November 4, 1997

Psychedelic Vostaligia

By Matthew Hennessey

Acoustic guitar has been an intrigal part of rock and roll since the beginning. Stemming from blues, the minimalist six string sound has acted as the perfect accompanying instru- ment for the poet with soul; its ability to give focus to introspection has allowed rock music to play on every level no matter what class, gender or race. The folk rock movement, catapulted by Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, did much to institute heartfelt lyricism as well as political issues ye almost single handedly changed the popular culture of the 1960’s

Joni Mitchell, from our side of the border, produced her own version of folk rock and focused onthe most self analytic lyrics that have ever been displayed in contemporary music. Her album Blue ,which was generated at the start of the 1970’s, was honesty in its purest form. Along with John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band and a host of other musicians, including Sneeky Pete and Mitchell’s ex-flame James Taylor, Mitchell opens up her heart and soul like few have ever done. Thetitle track, “All want” and “This flight tonight” all show a great musical diversity with the eeriness that one feels when they read a diary of someone else’s secret thought. Not only do the lyrics translate into very deep meanings, but the music itself spares little effort into delivering soundscapes of unparalleled energy.

Mitchell has influenced a countless number of artists in the present day. Janet Jackson has just covered one of Joni’s songs for her latest release and Tori Amos and Sloan have both covered “A case of you” from Blue. Another band that cite Joni Mitchell as an influence is the now deceased B.C. group, The Grapes of Wrath. Their album, Now and Again brought an easily digestible 60’s flavour toa culture that was in great need of finding an identity. Released in 1989, The Grapes of Wrath captured the acoustic rock sound better than most of their peers and won accolades from all over North America. With the hit single “All the things! wasn’t”, TGOW paints a picture of sorrow and melodicism. The album not only contains songs of regret, butalso upbeat songs of danceable beats. “Do you want to tell me”, “The most and “Stay” are all stand out tracks from this group that eventually went on to form Ginger.

Both of these artists have been embraced with pride from most Canadians; and rightfully so. They brought power to agenre of music that counts subtlety as their best attribute.

Joni Mitchell Blue (Reprise: 1970) all I want-my old manc-little green-carey-blue-california-this flight to- night-river-a case of you-the last time I saw richard

The Grapes of Wrath Now and Again (Capital/ EMUNettwerk: 1989) all the things I wasn t-what was going through my head-do you want to tell me-the most- i'm gone-blind-stay-I can tell-not the way it is-hiding-the time is here-...but I guess we'll never know

The Cadre 1

UPEI wind

Music to everyone's ears

By Jason Pitre, VP - UPEI Wind Symphony Executive

The University of Prince Edward Island Department of Music Recital Series presents the UPEI WIND SYPHONY in concert Friday November 7th at 8:00P.M. in the Dr. Steele Recital Hall, UPEI. Admission is $5.00 for Adults and $3.00 for students/seniors. Directing the UPEI Wind Symphony is Dr. Karem J. Simon; who works consistently towards providing this university with a high caliber Wind Symphony and Music Department. Dr. Simon plays clarinet with the PEI Symphony and performs solo recitals annually. He also is a desired adjudicator in band and solo music festivals, here his high level of musicianship and educator capabilities are well demonstrated. Before joining the UPEI Music Department faculty and eventually assuming the chair, Dr. Simon taught in the public school system fora number of years as a music educator in Newfoundland.

Dr. Simon and the UPEI Wind Symphony are pleased to have two guests as part of the concert on November 7th. Gregory B. Irvine from the UPEI Music Department will be playing HELIX, a solo for Tuba and Wind Symphony by Warren Benson. Before joining the faculty of the department of music, he was the tubist with the Hamilton Philharmonic. Proffessor Irvine studied with well know tubist Arnold Jacobs who is formely of the Chicago Symphony, Charles Daellenbach of the Canadian Brass, and Rex Martin from Northwestern University. Presently he plays with the PEI Symphony and the Symphony Nova Scotia.

This concert will be performed as part of a conductor’s symposium; the first of it’s kind to be held in the East Coast of Canada. Dr. Gerald Olson from the Unversity of Wisconsin at Madison will be the Symposium Clinician forthe forum of instrumental educators. He conducts both concert and University Bands, and also coordinates the instrumental music education curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at the university of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr. Olson is a well known lecturer, writter, and workshop coordinator. He will be the Wind Symphony’s guest conductor for AN ORIGINAL SUITE for MILITARY BAND by Gordon Jacob, a piece that will demonstrate many musical attributes of both Mr. Olson and the UPEI Wind Symphony.

Asa student of UPEI, I hope to see you in attendance at this recital, it should prove to be an exciting and gratifying musical experience.

The very elegant and professional UPEI wind symphony ensemble