The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 136

10-1 Sunday. Sept. 19. 1982 Philadelphia Inquirer POP ROCK- In albums, variety is the word Every time you arrive at Harrah's i S5II by bus you hit the jackpot with afl three bonuses. $10 in cash now.

$5 food or beverage credit. $5 cash certificate redeemable the following month. Program valid Sunday Thursday Friday before 5 pm. Friday after 5 pm and all day Saturday, bonus is $10 cash. Offer expires October 30, 1982.

WHERE TO CALL: GREYHOUND-PHILADELPHIA Greyhound Terminal (215)563-4800 TRAJLWAYS BUS COMPANY By Ken Tucker Inquirer Popular Music Critic Although 1982 has thus far been an excellent year for pop and rock albums, almost none of the best ones was a commercial success. Instead, this year's Top Ten has been dominated by smart product, tired supergroups, cagey old pros and lackluster newcomers. There are exceptions to these categories, of course the J. Geils Band released its best album ever, "Freeze Frame," and I've always been a sucker for Hall and Oates' brand of slick-rock. But for the most part, adventurous music has been frozen out of the radio, even when it emanates from well-known names.

To these ears, for example, there's been no better music made this year than Lou Reed's "The Blue Mask," but that album's hard, harrowing look at romance never connected with its intended audience given the minimal publicity that Reed's record company, RCA, devoted to it, it's unlikely that many of Reed's fans even knew it existed. And if Lou Reed can't attract some attention, what hope was there for Richard and Linda Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights," music just as good by artists less than well-known in America, despite rave reviews extending as far as Time magazine? The line-up of coming album releases for the next few months is widely varied. New records will be issued by some of the finest, most adventurous musicians of our time, as well as by standard professionals who know that the fall is the time to get your product out into the marketplace before the holiday season arrives. The most immediate important releases include long-awaited albums from as disparate a trio of artists as you could find: Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Captain Beefheart. All three albums arrive at the end of this, month.

Springsteen's "Nebraska" is' characterized by his acoustic guitar-playing and the absence of the E-Street Band; Joel's "Nylon Curtain" marks a return to pop balladry for the one-time, would-be new-waver; and Beefheart's "Ice Cream for Crow" promises to be whatever this BROOMALL veadon 359777 (815) 683-5004 Travel Pic-a-deli WILLOW GROVE ROOOEDGE (815)659-9985 (815)78M388 Station Happy's Deli Land JERSEY WEST (609)835-6030 PHILADELPHIA Station (815)471-0867 Laurel King James Records CUFTON HEIGHTS Haddington Plaza Mall 683-4883 BROOKHAVEN Spot (815)876-7151 Mall Weir Travel HOLMES (815)586-3857 Widmers McDedeMall CHELTENHAM (815)984-4850 Dog Seafood center crry (815)983-8880 Trailwsys Term. (215) 567-5811 Gemini Travel SOUTH WEST (815)389-3034 Fairfax Drus' (815) 477-3344 Travel Guide (815)476-8060 Renzulli's Pharmacy (815)747-6101 Shea's Pharmacy (815)365-6840 4 Deli KENSINGTON (815)483-7500 Action Travel ROXBOROUGH (815)488-9350 Andorra Travel NORTHEAST (515) 748-1700 Wide World Travel (815) 894-3443 Knishts Rd. Thnftway (815)744-3700 Hokay Travel (815)6764500 Castor Travel KING OF PRUSSIA (815)865-2900 Bus Terminal Valley Forge Shopoins Center UPPER DARBY (815) 471-8880 Septa Station 69th Street For sroup Information call (215) 563-1607. (815) Rush Bus SO. Bus Mt (815) Organ Bazaar Salty House Joni Mitchell Next may be a pop album Donald Fagen, half of the reclusive Steely Dan, has recorded a solo album called "The Nightfly" set for release in late October.

There'll be a six-song live EP from rockabilly wonders the Blasters, plus new albums from those cute but odd sisters, the Roches, and hard rock from Grand Funk (they've dropped the "Railroad," fans) and Foghat theirs is called "In the Mood for Something Rude," and there's no reason to doubt their veracity. Tentatively scheduled for release in November is an inevitable commercial blockbuster from Christopher Cross, plus a solo album from the leader of the Cars, Ric Ocasek. More importantly, the first album by rap-music innovator Grand Master Flash is penciled in for November's schedule. There'll also be new vinyl from Emmylou Harris, Devo, John McLaughlin and Keith Jarrett. For those of you craving more of those movie and theater soundtrack albums, there's "Music from Bladerun-ner," the Broadway cast album of "The Little Shop of Horrors." and soundtracks from the films "One from the Heart" and what's this? Pink Floyd's "The Wall." But wasn't the movie based on the Pink Floyd album called "The Wall?" Cer- For bus information call: 800-588-7078 (Inside N.J.) 800-237-8505 (Outside N.J.) fetes Captain Beefheart New one is 'Ice Cream for Crow' tainly: this "The Wall" features a few guest vocals from the film's star, Bob Gcldof.

