The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 80

22 Friday. May 29, lflSi Philadelphia Inquirer His album i jsM "rc Billboard mawilne Top Singles is right on the money 1. Bette Davis Eyes Kim Carnes 2. Being With You Smokey Robinson 3. Medley Stars on 45 4.

Sukiyaki A Taste of Honey 5. Take It on the Run REO Speedwagon 6. Living Inside Myself Gino Vannelli 7. Just the Two of Us Grover Washington Jr. Bill Withers 8.

A Woman Needs Love Ray Parker Jr. Raydio 9. Too Much Time on My Hands Styx 10. Watching the Wheels John Lennon Top Albums 1 1 mm, IIT, mi 1. Hi Infidelity REO Speedwagon 2.

Paradise Theater Styx 3. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap AC-DC 4. Arc of a Diver Steve Win wood 5. Moving Pictures Rush 6. Winelight Grover Washington Jr.

7. Mistaken Identity Kim Carnes 8. Face Dances The Who 9. Face Value Phil Collins 10. Hard Promises Tom Petty the Heart-breakers Country Singles 1.

Elvia The Oak Ridge Boys 2. FriendsAnywhere There's a Jukebox Razzy Bailey- -tt 3. What Are We Doin' in Love? Dottie West 4. I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal John Anderson 5. But You Know I Love You Dolly Par- ton 6.

Blessed Are the Believers Anne Mur-ray 7. Seven Year Ache Rosanne Cash 8. Louisiana Saturday Night Mel Mc Daniel 9. A Million Old Goodbyes Mel Tillis 10. The Baron Johnny Cash By Jack Lloyd Inquirer Entertainment Writer "They're killing the old man," said Gary U.

S. Bonds. "I'll tell you, they show no mercy, these young people." An infectious burst of laughter made it clear that Bonds was not really complaining about the heavy pace set for him by the promotion people currently involved in his career. After all, it's been nearly 20 years since Bonds has had the benefit of such attention. The reason is a recently released album for EMI America titled "Dedication," which showcases the potent Bonds vocal technique in collaboration with Bruce Springsteen, Miami Steve Van Zandt and all the gang from the Street Band.

Suddenly it's like old times for Bonds. In this case, old times go back to the early 1960s, when Bonds had a brief fling at the top of the best-selling record world with such hits as "New Orleans" and "Quarter to Three." But with the emergence of the Beatles and a whole new philosophy of rock music, fame vanished as quickly as it materialized. "But I have no complaints," Bonds said. "Over the years, I managed to stay in the business and support my family a wife I've been married to for the last 18 years and a daughter. Bonds remained in the business, by working the rock 'n' roll revival working the disco spots when disco was hot and performing on the lounge circuit.

That's how he met Springsteen about three years ago, playing a North Jersey lounge. "I didn't even know who Bruce Springsteen was," Bonds said, "but when he came in there was a lot of excitement, and I kept asking, 'Who is this Finally, I invited him on stage and he asked if he could sit in with my band. I said, 'Sure, what do you want to and he said 'Quarter to Well I figured I knew that song but I was a little-surprised he knew it. So hersat in for my guitar player and the "place i went wildvf iV-'. vt "We got to be good friends," Bonds said'We hung out a lot together." Eventually, Springsteen told Bonds that he had' some songs left over after completing his "The River" album.

"He said, "They sound more -like you than Bonds said. So Bonds and Springsteen, along with Springsteen's Street Band and Bonds' own group, went into the studio and recorded "Dedication" (the LP's title track), "This Little Girl" and with Springsteen producing. In the meantime. Van Zandt a key member of the Street Band and a longtime Bonds fan excited about the project and offered to produce enough additional material to fill lout the album. "It's the best thing that's happened to me Gary U.S.

Bonds, whose Hew album is plays Emerald City tonight Soul Singles PopRock 1. What Cha Gonna Do for Me? Chaka Khan 2. A Woman Needs Love Ray Parker Jr Raydio 3. Give It to Me, Baby Rick James 4. Sukiyaki A Taste of Honey disco craze.

