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the book worm

davo moored «

.' C I I omantlclsm IS The Guarded Gates by Katrina Britt is/among the more reievant books of our

fime. Set in present-day wain it shows the strug-

not (lean!~

gle of the Spanish peasant to retain his traditional values in a rapidly chan- ging world, one in which they are constantly threa—

comnll‘monts of . radio chm!

1m Eric Burdon Band ‘.

Eric Burdon has arrived on the muSic‘scene for the "- third time. The first time was as leader and vocalist of the Animals,a historic group that was‘a major part pf the British Invasion of 1964—65. After a brief abs- ence,Eric Burdon returned with a fine rhythm and blues group called War. After sev- eral exciting albums with War,Eric Burdon vanished again;until now. He has returned with a heavy hitt- ing rock band and a new} ' album titled "Sun Secrets". mlthe new album,the Eric Burdon band breezes through rock and blues numbers, and even a few remakes of old Animal classics. But the new songs hardly sound like the old tunes.

Through-out the album, Eric BUrdon's’VOice appears hoarse and strained; at Some points his once tough,blflsey voice Sounds incredibly burnt-out and resembles off key croak- ing, at best. The strength

Of the record lies in the Very powerful and smooth guitar of a Nigerian guitar- 1§t named Aalon. His gritty, r}sing and falling,guitar rlffS instill new life into

the old reworked British hits.

This is especially evident on "It's my Life," where ‘alon lays down a unique hYthm track and some scor- Ch}n8.down-to-earth guitar. rlC Burdon does a tough geal that almost sounds llke his old 1965 self.

"When I was young" and .Hpon't let me be misunder- stood" are also very well done. Blending new guitar and rhytm tracks with the old original vocals."Don't let me be misunderstood" actually has much more charm and excitement than the original. It is probably the album's strongest cut.

"The Real Me," currently released as a single,is a straight ahead,hard driving rock number which is picking up radio support,around the country. Though nOt the album's best number,it “certainly passes.1

The two weakest cuts are "Ring of Fire" and "Letter from the Country Farm."The latter being a 13 minute slow blues song that chall— enges the listener to sit through the whole thing. "Ring of Fire" is probably

' the worst version eVer-done

of that song.

tened by intrusions from more advanced societies. Dionis Ward, the pro—

tagonist, is an up—and- coming interior decorator who is determined to get ahead in her field. As might be expected she is continually hampered in her attempsts by a male— dominated world. This is compounded by the back—

‘ward attitudes of the

Spanish. During Interna— tional Women's Year the book thus becomes all the more relevant.

However her aggress-

Aiveness is tempered by

respect for the creations of the past and gradually she comes to realize that

Eric Burdon'sflthird.afipe- arence on the music scene‘- is not such a landmark as were his other two. However if you already like Eric Burdon,you'll enjoy this album. If not, then the record isn't likely to make you into a convert. Even though his once tough,earthy blues voice is somewhat shot,

'he's still more exciting

the Spanish may not have such a bad thing afteraall, that despite their antag— onism to her working (and wbrse — being good!) there is something to be said for the old ways. Interwoven into this is a curious love-hate relationship between her and a testy local. With all these qualities, this book is certain to make us re—think our attitudes towards the past and en— able us to understand that progress must be tem— pared by a respect for those who came before us. The Guarded Gates by Kat— rina Britt. (Harlequin Books,v60c)

‘ ' “xvii-N ) ,

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than 90% of the singers ‘currently working the music world industry. What the album will do is present

a great new guitarist on

the rock scene and give a taste of the new Eric Burdon to all the fans of the old Eric Burdon.

KIP

CRDRE STRFF MEETING ‘ I E o