Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Earth, BY CHUCK CROMER 0 Entertainment Editor c There appears to be a new F generation of black music that has ii become popular around the E country the last few years that could symbolically be termed t4 "Black Soul Rock." v Varying somewhat drastically b from the traditional soul most of us s have known in the past that em- p phasized a rhythmatic vocal s harmony with a minimal use of instrumentation, black soul rock tj makes a point of centering on the m instruments, but never tries to b dominate the vocalists. f4 Thus, the music tempo is much V quicker and louder, allowing for e lengthier arrangements where the b performers may display a great p deal of their musical experties, if b they have any. Whether the traditional soul a artists like James Brown or c Marvin Gaye can be replaced by d this- new music is still un- IN determined, yet there is little doubt p they feel the competitive threat to their positions. u Some of the more famous names a mRu TUESI APRI saaD IN NE R Wind a f this Black Soul Rock genre in lude the Ohio Players, B.T. Ex ress, the Commodores, Billy Ireston and the band that played i Columbia Saturday night, arth, Wind and Fire. From the beginning, it was easy > see the planning of the concert ras pathetic. Major Harris, the ackup band for the first act, was till having a sound check at 7:50 .m., just 10 minutes before the 2heduled showtime. The tape system aired during the iirty minute intermission bet 'een sets was quite ill-conceived, eing a totally white oriented tape !aturing the Who and Elton John. lith about 95 per cent of the stimated .;,000 in attendance eing black, one might have ex ected to hear a tape filled with lack artists. With only half the crowd having rrived, the concert finally 3mmenced when a local radio isc jockey, Bobby Z, introduced [ajor Harris and his band at 8:30 .m. Major Harris is a relatively riknown entity around Columbia, rid judging from his performance DDE SEA PLA FRIEE FRII FILl lAY LB8 rid Fire before a less than appreciative audience he'll remain that way. c With three-part female harmony ti and a backup band that showed a anything but enthuriasm, Harris e ran through about five numbers off n his Atlantic album, My Way. c Their musical format was too ti predictable with Harris' untrained voice singing slow-paced numbers g "Loving You Is Mellow" and t] "Wishing I Still Had You." After 'I Harris' last number the audience n applauded his departure with a si- r gh of relief. c A thirty minute intermission v ensued before the next band was scheduled to play, during which I almost fell asleep. At 9:30, I was aroused out of my slumber by what seemed to be a Black Muslim Priest who introduced Earth, Wind and Fire amid smoke and flames on the front of the stage. With a bang of a huge gong and an explosion of smoke the nine piece band that featured four percussionists, two guitars, bass, one keyboard player and a ver satile brass man, made their ap pearance with a s)iort instrumental opener. FOOD TT E R D SHRIMP - N ED SCALLOPS - .ET OF FLOUNDER Mg USH PUPPIES tENCH FRIES )LE SLAW 6RL3C BREAD 1.65 INS Sanvuca enterti storms Earth, Wind, and Fire has t eated a name for itself through t ht instrumental arrangements, highly energized stage show, e cellent vocal harmonies and r usical diversification. All were c mbined Saturday night to make o em a delight to see and hear. s Earth, Wind and Fire gave a t od performance that exemplifies b is surging trend in black music. fi ie first half of their seventyt inute set was dominated by three s ther lengthy numbers that in- fi uded "Drum Song" and "Evil", ith assorted short selections from Monday Student $ C U.S. Choic Choice of ] Salad Bar Tea or Cof Reser S741 Colu NEW SCHOLARS TO BECOME / THE NUCLEAR I Provides full scholarship for books, educational fees. Il expenses. to qualify, you must have coi of calculus and physics, or 2 have a B-average or better Depending on how you do, ye your senior year for the Nuci as a Naval Nuclear Officer Deadline for application is Buck Brinson at 2711 MiddI 765-5991, or any NROTC fac for a chance in really be S dnment city heir last three albums in ermingled in the montage. This long first set was a perfect xample of black soul rock. The umbers were mostly intrumentpl, hanging from a fast to a slow pyce n the tempo of the flute And axophone. Vocals at this point of le show were secondary to the reathtaking panorama of nine nely-tuned musicians. The keyboards player and axophonist were a continuous joy >r me as they could belt out the Continued on Page 6 Night Special 9 Inc. Tax e Steak Potato 'fee vations Please 799-6303 m-%,e Saluda Ave.-5 Points mbia, S.C. 29205 IlIP HELPS YOU k LEADER IN ENERGY FIELD Jr. and Sr. years.. .tuition, 'lus...$00 a month living npleted one semester each semesters of calculus, and bu'll be interviewed during ear Program and training 15 April. Contact LTJG eburg Dr., Columbia, SC, ulty member, Flinn Hall, *meone Special.