Who is usually the lead singer in the Boomtown Rats. Sorry you asked? November will be crowned by the eagerly anticipated release of Michael Jackson's new solo album, a pop event by December will contain the usual number of holiday major releases. There'll be a live-in-concert Rod Stewart package sure to do something for his fans, plus new albums from artists as antithetical as Chaka Khan and Black Sabbath. The Brothers Johnson, who've been absent from the music scene for what seems a long time, will return with an album called let me get this right, now "Funk It." Neil Young will offer "Trans," which is said to be full of whining synthesizers this time around instead of the usual whining guitars (that is not an insult; I'd rather hear Young play a kazoo than listen to most other artists singing their hearts out). What sounds like the best novelty.) album of the season will be offered by Rhino Records, the feisty Los Angeles independent label with a sense of humor: It's a "Monkees Rarities" compilation, featuring obscure B-sides and alternate versions of beloved' Monkees hits; there is also a possibility that the album will include a rare track from the Monkees' cult movie Head.

Todd Rundgren will release a new album featuring a title that one hopes is meant to be humorous, "The Ever-Popular Artist Torture Effect," and Sammy Hagar and George Benson will provide heavy metal and popjaez for the year's end. And those insatiable movie-soundtrack mavens can sink their ears into music from "Dark Crystal" (sci-fi puppetry from Muppet man Jim Henson) and "King of Comedy" (the new Martin Scorsese breast-beater, this one featuring surprise Robert De Niro and who" else? Jerry Lewis; oh yes: the music is by Robbie Robertson, ex-Band leader). Obviously, this is no time to draw up a list of the year's 10 best albums, if only because so many of the potential candidates have yet to be released. I don't know about you, but I'm keeping my ears especially ready for the albums from Prince, Captain Beefheart, Michael Jackson, Grand Master Flash and Joni Mitchell. Any or all of them might pick up the quality of 1982's music considerably.

Temple University Theater A Message from Wal Temple University Theater has a history of excellence in the presentation of plays. Excellence should create excitement and with this Main Stage Season we are breaking new ground. I believe in attracting audiences. We want to stir your imagination, provoke a response from you and rely on your judgement. We believe that our future professionals-should be trained in an atmosphere that is rnntpmnnrarv stimulatim and alive.

Michael Jackson An album due in November Cooper (the aging shock-rocker's album will be called "Zipper ouch), plus Dire Straits, Steve Reich, and the West Coast band Jack Mack and Heart Attack (their album, continuing in the pulmonary vein, is called "Cardiac Joan Arma-trading will also have a new album out at the end of this month. In October, two major releases are expected. Prince, the most exciting young performer in pop music, will come forth with "1999," a title that suggests futuristic, if not apocalyptic, dance music. And with any luck, Joni Mitchell's new album, rumored to be her long-overdue return to pop after years of diddling in jazz, will be released by Geffen Records (this signals a departure from hef career-long record label Asylum, but a return to Geffen, as it were). James Blood Ulmer, the innovative guitarist and walking proof that Or-nette Coleman's "harmelodic" theory lives, will also release a new album in October, as will pint-size rocker Rachel Sweet, Supertramp (their album is called "Famous Last Words," which may just be wishful thinking), Adam Ant, Merle Haggard, Garland Jeffreys and the best rookie artist of the past year, Luther Vandross.

but the legendary San Francisco eccentrics and new-music masters who almost never tour. At the end of this month, on the 30th, the club will host one of the most interesting folk-music bills of the year when Doc Watson, Dave Van Ronk and the wonderful husband-wife team of Mary McCaslin and Jim Ringer all pile into the nightclub. And looking far into the future, the Ripley has scheduled the legendary blues innovator B.B. King for a Feb. 8 concert.

