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Show The Irish Invasion Continues By Erick Scheen The Lion and the Cobra Sinead O'Connor recent interview, Irish vocalist Sinead OConnor has said that she regrets her work with U2s the Edge (Captive" soundtrack) and World Party, because she doesnt want her success to be attributed to others help. The Lion and the Cobra, her debut LP, should prove to everyone that she is responsible for her own destiny. At first listen, OConnors voice sounds strange, and almost disturbing. However, once a listener is familiar with her, he or she can fully appreciate her fresh style and . In ability. OConnors style cannot be easily ex- plained. Vocalists such as Amy Mann (Til Tuesday), Elizabeth Frazer (Cocteau Twins), and Kate Bush are present in her voice. Even with these influences, OConnor maintains a bold and unique style. She is profoundly . It is this freshness that brings about her success. Songs like Jackie" and Just Call me Joe cross her innocent vocals with a raspy guitar line, creating a sort of slow ballad meets post punk atmosphere. Her incredible vocal range is tested in Mandinka and Jerusalem. wherein she snaps from a low growl to a piercing falsetto and back. If the general populace chooses to pass up the Lion and the Cobra it will be both a shame OConnors talent is and an outrage. undeniable. Her songwriting ability and vocal style are fresh, unique, and long overdue. It has been a long time since a new artist has been genuinely new in both style and experience. OConnor (my pick for best new artist of 1 988 ) is all of these, and should be received by the public with the open arms she deserves. fresh. Symphomic Style By Karla Joost How could anyone write a review that I speaks poorly of the Utah Symphony? certainly cant; therefore. I wont. In fact, this will not be a review at all. Instead, I would like to elaborate on the virtues of immersing oneself in the symIts more than listening phony experience. riff-rato classical by some composer who died eons ago. Therefore I will dedicate this article to all those who find listening to to a foreign symphonic music like listening language. ff Attending a concert neede not be an minutes alienating experience. Forty-fivare talks given which before performances, the selections, music discuss the evenings on why and background history composers, the music was written. Further information, of course, is provided in the program. All this makes for a deeper understanding and appreciation of the music. For example, on Feb. 12 and 13 the Yoel symphony, along with guest conductor Levi and violinist Jaime Laredo, performed Antonio Vivaldis Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in C minor, Ned Rorems Violin Concerto, and Hector Berlioz s Symphonic Fantastique." Knowing only that much information about a performance makes for a dull evening. But theres more to know: Vivaldis smooth yet intricate 18 th century concerto was composed for performance by orphaned girls at the school in Italy where he taught. Rorems bold, modem piece was astonishingly written in Five weeks in the summer of '84 and was composed to cater to Laredos - violin talents. Berlioz dedicated his comwoman he loved for years, to the position and then left. finally married, After obtaining this background knowledge, one can hear, see, and feel the intent with which the composer wrote. I left feeling I had heard three separate stories told without words or movement, relying only on the composers translation of sound into a meaningful historical account. With a little effort, listening to the symphony can be a gratifying encounter. So make a night of it- - call up some good friends, get dressed up, got out to dinner, and go get gratified! couple words of warning: Be on time. Dont be like the fifty or sixty other people who must wait to make a mass entrance during the applause between concertos. Also, plan to buy tickets early(up to a month in advance is acceptable). Some performances sell out quickly. And remember, student tickets are only 3 . Considering all the benefits, it's the best bargain around. A March 1 , 1988 Issue 12 Its A Bums Life By Cara Cahoon I got cancer. Its the first thing I ever got. In Hector Babencos Ironweed," this statement from a bum" life describes some in Albany, New York in 1938. Ironweed, staring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, portrays life at the end of the major depression of the 30s. Nicholson and Streep play the parts of Frances and Helen, two bums (they were not called transients at this time) hiding from the past and finding comfort from each other. The film uniquely combines drama, mystery, and comedy. It realistically shows what can happen to seemingly content, middle class people when they run into a Ironweed makes you little misfortune. realize no one was safe from the hardships of life especially during the depression years. The story focuses on