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EAR WAX SPECIAL
r /)eeetnhtr 7, 1994 ■
Dolly Parton
Haartsongs / Columbia
First, the hype. To celebrate her new record deal.
Dolly pets back to her roots Bocked solely by
acoustic instrument^ she performs both the songs
she grew up vrtth and her own songs, songs that
drew heavily from an impoverished upbringing in
the Smoky Mountains And it's all live from
Dolywood!
Be* that's not ol! We re talkin' over 76 minutes of
entertainment 1 We re talkm 23 songs! We re talcin'
backing vocals and fiddle from Suzanne Cox (of
the Cox Famityl and Alison Krauss. two gals with
trad-style integrity to bum Yet the question remains: After al the years of crossover glitz
and glamor, con Doly octuoly pull off this kind of thing’
WelllW... pretty much It turns oerf Doty's roots lie much closer to Appalachian fok than
to country Guitar and mandolin are the primary instruments, with banjo, fiddle and bass
providing the majority of texture and mood Songs like 'Wayfaring Stronger' and In the
Pines' exude an underlying sense of bleakness and resignation, and 'Mary of the Wild
Moors' recalls Ms Parton's early obsession with 'dead baby" songs Appropriately, the
arrangements are simple ond uncluttered. Doty's delivery natural ond unaffected
Foremost omong Heartsongs' highlights, however, are two of Dolly's vmtoge originals
Both "5moky Mountain Memories' ond 'My Tennessee Mountain Home' seem positively
vibrant with an almost mogicai purity of longing and wistfulness
Unfortunately, this release is not without its flows Dolly's steady flow of memories, anec
dotes and asides — while ultimately irresistible — frequently obliterates the fine line
between backwoods charm and wince-mducing com The lingering aftertaste of the
latter occasionaly taints the genuine mountain sweetness of her singing Also, the two
new songs (the title cut and *PMS Blues') are somewhat disappointing, and the set in
dudes one undeniable stinker ('Brave little Soldier")
Still. Heortsongs is definitely worth heormg. especially for folk music fans As an artist's
testimonial, it is certainly more personal ond arguably more meaningful than either Nona
Griffith s Other Voices. Other Rooms or Shawn Colvin's Cover Girl
Paul Chastain
THEY WALK AMONG YOU
MARCIA BALL
Variety Playhouse • Oct. 21
To discuss musicians only in terms of numbers
of recordings sold is to exclude large numbers
of the 'tireless performer' variety, who cultivate
another kind of public. i.e the patrons of mu
sic dubs and smal performance spaces The
few gazillion-seNing recording artists get the
large arena venues, while most of us who ap
preciate good music get our fixes m more mod
est locations
Marcia Ball is an Austin, lex, blues/R & B singer
and pianist who has been working the dub cir
cuit for more than a decode, though she has but four albums (ad on Rounder) to her
name Recently touring behind her new album Blue House, she ond her band turned
in an unforgettable performance at Atlanta's Variety Playhouse lone of the very best
places to hear music in this state) Oct. 21.
New Orleans is the source of much of Mar da Bat's musical inspiration As a gifted
pianist, she has taken the barrelhouse style of Professor longhair. Dr. John ond James
Booker, ond more or less feminized' it. She rocks and rolls as well as any of those
Descent Ofy masters, but she writes songs and sings from a woman's point of view
in a warm, husky voice that is sexy, witty and drenched in the Deep South blues
She opened her first of two sets at the Variety Playhouse the same way she kicks off
her new a bum — with Professor longhoirs 'Red Beans* As with most of the tunes
on the album, however, the live performances offered much more energy, with Ball
attacking the keyboard with a frenzy missing in the recorded versons The funky,
sassy 'Big Shot.' the standout tune on Blue House, was a show-stopper in concert,
with the singer dapping her hands during the breaks Joe Ely's “Fingernails' H keep
my fingernails long so they dick when I playThe piano') likewise worked well in the
live show, which included some of the down-tempo numbers from Blue House (the
title frock. “Why Do D that showcase Ball's talents as a songwriter Judicious selec
tions from her album prior to this one (Gator Rhythms, al the way back to 1989).
such as "Mobile,* *How You Carry On' and 'Mama's Cookin'" enlivened the show, as
did 'That's Enough of That Stuff.' the shuffling, lowdown. funky standout from 1985 s
Hot Tamale Baby
Marcia Ball's longtime bass player Don Bennett joins a solid group of musicians on
the album as well as onstoge guitarist Steve Wiliams, drummer Steve Williams and
saxophonist Paul Klemperer They never disappoint, thus making for fitting accom
paniment for the incomparable Marcia Ball Take my advice and take advantage of
any opportunity that comes your way to catch one of her concerts Also, avail your
self of the attractions of the Variety Playhouse; its distinguished concert series has
induded several fine blues ads this fall, induding Tinsley Elks. Buckwheat Zydeco
and Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers
Jim Winders
WORLD© WINDS
New Long Sleeve
T-Shirts
Buy one get the second
one 25% Off
Recycled jeans, frames
& map stuff... And as
always, candles,
incense, thigh-highs,
tapestries, & toe-rings.
154 E. Clayton St. • 353-2184 ,
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lew Locution
Atlanta Hwy
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ram Blockbuster
And don’t forget about
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581 S. Harris St (oft Baxter)
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285 w. Washington St.
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Call 549-7871 for snow updates
Advance tickets on sale at
Big Shot Records & Wuxtry on Baxter
Thiers. 8 • $5
80’S DISCO
w/ Ritchie D
LL NIGHT LONG
Frt. 9 • $2
FLAGPOLE
SPOKEN WORD CD
RELEASE PARTY
Starts 10:00 p.m.
LATE NIGHT DISCO
Muggy Bear • $3
Addison Blue
BITTER
DISCO
w/ Michael Lachowski
Thurs.
Germans
Vaudeville
TEEN DISCO
is yrs - 17 yrs
8:30 p.m. - Midnight
LATE NIGHT DISCO
Michael Lachowski • $3
STARTS AT 1:30 A.M.
One Rolled
Latex Condom
A Sculpture, Spoken Word,
Bond Gala featuring
Tf ^ * 'a mi n l ! atr\ m *A> -*«
LATE NIGHT DISCO
Isaac McCalla • $3
C oming soon