European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 13, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Benjamin Darvill of crash test dummies Waits away on a Harmonica As he also punks a guitar. A amps Dave Casa crash test dummies Mem Mem Good by Deedee Arrington Doke staff writer t he bad news is that you probably missed crash test dummies on its recent and extremely limited tour of Europe. The Good news is that the Quirky Canadian quintet behind the top 10 hit Mem Mem Mem a4mm expects to come Back to this Side of the Atlantic in july. And that Good news for admirers of the strange the unique and the musically and lyrically perverse band from Winnipeg Manitoba. Not Only do you get to hear its offbeat songs and the mellifluous Mega baritone of songwriter Singer guitarist Brad Roberts during a live show a you get the added pleasure of the dummies company. They re humorous versatile intelligent and just Plain interesting society for an evening. One of the european shows was a free so called Quot get to know them concert at the Small nacht Teben dub in Frankfurt Germany. Admission was by invitation Only and for some Lucky people free tickets dispensed with sales of the dummies current album cod shuffled his feet. The 13-song set began with the crackling sound of an old phonograph record being wound up that starts off the album and its title song. In the hour or so that the group played it covered most of the songs on cod shuffled his feet a including afternoons and coffe spoons in the Days of the Caveman i think i la disappear now and How does a Duck know a plus several from their previous album the ghosts that haunt me. The band played in Europe Quot a couple of years ago Quot Brad Roberts told the crowd Quot i believe approximately 10 people came. Free tickets have 1 somewhat dramatically improved attendance this after performing Mem Mem Mem Mem the tale of two children with unfortunate physical characteristics and another boy who lives too sheltered a life Roberts explained that finding the Dwight Yoa Ctm right words to fit into the chorus had been Quot a Little bit problematic Quot in putting the piece together. He tried substituting the Vowel i ass commentary with a two word obscenity he said but he added straight faced Quot but that would have been really vulgar and i opted not to go that Roberts deep deep deep voice gives the band its cautionary Quot you d better listen to me Quot sound but Don t ignore smirking keyboard player Ellen Reid or mandolin Harmonica player Benjamin Darvill. Reid Cut Loose away from her keyboard and in front of a microphone on the spirited country licked if i had my Way. Darvill dished out wonder after wonder contributing sprightly dashes of music to compliment Roberts Low notes the musicians Polkish Backwoods sound belies a Sharp intelligence and a Bent for ironic philosophical discourse in their lyrics. But Clever As the lyrics and Story songs Are they re even More droll because of Roberts vocals. He can make you laugh merely by stretching the word Quot girl Quot for instance into three test dummies whimsical musical meanderings May not be for everyone. But those who appreciate the band s gently amused perspective take heart Roberts and company will be Back. Concert listings a see pages 22, 23 amp 24 the rockabilly Singer who made the 5/reefs of Bakersfield famous plays dates in Germany this summer As Welt As a gig at 1he Monteux jazz festival. Mcferrin jazz notes Monteux lists lineup the list is out and jazz rap soul Rock and country lovers alike will find some of their favorite performers at the 1994 Monteux jazz festival in Switzerland. The gourmet musical feast is july 1-16. For Advance tickets Call 21-9638282. Switzerland a country code is 41. Here s a partial list of performers m people Andreas Vollenweider Stanley Clarke Al Demoia Jean Luc Ponty Trio Groove collective soon e my Sens unik Johnny Cash Dwight Yoakam Donald Byrd amp the blackbirds Galliano silent majority bpm Ginger Baker Jack Bruce Gary Moore Luther Allison amp the Memphis horns Paul Rodgers Bobby Mcferrin Wynton Marsalis caf6 Tacuban Segu Eldad social press nos Imp Licaros ang�l�6ue Kiddo Atlanta super choir Alannah my Swan Morrison Isaac Hayes Carla and Rufus Thomas Bobby Womack urgent feel soul project Bob Dylan Bela Fleck amp the Fleck ones Cassandra Wilson. Also the Herbie Hancock pop band Roy Hargrove and Betty Carter Trio Charlie Hadena a liberation music orchestra Natalie Cole me Shell Ndege Ocello new Orleans blues revue with Irma Thomas Willy de Volle John Scofield Pat Metheny quartet. Festival in Nornberg Walter Schatzlein was 10 when world War ii ended and american soldiers went to live in Nurnberg. The victors brought Many things american including their music. A i remember the hit Parade with Glenn Miller said Schatzlein. The americans established a youth Center in the rubble of Nornberg and Schatzlein heard jazz music during his visits there. Those impressions have had a lasting effect. Since 1954, Schatzlein has been director of the Nurnberg jazz studio which he founded to Foster appreciation of this truly american music. The organization is now one of the oldest jazz clubs in the world he said and sponsors an annual jazz festival in Nurnberg that brings musicians from around the world. The 1994 International jazz festival of Nurnberg will begin wednesday and end May 23. Each night fans can hear music played by performers from various Corners of Europe and the United states Many of them now playing together. The schedule for this year s festival 8 . Wednesday at Tatei Hamo 29th Street saxophone quartet Franz Koglmann project and Nikolas Somlon Quarter a Tomasz a Stanko. A. A. A a a. 8 , thursday at Karstadt Lou Donaldson Quarter and Deborah Honson Conant Trio 7 30 ., Friday at meistersinger Halle John Mclaughlin free Quot Quot. Ien a a ugh. A a a Paquito Rivers quintet. Spirits Kevin mahogany and the nor big band and Trio Tusone Midnight Friday at Arvena Parit hotel the 5,000 Mark Sand and 7 . May 21 at the Brecker brother band Handy Weston amp his Allcan rhythm David Murray Archi Shupp quintet Charlie Mariano Jasper Van to Hof urn Leimgrubler Fittz Hauser . Orsted Pedersen Phlilip Catherine Nomako Earana Ull Lenz the knitting factory package Spanish Fly Thomaa Chapin Trio and Blue dog. Midnight May 21 at Arvena Park hotel Bernhard Pichl group and Bob Berg band. 4 ., May 22 at Tafel Halte italian Strong Trio Glan Lutol troves octet Giorgio Garlini Carlo Actis Dato quartet and italian Ine Tabile orchestra. 5 ., May 23 at Taf Thalle Richard gel Lleno Bernard Vibat and Eric Leland quartet. _. A a. A from staff reports Friday May 13,1994 the stars and stripes
