Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Oct. 2, 1989, edition 1 / Page 5
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The Daily Tar HeelMonday, October 2, 19895 Spotlight Folk music pioneer to play at Cradle By MATTHEW McCAFFERTY tUH W i iter I lie local crowd of neo-folk sing ers, folk singer groupies and just plain old fans of great American music haw a laie opportunity to see and hear an original doing it right tonight. Soiigwuter-singer Eric Andersen will play the Cat's Cradle at 10 p.m. as pait of the first leg of a yearlong international tour. The tour, which Kgau Sept. 1, will cover much of Canada, the United States and Eu i u e, as well as a two-and-a-half week trip to Japan. Andersen's maiden voyage to that country in 1976 paved the way to the Orient for many other Aiiieiican singer-songwriters, and he i etui n there often. Andersen first came into promi nence in the mid-'60s as a member of the tolk scene in Greenwich Village, New York City, where he and friends such as Bob Dylan and Tom Paxton were simultaneously defining and c Iu on.c ling an era. Early classics like "Thirsty Boots" and "Violets of Daw n" earned Andersen a spot in the history books and a flock of devoted tans. The real news, however, is Andersen's new album onGold Castle Kecoids, the current home of Joan Hue, and Peter, Paul and Mary, among others. Ghosts Upon the Road is his fii st American release in 12 years and is quite possibly his best work ever. Developed over a two year period of w i iting, arranging and recording vvitli musical director and producer Steve Addabbo (Auzanne Vega's co pi oducer), the album displays the lit erary and musical excellence of a mature, masterful songwriter. Ad dabbo and his engineering team achieve aural depth rivaling any of the day's big-budget major label re leases but resist the temptation to ovei produce. The result is a contem- v .raj y i ecord that is likely to ring true lor eais to come. Gold Castle Rec ouis was built on exactly this kind of quality, trend-resistant music. The trendy nature of the American music industry has made life difficult at times for Andersen, but he has survived without compromise and now stands to reap the benefits of a resurgence in interest in a genre which he helped create. After several years in limbo, "singer songwriters" again have respect and a place in professional music, and, as usual, musicians are coming out of the woodwork to capitalize on the latest fashion. The better of the new folk singers, such as Tracy Chapman, are succeeding with acoustic songs pos sessing immediacy, passion and hon esty the same qualities which marked Andersen's 1964 debut Today Is the Highway. While Ghosts Upon the Road is definitely a passionate and at times brutally honest record, it is also a very sophisticated work of art. Andersen's new songs poetically chronicle the nomadic, bohemian lifestyle that he, like many of his beat-generation counterparts, chose over more stable options. The title song paints a particu larly bleak picture of Andersen and others suffering for the sake of their art in mid-'60s America and offers some of the hard-won wisdom he gained through his experiences. One senses the painful truth in lines such as "life and death were indistinguishable til death put an end to that." The album, like most of Andersen's material, has a very serious tone and, to be fully appreciated, demands the listener's undivided attention. It is not, however, a depressing work. There is joy here, resulting from the artist's obvious love of life and his unmistak able dedication to true creative instincts. The record abounds with the imagery of romantic, foreign places, owing no doubt to the songwriter's vast travel experiences and to his current resi dency in Norway. Andersen also fills his songs with references to important literary figures and their legendary characters, and Folk singer Eric Andersen will perform tonight at Cat's Cradle when he sings "both my head and I were dressed like Holden Caulfield on that day' he invites his listeners to recall J.D. Salinger's youth classic and the personal feelings that accompany such memories. The result is art that is as rich in connotation as it is in evident beauty. Concertgoers can expect to hear many songs from Ghosts ,as well as the early classics, in what will likely be Andersen's only area performance for several years to come. He will be appearing solo, a setting which suits this seasoned