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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 8, 1993)
Offbeat music Iguanas debut with diversity; The Barons return to reign Courtesy of Margaritaville Records The Iguanas “The Iguanas” Margaritaville Records As a rule, I usually try to avoid anything that Jimmy Buffett is in volved with. I’ve seen too many drunken, failed high school jocks singing along with “Margari tavil le” at lame parties not to feel that way. Therefore, I was a liule wary of the Iguanas’ self-titled debut — Buffett is the executive producer, and the CD is on his label, Margaritaville Records. Fortunately, the Iguanas have a unique sound that doesn’t have too much in common with Buffett. The band is based in New Orleans. But members come from all over the country (vocalist and sax-man Joe Cabral was raised in Omaha), and the band’s music reflects this di versity. It’s got that jazzy, New Orleans-cajun feel, but there’s a lot ofTex-Mcx-roots rock in there, loo —kind of like the Neville Brothers meet Los Lobos. All of these styles arc repre sented on “The Iguanas.” Songs like “Para Dondc Vas”and“Por Mi Camino," sung in Spanish, arc smoky, soulh-of-lhc-bordcr tunes. “This Night of Sin” chugs along like a forgotten ’50s Elvis tunc. The lcadoff song, “Late At Night,” cases you into the album with a laid-back feel that has New Or leans written all over it. I don’t know if a CD is really the best way to hear the Iguanas, though — a lot of times the music sounds too recorded, as if it was being played in the studio by guys wear ing three-piece suits and lies. Walking down Bourbon Street, Hurricane in one hand and Po’Boy in the other, passing a packed, sweaty, hole-in-the-wall bar with the Iguanas cooking up on stage — that’d probably be more like it. — Matt Silcock Courtesy of High tone Records The Pleasure Barons “Live in Las Vegas” Hightone Records The Barons are back! Together again for the first time anywhere! Country Dick Montana, for merly of the Beat Farmers, Mojo Nixon, recording and movie star, and Dave Alvin, late of “X," have released their “Live in Las Vegas” CD to accompany their tour of the western United Stales, scheduled to run through March 29. Unfortu nately, the Barons won’t come any closer than Denver on March 19. It’s a shame because the gonzo rock ‘n’ roll that the Barons spew forth on “Live in Las Vegas" defies definition. It’s part Chuck Berry and part Dr. Demento. ' From the first lines of “Closing Time” (“All the girls look better at closing time’O to the last strains of “The Definitive Tom Jones Med ley” with Country Dick singing “What’s New Pussycat?” in his Foghorn-Leghorn basso. The Plea sure Barons are an excursion into a musical Twilight Zone. The listener is treated to such tunes as “Debbie Gibson is Preg nant (with My Two-Headed Love Child)” and the semi-metaphysi cal “Elvis is Everywhere,” which proclaims Michael J. Fox to be the anti-Elvis. If this sounds a bit bizarre, it is. But the Barons also serve up some straight, serious rock ‘o’ roll, cov ering the rockabilly classic “Who Do You Love?” Dave Alvin sings the blues about the stresses of modem society on “Games People Play.” Country Dick belts out a blues country rendition of “Gangster of Love” with a punch and sings a C & W ode to his favorite southern city in “Jackson” — a pleasant alternative to “Achy Brcaky Heart” The music is energetic, even if the words arc a bit hard to catch at times (as is true of most live al bums), and calls for hilling the “loud” button on your stereo. The liner notes, a stylistic tribute to P J. O’Rourke, arc perfect reading to accompany the music. The Plea sure Barons arc the perfect party band—the more people and beer, the better. — Sam Kepfietd U . . __ _____ ■ 1.1 Ppes MUG > to the first 200 people through the doer after 8GOp. All mug holders receive their 1st beer for •:*>>>>v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.v.w.*M m*M°w 88Gris mL9 m mmy 1 hey7re back Old favorites return to the rock-music scene, giving fans better-than-ever tracks, albums Courtesy of Atlantic Records Mick Jagger “Wandering Spirit” Atlantic Records In the past, solo releases by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards pretty much followed a set pattern. Keith’salbums showed that he was the ragged rock *n ’ roll force behind the Rolling Stones, and Mick’s albums were really, really lame. This year, there was no surprise with Keith’s “Main Offender.” Rough and Stoncsy, it was true to form. The surprise was Mick’s # H ii ii ii iiii ppi latest, “Wandering Spirit” Not only is it easily his best solo album, it’s probably better than the past few Stones albums. A lot of credit has to go to Mick’s co-producer Rick Rubin. You may recognize Rubin’s name; he’s worked with everyone from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Danzig. He is just what Jagger needed. Musically, therc’sa lotof different styles on “Wandering Spirit,” and they’re all done well. The first single, “Sweet Thing,” has that cheesy, disco falsetto Mick used way back on the Stones’ “Miss You,” and it’s great to hear it again. On“UseMe,”acoverofanold Bill Withers tunc, Mick and special guest Lenny Kravitz get (town and dirty over a riff that is even funkier than the bass line by Flea,another special guest. There’s plenty of other musical excursions, too. Gospel, country bl ues, folk, ’60s soul—thcrc’s even a couple more rock songs. Mick should