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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 1994)
f “Forest” George Winston Dancing Cat Records Grade: A “Forest” by George Winston is an album of solo piano perfor mances. Before skipping to read something other than some boring review of piano music, be fore warned that this album is well worth looking into. Winston is a talented musician, and these per formances are staggering in their skill and emotional range. Many of the tracks on this al bum seem to flow together to offer contrasting emotions on a com mon theme. Two songs on the album about forests contrast anxiety with se renity. Two other songs contrast a journey’s last night with the return home. Two songs about the night sky contrast action with peaceful reflection. And three songs about a snowman compare the magic of creating the living snowman with the magical journey and dance of the snowman. Winston cites the pine forests of western Montana as the inspira tion for the first track, “Tamarack Pines.” Tamarack pine needles him yellow and drop from the trees in fall. This unusual act of nature is portrayed in Winston’s descend ing and swirling melodies. “Tamarack Pines” imitates the sound of the autumn wind with swooshing, melancholy piano gusts. The musical movement feels like an anxious journey through the forest. Tension builds in this piece as shrill tones and nervous tapping warn the listener of the “Forbidden Forest,” the next song. But, in contrast, “Forbidden Forest” is peaceful and serene. The juxtaposition of these two f works presents the diverse emo tions and conditions associated with forests. “Last Lullaby Here” and “Re turning” are two pieces that seem to answer each other as well. The tracks are powerful in their focus and brevity. They seem to portray the two sides of a journey. “Last Lullaby Here” presents the bitter sweet last night of a trip, and “Re turning” shows the joyous return to a beloved home. Two other tracks that exist in contrast are “Lights in the Sky” and “Night Sky.” The flickering drone notes of “Lights in the Sky” symbolize twinkling stars, whereas rapid piano bursts signify falling stars. “Lights in the Sky” is exciting and full of action, just as a clear night under the falling stars is. On the other hand, “Night Sky” presents a silent, dark night. It portrays the infinite depth of the heavenly blackness and the con templation that it inspires. The album’s highlight is Winston’s rendition of three songs from the animated children’s movie “The Snowman.” If snowman music was a genre, these songs would certainly be the height of the form. The central elements to snowman music would most certainly be magical creation and magical movement. These songs brilliantly develop those two ele ments. “Walking in the Air” is the main theme from “The Snowman.” It captures the beauty of the snowman’s magical movement and journey. “Building the Snowman” is a song of magical creation. It is full of anticipation and wonder, show ing a child’s feelings while creat ing a being from snow. “Forest” may be different from what you’re used to, but if you give it a listen, you just might be pleas antly surprised. — Jason Gildow RAISE YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS V • . ' • ' •' •* ■ ■ V ® ■ h\-. LESS PLASTIC. - ; - - -:-vr~ . • - - .. - 1 rHE ONE CARD FOR CREDIT, CASH & CALLIN' The AT&T Universal MasterCard. Call 1 800 438-8627 to apply. Priscilla Continued from Page 9 acceptance to open hostility, but they manage to make it to the resort after an incredibly hilarious series of ad ventures. The film is intended to be funny, but it touches on a myriad of serious issues. Adrift from the safe haven of Sydney, the three protagonists face almost continual reactions of fear and discrimination from the rural Aussies, and they each deal with the prejudice in different ways. The costumes and acting are what make this film a tremendous work of theater. Seeing Terence Stamp con vincingly dressed in drag is alone worth the price of a ticket. And his powerful performance makes his character not only look real but be come real. Hugo Weaving, playing the dual role ofTick/Mitzi, is equally astound ing in his portrayal of a man who has come to terms with his current life and his previous one, where he has a wife and child. Easily the most entertaining char acter, Adam/Felicia is played by Australian heartthrob Guy Pearce. Adam is extremely blatant and ag gressive about his walkof life and, as often as not, his flippancy gets every one into trouble. The outback scenery, the extrava gant costuming, the fantastic acting and the issues that are touched on make “Priscilla” an incredible expe rience of great visual and emotional proportions. Movie: “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” Rating: R Stars: Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce Director: Stephan Elliott Grade: A Five Words: Australian film riot of laughter Cancun from $499 1-800-235-TRIP