Even more adventurous is the Love Club, a first-rate new place to hear the most interesting, radical new rock and pop Early next month the date is not yet firm the Love Club (located at Broad and South Streets) will play host to the German band the Abwarts, a popular and influential band in Europe. Tentatively scheduled for Oct. 9 is jazz saxophonist Oliver Lake, who's lately taken to playing radical funk and reggae music with his Jump Up! band. And in November, the Love Club will be the site of a show by Pulsallama, which was recently praised in these pages for its wonderfully witty single "The Devil Lives in My Husband's Body." Over at that bastion of post-punk whatchamacallit, the East Side Club, upcoming acts tentatively include Boston's Mission of Burma and the thin-skinned funk of Medium Medium. The jazz and new-music scene in Philadelphia will be benefited greatly by a series of concerts the Afro-American Museum will sponsor every Tuesday night starting Sept.

28. Artists featured in this series will include the redoubtable Sun. Ra, a man whose music defies category, on Sept. 28. There's also an Oct.

12 data, with David Murray and Hamiet Bluictt of the World Saxophone Quartet. Other confirmed appearances include Max Roach, Archie Shepp and Imiri Baraka, together for an evening of jazz plus poetry on Dec. Sphere, the fine group that performs versions of Thclonious another bunch of stiff-voiced monotony fans. Tnis group, however, is even more pretentious than most, working the Lord's Prayer into its tedious synthesizer rhythms. Yuk.

CATHOLIC GIRLS. "Catholic Girls" (MCA): Surprisingly tuneful pop-rock for what looks like a bad new-wave joke female rockers In Catholic school uniforms plus cheap wigs. I like gimmicks as much as the next fan, but not when it detracts from the music. Get natural, girls. VARIOUS ARTISTS, "Psychedelic Dream" (Columbia): Subtitled "A Collection of '60s Euphoria," this two-record set Collects anything garish that Columbia had lying around in its vaults, including the rights to "White Rabbit" (caveat emptor: not the Jefferson Airplane hit version), plus the inevitable "Eight Miles High" by the Byrds, and trash I never heard of by July (that's a band) and Kak (ditto).

Actually, the band that's represented most frequently Aorta, with three acts is quite goodr spacey, eclectic and intense in the way psychedelia was supposed to be. Ah, nostalgia. BLANKET OF SECRECY, "Ears Have Walls" (Warner This English trio (more about that later) had a nice debut single out a month ago, buf this debut is full down idiosyncratic genius thinks it ought to be. In the next few weeks, you can look for new albums from Alice Pop is MUSIC from 1-1 course and they aren't buying as many concert tickets either. In the last year, even big superstar acts have begun to feel the effects of this.

It's no longer a sure thing for a well-known act to sell out a concert hall. If you're not very hot indeed, there may be empty seats in that stadium. This summer, we here in Philadelphia have seen numerous examples of concerts announced only to be cancelled a few weeks later because of poor ticket sales. There will always be bands that are immune to this sort of commercial slump, but these invulnerable ones are becoming increasingly rare. One of these acts is The Who, which has sold out JFK Stadium for next Saturday.

But who's on the horizon? Do Philadelphia rock fans have to worry about a lack of live entertainment this fall? Not at all. The October schedule for the Tower Theater alone is very active. On Oct. 1, Glenn Frey, a leader of the now-defunct Eagles and' author of the fine new solo album "No Fun Aloud," will appear, with Jack Temp-chin as his opening act. Tempchin co-wrote many songs with many Eagles over the years.

On Oct. 10, Warren Zevon comes to the Tower, promoting his quirky, interesting new album "The Envoy." Even if you're not crazy about the new album, Zcvon's live shows, featuring crack lead guitarist David Landau, are invariably fascinating events, part-rock show, part-psycho-drama. And later next month, on a date not yet announced, the Tower will play host to Joe Jackson. In November, the Academy of Music will be the new site of folksinger Tom Rush's annual Thanksgiving show (presumably on Nov. 25, although the date is not yet official).

It is Rush's 25th such presentation a silver anniversary. Over at the Ripley Music Hall, that fine local establishment will feature a concert on Nov. 8 by the Residents, New albums SWEET PEA ATKINSON. "Don't Walk Away" (Island): Atkinson was the lead singer tor last year's nationwide tour by Was (Not Was), the avant-funk oddballs who scored a minor hit with the tune "Wheel Me Out." Now, the masterminds behind Was (Not Was) a duo with the unlikely names of Don Was and David Was have produced Atkinson's solo debut, and it's a lot of smart fun. Fast, crisp and funny, the album permits Atkinson to apply his ringing tenor to a wide variety of material, from catchy novelty grooves like "Girls Fall for Me" and "Dance or Die" to soaring ballads like a cover of Bachrach-David's "Anyone Who Had a Heart." Something tor everyone, if everyone has a sense of humor.

