University of South Carolina Libraries
Com msmmmum i Efwood (Aykroy By Lehman Stiles Assistant Entartainmant Editor The first question to an about The Blues Brothers' c album is why anyone would pi an album of recycles blues from the Sixties by people Delbert MClinton. The se question to answer is why two successful sketch comedians v go through the time and effort that. The third question to ar is why does it all work so w< The first two probably car answered; it's just one of tilings: as tne aioum cover pi "Jake had a vision." As to v all sounds so good, the onl planation is that it is good; something very rare these i real music. Contempor me n S@ 18C c l icdy te tt| | ?x.y &. HBK;::*: > / ' >. fd) and Jake (Belushi) The Blues Brothers, of cours are Dan Aykroyd and John Belus of Saturday Nicht Live, the she swer that made staying home < lebut Saturday night ob . Their albui it out Briefcase Full of Blues (Elwood hits er, Aykroyd carries his harmoni like onstage in a briefcase handcuff cond to his wrist), is a straightforwar very exhilarating collection vould screaming, frightening blues. T1 to do is no ioke. folks. iswer Belushi and Aykroyd ha ell? portrayed some memorab I't be characters that have become pi those of the culture in their vario its it, ventures: Aykroyd as "head" /hy it the wonderful Conehead fam y ex- and foil to Steve Martin in t it is classic Czech brothers ski days: Belushi as a remarkably versat Samurai soldier and the infamc ury hairstyling for n & women '7. . ' 7. * ;.' ' Pr ' _ -v ''^-~." "^P'>' | Wr g*v ' * ~2 - as - p jHKf?MglGfl|HRH S^F~ViV*r v^'^ El Centra )1 Main Street/Jefferson Squai olurnbia, South Carolina 29201 Telephone: (803) 779-8325 <8>REDKEN" lamhi John 'Bluto' Blutarsky, destroyer of Faber College in "Animal House." But somehow, none of these characters is as powerful and believable as Joliet Jake and Elwood Blues. In some sense, The Blues il DHntkoM.) n lif? Ijl>i uuici o ?iaji y?savcuuuitia iiic of crime by a black bluesmanjanitor named Curtis ? appeals to all music lovers. You find yourself wanting desperately to believe that Belushi and Aykroyd are former gas-station-robbers and that they learned the blues in the basement of a Catholic orphanage. It's easy to do when you hear the music. There is absolutely no reasor that Aykroyd and Belushi shoulc be able to handle this sort of thing I Other than a letter-perfec imitation of Joe Cocker by Belushi neither has the talent supposedly needed to sell records. But th< music on this album is some of th< best to come out in this half of th< decade ? steaming, emotion packed, slice-of-life stuff. Belush sounds as if he's been saved by thii _1 music, as if it's all he lives for. H< 'w brings the same insanely untitles 1)11 power to his voice that he brings t 11? his comedy. "J The album is funny in spots, bu that is obviously not the mail Diiroose of this venture. Listeninj ?f to this music makes you glai 118 you're alive, a trait associated witi only a very few modern artists. It' ve the feeling you used to get listenin to vintage Beach Boys ? all is we us I ev i at Cata A r, l > ! | Take the coupon with y Area and ski all day an Thursday, for only $1C | ($6 lift ticket and $4 eq Enjoy the free, open fe( skiing at this special rat ; Cataloochee, in Maggi Cataloochee has 8 slop i trails, beginner to expe longest run 5300 ft., vertical drop 740 ft. I Three lifts (chair, T-bar and rope), plus the best up-to-date rental equipment if you don't bring your as hit with the world; there's sti something out there worth singii about. Belushi and Aykroyd's act a production, carefully staged ai presented, but the music ris above the occasion, and The Blu Brothers rise with it. The album opens strongly wi "Uavt Dn??fnn^Att '' n n?im Knr f ncjr liqi iviiuvi | a huaumvi u Brothers performed on Saturd Night, and moves through the fii side quickly. It's the second si that really opens up the bar composed of such notables as Tc Scott, and gives Belushi the chan to exploit that gravelly, insinuati voice that sounds so good on the songs. His chip-on-the-should vocal style just adds that mu i more energy to Aykroyd's craz I harmonica riffs and the bam t | 5 | Once in a Lif - Bell Camp Outd 5 t : i *Outdoor Recreat 1 s I ^Services Availab P iS s 1 Sign-Up For B Recreational t | Courses include g | Snow Skiing, H h j Camping & C g I Russell House Ballrc 11 i I ?UM loochee ou to Catalooohee Ski iy day Monday ? ESS uipment rental.) Mfltp sling of uncrowded fx A eat JM e Valley, NC. f A, '978b D For ski cor m mm mm album 111 tough-guy backup. This is a force ig to be reckoned with. is Aykroyd suggests in the innd troduction that "by 2006, the blues es will exist only in the classical es records section of your local public library", not as long as the Blues th Rrnthprs nrp sinffinff thorn Thpv he manage to emphasize the elements ay of the blues that make them appeal st to all races and ages ? the selfde effacing pity, the contrariness of id, humanity. Even if you're not a >m black janitor named Curtis, and ce even if you're not a Catholic orng phan, desperate and on the lam, &e you are going to like this music. As er Joliet Jake screams between eh numbers. "I suflcest vou buv as ;ed many blues albums as you can!" fl's Start with this one. Fetime Experience I oor Recreational Fair 1 ional Products For SaleM le ^Demonstrations 1j ell Camp Outdoor I Courses Begins I I V* I I ffl' orseoacK Kiaing, ana | )utdoor Cooking. 1 torn Jan. 22-24 9:30-6:30 8 si s ^* t t\/ i/' X / hw ;'$4" r Equipment I Rental g| ^ n rea 8i Lift Tickct rhis coupon good for special I equipment and $6 lift rates, i - ] ? Thu only, when presented [ ] Cataloochee Ski Area in the 79 season This cou pon m ust ! ; i e presented for special rates. ? j Valid for one person only Bra editions call (704) 926 1401 | m i mm h hP