Big sound of Ellis rings ears
By BRUCE MICKLUS
Of the Emerald
The amazing loud sounds of the
Don Ellis Big Band filled the
EMU Ballroom Saturday night.
The 24-piece band which featured
Ellis on both trumpet and drums,
was so loud it could be heard
from almost anywhere on
campus.
( Review ]
The Ellis group is probably the
most popular big band on the jazz
scene today. Ellis opened the first
show by appearing from the rear
of the extended stage wearing an
electric-looking black and white
floor length cape. The first
number, “5-4 Getaway,” opened
with a fanfare and closed as a
real screamer. It featured Ellis
on trumpet and drums. Ellis is
obviously a better trumpet player
than a drummer.
Most of the tunes the band
played were from the eight
albums they have recorded for
Columbia Records. “K.C.
Blues,” which is an arrangement
of a Charlie Parker solo, started
with a long horn solo by Ellis. He
is indeed a fine trumpet player.
Although he lacks the screaming
power of a Maynard Ferguson or
Doc Severinson, he makes up for
it with his fine technique and
imagination.
The regular stage in the
ballroom was extended almost
thirty feet to make room for the
band which included a four-piece
string section among its talented
membership. Melcho Leviev,
who alternated between organ,
electric piano and grand piano,
was the standout of the show. His
keyboard work was excellent on
every number, always new and
varied and never tiresome.
Ellis closed the first show with
a number called “Final
Analysis.” He plugged in his
trumpet to a machine called an
Echo-Plex. The Echo-Plex
consists of a tape ring and two
tape heads. One head records;
the other plays back at a delay
and in a different tone. This
allows Ellis to sound like a ten
piece trumpet section. He is also
able to vary the pitch and the
amount of echo. It was a
fascinating display of how
electronics can be used to
develop a new musical ex
perience. “Final Analysis”
closed with the entire band
building to a thundering ending
that might have been lifted from
a Tchaikovsky symphony. It
left everyone in the audience with
ringing ears as they filed from
the ballroom.
The second show included a
completely different set of
numbers. Some of the best were
“Blues in Elf” with Leviev
providing a dazzling per
formance on piano and “How’s
this For Openers,” a tune done in
25-8 time, alternating in 27. The
band members seemed to enjoy
Hicks and Licks good
but insults mar show
By KAY HILL
Of the Emerald
The nostalgic welcome for Dan Hicks and His Hot
Licks, staged Friday afternoon at Mahlon Sweet
Airport, didn't come off too well, Hicks and his
entourage, just arrived from a concert tour of
California, seemed too weary for the fun.
But the effervescent group managed to regain
some of its energy for Friday night's double concert
in the EMU ballroom—a concert that left the
audience happy, if somewhat insulted.
Hicks insulted the audience beginning with his
introductory remarks. “Hello coeds, we’re really
happy to be in Portland.”
Review
His actions continued to put ck- vn the audience in
subtle and not-so-subtle ways. “You guys love
everything we do. You’d love it if I said fart,” he
said. Hicks seemed to feel that the concert was
more of a practice session than a performance He
was forever grabbing a drink in the middle of a set
and at one point in a song, he began picking his nose.
Musically the group was very much together.
They combined the qualities of a violin, a bass
fiddle, two guitars and various small percussion
instruments to make a solid toe tapping sound.
Being the lead singer, Hicks dominated the
concert with the exception of two songs which were
solos for the two women of the group.
Marianne Price’s version of “I’m an old cow
hand” and a solo by Naomi Ruth Eisenberg made
the audience realize that both had a unique singing
ability that was usually hidden in the background.
All of the musicians were exceptionally good on
their instruments but it was up to the audience to
notice the expertise of the violin, the backup guitar
or the bass fiddle. Hicks really only acknowledged
them once and even then it was while praising his
own talents for having sung and written most of the
songs.
Their first song was “Where’s the money?” which
seemed to be known by the audience, they showed
their approval loudly. Price added spice to the
music by playing—rather rubbing—two pieces of
sandpaper together.
They went on to play “Shorty falls in love” which
Hicks tenned “rock and roll at its finest.”
They ended their concert, which lasted about an
hour, with another audience favorite, “Milk Shakin’
Momma,” Hicks sang this one Elvis style, jumping
up. wiggling around and doing general gymnastics.
The song brought the audience to its feet for a
standing ovation. After a five minute stomping
session begging for an encore, Hicks and Company
came out to play, “I scare myself.”
The show also included an Oregon magician,
Melvin Anderson. He had his hands full of scarf
tricks and started early by pulling a rabbit out of a
top hat near the beginning of his act.
All in all it was a good concert, light and often
funny, if a bit insulting.
*
BEFORE YOU BLOW YOUR COOL
TALK TO THE AAUP
Starts Today!!!
The Local Chapter of the American Association of University
Professors has established a new service designed to help
students and faculty solve the insoluble. Monday through
Friday, 2 to 5, Room 117 Erb Memorial Union, responsible and
established members of the faculty will be present to help you
with those concerns which seem to be so often overlooked, and
to investigate the sources of your discontent. Whatever your
concern, student or faculty, see your AAUP Ombudsman in
Room 117, EMU, Monday through Friday, 2 to 5pm!
" AAUP Means Action Now"
the show as much as the
audience. They were loose and
relaxed and had a great deal of
interaction which added to the
performance.
“Strawberry Soup,” which
featured a woodwind quartet,
“Pussy Wiggle Stomp” and
“Wolfgang For All Seasons”
were also popular with the crowd.
In addition to Leviev, some great
solo work was done by Sam
Falzone on tenor sax.
- The only disconcerting note of
the evening was struck by Ellis.
Several times during both shows
he urged members of the
audience to venture into the lobby
where all of the band’s albums
were being sold by his girl friend
Maria. It was a bit of com
mercialism that could have been
done without. Besides, the prices
were outrageous.
Other than that the whole
evening was a success. It was a
great blend of music and
showhianship which isn’t found
too often. One thing to remember
though, the next time the Don
Ellis Band is in town find a seat
near the back of the auditorium
and relieve the pressure on your
ears.
‘YOURj
CYCLE
itl,u ODE
the
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