The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 11

ft RADIO PEOPLE RADIO MUSIC Something different rock doug anderson swing in the Barenboim apartment It appears that Danny and Lenny (Bernstein) and Pinky (Zukerman) bad organised a do for Johnny (Williams), the cuddly Australian guitar virtuoso, whose 41st birthday it was that very day. I was glad I wasn't there. These jet-setting musicians talk only about their latest recording contracts, or whether it's better to moor the yacht at Monte Carlo or Nice. Worse still, you might get stuck in a corner with' Dietrich Fischer-Dicskau who is even more boring drunk than sober. Barenbotm and Zukerman were pleased to hear that their recording of Alban Berg's brilliant Chamber Concerto for piano and violin with 13 wind instruments is making an impression down here.

Written between 1923 and 192S. the "Kam-merkonzert" is one of Berg's most important works, requiring great virtuosity both of the two soloists and of the small orchestra. Berg dedicated the piece to his teacher and hero, Arnold Schoenberg, The fine BarenboimZukerman recording of this work can be heard on ABC-FM next Friday at 9 JO pm. Good news also this week for devotees of baroque opera. Tomorrow at 3.15 pm, ABC-FM broadcasts an excellent.

English recording of Handel's Acis and Galatea. Well, not opera exactly, but much-loved music in Handel's pastoral vein. Then on Friday at 4 pm on 2MBS, a complete recording of Rameau's opera Nais, with a cast and ensemble under the direction of young English flute player and baroque specialist Nicholas McGegan. Both these performances feature original instruments of the period. They just keep getting better music is heading.

The music is deceptively complex, the lyrics have a point to be made. Bill Wyman is one of the highlight LPs to come out this year. Hear the singles on high rotation on 2SM. If an anxiously-awaited album for his fans, and no one will be disappointed. Hear tracks on 2MMM-FM and 2DAY-FM and be prepared to be swept away.

Another legend, JJ.Cale, has a strong Cale album out now, Grassh- AS THE earth shrinks, the people pop out. In recent weeks, I've bad occasion to talk about the advantages of cassettes their versatility, portability and their recycling capacity. Cassettes now form a vital part of a communications network which ranges from magazines sneh as Fast Forward to audio letters between friends and strangers. Cassettes have been and still are the median of the new music. They take another step forward in a new showon2MBS-FM.

Hosted by three enthusiasts, the program is called The Australian Independent Cassette Show and it goes to air every other Tuesday morning fioni 1 am till 3. Richard Fielding is a member of Severed Heads, a Sydney-based band utilising tape recorders as musical instruments and working largely with tapes and loops. Aided and abetted by a core of reel rockers, he's part of a movement which has estabhsbed a network of understanding and co-operation through Terse Tapes and now seeks The radio show for cassettes only is the latest move in a diversification 'program following the demise of a performance venue taRetfern, The Last Resort Inspired by the British cassette mag A Classic Tale of Teenage Angst. Fielding joined with Tom Ellard of Terse Tapes to produce One Sup Shopping, a definitive catalogue of three C90 tapes showcasing 62 Australian bands. The program is not intended as a showcase for demo tapes by new bands but interested listeners can establish contact through 2MBS-FM at 76 Chandos St, St Leonards, 2065.

For those who seek an airing for their own music, the same address applies for the presenters of Green Tea, another new program which goes to air every second Wednesday at midnight. Christine Conlan, Md Broe and Jane Grace hope to cover a wide area of the local experimental scene, interviewing bands who have made it, those in the process and those stiQ Followers of music by Lau china Hands, Ten Teh Teh, Stray Dogs, Essendon Airport and other groups which dont receive saturation airplay because of the narrowness of "the svstem" win doubtless be keen to make Green Tea the drink for tomorrow. It's real too real? pop susan molloy SOME heroes never fade away, they just get better and better. Bill Wyman's solo self-titled, album (Festival L37768) is a treat musically and lyrically. The singles Come Back Suzanne and (Si Si) Je Sins Un Rock Star are highlights on side two, together with Rio de Janiero, an ephemeral bop into the Latin American dream, and Girls, a short, abrasive number which shows the skill Wyman holds over his craft.

