The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 94

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers MODERN LOVERS '88 Rounder he once sang on the legend- ary Koaarunner, Jonathan Richman is still in love with the modern world. His Peabo's secret lifeEtta's incendiary soul gift makes the listener love it To Know" and "We Need It Bad." But he rebounds quickly with the muscular title track, an upbeat cut filled with hope with Bryson promising to "Stop feeling sorry, stop feeling sad." He's obviously RICHMAN the world-wide lover singing about his underrated status. Kevin Connal Etta James TELL MAMA Chess These are historic soul sessions from an Etta James visit to Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala. during the summer of 1967. Fame Studios was a magnet for such singers as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Clarence Carter, but none hit a more incendiary groove than Etta, whose wailing vocals were lifted even higher when matched with the hottest studio musicians outside of Memphis.

This newly reissued album finds Etta cutting loose in all directions. There is the soulful authority of "Tell Mama," which later became a hit for Janis Jop-lin; and the tough-as-nails ballad, "I'd Rather Go Blind," which Rod Stewart later performed. Etta's voice dips, dives. also. Like a sinceresilly cross between Wally Cleaver and Pee Wee Herman, Richman retains a sense of wonder and excitement.

On "I Have Come Out to he gleefully announces that he's "Gonna ride my bike past the root beer stand, purple squirt gun in my hand." A tribute to the Marx Brothers on "When Harpo Played His Harp" shows just the right amount of reverence. Using the sparest of lineups guitar, vocals and drums, skip the bass the band plays "Dancing Late at Night at a California Desert Party," a lighthearted frolic that can be best summed up by the lines "I love those hot nights, when a T-shirt feels right." In Richman's world, familiar joys are to be praised and new ones explored. An artist in the process of maturing? Not really. A singer with heart who's not ashamed to still have fun? You bet. David Emerson Beat Happening JAMBOREE Rough Trade You could make the case that a minimalist punk record is an anomaly.

But if your sensibilities lie a few yards to the left of the mainstream, you're sure to enjoy this spare, offbeat record from Beat Happening, a trio from Olympia, Wash. The fact that Bret, Heather, and Calvin (no last names) trade instruments on different songs isn't so much testimony to their versatility as evidence of brash exuberance that you often find in a young band. But it's tolerable because Beat Happening isn't trying to pass itself off as anything more than three musicians stretching the boundaries a little. True, some of the tricks are shopworn, but when the tricks work, as on "Indian Summer," the band creates two-minute streaks of Cramps-flavored guitar rock that ring true. Lyrically, the songs are little more than simple rhymes and innocent observations yet they capture honest, uncut emotions.

The album isn't for everyone but they aren't looking for mass appeal. Michael Dowdlng Peabo Bryson POSITIVE Elektra The cancellation of a recent area appearance by Peabo Bryson because of the lack of ticket sales indicate that Bryson remains a well kept secret. This is a shame. With this album, Bryson proves to be every bit as versatile as Luther Vandross, every bit as impassioned as Jeffrey Osbourne, and every bit as romantic as Freddie Jackson. The album-opening "Come On Over" is a convincing ballad boosted by a surge of soothing sax swirls, as Bryson assumes the role of cool but cocky poseur awaiting his mystery lady's arrival.

"Without You" is a steamy duet with Regina Belle. "Hurt" transcends to the Big Band Era with its finger-popping rhythms and loungey piano fills. Bryson gets briefly weighted down in cliche-ladened lyrics on "I Want Take 6 TAKE 6 Reprise Can this be six voices with one mind? For sheer technical skill. Take 6 demolishes other a cappella outfits. Their songs are rhythmically inviting and they avoid the cliches that other a cappella groups use to mask uninspired counterpoint and gaps in the harmonies.

Take 6 comes from a gospel tradition, but they apparently wanted to emphasize their vocal virtuosity and seamless interplay to the point that they sometimes vitiate the emotional drive of the more gospel-flavored songs with too much slickness. The best efforts are the swinging, jazz-inflected "Gold Mine" and "Quiet Place," something of an homage to Brian Wilson's pioneering vocal arrangements for the Beach Boys. The group is probably a killer concert act. This is the album to play for people who think that a cappella is inherently limited, antiquated or boring. Richard Cromonic Continued on Page 10 quavers and then explodes.

In one song she lashes out at her man mother-in-law makes me in another she plays savvy love counselor telling a girlfriend 'Don Lose Your Good Thing." There's also a whomping version of Otis Redding Security. This is Etta in her prime soul music with no holding back. Steve Morse VI till, u.ij Over a 4 Course Gourmet Meal Thurs -Sat 7:30 p.m. Sun. Brunch 1 OO p.m.

For Reservations, call 868-1470 CAMBRIDGE UonTamer Weekends. Start A Sunday Brunch Tradition At Boylston Park. (Kids 10 or under eat free.) 1 rWripTn itep A inn SQ GoOutLikeALamb. If the workaday world's turning you IVr room per ntRht, into a real animal, come spend a weekend nKbicayas.lorlwo.l wjth of gj, your creature If you have anorexia or bulimia, you Ve got our respect At The Renfrew Center respect is the basis for our program one of the most innovative, progressive and comprehensive eating disorder programs in the country. Where people actively participate in their treatment in a countryside setting.

Call for more information ahout The Renfrew Center, the first residential treatment facil- ity exclusively for people wih TUL anorexia and I bulimia. RENFREW JCAU approved. CENTER 47" Sprint: Lane. I'hilauVlphw. I'A KII2S c'l'ii S4I5 comforts, from cleaning and cooking to fun and games.

Let us tame you. To book your Lion Tamer Weekend, just call the Sheraton Rolling GreenAndover, the Sheraton Portsmouth Hotel, the Sheraton Plymouth at Village Landing or the Sheraton Lincoln Hotel. Or call your travel agent. Sheraton The hospitality people of III Every Sunday at Boylston Park Cafe, we put on our Sunday best. Prime rib, stuffed lobster, all the shrimp you can eat, salads, eggs Benedict, pastries the list is almost as long as our table.

All for just $25 per person. Brunch is served from 11:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. So call 236-2000, ext. 4180 for reservations.

We're sure our Sunday Brunch will become one of your favorite traditions. Boylston GJtitkD Sheraton Rolling Green HotelAndover .311 Lowell Andover, MA 0 1 8 1 0 (61714755400 Sheraton Portsmouth Hotel 250 Market Portsmouth, N.H.0380I (6031431-2300 Sheraton Plymouth at Village Landing i 80 Water Plymouth, MA 02360 6171747-4900 Sheraton Lincoln Hotel 500 Lincoln Worcester, MA 01605 (617)852 4000 Late Prudential Center. Boston MA 02199 The Sheraton Boston Hotel Towers The hospitality people of ITT 236-2000 Oiler Rcxxllridav. Saturday anil Sunday evening; only. Taxes and jraluilicscKlra.

l-inulcdavailabilily. Reservations must be made inadvance this oflercannol be used with any other package or special promotion and is not applicable to groups. HOW'S YOUR ALMA MATER DOING? CHECK SCHOOL SPORTS TUESDAY, IN THE GLOBE. 'Does not include tax and jrratuities. Children lOorundcreat free when accompanied by an adult.

1988 The Sheraton Corporation iwAi.jww-i'.