The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise from Seguin, Texas • Page 46

THESEGU1N GAZETTE FEBRUARY 22,1979 SfiC, Stye Total Entertainment Manzanera, Pointer Sisters aim for pleasure By J.J. Syrja During his five years with the largely neglected art rock group Roxy Music, guitarist Phil Manzanera continually proposed a merger of progressive and commercial sounds. Roxy, with its sometimes bizarre, esoteric tangents, could always count on Manzanera's burning axe-playing to keep its presentation gutsy. A multi-talented craftsman, Manzanera likewise brought an ethereal touch to Roxy's British camp the guitar gave him a name, depth was his game. Manzanera's third solo disc to be released in this country, K-Scope (on Polydor) builds on intracacies and simplicity.

The ten cuts sound surprisingly light for the first several listenings, until one concentrates on the ensemble playing, where the players are as unselfish and tasty as can be. Like John McLaughlin's Electric Guitarist record, Manzanera molds just what he wants for each track by pairing his-own players (drummer Simon Phillips and bassist Bill McCormick) with saxophonist Mel Collins (check your album covers; he's everywhere), keyboardist Eddie Rayner and other guest vocalists and instrumentalists. For the most straightforward rockers, Roxy skinsman Paul Thompson is at the helm; when the mood is goofy, U.K. singer John Wetton obliges. There are problems, however, with lyrics.

The diffuse themes of "Remote Control" and "Cuban Crisis," while musically enticing, are reminiscent of an X-rated film that strains for a message. Tim Finn's vocal approach (somewhat like Stephen Stills') keeps the words from going off the deep end, but that's about all. McCormick's singing on the child-like "Gone Flying" works much better this tune is a dreamy, restrained wonder, pinned down by a catchy rhythm pattern. K-Scope's real screamers are the instrumentals. For the title workout, virtuosity of extraordinary nature meets the bright riffing of rock basics.

"Hot Spot," with Finn's amusing singing, zips from Collins' squeamish sax to Little Feat-type funk. Manzanera's solo, pushed between beats with a beautiful tone a la Jimi Hendrix' "Freedom," carries the performance off effortlessly. Phil's stinging lines for the Latin-ish "N-Shift" and the roaring "Slow Motion TV" charge with abandon, not excess volume. K-Scope's Roxy member toughest moments find Manzanera in typically great form. The Pointer Sisters, rebounding from a dismal Having a Party, aim for the pleasure zone with their first release for Planet Records, Energy.

Sister Bonnie has left the group, but they've come up with a wonderful hit in Bruce Springsteen's song "Fire," their first in three years. A little of the Pointers' buoyancy is gone, with Richard Perry's overly strong production leaving little room for nuance. In spite of disappointing ren- Complete Listings tor Feb. 22 thru Feb. 28 PHIL MANZANERA: an instrumentalist of power and restraint.

ditions of Sly and the Family Stone's "Everybody is a Star" and Logging and Messina's "Angry Eyes," Energy possesses a lovable, gritty bounce. Allen Toussaint's "Happiness," an infectious dance tune, and "Fire" highlight side two. Particularly intelligent is the revival of three little- known pop songs: Steely Dan's "Dirty Work" (left off of Dan's greatest hits package), Fleetwood Mac's "Hypnotized" (a Bob Welch number from 1973) and "Come and Get Your Love," a Russ Ballard chestnut once done by Roger Dai- trey. Unlike their last effort, you can dance to the Pointer Sister's Energy without wincing. Along the Red Ledge Daryl Hall and John Ontes (RCA): For the last half of 1978, Red Ledge won unanimous praise from those not expecting the all-out rock attack on its second side.

From that standpoint, Hall and Oatcs were comeback artists of the year to some. But that's a jab at the records their commercial breakthrough in 1975 records that have been consistently listenable, though not quite as exciting as this one. Tracks on Wax Dave Edmunds (Swan Song): If Edmunds could score a hit with one of these superb tunes Boys" and "Television" are certainly worthy of Edmunds' only U.S. hit, 1970's "I Hear You Knockin' the feat would benefit everybody. And give them a lesson in conviction this Welsh-born singer, guitarist and writer revitalizes long-forgotten means of direct expression with all the flair of Springsteen and Southside Johnny.

Inside: Movies, Sports, Specials, Three Crossword Puzzles, Horoscope Guide, Mayfield's and more! 1979 "Miss Seguin Pageant of Royalty "Weekend Feuer" Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum February 2405, 1979 7:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Seguin Gazette it Coliseum Actiuities FEBRUARY 23-MARCH 1, 1979 Friday Feb. 23 30 p.m. Miss Seguin Dress Rehearsal Saturday Feb. 24 7:30 p.m.

Miss Seguin Preliminaries Sunday Feb. 25 7:30 p.m. Miss Seguin Finals Tuesday Feb. 27 12 noon Rotary Club Meeting Hermann Sons Dance Class Kiwanis Club Meeting Hermann Sons Feb. 27 12 noon 3 p.m.

Wednesday Feb. 28 12 noon 3p.m. Thursday Dance Class March 1 1:30 p.m. Ava Elsik Dance Class Tickets Saturday February 24 3.00 Sunday February 25 Student! 14 and Under Rewrued.