|
From the myriad of local
musical talent, the Walker Art Center plucked two groups for a concert in the
Walker Auditorium, obviously chosen for their departure from the
play-it-like-record syndrome. The two have been granted the stamp of
legitimacy.
Any similarity between the
groups is purely syllabic. Skogie
and the Flaming Pachucos
perform a frenetic
brand of rock, Blue Freedom's New Art Transformation play progressive jazz. The
one, hilariously engaging. The other, brightly esoteric.
Skogie and company open
Sunday late, due to a tardy flight from Rochester.
The half-hour wait for drummer Al
Galles
was quickly rewarded.
Skogie merges the improbable
with the obvious, satirizing groups and styles without the heavy handed the
antics of Sha Na Na. Musically
eclectic, they most resemble the Mothers of Invention, but with an insanity all
their own. Fortunately, Skogie is also technically precise. (Nothing wears out
more quickly than a group that uses satire to mask their musical
ineptness.) |
Most of their material is
original and instrumentally rich. The vocals were too often lost in the
generally hectic shuffle of sound.
Skogie is sometimes prone to
adolescent stage tricks, although most of the time
they work. Between the gyrations of Denny
Peterson (a Basketball coach's dream turned
nightmare) and the ironic deadpan of Mark
Goldstein, Rick
(Skogie) Moore's
stage persona is
effectively balanced.
What more can I say? If you
are anything less than senile, definitely see Skogie!
Unfortunately, most of last night's
audience was too steeped in Skogie and the Flaming
Pachucos to appreciate Blue Freedom. The crowd
steadily dwindled down to a large handful….
|
