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Page 6
Portland Observer
/
Thursday May 13, 1976
SntMtMimwl Gúck
by Alien Jone,
FntertainmenC Kating,
Fair • Good • • ExceUent *”
GEORGE BENSON
BAD BAD BENSON • • •
Head shaking, foot stomping, good singing, guitar strumming, George Benson. He
did everything but light a match!!! George Benson thoroughly enjoys what he does,
and as the old folks would say, “You can see that with a half eye."
Contrary to popular belief. George Benson has been a professional for over ten
years. True, he's young, but when you start at an early age you're better than the
average entertainer before you know it. As Ms. Burton pointed out to me at the
concert, “he sounds like Wes Montgomery." Indeed he does, George himself will
tell you Wes Montgomery was his inspiration way bark in the early sixties. Wes
died of a heart attack in 1968. a monumental loss to the world of music He was my
idol and I wasn’t alone. I can boast that I have every album Wes ever recorded.
Wes Montgomery brought to music what Mohammad Ali brought to boxing!
Wes Montgomery brought innovation, style and class to the jazz scene, he was
the "only" jazz guitarist to perfect playing octives. But even more phenomenal was
he played them with his thumb, which was unheard of. 1 caught him after just
returning from Viet Nam at "Memory Lane" night club in Los Angeles, he died six
weeks later. He was a giant among giants.
Benson in his formative years sounded almost like him. Even now that Benson
has his own identity he still possesses some of the flavor of Wes, as the lady
pointed out. But if you want to scan the music scene today and look at all of your
guitar players: Freddy Robinson. Jose' Falliciano, Joe Pass, David T. Walker. Bill
Withers and all of the other heavy weights. I would rate Benson Number “1". Just
because I like him more, and I can relate to him a little better than the others.
Most of his selections were from two albums, "Bad Benson" and his latest
“Breezin'. He played tunes like: T a k e Five" Ian old Dave Brubeck composition).
"My Latin 3rother," “No Sooner Said Than Done,” "Full Compass," and more.
Playing with George on the gig was Phil Upchurch, also on guitar; Kenny Barron
on piano; Warren Covington and Steve Gadd on drums. George Benson is a
perfectionist, and he’s damn good at what he does!!
RON CARTER - A MELLOW GIANT
Being that jazz is my bag, for the most part, I suppose I've caught most of the
“Big Name" jazz musicians. But Ron Carter is one that I hadn't seen until
Saturday night at the Paramount. It surprises me too, because Ron has played
back up for anybody that is somebody in jazz. Such as: Miles Davis. Blue Mitchell,
the late Coletraine, Freddy Hubbard, Stanely Turrentine, Dizzy Gulispie, and the
list goes on and on and on and on.
Needless to say Ron Carter is the best bassist I can think of. My reasoning is
quite simple; he's the best and the best ask for Ron. Unfortunately, the bass is an
instrument that very few people pay any serious attention to. Mainly because the
bass has such a “muffled sound" to it. However. Ron has the ability to make it
talk, which is extremely hard to do. Take the Miles Davis composition “So What"
be played it very eloquently the other night. If standing ovations are any
indication of Ron Carter's stature in the innovative bag of jazz, then so be it!!
THE GREG SMITH BAND - THEY'VE GOT IT TOGETHER • • •
I hate being repetitious, but I was quite serious about "Fred's Place” having
changed. As far as new talent continuing to come in. Greg Smith and his
aggregation featuring: Harvey McDaniel on bass guitar and vocals; Rickey King
also on guitar and vocals; Geno McGee piano and vocals; and hard driving Ron
Marriccini on drums. They are unquestionably the best local band I've heard in
Portland. They have all of the qualities it takes to make it in the business. They
are all accomplished musicians, as anyone could readily observe. They all work as
a unit, and practicing is "something that must be done." according to Greg Smith.
Their timing is very good and so are their musical selections. Take for an example
their rendition of "Mr. Magic," a Grover Washington, Jr. composition. It's not
exactly a tune that’s easy to play. There are lots of intensity in "Mr. Magic" that
involves - split second timing. Greg Smith's version is, tantalizing, tough and most
definately - together! They also did: “Who Is He" (And What Is He To You);
“Sweet Thing," “Stop On By,” “Sun Goddess.” “Ain't No Love," (a Bobby Blue
Bland composition), “What's Going On,” “Wake Up Everybody," and more. Don’t
miss Greg Smith and his band at Fred's Place. They've got it together - Baby!!!
