Newspapers / Black Ink (Black Student … / April 1, 1975, edition 1 / Page 9
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April, 1«7S THf HACK INK POMW* Nothing s/ows her down Tonya Widemon News Editor Gatha Lassifer sits looking at the opened mail scattered on her dining room table. She has to keep them there where she con find them, Lassiter says, because she is always on the go and does not have time to search for the letters that come in from the many community organizations that she is affiliated with. Her affiliations include an impressive list of programs for senior citizens. She is a member of the Golden Age Happy Circle, a group of about 60 senior citizens in Chapel Hill. The organization is associated with the Federation of Senior Citizens of North Carolina, o state orgonization of which Lassiter is an advisory board member. She is also coordinator for the fourth district of the N.C. Senior Citizens and, since 1974, has served as site manager of the Nutrition Program of the Chatham-Orange County Community Action Program (CAP). It is hard to believe that Lassiter is actually a retired community worker. "My legs got so that I couldn't walk," she soys. "But, I was so wrapped up in my work, end wonted to see it continue." Album Review Mrs. Gatha Lassiter In 1973, Lassiter was given a retirement party. But, as soon as her legs were better, she was back out into the community, as active as ever. "I get paid for four hours of work," Lassiter says. But she puts in eight to 12 hours a day with the Nutrition Program at the Multi-Purpose Center which is located on School Lone. Her day starts long before the scheduled 10 a.m. At 8 a.m. she travels over seven miles to pick up senior citizens and take them to the Center. Lassiter has been working with the meal program at the Center since her appointment. "One thing I want is a kitchen so that elderly people, who get little income, can do the cooking," she says. "But, we don't hove a place that con pass the inspection to do cooking." So the food is brought in and served. The program feeds 30-35 people. Anyone in the community is welcome. The only requirement is that the person be 60 or older. The cost of the meal is determined by the individual's income, the center also provides arts and crafts and speakers on various topics. Although her work with the Nutrition Program takes up a lot of Lassiter's time, she still participates in other local activities. Soon, the Apple Chill Fair will be held on the main business section of Franklin Street, The citizens will sell throw pillows, plants, ham biscuits, terrariums, crocheted items and decorated baskets at a booth. Recently, Lassiter and other senior citizens became involved with still another community action program sponsored by the Black Student Movement (BSM). (See "Black Ink," March 1975) Students call and sometimes visit senior citizen partners to see how they are doing. But, Lassiter's partner has not been able to cotch her yet, she soys, because she is hardly ever home. "I spend oil my time working," she exploins, "but my arthritis bothers me sometimes, so I con't get around." Still, it does not seem to slow her down. V1/ I Tobacco Road Movemerit plays at the BSM picnic in Forast Tttaatrc. Earth, Wind and Fire: Creative spirits Allen Johnson Sports Editor That's the Way of the World (Columbia). The creative enthusiosm of Earth, Wind, and Fire literally bursts at the seams with their beoutifully conceived and ■ long awaited new release. A certain energy permeates each cut, assuring the listener that these nine immensely talented young men have given total effort to their music and more importantly, have thoroughly enjoyed it. Composed as the soundtrack for on upcoming motion picture by the some name, "That's the Woy of the World," features many of the ingredients that characterized the success of previous album releases "Head to the Sky" and "Open Our Eyes." Choice cuts include "Shining Star," "That's the Way of the World," "All About Love," "Yearnin' Leornin'" and "Reasons." "Reasons," a particularly memoroble selection reminiscent of Eonh, Wind, ond Fire's earlier, ond unfortunately less herolded materiol, offers an unusuolly generous helping of orchestration. For those of you who remember the group's "younger doys, such renditions os Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "They Don't See" will quickly come to mind. Another noticeobly new wrinkle on "Thot's the Woy of the World" is "All About love," o "rap song" which composer and group leoder Maurice White prefaces with the words, "We r>ever spend time talkin to yo, so we figure we'd loy rt on yo ond let you kr>ow how we feel about love. The selection combines excellent lyrics, horrr»ony, and instrumentotion. "Yeornin' teamin'," on obvious spin off from