BRIEFS

Rip It Up, Issue 57, 1 April 1982, Page 16

BRIEFS

Bonnie Raitt

Green Light (Warner Bros) Some might snidely dismiss this as music for those who've grown old with the Stones. Not so. Sure there's an occasional slice of Keef's Riffhards but there's also a genuine passion ablaze here. Raitt's vocals are simply marvellous aren't they always? and her commitment is matched by the gusto of the Bump Band (sounding; even better here than on the fine recent Renee Geyer album.) And there's a great crop of songs too. -7-PT ■The Mighty Guys - Rockin' All Thru the Night (Rivet 10" import) Authentic rockabilly from this Australian 3-piece. 10 tracks, complete with over the top sleeve notes, and a sense of humour that allows an (almost) straight-faced version of the old Red Foley weepie 'Old Shep', and enough good taste to have the originals stand up next to classics like Gene Vincent's Blue Jean Bop'. DMcL Elton John Jump Up (Rocket) Not since Yellow Brick'Road has ; Elton produced such an opulent and satisfying collection of pure pop eclecticism. There's something here for everyone, from the rolling rock of 'Dear John'; the singalong chorus of 'Empty Garden', to the sombre synthesisers of 'All Quiet On The Western Front'. Highly recommended; The Damned DP Best of the Damned (EMI) • "V A misnomer, this one. The best Damned moments by far were "New Rose' (here present in inferior live form) and 'Neat Neat Neat', explosive but unfortunately conspicuous by its absence. So we left with the Damned's best moments on EMI which leaves us with the clumsy charm of 'Smash It Up arid 'Plan 9 Channel 7 as the pick from their days with a major label.! Mind you, their double album wasn't released here so Damned fans will probably queue for this 'Best, of if they can stand up : ; GK Dr. Feelgood , Casebook (Liberty) More Best Ofs should be like this. Casebook covers the Feelgoods' entire career from 'Roxette' to the new single with Johnny Guitar; 'Waiting For Saturday Night', stopping off for a live 'Riot In Cell Block No.9' and more unreleased material in ,'Route 66' (Wilko), 'Put Him Out Of Your

Mind' and 'Hong Kong Money' (Mayo) and an alternative version of 'As Long As The Price Is Right' along the way. 16 tracks, and not a dud amongst 'em! . DMcL Various Artists The Friday Rock Show (BBC) ' Since EMI focussed on the 'new wave' of heavy metal in Britain with Metal For Muthas, most major labels and even K-Tel have put out compilations of up-and-coming metal bands. This one features eight skull crunchers from eight different bands, and the selfrespecting headbanger need look no further for his monthly axe.CC Phil Bowering, HiatuTfrdSßflßfifljjß A local independently-produced tape from Wellington's Phil Bowering. It's a thirteen track high quality offering of formative electronic and acoustic pieces that vary between the hypnotic and the monotonously repetitive. Overall, though, a valiant effort. So send 56.00 ; + : 25 cents postage to PO Box 6096, Wellington. GK Nocturnal Projections ««*.. (Emission Cassette) Another tape, this time from a New Plymouth band who recorded their own repertoire through a mixing. board in their flat. Distributed through EMI Shops, their music is scratchy and amateurish, often plagued by Joy Division pomp but generally saved by the spirit. of DIY enthusiasm. The Manchester sound moves to New Plymouth. What next? • GK Weapon Of Peace (Safari) Seven guys, six black, one white, . from . Wolverhampton, formed about six years ago. They've toured with ÜB4O among others, and there lies their strongest reference. Had they not been going so long, I'd accuse them of outright theft. As it is, pure deja vu without any explanation. DC Michael Schenker Group

MSG (Chrysalis) Kerrang! Schenker is back with his second offering since quitting UFO, . and a cracker it is too. A thunderous collection of . wellexecuted heavy metal. A cut above much of the current crop, it augurs well for the Budokan live double just released in Britain.CC Frank Zappa You Are What You Is (CBS) Ten years ago a double Frank Zappa album was an event. Zappa's eccentric initiative has long been ingratiating and aimless. This double helping of the usual send-ups, pastiches and crazy cacophony doesn't save his dwindling credibility. File under: Past Legend Continues to Decline.GK Sammy Hagar Standing Hampton (Geffen) Long a major live attraction in the US, Sammy Hagar failed to make much impact on the charts during a lengthy spell with Capitol. A change of labels and a smoother approach has altered all that. In contrast with his previous axe-hero stance, Hagar has come up with a slick album of melodic rockers, tailor-made for FM. CC