veteran well. Eric Andersen will perform at the Cat' s Cradle at 10 p.m. tonight. Tick ets are $6 in advance and $7 at the door. Aussie band receives international acclaim Even the land Down Under goes underground to drag out new music. While the climb to ground level can take its toll on musicians, Died Pretty, the latest Aussie band to hit the States, has managed to successfully poke a hole through some crusty antipodean terra. With its new album Lost out to help conquer foreign territory, Died Pretty is touring the United States once dgain. Triangle fans were treated last night when the band played at the Brewery in Raleigh. But the path upward hasn't been easy for the Sydney-via-Brisbane four some. Fortunately, the soil was still warm. Who is to thank for breaking the ground? Olivia Newton-John? Men at Work? The Little River Band? No. No. No. Perhaps Kylie Minogue. No, Died Pretty owe far more to their fellow garage rockers (Lime Spiders), pleas ure popsters (Go-Betweens, the Church) and mood warpists (Crime and the City Solution, Bad Seeds). The band also cites the example set by Radio B irdman in the 1960s and '70s. Since signing with a major label and receiving U.S. distribution, Died Pretty has been spreading its music across continents. In 1984, with the release of the first single, the band was barely known beyond the shores. An EP, Next To Nothing, helped win a readers' poll forBest Underground Act in Australia's Juke magazine. The debut LP, Free Dirt, on the independent Citadel label, received equally lofty praise. England's Sounds named "Stone age Cinderella" single of the week, saying lead singer "Ronald S. Peno stomps all over the competition in a shotgun wedding between Iggy Pop and Bob Dylan with Alice Cooper coaching from the sidelines." In the United States, critics tended to liken vocals more to Michael Stipe in a Velvets mode. Charlotte critic Fred Mills considers it the best LP of 1986. The Bob, an alternative magazine sta tioned in Ohio, began including an entire spread on Australian musicians every Carrie McLaren Album issue, hailing Died Pretty on the front. A post-album run around th6 globe to New Zealand, America and Europe solidified an international audience. Died Pretty has slowly inched its way into the latest wave of underdog Aussie bands. "I like America," guitaristvocalist Brett Myers told Juke last year. "All the bands that influenced me musically come from America and primarily New York." Ex-B irdman Rob Younger produced both Free Dirt and the band's, latest effort Lost. The album recently returned from heavy rotation on WXYO. Cult fame hasn't led the band to make sig nificant aural concession. Lost pours out its soul in gritty emotion and raw power. The result ambles back and forth between ballads and rockers, creating an atmosphere neither adrenaline packed nor lethargic. The tempo may change but the sound remains the-'same. The vinyl slab ceases to be tangible grooves. It grabs and pulls in the hap less listener. You can imagine the gui tar strings vibrate. It's rock done right: no fancy embellishments or earth-shattering innovations (drat!). It captures the intentions without looking back. A pulsing bass saunters underneath Myers' lax vocals on "One Day." Its simplified instrumentation exemplifies the band's bare-bones approach. A segue into 'Towers of Strength," an other acoustic ballad, is barely notice able. "Lost" lashes out with electric guitar and checkered rhythms. "Out of My Hand" builds upon the same strategy while milking still more driven' bass work. "Free Dirt" enlists a female vocalist, complete with cello, to wrap up the entire LP in a gentle ballad with lush harmonies. Drug to combat AIDS virus is unsuccessful in human study From Associated Press reports PHILADELPHIA An unap proved drug that was popular in underground efforts to fight the AIDS vuus after showing promise in the laboratory is apparently ineffective in the body, according to a medical journal report. In the Oct. 1 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers report on the use of dextran sulfate in 18 healthy volunteers, saying that after administering the drug orally and intravenously, they found only traces of any effects of the drug. The study appears to confirm picliminary results announced in I cbiuary by Dr. Frank Young, com missioner of the Food and Drug Administration, that the drug is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream and shows little