finishing the book I was able to rock, blues and jazz. Catapulted
connect to the substance which had along by Southside Johnny's gutsy
begun to fall into place, each vocals, this album never lets up
small shred made from past experi- for a minute. Though it is Johnny
ences, struggle, pain, bits of joy, who is the focal point of attention
and mostly from turning to appre- the entire group is outstanding.
ciate the man. Just an ordinary Notably, guitarist Willy Rush and
man struggling, waiting, wondering, the horn section add dimension to
through his own particular search the ten songs. The band proves it-
and able to write quite well about self to be as good with a ballad
the process he followed. (Wait in Vain) as on the uptempo
Interestingly and sadly it has numbers which dominate the L.P.
been similar failures that have
kept me from closeness with a
rather large number of people. POP
This is one of those books _—_ '
that should be read in its entirety Melissa Manchester - Arista
The real power of the book comes
only when it is considered as a Manchester's eighth album for
whole. Half—traveled journeys are the label has her tackling some
usually unfulfilling. spicy rock-oriented tracks in addi—
Doug Burnham tion to her trademark ballads.
"Pretty Girls", the first single
from the set has Manchester at her
393 lusty best, while another uptempo
rocker, "How Does It Feel Right
Robert Palmer - Secrets Now?" also shows more spark and
spunk than past Manchester releases
With each album, Palmer has come But the best cut on the album may
closer to hitting the rock/pop be a mellow, softly sung version of
mainstream but never has he been "Whenever I Call You Friend" which
more on the bull's—eye than with she co-wrote with Kenny Loggins and
this album. Palmer's distinctive which he made into a top five sin-
style, encompassing blends of R&B, gle a year ago. Tower of Power
pop, and rock, all meld into a co- horn section augments a six-man
hesive and accessible musical form. rhythm section on several of the
In addition to his own material, cuts.
Palmer interprets Todd Rundgren's
"Can We Still Be Friends?" Pal-
mer's singing is razor sharp and POP
expressive and the playing by Pal- ___
mer's band rocks solidly. The pro- Nicolette Larson - In the Nick of
duction, like the album's contents, Time
is clean and intelligent. Solid Ex—backup singer larson, who
band backup. Best cuts: "Bad Case scored a big hit with Neil Young's
of Loving You", "Jealous", "Can We "Lotta Love" is back with a strong
Still Be Friends", "Under Suspi- second set. The production value
cion", "Love Stop". on the LP is superb as is the musi-
cianship provided by some of L.A.'s
first rank sidemen. Larsons
£93 throaty, husky vocal style is in-
tact as she ranges over rock, pop,
Southside Johnny and the Asbury and jazz flavored tunes. Strings
Jukes and horns embellish the final pro-
- duct, one that should not be missed.
This veteran group's first for
Mercury is a high-powered blend of
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