keep hanging out with Rick Rubin and making albums like “Wandering Spirit.” — Matt Silcock the way we walk i«» ™«m«« Courtesy of Atlantic Records Genesis “Genesis Live: The Way We Walk/ Volume Two: The Longs” Atlantic Records Following the success of the first livevolumechroniclingGenesis’ 1992 World Tour, Atlantic Records has released Volume Two of “The Way We Walk,” subtilled “The Longs.” Volume One has gone gold and is nearing platinum. VolumeTwoprom ises to equal this marie. Genesis won the 1993 American Music Award for Favorite Band, Duo or Group in Pop/Rock, and also re ceived a Grammy nod for the single, “I Can’t Dance.” Their ’92 Tour was the hottest act of the summer, gross ing more than all other bands. “The Longs” showcases the band ’ s evolution, containing numbers from the Peter Gabriel era in the early 70s (“The Musical Box,” “Firth of Fifth”) to the band’s transformation into a commercial and critical success in the mid-1980s(“Home by the Sea,’’“Driv ing the Last Spike,” “Domino”). “The Longs” marks the 20th anniversary of their first U.S. concert appearance and celebrates 20 years with the At lantic label. Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks are again Joined by Daryl Sturmcr on guitar and Chester Thomp son on drums to produce a musical extravaganza for the cars (with a few liner notes giving glimpses of the band’s video show, as with the first volume). Collins and Thompson join forces for a “Drum Duet" that should please fans of percussion, hearkening back to Collins’ solo work with “In the Air Tonight.” “Genesis Live: Volume Two” is, like the first volume, available for a limited lime only, through April 30, 1993. — Sam Kepfield Courtesy of Capitol Records Paul McCartney “Off the Ground” Capitol Records Any mention of Paul McCartney having once been the sweetheart of The Beatles is no longer necessary or important, especially since his solo career spans 20 post-Beatles albums. By now he knows a lot about music — which is especially evident in his latest release, “Off the Ground.” Besides being backed by a band tighter than dried leather (Hamish Stuart, Robbie McIntosh, Wix Wickens, Blair Cunningham and Linda, McCartney’s wife of 23 years), McCartney recorded “OfT the Ground” live in the studio, instead of layering songs, track upon track. The result is a kaleidoscopic of fresh sound and compositions rang ing from the MTV video single “Hope of Deliverance" to “Peace in the Neighborhood,” a track promoting unity. And what McCartney album would be complete without love songs? Enter, “I Owe it All to You, prov ing that after about 30 yea(s of per forming, McCartney’s boyish looks and voice can still strike major chords in the hearts of fans. He’s not all mush, though. Besides a smattering of love songs, McCartney incorporates humor in his lyrics. A fast-paced ballad, “Biker Like an Icon,” tells the tale of a girl “who loves the biker like an icon_” After said biker finally notices her, he lakes advantage of her physically, but in the end, love prevails and the girl and her biker live happily ever after. “Off the Ground,” rich in musical textures and meaningful lyrics, has to be one of McCartney’s best albums. —Jill O’Brien Tonight — Les Miscrables at Lied; Def Leppard at Pershing Auditorium; Lincoln Symphony Orchestra with William Henry ' Curry at Kimball Hall; Garcd at Red Sc Black Cafe; On the Fritz at Royal Grove; Monkey Meet at Zoo Blues Bar; All-Star Blues Review at Howard Street Tav ern in Omaha; All Good at Ranch Bowl. ' Tuesday — Les Miserables at Lied; Lincoln Symphony Or- • chcstra with William Henry Curry at Kimball; The Brave/ Masada, Christian hard-rock, at Nebraska Union Ballroom; No Left Stone CD Release Party at Duffy’s Tavern; Monkey Meet at Zoo; On the Fritz at Royal Grove; Tommy Kecne/Revela tion/Hopelcss Romeos at Howard Street; White Zombie at Ranch Bowl; Wynton Marsalis at Omaha’s Orphcum Yfniir. • Wednesday — Les Miscrables at Lied; On the Fritz at Royal Grove; Hanna’s Porch at Duffy’s; Leroy and the Liars at Zoo; Jazz 3x’s at Coffee House; The Brave at Ranch Bowl; Monkey Meet at Howard Street. Thursday—Lcs Miscrables at Lied; On the Fritz at Royal Grove; The Whiskey Sour Notes at The Edge; Mighty Jail Break- * ers at 9th Street; Randy Mollner at Red & Black Cafe; August Red.allemativerock,at Rockin’ Robin; Not All There at Zoo; Beyond the Pale at Howard Street. Friday — Lcs Miscrables at Lied; On the Fritz at Royal Grove; Mighty Jail Breakers at 9th Street; comedy and music featuring One Straight Guy at Panic!; Cheatin’ Snakes at The Mountains; Epso Facto at Rockin’ Robin; Lucky Peterson at Zoo; Sideshow/Dr. John Walker at Red & Black Cafe; ' Sandy Creek at Beatrice’s Get away Club; Fish Heads at Howard Street. Saturday—Les Miserablcs at Lied; On the Fritz at Royal Grove; Mighty Jail Breakers at 9th Street; Owen Munch & the DebtorsatThc Mountains; Epso Facto at Rockin’ Robin; They Came in Droves at The Edge; Lucky Peterson at Zoo; Libera tion Surrealist Duo at Red & Black Cafe; Sandy Creek at Getaway Club; Fish Heads at Howard Street. Sunday — Les Miserablcs at Lied; Truck Slop Love/ Strawdog at Duffy’s; Aelia at Howard Street. Out-of-State — In Kansas City, Kan.: Suicidal Tenden cies at Memorial Hall on Wednesday. In Kansas City, Mo.: Neil Diamond at Kemper Arena on Monday; Warrant at Lone Star mi Thursday. In Columbia, Mo.: Soul Asylum/Goo Goo Dolls at the Blue Note on Wednesday. — Compiled by Jill O’Brien