Newspaper Page Text
i
(
I
SOUND
Sinead’s voice overpowered by
i album review
S****"™ "Am I Not Your
olrl? (Enslgn/Chrysslls)
■? STEVE H. HAIL
Staff Writer
hi i U j“ we 8,1 needed: a
i u i OConnor album that the
baby boomer generation can not
only tolerate, but actually (yikes
almighty!) enjoy,
The new Slrtead album, “Am I
Not Your Girl?*, was obviously a
painstaking effort and len’t a shab
by album. But the heavy big band
sound does about as much for
0 Connor's voice as a big red bow
would do for her hairstyle.
As a big fan of O'Connor’s work,
I was not disconcerted at first to
learn that the new album is an all-
covers record featuring old classics
that O'Connor grew up on and was
Inspired by, In fact, the idea rather
intrigued me; I could see her tak
ing classic love ballads from a by
gone era, stripping them of all
their gaudy orchestral splendor,
and inftjsing them with a painftil
sincerity (her vocal trademark).
Alas, this third record finds
O'Connor trading in the understat
ed beauty of her acoustic guitar
and the raw, quivering passion of
her vocals for the brassy bombast
of a big-band sound, along with a
disturbingly smooth and meticu
lous singing style. I mean, I know
Bindad has never been one for fol
lowing the beaten path and all. But
please!
When the first track began play
ing, my eyebrow raised a few
notches as the elaborate horn ar
rangements of “Why Don't You Do
Right" burst forth from my speak
ers. But no, I assured myself; this
classic New York sound isn't her at
all, so surely ol' Sindad will know
better than to play it straight.
Sinead O'Connor sounds more like her nemesis, Sinatra.
That’s when her vocals came in
and said, “Wrong-ola, Stevie boy "
Still, I kept heart, hoping that
the presence of this antiquated,
overly polished Sinatia-esque driv
el would be localued to the first be
wildering track. (O’Connor does, in
fact, claim to be an avid Sinatru
orchestra
fan, although 01’ Blue Ryes said he
wanted to “kick her ass" for not
singing “The Star 8pangled
Banner") But as the album pro
gressed, the truth not only reared
its ugly head, but became progres
sively uglier. Despite her obvious
affection for these classic show
tunes and torch songs, O'Connor's
voice is ultimately overpowered by
the album’s lavish orchestration.
Still, O'Connor manages to re
turn briefly to her former glory on
two tracks. The orchestra wisely
takes a back seat for her rendition
of “Don't Cry For Me Argentina," in
which the rugged elegance of her
trembling voice breathes precious
life into what could have been Just
another serviceable cover, For
“Scarlet Ribbons," she's accompa
nied only with the haunting strains
of a tin whistle and uileann pipes,
creating a gentle yet breathtaking
musical aura that recalls the chill
ing resonance of her last album's a
cappella title track,
However, it’s the orchestra that
has the last laugh, coming back in
fbll force with a jassed-up instru
mental of “Don't Cry For Me
Argentina" that really cooks. But
wait a minute - isn't this supposed
to be a Sinter! O'Connor album?
Even die-hard fans will be thor
oughly disenchanted with what
should really be titled “Sindad
Bings The Lounge Club Classics."
As musical tributes go, it's a good,
solid effort, the sort of album that
sounds good over the speakers of
the Athens Coffee House as you sip
your cappuccino and discuss the
works of Proust. But as a Sindad
O'Connor album, it leaves much to
be desired. This is because the
power of O'Connor’s voice lies in
the quiet poignancy of her whisper,
as well as the raw energy of her fit
ful wails of melodic rage. So when
she has to compete against the
power of an orchestra, it's painful
ly clear who the victor will be,
Fall Workshops
Counseling and Testing Center
INCREASING YOUR SELF-ESTEEM
Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00, beginning October 8 for 8 weeks
BEYOND TOLERANCE: ACCEPTING YOUR SEXUALITY
Contact the Center lor more information
WORKING THROUGH FAMILY ISSUES
Thursdays, 3:30 • 5:00, beginning October 8 lor 8 weeks
SUCCESSFUL THESIS PLANNING:
A GRADUATE STUDENT GROUP
Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00, beginning October 14 (or 4 weeks
INTERPERSONAL PROCESS GROUP
Mondays, 3:30 • 5:00, beginning October 12 lor 7 weeks
CHOOSING A MAJOR
Monday, 3:30 - 5:30, October 12 Monday, 6:00 - 8:00, October 28
Wednesday, 3:30 • 5:30, November 11
OUNSELING
& TESTING CENTER)
Counseling and Testing Center
Clark Howell Hall
542-3183
Division ol Student Adairs
TONIGHT!
