ASU Gospel Choir keeps ASU on solid ground

Ian Hutchinson

In the Bible, it is said that if there is no praise to be given, then the rocks will cry out. If that is the case, all forms of sediment with remain silent as long as the Appalachian State University Gospel Choir is around.

"What I get out of gospel choir the most is watching students use the music as a catharsis to release various emotions and pent-up tensions," said choral director DaVaughn Miller, "Seeing them release those emotions is the most exhilarating thing for me."

Last Thursday, the ASU Gospel Choir met in the Broyhill Music Center for their second rehearsal of the week. What is amazing about the choir is that it didn't really sound like a rehearsal at all, but rather the real deal. They may be preparing for their performance at Franklin Graham's High Country Festival, but they already sound excellent.

The rehearsal began with "Scripture Shouts", in which various students recited their favorite scriptures, such as Philippians 4:13 and 1 Corinthians13. Following the shouts, Miller led the students through a series of different vocal warm-ups and stretches.

What came next was phenomenal and might have made a believer out of the most hardened atheist. Passionate vocals and well-blended sounds filled the room. The students in the choir sang a series of amens that was nothing short of angelic.

Miller, like many others involved in the choir, sees the upcoming High Country Festival as a great opportunity to, "praise God with other denominations of believers." The High Country Festival will open in Kidd-Brewer Stadium Sept. 15-17.

The festival was initially slated to be in the Convocation Center, but due to construction delays, it will be in Kidd-Brewer, weather permitting. Students who are interested in getting involved with the ASU Gospel Choir are invited to sit in on one of their rehearsals.

The rehearsals are held in Room 214 of the Broyhill Music Center every Tuesday and Thursday between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Rowdy Dutyâ proves to be good move for small Connecticut band

Kara Hodge

Putting out a double live album is a gutsy move for a small town band with only one previous title to claim. But for Deep Banana Blackout, that move proves to be a good one.

"Rowdy Duty," the second title for the eccentric band, contains two one-hour discs, full of heavy funk and neo-hippie grooves. Based out of Fairfield, Connecticut, Deep Banana Blackout uses soul, funk, jazz, Latin, metal and psychedelia for a diverse sound that combines the band's musical influences acquired over the years.

Their debut CD, "Live in the Thousand Islands," was an attempt at a Zappa-esque groove and proved to be a success, gathering thousands of fans in the Northeastern United States.

The seven-man band has meshed distortion-laden guitars with a tight horn section, bringing their ability to improvise together with a solid foundation of songwriting to make "Rowdy Duty."

Five cuts on this double live album are remakes from the debut CD but are given new treatment. The most noticeable difference is the hard-rock edge given to "Take the Time" and the variations on "Get Chall 98."

The opening track "Bump and Sway" is a sinuous groove propelled by drummer Eric Kalb and guitarist Fuzz (a.k.a. James Sangiovanni) leading the song with a rock-steady backbeat. Other songs to notice on "Rowdy Duty" include "Trip," "Tug" and "God Make Me Funky."

"Trip" is a catchy tune that pushes vocalist Jen Durkin's voice over the edge. Durkin is a reminder of the 60's spitfire Janis Joplin, forcing both strong bass lines and loud horns to match her musical talent in this hard core track. "Tug" on the other hand is slower, softer and more soulful.

Focused on keyboards and percussion, this song is a good example of funk gospel, emphasizing the love of life. "Trip" is this critic's favorite, the deep vocals and intimate lyrics making it impossible to sit still while listening. "God Make Me Funky" is a long improv jam session featuring the talents of each member. Durkin's voice sings the dream of the band, "oh God, please make me funky." Deep Banana Blackout has played with famous artists like George Clinton's P-Funk All-Stars, Galactic, String Cheese Incident and moe.

Their music parallels those bands that trail-blazed the funk scene and take their own unique twists on what music should sound like.

The band consists of Jen Durkin on vocals, Fuzz on guitars, Rob Somerville on saxophone, Rob Volo on trombone and guitar, Benj LeFevre on bass, Cyrus Madan on organ, Johnny Durkin on percussion and Eric Kalb on drums.

Hope Clayburn is the newest edition to Deep Banana Blackout. Clayburn will be replacing front-woman Jen Durkin on vocals, who is leaving to pursue other opportunities both in and out of the music industry.

