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COUNTERCULTURE
That's News to Me?
by TVeble Yell
Who has heard of The Flirtations?
They are the nation's only openly gay
men's a cappela singing group out of Big
Apple Central. I know, you're thinking:
"OH GOD, decent music subjected to
Treble 'the butcher’ Yell's cruel home-
keys." The first time I listened to their
debut tape, I was sobbing as the second
song started. Now granted, I had just
watched a couple of Mr. Ed reruns and
was a little mistalgic, but even the second
time around was, again, boo-hoo city.
Despite a banking accident that perhaps
had me a teech emotionally vulnerable,
truly, I was moved by what these remark
ably fine men have to offer.
Experiencing The Flirtations is like
stumbling upon a family of otters at
recess. Playfulness is obviously impor
tant to them as they do things that vocally
tiptoe up behind you and tickle you in the
ribs. This, however, is only half of the
story.
On the jacket of their cassette, they
list, anonymously, facts about members of
the group which, to me, speaks of the
importance they place on group solidarity.
A few of these facts are: "One of us had
the same lover for eight years; One of us
coached high school wrestling; One of us
has never seen a porno film; One of us
took his boyfriend to the high school
prom; One of us has smuggled AIDS
drugs into the country; One of us was fag-
bashed with a 2 x 4. And two of us have
AIDS."
Individually, The Flirtations are Jon
Arterton, Michael Callen, Aurelio Font,
TJ Myers, and Cliff Townsend. All of
them are politically active in word and
deed. In fact, the group was originally
formed to perform at political rallies.
Their vocal talent is jaw dropping, and
their material is loaded. These guys do
Oris Williamson, Beach Boys, '50s do
wop, and politically motivated songs writ
ten by group members, with customized
arrangements and lyrical shifts that incor
porate a gay twist, French braid to be
exact.
Not that they are drawing just a gay
crowd because they definitely are not.
The Flirtations are good role models not
just as gay men, but as human beings, as
loving men who are daring and strong
enough to share themselves with the
world and as such, they are breaking gay
historical ground.
Their cassette/CD is a good tool to
have on file when you need a little moti
Robert Farber
The Flirtations: like stumbling upon a family of otters at recess.
vation to face the world. To order, send
$15 for CDs and $10 for tape cassettes,
plus $2.50 for postage and handling to:
The Flirtations, Box 421 Prince Street
Station, New York, NY 10012-0008.
Also, a note to any of you producer
types, bring these boys to Atlanta please.
We could sure use a dose. The contact
person is Rachel Squires (212) 219-1672
or (914) 471-0209. Thanks.
Now then, the opinion I have to allow
on the Gay Cable Network is a short story
because I am feeling kind. Here is anoth
er yankee land treat that is, how you say,
um, East Riverlike. You can view this,
which is produced in New York, if you
can get Prime Cable Channel 12. It airs
Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m. Besides
being technically poor, somehow cover
age of important issues was bordered with
miles of rambling vagueness. Or
reporters that looked unsettled, possibly
due to loss of eye wear. It is my hope that
the show will improve because that it
even exists is good news. Watch it and
see for yourselves.
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Little 5 Points
That’s a
good Point?.
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1160
Southern Voice/Decerhber 6, 1990
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