Monday, October 5 • 8:00 p.m,
Tate Student Center - Georgia Hall
$5 students $7 non-students
Sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ
MEXICALI - Mon.-Wed.
LIME MARGARITA PITCHERS
$ 8.50 Roy. $11.00 Iiiiiiovui
We Have a Lot of
/ Candidates
o
Gleet the Best when it comes to your college ring.
Absolutely the lowest prices
and the finest quality
on all UGA rings
Balfour
We will be on campus all quarter every
Tuesday & Thursday 11:30 am until 3:30 pm
W in« IlflH .* MtMti Mrttrl UM * I
in a
DflWG'S
LIFE
October 5-11
University Union
CINEMATIC ARTS
Mon The Grant McCinty
Mon SulHvtn'i Travele
Tue The Tady Eve
Tue The Palm Beach Story
Wed Manhattan
Thur LA. Story
Fri Lethal Weapon III
Sat Lethal Weapon III
Fri/Sat Lethal Weapon
Sun/Mon Rliaptody in Auguit
VISUAL ARTS
3 It 7:30 pm only
5:15 k 0:45 pm only
3 & 7:30 pm only
5:15 h 9:45 pm only
3,5:15,7:30,9:45 pm
3, 5:15,7:30,9:45 pm
3,5:15,7:30,9:45 pm
7:30 fc 9:45 pm only
Midnight
3,5:15,7:30,9:41 pm
An exhibition of sculpture by UCA alumnut and arttil
Glenn T. Dailier will be featured in the Tate Center
Gallery from Oct 5 to 23. Opening reception: Oct 5 at
6 pm in the Gallery-FREE u open to the public
PERFORMING ARTS
On Wed Oct 7, Performing Art* proudly prevent* the
world-renown modern dance of the Ririe-Woodbury
Dante Company in the UCA Fine Aria Auditorium at
8 pm. Tickets are 85 for UGA students*/$lQ for non-
student* at tire Tate Center Cashier’* Window.
FORTE: The University Union Performing Art* Series
will feature 6 outstanding performances including the
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, The Crapee of Wralh,
and the Peking Acrobats Season tickets are IIS lor
UCA *tudent*'/t42 for non-students and available at
the Tate Center Cashier's Window.
VARIETY
Comedian Dennis Miller to play UGA! Tire Saturday
Night Live alumnus will be joined by David Spade In
the UGA Coliseum on Oct 14 at 8 pm Tickets are $6 for
UCA students*/H2 for non-students and go on sale at
the Tate Center Cashier's Window on Wed Sept 30,
'UGA student ID end fee* paid card required for each student
ticket at time of purchase and at the door far admission
MEMBERSHIP
The University Union, the largest student programming
body on campus, will have a new member recruitment
meeting on Tnurs Oct 8 at 7 pm in the Tate Center
Reception Hall. Applications and info will be available
Mg
f „<* A
l ive In the 1
The OfficIaTYearbook of UGA.
Make your appointment TODAY to have your Claes
Portrait taken for the 1993 PandoraI Come by the Tate
Center Info Desk or call 542-2858 to make an appt
There Is no fee to have your photo taken and you are
under no obligation to buy anything... It'• freel
HURRYI Photos will bt taken beginning TODAYII!
XT,
by
oadcasts of the best ol local
band*. On Thursday Qcfrat 6:30 pm Live in the Lobby
will feature Redneck Crete* DeLuse
The largesl
on cami
apus
have a membership drive and orientation on Tub
6 at 7 pin in Georgia Hall, Application* <c info will
" 'ile.
be available
s ( lalcntlcr SponMiml I > \
One Ringy-Dingy
ABSOLUTELY FREE!
Now you can talk to your mom
in Atlanta or your best friend In
Japan absolutely freei
For the month of October, US Sprint
and Georgia Square are giving you a
FREE 3-minute phone call
to anywhere In the worldl
(Limit I free call per household)
October I - November 1
i Lower Level, Belle's Court
Ask Sprint how
you can receive
a $20.00 Georgia
Square Mall Gift
Certificate!
Georgia E3 Square
Atlanta Highway *1 the Bv-Psh . Allans, Osoiqla • talk. Mscyi. ICSenney, gain .mi
eo olhsr tins services end ItsuwisM* • Customer Service Uooih • Ite-lOO • Owned
•ndmtnseed by CBUt Associate*'Mon thru gal losm-tom • Hun Ipm-dpm