The lyries of Si Si and Come Back Suzanne demonstrate Wyman at his tonsofrjn-cheek best. Who knows what goes on in this Rolling Stone armor vnwever a vuiunuy in to far as the direction popular The best of the greatest jazz bruce jolinson ONE of the tracks slotted last week by Kevin Jones in his regular Wednesday at midday program on 2MBS-FM was a performance by Duke Ellington. The selection was timely, since next Thursday is the 83T anniversary of the birth of the man whom many consider to be America's greatest composer. The accolade begs enormous questions of course, but when it is Edward Kennedy Ellington, the word "greatest" has some persuasiveness. Does it mean most original? Ellington's work is unmistakable, not only because of his particular harmonic and melodic JLv i i i I tne stones ever suosioe and that seems impossible Bill Wyman will go on to explore the future of contemporary music.

Bill Wyman, LP, is an album that needs as much aural exploration as the strange thoughts that have gone into it As the lead singer in 1964 for Them (who? Here Conies the Night, Gloria, that's who), Van Morrison recorded his first single. Nearly 20 years later, Van Morrison is still forging his identifiably mystical, soft, rippling music. His latest LP, Beautiful Vision (Polygram, 6302 122) is just that It is sense, but even more so because of his grasp of texture and the unique instrumental resources he was able to employ. If "greatest" means most influential, in the sense of saturating the culture with his personality, then we have only to try to imagine what we would not have in the air if Ellington had never lived; songs tike Satin Doll, Sophisticated some of the basic repertoire of every jazz musician and equally known to millions who do hot regard themselves as jazz fans. Does "greatest" have something to do with being prolific? From 1924 to 1945, Duke recorded around 600 titles, the majority his own compositions.

His output continued unabated until his death 30 years later recording, composing, arranging, performing. Does "greatest" require elevation of concept? There can hardly be a more exalted aspiration than that which animates his series of sacred concerts. If it seems perverse to place him among the greatest of American composers, it is only for the reason 1 inn 1 1 1 it till i JUL sJ7 -onner (Polvaram. 6302 1771 His country-chewed voice mulls over the richness of country funk tunes and his freewheeling lyrics. He is still the man who sang Cocaine, Naturally, Okie and Crazy Mama, and he is still into tough songs which should be abrasive but which instead betray a deep passion in Cale.

He still tramps that weary highway with his guitar, and he is still flirting with the blues. Cale lovers will embrace his legendary talent even more strongly after hearing Grasshopper. that his field was jazz and not so-called serious music The tribute to Ellington continues on 2MBS-FM next Wednesday night at 7 when Joya Jen son devotes her program to his work, including excerpts from his Far East Suite and the recording of his 70th birthday concert Oh, what a thrill! classics davidthrosby A PHONE call at some unearthly hour last Saturday night from New York where it is always daytime. It was Daniel Baren-boim with the latest musical news from the Big Apple. Actually I couldn't hear him very well because a party was in full i0 nn; i ii t- tit it i JU IV.J ii7-, mil nil records david vance THE LAST six symphonies of Mozart represent the composer at the summit of his creative power.

Now, on a three-record set, comes Rafael Kubclik with the symphony orchestra Des Bayerischen Run-dfunks in commanding performances of the symphonies number 35 (Haffner), number 36 (Linz), number 38 (Prague), numbers 39, 40. and 41 (JupiterMCBS digital stereo D3-36930). This collection is worthy of everybody's attention though Kubelik is at times somewhat cautious with his interpretations. Least daring is the flat symphony, No 39, which could profit from a fast tempo in the final movement Even the mighty Jupiter: sometimes needs a slight injection of boldness at the climactic points. Mozart is always to be recommended as a composer; this record is certainly worth hearing on ABC-FM at 7 tonight when Martin Hibble will his favourite bits.

2GB7S82 John Tingle believes in intelligent radio. He's interested in your opinion about whafs going on today. Whether ifs politics, unions, or marriage and the family; John will always let you put your case. A word of warning. He won't hesitate to argue with you if he doesn't agree.

Ifs commonsense, and John Tingle has the courage ot his FFiti no-nonsense radio convictipm Tht SMH fae-Hetr, Monday, April JohnTlnsio Fri. xolIL 28. 1962.