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ENTERTAINMENT
May 13-15 - Ramada Inn presents - Don Cunningham, a dynamite performer and a
personal friend of mine. Check him out!!!
May 16 - Jazz De Opus presents - Art Blakeley, two shows at 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.
May 16th -'Paramount presents - Count Basie. Need I say more?
Now appearing - at Fred's Place - The Greg Smith Band.
May 26th - Paramount presents - Neil Sedaka.
CHECK IT OUT
This week's column is dedicated to four women that I'll love forever, my mother
and three aunts, Alice Hamilton, Catherine “Cat" Willie and Sweet Ruth Goynes. I
love you madly!!!
N ick Jones fe e ls a d e e p a n g e r a t the m o c k in g o f o u r la w s by
local businesses. Racial d is c rim in a tio n a n d m in o rity o p p re s
sion a re re a l, a n d th e y w ill re m a in re a l u n til co n ce rn e d
p e o p le u n ite a n d re fu se to p ut up w ith inju stice.
Support NICK JONES, D em ocrat
fo r House Dist. #1 8
Paid for by the Nick Jones for Representative Committee, James G.
Rue, Treasurer, 281-3310.
MORE JOBS!
LE S S TA X E S!
RUNYON
C J M M T O e iC C M M A X HUW YÜ N
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fU A S W M »
H H A K U n m n A M P t W r V .0 N Ar.HXA
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k b it
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Our Dad CAN SAVE YOU
MONEY ON REMODELING .
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HOW? . . . W HY . . .
Natalie Cole recently made her Las Vegas debut at the Hilton with Bill Cosby
and dazzled the audiences with her show. Rather than opt for a middle of the road
Vegas show which might have included a medley of Nat's songs, she caught the
Vegas crowd off-guard with her earthy sounds which contrast so, with her famous
father. Indications from the audience were that "her way" was just fine and that
Natalie and success seem to be "inseparable" indeed.
Capitol Records will be releasing her second album this month, "Natalie," on
which she has co-written two songs with her producers. Chuck Jackson and Matt
Yancy.
Her itinerary calls for an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival in Oakland,
June 12th, followed by appearances in Japan June 22nd through July 6th.
His business has grown, as we have,
with the finest staff <>f CARPENTERS.
DESIGNERS and ESTIMATORS in
the trade.
• A d d itio n s
• O ffices
*
• Stores
K itchens
NEIL KELLY
COMPANY
7.15 N. Alberta, Portland. Oregon
• Baths
• Spec. C a b in e t w ork
College draws homemakers
Nearly 250 people have already re
gistered for the 1976 Mini College for
Homemakers at Oregon State Univer
sity June 21st through the 25th and it
appears that attendance may set a new
record this year.
That's the report from Alberta John
son, OSU Extension area supervisor and
college coordinator.
“It also means that some classes are
beginning to fill up,” Mrs. Johnston
notes, “and those who get their regi
stration in before the May 29th deadline
will have the best chance of being
assigned to the classes they have re
quested."
This is the third year of the program
which is sponsored by the OSU Exten
sion Service and the Oregon Extension
Homemaker’s Council. Last year, more
than 500 attended.
Mini-college, which is open to all
Elderly actress
joins cast
Eighty-one-year-old character actress
Opal Euard has been signed by pro
ducer-director George Schlatter for a
role in Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer's
“Norman...Is That You?", screen adap
tion of the long-running stage comedy
starring Redd Foxx and Pearl Bailey.
Ms. Euard, whose first film was the
1918 classic, “The Copperhead," star
ring Lionel Barrymore, joins previously
announced Dennis Dugan, Vernee Wat
son, Mike Warren, George Furth and
Tamara Dobson.
The screenplay for “Norman...Is That
You?" was written by Ron Clark and
Sam Bobrick in collaboration with Sch
latter.
PLUS offers
student aid
Graduating high school students and
others interested in attending Portland
State University this fall who do not
meet regular admission standards or
who may need special assistance have
been encouraged to apply for PSU’s
Operation PLUS program by June 1st.