TONIO "La Bomba" (Capitol): This five-song mini-album is a bitter anti-nuke album disguised as another of Tonio K's everything-but-the-kitchen-sink productions, full of screams and corny jokes and astute art references and tough rock music. The title song is a shameless and failed rip-off of Richie Valens' "La Bamba." I know, I know, its dour obsessivenoss is part of the joke, but it's not obsessive enough. More than crazy enough, however, is "Mars Needs Women," one of Tonio's best worn-en-what-do-they-want? tunes. He's an endearing eccentric. 1 YAZ, "Upstairs at Eric's" (Sire): The latest dance-rock craze in Europe proves to be yet Cherry JJ ttmim' Temple University Theater Productions spect against the seemingly insurmountable odds of racial hatred and fear.

ARTS LEISURE by Randy Hall April 20-24, April 26-30 Stage Three Temple (Jniver- sity Center City Temple playwright Randy Hall's new prize-winning comedy about life in the Arts Leisure section of a small-town Southern newspaper. THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE by William Saroyan April 21-24, April 27-30 Tomlinson Theater William Saroyan set his play in October, 1939, in Nick's Pacific Street Saloon at the foot of the Embarcadero in San Francisco. "If there was a rule, I would break it." William Saroydn For subscription information call 787-1122, or write: Temple University Theater 13th Norris Streets Philadelphia, PA 19122 (f (I not out Monk compositions on' Oct. 26; and Jay McShann on Dec. 14.

Also on the new-music front, there's the Alternative Concert Series held at Haverford College from now until Dec. 4. Next month's schedule of events includes a performance by the James Emery Ensemble (Oct. 1) and Defunkt (Oct. 23), and upcoming, a Dec.

3 date with the David Eyges Trio featuring the remarkable drummer Sunny Murray. At Valley Forge Music Fair, "middle-of-the-road" is the operative ad-, jective for the upcoming season. Musical acts booked so far include Roy Clark on Sept. 26, Gladys Knight and the Pips on Oct. 7-10, Mel Tillis on Oct.

24, Cleo Laine and John Dank-worth on Oct. 27, Bernadette Peters (appearing with Rich Little) on Oct. 28-31, Tom Jones on Nov. 2-8, Jane Olivor on Nov. 1 1-12, Loretta Lynn on Nov? 13-14, Tony Bennett and Count Basic on Nov.

22-28, Bobby "Blue" Bland and B.B. King on Nov. 30, and Johnny Cash on Dec. 3-5. The Spectrum, as always, will present some of the biggest-selling acts in America.

On Oct. 11, 'everyone's favorite party girls, the Go-Gos, will make their debut in Philadelphia arena-rock. The following day will see Judas Priest at the arena, and several days later, on Oct. 15, Heart will headline the Spectrum, with an opening act that has recently surpassed Heart in popularity: John Cougar, who currently has two singles in the Top 10. And at the end of the month, Oct.

20, the Spectrum will be invaded by one of the few heavy-meta) bands worth lending an ear to: Van Halen. Upcoming concerts at the Spectrum in November will include George Thorogood, Linda Ronstadt, Aerosmith and Billy Joel, while December promises appearances by Rush and Pat Benatar. And from Electric Factory, the area's largest-concert promoter, comes word of a possible Bette Midler appearance date and hall to be announced. And they say rock is dead. of hokey wordplay (the title is a succinct example) and logy melodies.

Now then, about that trio: 'they won't reveal their names, but they're produced by Elvis Cos-tello's adept Roger Bechlrian, so they could be anyone. My guess is that it's a Nick Lowe put-on. I hope. 1 AEROSMITH, "Rock in a Hard Place" (Columbia): It's sad when once-vital hard rock bands outlast their usefulness, if only because there are so few of them around. The "Bitch's Brew" listed here Is not Miles Davis', don't-worry 'it's a Steven Tyler Original, if that's the right word.

But that's the real "Cry Me a River," which Tyler screams in an overstated moan. VANGELIS. "To the Unknown Man" (RCA): In a shameless attempt to cash in on his newfound glory as the author of the award-winning tearjerk score tor Chariots of Fire this best-of collection features a cover shot of a runner in mid-stride. Would that the music was that fast-moving. When I want to hear avant-Muzak, I'll go to the master: Brian Eno.

Ken Tucker Excellent. Very good. Good. Fair. Poor.

