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Show 4 Campus the forum November 1, 1994 Saxophone legend Gary Brown thrills Westminster by Christopher Thomas Forum Staff Writer The Rolling Stones may have at Rice enchanted concert-goer- s form of with their Stadium voodoo, however nothing was as musically magical as the saxophone wizardry of Gary Brown at Westminster. Returning to his favorite venue, performing Brown captivated an audience of over 400 students, faculty and rhythm and blues enthusiasts with his unprecedented participatory style. He was better than the Rolling Stones and the Stones concert was amazing, said Junior Brian Carson, a big Rolling Stones fan, who attended both musical performances over the weekend. It was incredible! Brown, adorned in a metallic grey suit and pastel tie, entered the stage, took hold of his instrument and sat still for several minmeditating before the Tempo Timers began the backup music of the first song. Brown the audiproceeded to warm-u- p a short number with ence with the theme of Welcome. From the onset, Browns revered enerI was gy level was evident. amazed at his energy and how he utes could keep blowing. It really touches your soul, said Dean of Nursing Dr. Imogene Rigdon Half way through the first song, perspiration gleamed off Browns bald head as he shook and teetered towards the stage grasping tight to the saxophone as if it were his lifeline. Its the spiritual aspect. When the Holy Ghost grabs you, it makes you share and give everything youve got, whether its music or something else. It has to satisfy the spirit within, Brown said. The first number was well received as applause echoed through Payne Gymnasium continuing through the commencement of the second song. The appreciative audience was welcomed by Brown who is more obliged to perform to a receptive crowd. One can only want to be so lucky as to play for an audience as appreciative as you guys were. People looked like they were there to enjoy some great music; in general, Westminster is the best crowd I play for," Brown said. When a Man Loves a Woman, to his own songs which reflected deep religious overtones. Backed-u- p by the Tempo Brown Timers, periodically set his saxophone aside and showed his vocal prowess which is comparable to his playing ability. I was surprised at how well he sang. He truly is gifted in more ways than one," said ASWC President Jed Arveseth. Sledges During the numbers posed and recorded by Brown, an instrumental track accompanied him as he demonstrated his performing forte, venturing into the crowd to share his magic. Brown left the stage and singled people out in the audience giving them a firsthand encounter with his music. You can feel back what the person is feeling. The joy comes into their face and they give back what Ive shared with them, said Brown. The captivated intensified number by number as he alternated between pop songs to the likes of Marvin Gayes Whats Going On, and Percy examinatreated to an tion of the saxophone. I liked the way he got the audience by Marianne Day Forum Staff Writer If the Nov. 8 elections were held at Westminster, candidate Pat Shea would claim victory. In a recent poll of Westminster students most (47 percent) said they preferred voting for neither Hatch or Shea. This means the 40 percent who said they preferred Shea would give the democrat a victory over Hatch who garnered 13 percent of the respondents approval. Apparently the opinions of Westminster students were not influenced by the recent televised debate between Hatch and Shea. Only twelve and a half per- - cent of the respondents watched the debate. Most who did not watch it said they did not have the time. Of those who saw it, most said neither candidate was the winner. However, it is interesting to note that three persons who said they did not watch the debate thought Hatch won. During the debate, Shea did not seem positive about his chances of winning the election. At its conclusion, Shea said, It would be a real surprise if he were to win but that surprises do happen. The Westminster Democrats said they gave out 10 tickets to Westminster students to attend the debate. Westminster Democrats President Jim se involved and played to everyone. He played to the men as well as the women, said Senior Sheryl Pringle. Browns unique participatory style evolved several years ago after a night club owner requested he leave the stage and play to a few people in the crowd. It (audience interaction) really caught on. I enjoyed it and the crowd enjoyed it; Ive had no choice but to do it ever sense, he said. The first half of the performance concluded with Henry Legendary saxophonist Gary Brown thrilled the audience in Payne Gymnasium Oct. 21. In general, Westminster is the best crowd I " play for, Brown said. audience was fully involved with the music; most people clapped along while a few began to dance. Brown left the stage at intermission looking vibrant but saturated with perspiration. He performs in such a manner that I got so into it that everything was gone. It was an escape, Arveseth said. Brown opened the second part M of the show adorned in a casual 2 outfit consisting of dockers, a light weight blue sports coat and After Paul Simons black Bridge Over Trouble Water, Brown performed two of his most Miracle inspirational songs, and The Key. According to Brown Miracle is a healing song that promotes peace and serenity. If you be quiet and listen, something will really hit you in the head. That is also the reason prayers are so important. But if youre noisy you lose it, Brown said. During Browns performance Brown stopped of Miracle, playing temporarily and began a conversation with a couple of children who had been dancing and doing somersaults through-- , out the show. I just asked him what his name was, Brown said. I love kids; they are so inspirational and free. They are all so innocent and have a twinkle in their eyes. Kids are wonderful, they are the bread of life. The Key is a special song for the younger audience. It is to show the entire younger genera tion that there is a message within. Like The Key, if the cover of a book is good theyll open it up and get something good out, Brown said. Browns next number Mr. Clean Head received several laughs and applause from the crowd as Brown motioned to his own shiny head in sync with the I think people like it lyrics. because it characterizes me. They say Mr. Clean Head relates to me but actually it relates to them. At the end of the song it says you get yours and Ill get mine, Brown said. Browns peerless level of intensity never decreased; even late in the performance, he was bending and exerting all the muscles in his face and neck to hit the high notes and exhibit his musical expertise. This year he wasagennt set to a da and that flexibility allowed him to demonstrate his genius Martin went to the debate and said he thought Shea was clearly the winner. He agreed, though, that Shea did not have much of a chance of winning the election, saying, It would be a miracle. Martin pointed out that Shea did not enter the elections to win but to, point out who the real Orrin Hatch is and why Orrin Hatch is not the greatest senator for Utah) Bob Burnick, political editor of the Deseret News said according to the most recent Dan Jones Poll which was done on Sept. 29, Shea had 23 percent of the vote while Hatch had 58 percent. So, Westminster students and the general public seem to have opposite views of Hatch and Shea. The poll of the general population done by Dan Jones puts Hatch in the lead while the results of the Westminster poll favor Shea. Burnick thinks that Sheas ratings may have risen since the debate, but the only .recent polls being done are tracking polls for the Hatch campaign and they are not divulging those results. However, Heather Barney, public relations spokesperson for the Hatch campaign was able to comment about their poll results. The results are consistent with the from Sept. 29, published poll said Barney. She said Hatch still enjoys a healthy lead. According to Barney, a reason for why Westminsters results are so different from the rest of Utah may be that younger people are more liberal and have consis tently voted more democratic for many years, even in Utah. Pat Sheas campaign manager Mike Reberg isnt conceding anything. He said daily money contributions to their campaign have Mancinis Westminster poli favors Shea audience closely followed Brown as he moved throughout the gym randomly selecting people who were up-clo- Browns performance com- Peter Gunn. The , , ed Continued on page 5 doubled since the debate and phone calls of support have increased substantially. Hatch was invited to participate in a debate with Shea on the Westminster declined. campus but he According to Barney, Hatch only accepted four of offers to debate. twenty-fiv- e Those offers were accepted, said Barney, because they would be televised and allow for the widest audience. The next debate, said Barney, will air on KlJKl) Nov. 3. |