They say the thing that distinguishes man from beast (other than overweening pride, disgusting greed and murderous rage) is the ability to use tools. Still, when it comes to art, it`s hard to shake the notion that individual skill and creativity should have at least as big a role as the machines do. Yet an increasingly sophisticated array of audio equipment and techniques makes that unnecessary.
All you really need to get a hit today is a body, preferably one that looks fetching in a music video. Of course, studio musicians and what used to be called double-tracking hid many of the deficiencies of past stars. But the use today of samples and tape loops in the studio and lip-synching and tape-enhanced instrumentals and vocals in concert seem to be taking the practice to a whole new level. And if you don`t think it`s successful, consider how many records have been sold by the lineup of Milli Vanilli, Seduction and Young MC, who appear tonight at Poplar Creek.
The hirsute, high-stepping duo of Milli Vanilli has passed the 6 million mark with its debut album, racked up four No. 1 hits (”Girl You Know It`s True,” ”Baby Don`t Forget My Number,” ”Girl I`m Gonna Miss You” and
”Blame It on the Rain”), won three American Music Awards and then a Grammy for best new artist.
Milli Vanilli is back on the charts now with a new album (while the first record still hovers in the Top 100), half of which consists of remixed versions of songs that originally appeared on that 6 million-plus seller. But the duo (or rather producer Frank Farian) came up with a slick, safe, smart mix of Europop and urban dance music that has the happy twosome now hip-hopping across stages worldwide, lip-syncing (at least at times) to big international hits.
A new wave of ”girl groups” (like many of the originals in the `60s) is another example of the triumph of technology and marketing. These mix-and-match models are picked for looks and demographic appeal and march to the beat of not their own but their producer`s drum (machine). Seduction`s lineup, for example, was chosen for its appeal across ethnic lines, just as its simple mix of commercial pop, dance, salsa and rap was designed to reach the broadest range of radio formats. The group didn`t even exist when the first
”Seduction`s Theme” hit record was released, and only one woman on the current tour was involved in that effort. That didn`t stop Seduction`s debut album from spawning three hit singles and going gold.
The one genuine talent in this bunch could be Young MC. Young bounded to the head of the rap pack after co-writing Tone-Loc`s smash ”Wild Thing” (and assisting in the follow-up, ”Funky Cold Medina”) and releasing a best-selling debut album, ”Stone Cold Rhymin` ” featuring the hit ”Bust a Move.” Along with the requisite def dance moves, Young also has a way with words. ”Rhymin` ” was a smart, funny effort that also hinted at more serious concerns. His harder, more politically aware collaboration with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare on their rap-reggae album ”Silent Assassin” is said to be a preview of things to come for the Young performer.
Other shows of note
Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Friday at Buddy Guy`s Legends:
Returning to town to showcase a new album, ”Peace of Mind,” is the former Roomful of Blues guitarist, session player behind Lou Rawls, Earl King, Hubert Sumlin, Nappy Brown, Big Joe Turner and many others, and one of the few young white bluesmen who can play a blues ballad with as much fire and conviction as he does an uptempo number.
Stanley Clarke and George Duke, with Dianne Reeves, Friday at Star Plaza: Though fusion player/producers Clarke and Duke are the established and experienced names, opener Reeves is the real risk taker and ultimately the more satisfying performer here. Clarke and Duke`s latest album and their third together, ”3,” is a fairly predictable funk-and-fusion set, while Reeves`
releases (produced by her cousin and headliner here, George Duke) are sparkling, creative sets of straight-ahead jazz, sophisticated soul and bright African-influenced urban dance music.
Michael Penn, Lloyd Cole and Victoria Williams, Friday at the Vic: Pop music for adults from Michael Penn, whose rather McCartney-esque solo debut,
”March,” slowly built into a hit; moody rocker Lloyd Cole, who recently released his solo debut following the dissolution of his old band, the Commotions; and the munchkin-voiced country-cabaret-art-folkie, Victoria Williams.
Sounds of Freedom Festival, Friday and Saturday at Southend Musicworks:
Southend (now in its new home at 1313 S. Wabash Ave.) offers a miniature international music fest featuring Pierre Dorge and the New Jungle Orchestra Friday and Hamza El Din Saturday. Guitarist Dorge and his band perform an exciting mix of Ellingtonian big band, world beat and free jazz music. Sudanese musician Hamza El Din is a skilled player of the oud (a stringed instrument resembling the lute) and master of Upper Nile musical traditions.
Shoes, Saturday at Cubby Bear: One of the Midwest`s finest power-pop bands has been making a comeback recently, reissuing some of its past work
(including a best-of set featuring the semihit ”Tomorrow Night”) and then a new album, ”Stolen Wishes,” which is turning into an impressive indie success. Now, wonder of wonders, Shoes is even doing a small national tour. Catch `em quick before they disappear into their Zion studio for another 10 years.
Consolidated, the Gear Daddies and the Francos, Saturday at Cabaret Metro: Prepare for a l-o-n-g night in this three-for-the-price-of-one show. The Francos open, followed by Minnesota`s country-angst experts, the Gear Daddies. The San Francisco-based collective Consolidated plays industrial dance rock with a message. Its recent debut, ”The Myth of Rock,” unleashes a relentless assault on racism, sexism and the business of music in such tracks as ”Product,” ”Fight the Fascists,” ”Stop the War Against the Black Community” and ”White American Male (The Truth Hurts).” Surprising and powerful stuff.
”Stars & Guitars,” Saturday and Sunday at Alpine Valley: Hard-rock guitars and heavy metal stars Johnny Crash, Bonham (led by Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham), hard-rock guitar whiz Joe Satriani, Tesla and headliners Motley Crue.
Happy Mondays, Monday at Cabaret Metro: Another happy find from the current music hotspot, Manchester, England. The Mondays take the Mancunian penchant for the psychedelic and set it to a funky beat, kind of like Sly and the Family Stone for the `90s.
Don Henley and Innocence Mission, Tuesday at Poplar Creek: A second go-round for this tour featuring former Eagle Don Henley and opening act the wispy pop-folk Innocence Mission.
Rosemary Clooney, Wednesday at Ravinia: Clooney`s come a long way since
”Come On-a My House” and the setbacks that unraveled her life and career. In recent years she has recorded a marvelous set of albums highlighting great American songwriters such as Rodgers and Hart, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Gershwin, Berlin and Porter and has put herself in the upper ranks of contemporary song stylists.
”The Tour/Summer `90,” Thursday at UIC Pavilion: This rap package features co-headliners Heavy D & the Boys and the controversial Public Enemy. Also on the bill are Kid `n Play (who appeared in the film ”House Party”), Digital Underground (hitbound with ”The Humpty Dance”), Silk Tymes Leather
(on the charts with ”The Woman in Me”) and the concert emcee, rapper Chris Thomas.
Fela and Jimmy Cliff, Thursday at Poplar Creek: A solid world-music double bill with Fela, the outspoken Nigerian performer who created Afrobeat and helped forge the first African protest music, and international reggae star Jimmy Cliff, best known for his work in ”The Harder They Come.”
”The White Lightning Tour,” Thursday at Park West: `70s rockers Edgar Winter (”Frankenstein”) and Rick Derringer (”Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo”) make a bid for a comeback with this tour and a live album to be released later this year.
