Wednesday, November 12, 1986
Daily Nebraskan
Page 7
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PauVs musical mystery evident with, without Peter and Mary
By James Sennett
Staff Reporter
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American music history will be seen
live on stage at UNL Thursday night.
Noel Paul Stookey the "Paul and" of
the legendary folk-rock group Peter,
Paul and Mary will be performing in
the Centennial Room with his band,
"Bodyworks." No connoisseur of con
temporary American art forms should
miss it.
Profile
Since "Puff the Magic Dragon" was
born well before most readers of this
newspaper, it is appropriate in light of
this historic concert to present an
introduction to the music of this delight
ful balladeer. Stookey has pressed vinyl
many times since breaking up with and
subsequently rejoining the classic trio,
but his aesthetic contributions can be
adequately summarized with a look to
three of his productions: his live con
cert album "Real to Reel" (Sparrow,
1977), his anthology album "There is
Love" (NewPax, 1983) and his latest
production with Bodyworks, "State of
the Heart" (NewPax, 1985).
"State of the Heart" proves that the
really great ones never weary; they just
find new and better ways to do what
they do. The album never parts signifi
cantly from the open-endedness in lyric
and ultimately satisfying, non-electronic
style that was the earmark of P, P & M
and their contemporaries. The heritage
of Dylan, Baez and the upright bass are
still fully evident.
Yet, if charges of staleness and lack
of variety were ever warranted against
this master, they have been laid to rest
here. Eleven cuts give 11 different
approaches to the folk style, from the
unabashed country ballad "For Christ
mas" to the rocking, almost (but not
quite) AOR sounds of "Circuit Rider."
And in between there is folk, soft rock,
pop and even a hint of jazz all the
offerings that more enlightened tastes
would desire.
"There is Love" is the story of Stoo
key at his best. The title cut, sung at
thousands of weddings over the last
decade, introduces us to a man in love
with his Lord and anxious to help oth
ers fall in love as well. This anthology
brings us the human situation in full
State of the Arts
Compiled by Stew Magnuson
Staff Reporter
At Cornerstone:
George Ritchie, UNL School of Music
professor of organ, will perform a faculty
recital on the Bedient organ at Corner
stone, 640 N. 16th St., at 8 p.m. Sunday.
The free concert will feature Bach's
organ works much as they sounded
when performed by Bach in the early
18th century on the organ of his time.
The Bedient organ is a recreation of the
North German organ of the 18th century.
At Sheldon Memorial Art
Gallery:
This is the last week to see the
excellent Alexander Calder exhibit at
Sheldon. The show includes many of
Calder's famous mobiles and some nice
paintings. Since they are mobiles and
there isn't much of a breeze inside
Sheldon, I wish the Sheldon people
would turn on some high-powered,
oscillating fans and point them toward
the mobiles. When I saw the exhibit, I
had to blow on the mobiles so hard just
to see them move that I almost passed
out from hyperventilation. The exhibit
runs through Nov. 16.
If you know of an event you
would like us to announce, send
press information to:
"State of the Arts"
co Daily Nebraskan
34 Nebraska Union
1400 R St.
Lincoln, Neb. 68588
ft' J :-4 'pa i.
iwin m f . n i i mmf
Courtesy of Stookey
Paul's here, but where are Peter and Mary? Stookey now
performs with Bodyworks (above).
force as only such sensitive eyes could
see it.
We learn of "Sebastian," "John Henry
Bosworth" and ourselves ("You're the
Only One") and see in each face a hint
of what it means for humanity to long
for, strive for and maybe despair of
reunion with the One who holds all
promise of fulfillment. Even in a world
where awe is fast being replaced by
ability, Stookey reminds us in "Mira
cles" that "A scientist can tell you how
night turns into dayBut they can never
take the wonder away."
It is in "Real to Reel" (and the
second side of "There is Love") that
Stookey is seen for what he truly is: a
wandering minstrel with guitar and
suitcase, living for the too-rare moments
on stage when the spotlight makes his
message the plan of the hour.
Stookey favorites "The Winner" "Old
Lady," and a guest appearance by Puff
himself highlight this night with the
bard. Even in the comfort of one's living
room, the magic of a Stookey concert
comes through the grooves to sweep
the attentive listener to the magic land
of Honoh Lee.
The career of Nobel Paul Stookey is a
towering example of how music can be
used to mirror, challenge and shape
culture. His conversion to Christianity
and subsequent translation of human
itarian causes into the language of the
church was a natural transition in the
life of one seeking truth in the eyes and
hearts of people. His words and music
tell us lovingly, unobtrusively,
seductively to a seeker's haven, a
protester's paradise.
He is not the sticky-sweet, shallow,
deceptively sunny "I just want td praise
Jesus all the time!" that oozes from
most evangelical labels. Rather, he
draws from his faith an unshakable
assurance, a love for and disdain
against judging others, and a social
and evangelical mission for peace, jus
tice and, above all, joy. "For wherever
two or more of you are gathered in His
name, there is love."
-
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Courtesy o NETV
'Candide ' on NETV
"Live From Lincoln Center" presents Leonard Bernstein's
satirical opera "Candide" tonight at 7 p.m. on channel 12.
