Newspaper Page Text
Page 6 — FEATURES Spelman Spotlights February 1981
Chocolate Kisses In Wax-Record Reviews
By Dianne “Digi” Givens
Jr. Reporter
Among the many new albums that have
recently been released are “Faces,” by
Earth Wind & Fire, and “Hotter Than
July,” by Stevie Wonder. Both are
masterpieces in their own right.
“Faces” is a two album set consisting of
fifteen songs, all of which exemplify the
incredible quality of Earth Wind & Fire.
The first song that was released from the
album, “Let Me Talk,” is an upbeat,
danceable song that is also subtly
informative. Listen to the words and
you’ll see what I mean. The current single
from the album entitled “You,” is a
mellow love song that everyone can
enjoy. Other favorite sons from the album
include “Sparkle,” “You Went Away,”
“Sailaway,” and “Take it to the Sky.” The
entire album is exceptional, which is no
great surprise since most of us have
already witnessed the brilliance of Earth,
Wind & Fire.
Stevie’s album, “Hotter Than July,” is
an attempt, in his words, to introduce
people to all kinds of music. The album
contains ten songs varying from the funky
sounds of “Master Blaster” to the soft,
soothing sound of “Lately.” His latest
release from the album is entitled “Happy
Birthday” and is one of the ways in which
Stevie Wonder is trying to help make
January 15th, Martin Luther King’s
birthday, a national holiday. This song is
representative of his convictions. Other
favorite songs from this album include
“All 1 Do,” “Cash In Your Face,” and
“Rocket Love.” Stevie Wonder is, no
doubt, a musical genius and his songs are
always well accented by the public. In his
twenty year musical career, he has been
known as an artist, a writer,a producers
businessman, a father and humanitarian,
but above all, a “Legend.”
A few months ago a friend of mine
informed me that Peabo Bryson and
Roberta Flack were recording a live
album from their concert tour this past
summer. I knew then that it, too, would
be classified as a masterpiece. It was
recently released and what I had initially
perceived was found to be true. It is a two
album set with sixteen songs. Each artist
sings five songs alone and then six are
done together. There are two completely
new songs on the album entitled “Make
the World Stand Still” and “More Than
Everything.” Both are love songs and
since both Peabo and Roberta are famous
for being professional balladeers, you can
imagine the exceptionality of these songs.
The other songs on the album are live
versions of recent and favorite songs from
previous albums. If you missed the
concert tour this past summer, be sure to
pick up the album. It’s definitely “Live
And More.”
Ann Dennard: A Spelman Woman
By Sincerae B. Smith
Jr. Reporter
Late in the evening, lounging after
another busy day at Spelman, Ann
Dennard lay with covers pulled up to her
neck. However tired she might have been,
there was not a sign of fatigue that would
have indicated that she was too tired to
talk about her talent.
Indeed, Ms. Dennard, a freshman here
at Spelman and a native Atlantan is the
owner of a gifted voice, and she has
several performances to her credit,
including a solo performance at
Friendship Baptist Church during the
traditional freshman worship service.
Ms. Dennard is a member of a new
breed of talented young virtuosas whose
talent is not a false figurehead, but an
insignia of true expertise.
For someone who only became
interested in the art of song at the age of
fifteen, Ms. Dennard’s singing is
exceptional.
As she confessed, it was someone else
who became conscious of her singing
potential.
“I had no idea there was any real
potential in my singing ability. I surprised
myself!”
She also has the advantage of coming
from a musical background.
“There has always been a certain
amount of musical appreciation in my
family. Most members of my family have
taken piano lessons, while others took
ballet. My family is also very jazz
oriented.”
Like any artist, Ms. Dennard had a
prime -source of motivation which
influenced her to further her talent. Her
person in charge was William G.
Densmore, Director of the Northside
School of the Arts, Atlanta.
“Mr. Densmore is my mentor,
confidant, and respected friend.”
Photo by Whitney Young
Ms. Dennard considers her singing to
be an avocation and a serious aspect of
her life. As she says, “My major is not
music, but law. My minor is music. I will
definitely make my decision between the
two in my junior year.”
With such an operatic voice it would be
nearly a crime not to sing opera.
However, Ms. Dennard has not
overlooked her talent. She does sing
opera.
“I also like jazz. That’s about it. I know
what my voice is capable of doing. I
cannot sing the popular music which is
heard on the radio.”
Ms. Dennard is also a member of
Spelman’s glee club. Her favorite singers
personify her intense interest in fine
music.
“My favorites are Jene' Brown,
Leontyne Price, Esther Scatterfield, and
Nina Simone.”
Cosmopolitan is the word for Ms.
Dennard’s experience in singing.
“At my high school there was a tour
show. Out of a group of one hundred
thirty people, twenty-four were selected.
Included along with the twenty-four was
a sixteen piece stagehand, and a seven
member technical crew. I was a member
of the twenty-four. We toured within the
New York and Boston public school
systems. We also traveled in Belgium and
Hong Kong with the Friendship Force.”
With so much disco, funk, and pop
music being played these days, it is a
constant threat that the music which Ms.
Dennard sings might be overlooked.
However, she does not feel threatened.
“I am a devoted patron of classical
music. Although I do respect and admire
contemporary artists. I am not envious of
them. I believe that everyone should have
his own personal preference. So no, I
don’t really feel that my music is
overlooked.”
In observing her room, it is obvious
that Ms. Dennard’s personality is
reflected in her room’s furnishings.
“I like art deco. I have always had my
room decorated in this manner. My
room’s decoration’s express my own
unique Blerid"6f personality, and my
versatility.”
In a world filled with so much peer
pressure and identical interests, Ms.
Dennard admits, “At times I am hesitant
to express my interest, because people in
my age group are not really into classical
music. But it is what I do best.”
“It would not demean me if people did
not like my type of singing. People tend to
respect you when they acknowledge that
you are really interested in your work,
that you are dedicated, and that you have
devoted time and effort to your training.”
It is a known fact that Spelman is an
excellent launching pad for those
involved in the arts.
“Spelman has an excellent music
faculty. Spelman also possesses many
students who are dedicated to the arts. It’s
like any school. You get out of it, what
you put into it.”
Strangely enough Ms. Dennard does
not crave international fame.
“I don’t necessarily want international
attention. It would be nice though. I just
want to be the best for me. I want to build
up my strengths and conquer my
weaknesses." .
As in any talent, practice must be
involved. , , K
“For the past two years (not including
this year) I’ve studied on a schedule of two
hours out of every five days a week. And I
also have private voice lessons on
Saturday mornings.”
Miss Dennard also has a good attitude
about herself as a singer.
“I’ve have been modest about my
talent. I am r esp$c,i||}J^ oddest when I
Continued on page 8