the individual lives of Frances and Helen and the way the past effects their present lives. At times the film seems slow and monotonous. It is wonderfully acted. however. Nicholson, Streep, and their supporting actors make it easy to disregard a plot that sometimes drags. Nicholson is excellent as Frances, a man who ran away from a family tragedy 22 years before. This tragedy, as well, as other unnerving incidences, in his younger years, haunt Frances continually. Nicholson portrays him as a man who has had an unfortunate life; theway he reacts could be as He is a believable any man would. character. Helen also cannot seem to escape the past. She has always been a tough woman. Eventually, however, certain events in her life take their toll. Streep is amazing in this role. She makes the viewer sympathetic to her lifestyle, yet surprised at the strength she keeps until the end. Her part in Ironweed" is unlike any she has played before. Streep truly outdoes herself. Streep and Nicholson work well together; they seem independent, yet the audience is left wondering if they could survive without one another. Other actors, such as Carol Baker as and Michael OKeefe as his Francess e to the film. The way additions are son, good seems odd in the Frances they accept is later but it convincing. beginning, The other bums who befriend Frances and Helen provide amusing diversions from the main stoiy line. In an ironic way. they bring humor to the lives of people who live and die on the street. The film does get long and slightly repe-tetiv-e towards the end. Nevertheless, the actors succeed in making the audience aware of a way of life they may wish to ignore. ex-wif- BiMimis Ciuire the Winter Blahs By Randy SuIIivant , Spring Break and February do not go well together. The whole purpose of the break is to clear out the winter blahs and prepare for the upcoming summer. Unfortunately, the cold weather that was still In Salt Lake City then made that impossible. For some of us, the only hint of impending warm weatherwas the large mass of magazines now on the local racks that touted this years amazing swimsuit fashions. These fashions are hot! They have to be for USA Today to feature Ellie McPherson on the front page. And what about Sports Illustrated? Some of the magazines fell just short of the Fredericks of Hollywood catalog. Im talkin nearly advertisements for Band-aidThat cleared out any lingering winter blahs I may have had. Lets take a closer look at these styles. Womens bathing suits generally reflect the times quite will. In the late 1800's ultraconservative America had women wearing suits which became shorter. The e in suit that exposed pinup girl the her legs and back was quite popular in the 1940s. The60s, one of the most liberal eras to date, brought out the now popular bikini. Since its introduction, this suit has never failed to capture at least the imagination of men worldwide. It has become the most popular swimsuit fashion. ever. Every year Americans spend close to $5 million on new bikinis. It is somewhat a surprise that in this age of Reagan conservatism that the bikini has become even smaller, and more successful. The styles that 'all the hip magazines are touting reflect a much more liberal America than ol Ron may like. But then again, I doubt that Nan ever looked that good in a bikini. Ellie McPherson sure does. The very small, thin fabric suits are made to show off the female form . . . And that they do - quite a lot s! full-leng- th one-piec- -- ex-:-- . . ; (legivESUk iiii r ,.ryu (3iH foumy-ainf- r (HijliSilMlT' The suits have become a way for women that have spent the entire winter in aerobic studios to reveal their efforts. Nothing looks quite as unappealing as20 extra pounds in a tiger skin swimsuit, especially after a winter of extra overcoats. The colors of this years models are also quite interesting. Irredescent yellows and oranges, mixed with vibrant bluesand greens are in now. Leopard or tlgerskin patterns look very nice with an even tan. Black and metallic colors seem to be in style also. The patterns are arranged in such a way as to lead the eye around the subject matter. It seems that psychiatrists have spent time researching the best way to attract anothers attention as quickly as possible, and passed their results on to the bikini makers. I know that, even at Farmer Jacks in the middle of February, it was hard not to notice the front row of magazines advertising the upcoming summer swimsuits. Now all I need to know is, wheres the beach? of it! HERES A NEW TAX LAW TIP Generally, the new tax law requires children and other dependents to file tax returns for 1987 if: they have any investment income, such as interest on savings, and this investment income plus any wages is more than $500. Publication 922 contains detailed information. To get one, call the IRS Forms number in your local telephone directory. W&QM A RuttHc larvae of thm WI Forum 5 |