"I think dance music is great," he said, "but with most of that disco stuff, you had to be Fred Astaire to dance to iL Hey, I just learned how to do the twist." Bonds, now 41, was a young man singing with a group in Norfolk, when he was approached by Frank Guida with a song he had co-written called "New Orleans." It was Guida's idea to change the singer's name from Gary Anderson to Garv U. S. Bonds, and Bonds had no knowledge of the move until the record was released. Bonds says he wasn't especially fond of "New Orleans" when he recorded it, but the song became "a hit: He was even less enthusiastic about "Quarter to Three." "I thought it was awful," he said. "I actually cried and begged and pleaded that they wouldn't release that thing.

I hated it." Bonds had a somewhat better feeling about the release of "Dedication," He has clearly finally come to grips with his instincts. Since my inom ahd dad," Bonds said. Bonds, who will be appearing with his band at Emerald City, Cherry Hill, tonight. said he had never really given up hope of returning to big-time status. "I guess it might sound funny saying it now.

hut I knew something would happen. I have to admit, though, I never guessed that it would be this big. I mean, this is fantastic," he said. Over the years, Bonds learned the fine art ot Even during the disco boom, he-adapted more or less." i "I would go into these discos and give them enough of what they wanted," he said, but maybe 70 percent of the songs would be things 1 wanted to do. They didn't seem to know the difference as long as they kept selling drinks." Bonds was generally indifferent toward the O.

IIMIIIIIIIUI IWUI LUIC VJUJJ UUilU 6. Make That Move Shalmar 7. Two Hearts Stephanie Mills 8. When Love Calls Atlantic Starr 9. How 'Bout Us Champaign 10.

Paradise Change Sourct: Biiltward magazmt 1 Albums emphasis on the talking-blues style. Bare sings a selection of songs written by Willie Nelson. Guy Clark. Tom T. 1 1 HaH, Ian Tyson and TowneS Van Zandt.

although one of the best songs included. "Dollar Pool was written by a complete unknown. W. M. Cowart.

Among the other exceptional songs is Clark's "Let Him Roll," which comes close to Bare's old earthy style. DAVIO SANBORN Voyeur (Warner Bros Sanborn, a hot session tenor sax virtuoso on the Los Angeles re-cording scene tot the last few years, has produced a very tasty album here: With subtle, imaginative instrumental support, he moves nicely for the pleasing jazz feel of "All I Need Is You" to the funkier approach of -wane Me When It's Over" to the rhythmic texture of "It's You." He. makes a strongand lor melodies. With this release. Miss Williams continues to solidify ner I position as a class -singer -songwriter.

She recorded this LP in collaboration with producer Thorn Bell, who also wrote most of the material with Miss WiHiams. who began her. career several years ago- as a member of Stevie Wonder's' voca backup group, Wonderlove. Although her roots are Miss Williams transcends -easy categorization wim this collection of material and her versatile presentation. There are nice ballads, such as "Silly" and "Sweet Surrender." and a number of appealing upbeat tunes, including "What Two Can Do" and "Suspicious." BOBBY BARE As Is (Columbia): Country singer Bare takes a more conventional approach on this release than he is known for.

Instead of the raucous story-songs, with ELTON JOHN The Fo iGelfin Records: For his debut. on a new record label, John has produced an ambitious album that was recorded in France. England and America with mixed Once again he is collaborating with lyricist Bernie Jaupin on at least a part-time basis. Most of the other tur.es- were written with Gary Osborne. One exception is a love song titled "tlton's written by John and Tom Robinsort.

There are a number of pleasing moments on the LP. including "Breaking Down "Just Like Belgeum" and Side 2 kicks off with John performing a piano piece supported by the London Symphony, which serves as an interesting break in the straight pop approach. A few of the selections lean to the banal. DENIECE WILLIAMS My Melody (ARCColumbia) Styx: The No. 2 album 1.