to wine than meets the lips By Ben T. Shomshor It is not easy for this writer to come to grips with the loneliness and despair which accompanies writing a food and drink column. I have somehow dealt with the nightmares in which I am stoned with stale taco shells or drowned in an over-sized deep fat fryer under the shadow of golden arches. I have reluctantly accepted the ludi crous role of being the world's only dining critic on a 1,200 calorie, low-fat, low cholesterol diet. But, I shall never endure the actions of copy editors who take it upon themselves to define rose and red wines as synonymous. To those of you who were perplexed about the comments on "red" wines in last week's column, I apologize. Those of you who did not notice anything out of the ordinary, should continue reading today's column. Beer's position assured Wine is not likely to replace beer as the sustaining elixer of noble students. The natural affinity of beer with pizza, Taco John's burritos and one-night stands has assured its position at the university. None theless, wine drinking has enjoyed tremen dous growth in the past decade, both in terms of prevalence and sophistication. Gone are the days when the man of the world at UNL impressed young lovelies by pulling out a bottle of Tyrolia. Today's coeds may write off a potential suitor for ordering a Grignolino to accompany oysters on the half shell, and have even been known to spread deprecatory rumors about the quality of one's manhood should a chap show up with a bottle of Chateau LaSalle. In such an environment it be hooves all of us to know a bit more about wine. Be challenged Wine possibly is the most varied drink ever devised by man -or by the gods, as the case may be. Do not think of this as notes from table 8 making the task of understanding wine impossible. Think instead of the amount of research and experimentation you can conduct. Let it be a challenge to your intellect. It may also challenge your bladder, liver, and 457 remaining brain cells, but you've probably never noticed your liver anyway. If you have established certain tastes in wine, but don't know where to go from there, try to vary the types of wines you like in a certain category. For example, if you enjoy Gallo's Hearty Burgundy, try several other California varietals such as a Cabernet Sauvignon. If you once enjoyed a Blue Nun Liebfraumilch, try a Johannis berg Riesling from California, a German Mosel, or a French Barsac. If, for some inexplicable reason, you are mad about Lancers Rose, drink a grenache rose from Tavel. Real wines next After you finish that, you should start drinking real wine. You may have esta blished certain tastes, but not in wine. These can also give you a clue from which to start. A marked preference for bosomy brunettes in dark velvet gowns may suggest a potential fondness for "big" red wines. A few words of advice: there is no need for explorations into wine to over-extend one's financial capabilities. Especially if you are just beginning to enjoy the magic of this nectar, you should stick to relatively simple wines that you can appr. date to the fullest extent of your ability. Fortunately these are the wines suitable to the student's budget. There is no reason to spend thirty dollars on a bottle if you cannot tell the difference from a two dollar "jug" wine. Seek reputable merchant Find a reputable wine merchant that can help you expand into new vistas. 1 would suggest that you check the follow ing: Cliffs (1200 O St.) offers a small but quality selection of both American and imported wines. While most of the wines may be outside of what your budget can stand, they are very helpful when choosing a bottle for a special evening. The N-Street Drive-In (19th and N streets) offers a wide variety of wine in all price ranges. Within walking distance to campus, and providing most all party needs, their biggest flaw is the staff which often seems unhelpful and ill-at-ease with the large stock of wines. The Cellar (6913 O St.) is off the beaten path for most students. But if you want gentle, sincere, and well-informed advice about wine drinking and purchasing, make a trip to this remarkable store. It will be an education in itself. Gross is co Gift yen A Public Service of This Newspaper & The Advertising Council