Operation PLUS - Paced Learning
for Urban Students - offers special,
individualized assistance in admissions,
tutoring, counseling, housing, financial
aids and academic advising.
Program Director Bill Wilkerson has
encouraged students to apply who feel
they have the potential for college level
work, but who do not meet regular
University admission standards. In ad
dition, he says students who meet stan
dards but feel they will need extensive
support can apply for consideration as
“support service students."
The program com bines traditional
Hassroom work with tutorial assistance
and special courses tailored to meet the
needs and interests of students. All
courses provide regular University ere
dit.
Students must register for at least
twelve credits per term to meet the
program's academic requirements.
97217
homemakers women, men or couples
features a variety of classes and college
residence hall living, Mrs. Johnston
notes.
The program includes nearly 100 dif
ferent classes from which participants
may choose.
Subjects include such
topics as legal rights of women, dealing
with death, 200 years of fashion, food
preservation, energy conservation, time
management, Oregon pioneer women
and land use planning.
The program opens with an orienta
tion session on Monday evening and
concludes Friday morning. A special
feature will be the annual meeting of
the Extension Homemakers' Council
which rep resen ts E xtension study
groups from throughout the state. He
len Allen, Rrookings. state president,
will preside.
Cost for mini-college, including regi
stration, room and board, is $50. There
are special fees for those who commute
daily to the OSU campus in Corvallis.
Additional information and registra
tion forms are available from OSU
county Extension offices.
C a ll N o w 2 8 7 - 4 1 7 6
BOSS’S
The only soul food delicatessen
in the Northwest
Specialised, i n ß o A iecn ed
1438 N . E. A lb e rta
281-9681
O p en ; M on da y-T h ursda y 11:00 a m. to 1:00 a m.
A ll n ig h t Friday a n d S aturday
3:00 p.m . to 11:00 p.m . Sundays
PORTLAND
CLEANING WORKS
SHOP
lENOW'S
N O R TH A N.E. PORTLAND
ONE DAY SERVICE
FOR
Minor Repairs - No Charge
Pick -up 4 Delivery
B R A N D S you know
V A R IE TIE S you like
SIZES
The Friendliest
Stores In Town I
Since 1908
yo u
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M
,..e
S‘ *h 4 t a»» I v ' i . i
I J 2nd 4 N (
C its
N Lorr>ba*d e t G n
H a 'e .q h H ills P ie n
IM Jn d e> S t
Ü .
•
282-8361
K N IT BLOCKING OUR SPECIALTY
w ant
•
J b d A
N t
•
•
JV»b 4 S I
D ie t s . Wn
? J .d 4 W m I 8
3 9 5 5 N. Williams Ave.
H o n te t b
N . A le x a n d e r, Proprietor
• I the O'eeqo 4*8 A
MEMBER O l UNITED GROCERS
SHE USED HER
HEAD TO CHANGE
HER SHAPE.
We’ve just
raised your starting
salary.
What Anita Fusco—and other
Weight Watchers’ members—are
saying about the new Personal
Action Plan ' modules
“ The modules help me get
through without overeating.
Anita Fusco
Starting salary in the Army is now $361. a
month (before deductions). And the best thing
about it is you might not have to spend it all.
That’s because we provide you with meals,
housing, medical and dental care, and 30 days
paid vacation every year.
Qualify, and you also get your choice of over
300 good jobs. And we’ll guarantee it in writing
before you enlist.
Registered Nurse
LOST 36 pounds
JOIN ANY CLASH ANY TIMEI
Maranatha Church
1222 N.E. Skidmore
Sat. 9:30 a.m.
Carpenters Hall
2225 N. Lombard St.
Mon. 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. 9:30 a.m.
Call Army
Opportunities
721-2267
Emanuel Hospital
2801 N. Gantenlein
Emanuel East. Room B 2
(Nursing Home)
Thurs. 7:00 p.m.
Fellowship
Baptist Church
4737 N. Lombard
Tues. 9:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m.
Join us today We've got so much
that's new to help you reach your goal
WEIGHT WATCHERS®
NEW PERSONAL ACTION PLAN"
Join the k ople who've joined the Army.
t