promise of fighting the AIDS virus. The study's results show that the FDA should continue to move cau tiously in allowing AIDS patients access to untested drugs, said the principal investigator, Paul Lietman of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The study cautions "that just be cause it works in a laboratory, you can't just go stuffing it in your mouth," said Robert Yarchoan, an AIDS researcher at the National Cancer Institute. Magner welcomes fun of Mr. UNC role Receive $20.00 TODAY on your first donation as a new or returning plasma donor with una aui i;vi tviw wa i wi m ii Ti those who have not donated within past 90 mi nSsiRA-TECBIOlCSICALS 109 V2 E. FRANKLIN ST. (above RiteAid) 942-0251 By NOAH BARTOLUCCI Staff Writer It's 11:59 p.m. on a Saturday. Tres Magner hears a crash outside his bed room window. "Hold on," he says. He puts down the phone and quickly looks outside. "Somebody broke something out in the quad," he says. "People have been in and out all night. I think it's because it's Homecoming some weekends it gets pretty hectic around here." Magner hasn't forgotten the screams and applause that welcomed him as the new Mr. UNC Wednesday night, but he's already returned to his roles as a pre-med student and resident assistant. Despite the spirited reputation of Mr. UNC, the man behind the title is rather reserved. Magner, who beat three other con testants for that title last week, has been an RA for two years, first in Grimes Residence Hall and now in Mangum. "Being an RA has been a great expe rience. You get exposed to so many different people. You hate to tell people to be quiet; you hate to tell them to turn down their music. You feel like a bad guy. We (RA's) are a lot more than that we're just trying to help people out." Helping people out and working with them is Magner' s strength, and it feeds into everything he does. As a cheer leader it earned him ease with crowds; as an RA it earned him respect among residence hall members, and as a con testant it earned him the Mr. UNC title. The role of Mr. UNC is a welcome break for the senior biology major, who recently dropped cheerleading to re turn his focus to academics. "I thought I would have a little fun my senior year," he said. Magner's goal is to become a doctor. The Raleigh native has learned a lot: about people from his heroes. He admires a diverse group of figures such as former president Abraham Lincoln, comedian Bill Cosby, Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry and car toonist Gary Larson. He admires Lincoln for his integ rity, his knowledge of right versus wrong and, of course, for his ability to deal with people. The latter three have won his praise for their ability to make people laugh. "I'd like to follow around Gary Larson for a week. That would be neat." But Magner wasn't always comfort able working with people. He came to Chapel Hill from Cardinal Gibbons High School, Raleigh, where his gradu ating class was a total of 70 students. "I was so nervous when I first got here. I couldn't eat the first week of school. But once classes started I was fine." Things have changed since then. . . .w.-.. . . .-.-as Y A ' " $ jf I v r N. J fp- ...... ...... V 111 GGaQEKaDoos FITNESS CENTER. 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But I guess we're still rebuild- the Burger King crown that came with ing. At least basketball season is almost his new title. Or if it's a Saturday, here." J Speeding Ticket on 1-40? Rear-ended in Durham? D.W.I. On Franklin Street? HaWbed Using A Pake I.D.? Protect your legal rights &? insurance premiums Call D (Clip this ad for a $50.00 discount on your fee.) D ..l.-.J-.l,!, 1 ' i f i i i i i i i I I I I I I I I I I I I I , '52 mi MDGDJOGE " 1 I I I "' 1 1 " i I "1 " I" 1 "' I I " t '" t' ' "i i i i i " ,""4- SUN SE.KKg TANNINE CENTER 10 YISTSg45 (REGULAR) 18 VISITS$45 STUDENT SPECIAL DLLS ONE rCEC VISIT WITH THIS AD. 2635 Chapel Hll Blvd. Durham, NC 489-SUNNT (7866) SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED : Every Student is Eligible for Some Type of Financial Aid Regardless of Grades or Parental Income. - We have a data bank of over 200,000 listings of scholarships, fellow ships, grants, and loans, representing over $10 billion in private sector funding. 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Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Oct. 2, 1989, edition 1
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