daily nebraskan
thursday, february 15, 1979
rati
page 8
Reviewer cleans closet of LP's
By Casey McCabe
A backlog of promotional albums has necessitated
some spring(?) cleaning in the record reviewing depart
ment. The majority of these are by relative unknowns
who the record companies have provided with a guarded
amount of faith and a good deal of money, in hopes that
the slick promotion will someday return far more than
their original investment.
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Then, there are the already established artists who the
companies feel could use a healthy push now and then.
Cat Stevens -Bac k To Earth A&M Records
Thoughtful, romantic, melodic . . .but still a bit trying.
For all the album's well constructed music, it still fails to
capture and hold the listeners ear for more than one song.
Stevens produced two classic albums back to back with
Tea for the Tillertnan and Teaser and the Firecat in 1970
and 1971 respectively. They created the backbone for his
loyal following, and the powerful emotions in his lyrics
and voice served as his trademark.
Back to Earth finds little change in Cat's style, but
apparently the power has been watered down. The strong
emotional pleas are there with such sentimental renditions
as "Randy," "Never" and "Father" as well as a biting
attack on the Big Apple with "New York Times." The
problem seems to be Stevens' ability to convey the same
Money shortage may silence opera
By Kent Warneke
It has been 20 years since Richard Valente of
Oglethorpe, Ca., drove over the Nebraska plains and
decided Omaha would be the site of the opera company.
OperaOmaha has been a successful Nebraska opera
company since that momentous day. But things have
changed and the company is now saddled with serious
financial difficulties on its 20th anniversary.
In a meeting of the board of directors this past Sunday,
the board's officers resigned and six members were select
ed for an emergency committee to temporarily handle
daily operations. The main concern is to raise funds to
maintain solvency .
"This new committee has the job of raising money to
keep us going foi this year and also help us on our start
for next year," said Ed Morsman Jr., one of the new com
mittee members.
Need $100,000
"We're going to need right around $100,000 to keep us
solvent this year for our proposed production of La
Boheme scheduled for April," Morsman, of U.S. National
Bank in Omaha said.
OperaOmaha has a history of financial and perfor
mance success, which was capped off in 1972 with a
$100,000 grant from the Corbett Foundation.
"The first production that Omaha Civic Opera (as it
was called in 1959) staged was Madame Butterfly on Feb.
17 at a cost of $5,520.71," Morsman said.
"The three-year, $100,000 grant from the Corbett
Foundation, which sum we had to match, really set us on
our way," Morsman said. "It enabled us to do three per
formances instead of two and bring in some national
figures from the opera world."
Some of the stars that have appeared in OperaOmaha's
productions are Beverly Sills and Richard Tucker.
Frederica von Stade will appear in OperaOmaha's pro
duction of Werther Thursday and Saturday nights.
Production prices
But the price for staging productions has increased
dramatically since Madame Butterfly in 1959.
The proposed budget for the 20th anniversary season
includes $75,714 for Werther and $207,532 for the three
other operas this season.
With these expenditures, come the financial difficulties.
"Any arts organization is generally difficult to support,
but this is the most serious financial situation th; we
have had for 10 years," Morsman said.
"In the next one and one half months we're going to
be trying to dramatically increase our contributions"
Morsman said. "But we also have to hope for an increase
in ticket sales, both single and season tickets, as they
account for 45 percent of our income.
Response
"We have been getting a lot of response pouring in
and people are making contributions even without being
solicited And there are some possibilities for grants
that we're looking into," Morsman said .
If the money is not raised, it would mean cancelling
the April opera La Boheme.
It would also possibly mean the end for opera in
Omaha because of a loss of face with artists and
promoters, he said.
"Right now it's up to the community of Omaha and
surrounding areas," Morsman said. "If they want
OperaOmaha to continue, then we need some financial
assistance. We're going to give it our all."
emotional effect to the listener.
Back to Earth 's best contributions are "Never," "The
Artist" and his latest single "Bad Brakes." The L.P. should
not be a disappointment to the loyal Cat Stevens' fan, but
it's doubtful it will become his most frequently played
album.
John Denver JD RCA Records
Despite his incredible past success in record sales (a
staggering 100,000,000 units) many people, including
myself, find it hard to get too excited over the prospects
of a new John Denver album.
Throwing away previous prejudices and overlooking
some of Denver's obvious self indulgence on the album,
JD does provide a few relaxing, enjoyable moments.
As the title and cover art suggest, Denver might possess
his own rock star fantasy. Subsequently, he opens both
sides of the album with wailing guitar numbers, "Down
hill Stuff" on side one, and a suprisingly believable
"Johnny B. Goode", on side two.
But wisely Denver leaves well enough alone and
concentrates on the folkcountryballadeer vein which
made him famous. Though the lyrics of Denver's songs (he
wrote six of the albums 11) overflow to the point of
saturation with his wholesome "gosh far-out" image, the
songs are saved from total blandness by the pleasant
additions of an occasional flute, fiddle or saxophone.
Some may find it hard to forgive him for the pretent
iousness of such songs as "Life Is So Good";
Life is so good
Life is so good these days
Life is so good these days
Life is so good (repeat)
but give JD a fair spin before sending it to your friend
with the terminal Rocky Mountain high. -
Patrice Rushen-Patrice Elektra
One of the most prolific studio musicians on the jazz
scene, Patrice Rushen has finally put out her own album
with a little help from her friends. It is fresh, clean,
imaginative music, tightly produced and extremely well
recorded.
Her soulful jazz style is reminiscent of one of her
mentors, Stevie Wonder, but her own compositions on
Patrice should be enough to gain the recognition deserved
by this highly talented keyboard player and vocalist.
Robben Ford-The Inside Story Elektra
Former guitarist with the L.A. Express, Ford follows
admirably the Tom Scott school of music. The Inside
Story is a mellow piece of jazz fusion, breaking no new
ground, but providing over 40 minutes of pleasant diversion.
Student brings magic from home
By Cheryl Kisling
Don't be alarmed if you see white doves coming out of
Schramm Hall. It's probably 10th floor's local magician,
Gayle Becwar, at work.
Becwar, a UNL sophomore, started working with magic
when he was about seven years old, he said.
"My dad was always interested in it and pushed me
into it also," he said. "Now it is a family thing. Everyone is
involved in one way or another."
Every year his family attends a magicians' convention
and the Becwars are members in both the Society of
American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of
Magicians. Becwar said these organizations help magicians
get the "recognition they deserve."
While in high school, Becwar took speech and
drama classes that have helped him in his magical act.
"Half of a magic is presentation," Becwar said. "I have
to relate to the audience because if I don't, I'm not be
lievable and could get booed off the stage."
During the past four years he usually has worked alone
but said he often has his sister Janene, who is a UNL
freshman, assist him. She gets a chance to perform magic
occasionally.
Becwar started doing stage magic but has gradually
changed to close-up and seldom turns down a chance to
perform. He said he changed his style mainly because it
was awkward to- constantly run after his dove appearing
box every time someone asked him to do something.
"I used to get nervous about a show, but I finally got
to the point where I didn't care if I made a fool of
myself," Becwar said. "Sometimes you make mistakes and
you just have to expect it, not let it ruin your whole act."
His father used to arrange for professional magicians to
stay at his house if they were doing shows in nearby
towns. According to Becwar, they would exchange tricks
and could add new ones to their family act.
Although he mainly does close-up magic, he says one
of his favorite acts is one the famous magician Doug Hen
ning performs-the illusion of the torn and restored news
paper. "After a performance, people always ask how I did it."
Becwar said. "I ask if they can keep a secret and then tell
them 'so can IV
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Photo by Jerry McBride
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