Clayburn will debut with Deep Banana Blackout at the JazzAspen Festival in Snowmass, Colorado on Sept. 2. Deep Banana Blackout will be performing Sunday, Sept. 10 at Be Here Now in Asheville. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

You must be 16 years of age or older with a valid ID to enter. For tickets call 828-258-2071. For more information about Deep Banana Blackout check out their web site at www.DeepBananaBlackout.com.

An Evening of Encores

Kara Hodge

The School of Music will be presenting "An Evening of Encores", the first of six faculty recitals, Tuesday, Sept. 5. This initial recital spotlights outstanding performers from the school of music, highlighting pieces from last season's faculty recitals.

Over 50 percent of the faculty will be involved. Performances include trios, duets and soloists in a combination of vocal, string and wind selections. Assistant Dean, Dr. Jay Jackson said, "This is an exciting event for our department. I think it shows how talented our faculty is."

The program starts with Donald Miller on clarinet, playing a selection from "Fantasia on motives from 'LaTraviata' by G. Verdi", arranged by Donald Lovreglio, and ends with Karen Robertson Smith on the horn playing Reinhold Gliere's "Valse Triste, Opera 35 Number 7."

Other artists include vocalist Julia Pedigo, Robert Falvo on tabla, Scott Meister on hand drums, flutist Nancy Schneeloch, Brian Bailey playing harpischord, Douglas James on guitar, J. Lynn White on oboe and newest faculty member Bair Shagdaron, who will play piano to Franz Liszt's "A Dream of Love".

Appalachian's very own Dr. Francis T. Borkowski will be playing the accordian, with Jon Beebe on the bassoon. Their selected piece is the "Traditional Polka", arranged by Hummel. "An Evening of Encores" will be held in the Rosen Concert Hall located in Broyhill Music Center at 8p.m.

This recital is free and open to the public. For more information, call the school of music at 262- 3020.

"Ecleftic" is not a typo

Ian Hutchinson

In a hip-hop world filled with cookie-cutter thugs and No Limit wannabes, it is a comfort to know real, eclectic rap music can still be created. Wyclef Jean is back with "The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book," and like "The Carnival," this isn't your run-of-the-mill rap album.

Don't expect the same tired gangsta beats over and over, because there are so many different flavors on this album you could put Baskin-Robbins out of business. The album opens with "Where Fugees At?" which hopefully puts to rest any questions about the state of the Fugees.

The next Fugees album will happen when the time is right, as Wyclef simply states, "Lauryn if ya listenin'/Pras if ya listenin'/Give me a call, I'm in the lab in the Boogie Basment."

The next track, "Kenny Rogers-Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate" is an interesting meeting of styles. Kenny Rogers lays down a variation of "The Gambler" and it meets up with a rap by Pharoahe Monch. It may sound like an odd combination, but it certainly works out well.

Wyclef doesn't hesitate to express his feelings on the current state of hip-hop on tracks like "Thug Angels," "Hollywood to Hollywood," "However You Want It" and "Pullin' Me In." On "Pullin' Me In," Wyclef accurately shoots down all the so-called thugs by saying, "The closest you got to prison was watchin' 'Oz' on television." In "However You Want It" he puts ingrates like Canibus in their place.

Other strong tracks are "Runaway," "911," and "It Doesn't Matter." Keeping with the eclectic theme of the album, each respective track has a guest from a different walk of life. "Runaway" brings back some old school R&B with Earth, Wind and Fire. "911" is a rastafied, yet sorrowful duet between Wyclef and Mary J. Blige.

And, as you may have already guessed, WWF Superstar The Rock , is a guest on the party track, "It Doesn't Matter." Toward the closing of the album, Wyclef addresses the controversial Diallo shooting on "Diallo." While some might address the issue in passing, Wyclef gives his passionate perspective of the incident.

The album closes with a Pink Floyd cover of "Wish You Were Here." If you're a classic rock purist, you'll probably hate it, but if you can appreciate a rap artist that has real guitar chops, then you will certainly respect it.

If your tastes are habituated to image-oriented, gangsta rap and your generic No Limit knock-offs, this album will be like Chinese water torture. But if you consider yourself truly eclectic, then you will certainly dig "Ecleftic."