the hit single, "Mighty, Mighty" is a fast-paced tune speckled with brass. Sly-like vocals, and a very wicked piano. Keep on eye on "Soul Train." They'll be coming down the line on this song pretty soon. "Shining Star" is another foot- stompin', handclopping rendition which will bring pure hip-swinging delight to Don Cornelius' platform heeled cohorts. It beckons comparison to "Kolimbo Song, "Power" (onother early effort) and the concert version of "Kalimbo Song" (a surprisingly unique performance of the original). Also included on an LP packed with a number of melodic goodies are three interludes of traditional African music performed by Soini Muriro and the Motepe Ensemble which spice on already impressive collection of songs. The spirit of Earth, Wind and Fire is intense and sincere. The purpose of their music goes for beyond commercial success. "In our musical efforts to communicate," relates Maurice White on on album cover note, "we've set a new gool in the presentotion of this album. This is o musical score, put together with you in mind. "Each song is on event, relotive to on experience we've lived while trying to ochieve perfection in our everydoy lives. We lough, we cry, we worship, we enjoy. "You might recall on old soying: You reop whot you sow. Thot's the woy of the world. God bless you." Nighlbirds (Epic). It was bound to hoppen sooner or later. Potti LoBelle, Soroh Dosh ond Nono Hendryx hove finolly received due recognition os one of the most thoroughly exciting, provocotive, and entertoining groups in contemporory music. After firmly establishing themselves os one of the hottest live attractions in the notion, the tolented trio of ladies collectively called LoBelle has been on a literal tear, meriting appearances on notional television, in national magazines, and before large, electrified audiences. Now these ladies have added yet another dimension to their success and populority—o hit single. "Lady Mormalode," the story of o businessman's brief interlude with a "lady of the night" on the streets of New Orleans, is one neat, beautifully adorned package of rock and soul. People who never spoke French before in their lives ore clapping their hands, twisting their hips, snopping their fingers, and singing the words, "Voulez-vous coucher ovec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher ovec moi?" Interestingly, probobly half of those people remain unowore thot they're asking someone to steep with them. And even more people remoin unowore that the sound of LoBelle has been with us for quite some time, dating os for back as 1961, when Nono Hendryx, Sorah Dash, Potti LoBelle, ond Cindy Birdsong (later o Supreme) composed Potti LoBelle ond the Bluebelles, and recorded their first hit, under the somewhot unlikely title of "I Sold My Heort to the Junkmon." Now the sound of LoBelle is, os Morgo Jefferson of NEWSWEEK terms it, o "high-energy, often quite politicol rock balanced by rhythms ond hormonies thot recoiled the best gospel choirs ond blues women." And "Nightbirds" epitomizes their pulsoting music, providing more than a fitting showpiece for the vocol wares LoBelle has to offer. Included among its ten selections ore five songs written by Nona Hendryx ("Somebody Somewhere," "Are You Lonely?", "Nightbird," "Space Children," and "You Turn Me On.") The BSM will be exponding its community action programs next year. Plans ore already underway to organize on Investigative Committee on Community Affoirs (ICCA) and o Special Projects Committee (SPC). The ICCA will be designed to investigate and expose racist and discriminatory octions in the Black community. The SPC will focilitote community programs such as the The most impressive cuts from an album laden with impressive cuts ore "Lady Mormolode," "What Can I Do for You?", and the title track. progrom for the aged, which was orgonized earlier this year. Students interested in helping with the organization of these new programs may contact; Bobby Wynn ond Lester Diggs about the ICCA. Contoct Buddy Ray or Mike Covington obout the SPC. Or, leave o note in the BSM office. Suite B, Carolina Union. Block Power (For all the beautiful Block Panthers Bost} But the whole thing is o miracle—See? We were just standing there talking—not touching or smoking Pot When this cop told Tyrone AAove olong Buddy—take your whores outo here And this tremendous growl From out of nowhere Pounced on him Nobody to this very doy Con exploin How it happened And none of the zoos or circuses Within fifty miles Hod reported A ponther Missir>g. Nihki Giovanni Programs expand
Black Ink (Black Student Movement, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
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April 1, 1975, edition 1
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