Howlin’ wolf

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 10

Howlin’ wolf

LOS LOBOS “How Will The Wolf Survive?” (Big Time M58T7047). Los Lobos seem to have hit a chord with an offbeat mixture of Tex-Mex music, helped in this instance by the production work of T-Bone Burnett (who played support for Elvis Costello in New Zealand last month). There is actually some wonderful Tex-Mex and R. and B. music on this album. Stuff you can dance to. “Serenata Nortena” is real mean Mex music, with an accordion, or if R. and B. is your bag then try “Evangeline,” who joins the likes of Carol, Dizzy Miss Lizzy, and Maybelline. The title track also seems an easy song, although the subject is appropriate for Live Aid. There is a novel. The use of the mandolin gives the song a beautiful touch. “Don’t Worry Baby” is a straight out red hot blues song that has Los Lobos really cookin’. If you want a big pick-me-up, bite into the wolf from L.A. ERIC CLAPTON “Behind The Sun” (Duck/Warner Bros 25166-4). It was good to see Clapton on the Live Aid concert Sunday week ago, particularly for his guitar work on the old Cream song, “White Room,” and another of his hits, “Layla.” The songs shown and heard on the televised concert revealed that the master has not lost his old form.

In fact, the opening song on “Behind The Sun” was the one that he played be-

tween the two songs previously mentioned. “She’s Waiting,” which seems to feature the same people that were on stage with him, is a powerful opening, with a very strong beat provided courtesy of the production work of Phil Collins. The song heralds a slightly more upbeat Clapton than his previous two albums. There are still the same ballads as before, a strength that Clapton has. “See What Love Can Do” fits into this vein, but again it’s a slightly brighter Clapton at the helm. Those who want more of the guitar meisterwork will find “Same Old Blues” particularly strong, and also a long powerful close to “Just Like A Prisoner,” which verges on Neil Young’s “Like A Hurricane.” “Same Old Blues” is actually quite a neat blues song, with Phil Collins again giving emphasis on the drums, and a haunting keyboards melody holding the piece together. The end has the same drive as “Just Like A Prisoner.” “Knock On Wood,” the old soul standard, is given a tasteful revival with a nice horn section in the background. Rock gospel is not ignored either on “Something's Happening.” There are no obvious hit singles on “Behind The Sun,” but Collins’ work on eight out of 11 tracks, and Clapton’s vocals and guitar make this album interesting. —NEVIN TOPP.