CHRISTGAU CONSUMER GUIDE
THE CARLA BLEY BAND: "European Tour 1977" (Watt):: Although the basic concept—Kurt Weill Meets Ornette Coleman for Indiscreet Ellingtonian Frolic—is a little abstruse for my taste, this actually does reward the sort of close listening that earns so many theatrical payoffs.
CHRJSTGOU CONSUMER GUIDC
DEPARTMENTS
by Robert Christgau
THE CARLA BLEY BAND: "European Tour 1977" (Watt):: Although the basic concept—Kurt Weill Meets Ornette Coleman for Indiscreet Ellingtonian Frolic—is a little abstruse for my taste, this actually does reward the sort of close listening that earns so many theatrical payoffs. Perhaps amusement is the reward a little too often, however. I like a joke as well as the next fellow, but the occasional full-length emotional exposition does assuage one's conscience. (Address: 6 West 95th Street, NYC 10024.)
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BILL CH1NNOCK: "Badlands" (North Country):: I hope the reason^ Chinnock made his breakthrough in Maine is that no audience of city dwellers could tolerate his pervasive urban sentimentality, but I'm not taking bets. Decent melodies, humdrum Joisey arrangements, and a thick voice to go with his head. (Available from Disconnection, Box 563, NYC 10013.)
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