Help us narrow the gap Share our excitement. After all, what's Theater for? Main Stage ROMEO JULIET by William Shakespeare October 14-17, October 20-23 Tomlinson Theater Wal Cherry's exciting concept of Shakespeare's play sets Verona's feuding families in the world of the circus. LAUGHTER by Peter Barnes December 1-5, December 7-11 Stage Three Temple University Center City The American premiere of Peter Barnes' double bill "Tsar" and "Auschwitz." These plays are controversial, strong, humorous and frightening. Mo refunds, please! Definitely not suitable for children. STAGESTRCICK by Nat Shapiro December 2-5, December 8-11 Tomlinson Theater The premiere of Nat Shapiro's new musical revue about the theater, its people and its audience.

"Those in the cheaper seats, clap. The rest of you rattle your jeuvlry." John Lennon THE GREAT WHITE HOPE by Howard Sackler February 24-27, March 2-5 Tomlinson Theater We are proud to present this play in cooperation with Freedom Theater. The Great White Hope is the true story of one man's fight for dignity and re- Top-selling records TOP SINGLES 1. HARD TO SAY I'M SORRY, Chicago 2. ABRACADABRA, The Steve Miller Band 3.

EYE OF THE TIGER, Survivor 4. JACK AND DIANE, John Couqar 5. YOU SHOULD HEAR HOW SHE TALKS TO YOU. Melissa Manchester 6. EVEN THE NIGHTS ARE BETTER, Air Supply 7.

HOLD ME, Fleetwood Mac 8. HURTS SO GOOD, John Cougar 9. EYE IN THE SKY, 77ie Alan Parsons Project 10. TAKE IT AWAY. Paul McCartney TOP ALBUMS 1: AMERICAN FOOL.

John Cougar 2. MIRAGE, Fleetwood Mac 3. ABRACADABRA, The STeve Miller Band 4 ASIA Asia B. EMOTIONS IN MOTION, Billy Squier 6. PICTURES AT ELEVEN, Robert Plant 7.

GOOD TROUBLE, REO Speedwagon 8. VACATION, The Go Go's 9. CHICAGO 16, Chicago 10. EYE OF THE TIGER, Survivor SOUL SINGLES 1. JUMP TO rr, Aretha Franklin 2.

DANCE FLOOR, Zapp 3. YOU OROPPED A BOMB ON ME. The Gap Band 4. LOVE IS IN CONTROL, Diana Summer 5. THE MESSAGE, Grand Master Flash The Furious Five 6.

LOVE COME DOWN. Evelyn King 7. LET ME TICKLE YOUR FANCY, 'Jermaine Jackson 8. LET ME GO, Kay Parker' Jr. 9.

DON'T THROW IT ALL AWAY, Stacy Lattisaw 10. SO FINE, Howard Johnson SOUL ALBUMS 1. JUMP TO IT. Aretha Franklin 2. ZAPP II, Zapp 3.

THROWIN' DOWN, Rick James 4. 'GAP BAND IV, The Gap Band 5. JEFFREY OSBORNE, Jeffrey Osborne 6. DONNA SUMMER, Donna Summer 7. INSTANT LOVE, Cheryl Lynn 8.

THIS ONE'S FOR YOU. Teddy Pendergrasa 9. THE REAL DEAL, The Isley Brothers 10. KEEPIN; LOVE NEW, Howard Johnson COUNTRY SINGLES 1. SHE GOT THE GOLDMINE, Jerry Reed 2.

WHATS FOREVER FOR. Michael Murphey 3. DANCING YOUR MEMORY AWAY, Charly McClain 4. LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND, Kenny Rogers 5. BIG OLE BREW, Mel McDaniel 6.

PUT YOUR DREAMS AWAY, Mickey Gilley 7. The Statler Bros. 8. THIS DREAM'S ON ME, Gene Watson 9. I JUST CAME HERE TO DANCE, David Fnztell A Shelly West 10.

I WISH YOU COULD HAVE TURNED MY HEAD. Oak Ridge Boys COUNTRY ALBUMS 1. ALWAYS ON MY MIND, Willie Nelson 2. MOUNTAIN MUSIC, Alabama 3. FOR THE, SUN TO SHINE, Ricky Skaggs 4.

JUST SYLVIA, Sylvia 5. INSIDE, Ronnie Milsap 6. LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND, Kenny Rogers 7. FAMILY FINE BUT THIS ONE'S MINE. David Frinel 8.

BIG CITY, Merle Haggard 9. THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, Motion Picture Soundtrack 10. THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN THUMB, Jerry Reed Source: Billboard marjazirid.