Page 8

By John Nosek

Within the last five years, the gay sub-culture has spawned multi-rnusical acts and fed them to the voracious entertainment connoiseurs of mass America. ivone of these so-called homosexual creations, however, ave proved to be truly reflective of gay society. While making significantly stunning inroads into contemporary music, decodecadent artists the likes of Bowie and Lou Reed have stereotypically cast gays as underground "femme fatales"; creatures of unspeakable mystery: forbidden, yet hauntingly irresistible. "Walk(ing) on the Wild Side" with "Lady Stardust" is hardly representative of an evening out with friends at one's local gay bar, anymore than the Stones' "Salt of the Earth" characterizes the world's working class. Musically polished and avant garde for their time, such works at best brought the gay issue into the limelight of social awareness, and at worst presented most gays in a limited. and picture book manner.

The second group of musical

IN

HIGH GEAR

RETROSPECT

entrees boasts a strong grass roots gay following. Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Melissa Manchester, and The Manhatten Transfer all shot off to fame on the crest of a gay wave. While certainly all competent, colorful artists in their own right, none of them specifically sings of gay love or lifestyle, opting instead for the more frequently heterosexual and lucrative means of musical expression. Midler's jokes about "tits and ass" and Manilow's McDonald's commercials are cute, but definitely not gay.

Though not innately gay, disco music of late appears to make less references to "he and her" and more to "you and me," a positive sign of the conscious inclusion of gays in a market that is largely supported by them. Make no bones about it, Gloria Gaynor, MFSB and Labelle will always be close to our hearts.

Outside of the underground rock circuit, the "nouveau nostalgic" clique and disco, two major albums by other gay artists have surfaced on the scene; ones that deal with samesexed love openly, if not in an

Top Ten Disco Tunes of 1975

PROVIDED BY JOE COSTA OF THE BAYOU LANDING,

1. Fly, Robin, Fly

2. That's The Way I Like It

3. Do It Anyway You Wanna

4. It Only Takes a Minute

5. Experience Gloria Gaynor (Side 1)

6. Brazil (Side 1)

7. You Set My Heart on Fire

8. Every Beat of My Heart

9. Get Down Tonight

10. Swearin' to God

Silver Convention

KC and the Sunshine Band People's Choice

Tavares

Gloria Gaynor

Ritchie Family

Tina Charles

Crown Hts. Affair

KC and the Sunshine Band Frankie Valli

Midland

TK

TSOP Capitol MGM

20th Century Columbia

Delite

TK

Private Stock

aesthetically triumphant way. Both Chris Robison and his Many Hand Band (Gypsy Frog Records, Suite 400, 888 Seventh Avenue, N.Y. 10019) and Steven Grossman's Caravan Tonight (Mercury Records, Phonogram Inc., One IBM Plaza, Chicago, Illinois 60611) have been extensively reviewed by After Dark, Rolling Stone, and many gay publications. Nearly all of these "critical summaries" read, 'right on,' 'a true landmark', 'it's about time,' etc., heaping praise on efforts that frankly might not stand on their own if judged by standard contemporary criterion.

Music

Although Robison's intent, I'm sure, was to present homosexuality in an emphatetic, positive manner, the vehicle with which he drives home his point is sputtering and badly needs a tune-up. Reminiscent of a vocal collage of Donovan, Justin Hayward and Steve Harley, Robison's voice is at times indistinguishable; at others excessively inflected. Musically, the arrangements range from occasional folk to hard-hitting rock, and there's even a hint of commercial country.

Robison's lyrical effort centers around the adolescent rebellion of a young gay. This, in itself, has limitless thematic possibilities; however the composer shows our "hero" in a stifling, uncompromising state, and regrettably indulges in the stereotypical pocket of older men lusting after "virginal" boys

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an image gays could do without. The words are often unimaginative; ie., from

"Rainbow Ride": I've known girls, I've known boys, Kellog's Flakes. And Tinker Toys.

Yet, still they are unpretentious, and more significantly universal. Chris Robison and his Many Hand Band has broken fertile ground; but the seeds have yet to be planted.

In comparison to Robison, Steven Grossman's Caravan Tonight is softer, mellow statement, displayed in an effective folk, sometimes MOR rock vein. Lyrically, Grossman appears to be a developed poet. Biting lines reach out and clutch the listener;

Well, I don't want no sugar damn daddy

I don't want to waste my life this life

Lying on the racks with your thousand other lovers

Or pretending to be your wife. Sometimes he is gentle: My heart is sitting Where my head once belonged

And I'm laughing, singing for

you

Loving, and bringing you These five o'clock songs.

Grossman's baritone voice is endearingly unique (indeed, it hints at a modified speech impediment which may give it that special flavor), and the man proves he is an accomplished musician. However sadness and melancholy permeate the bulk of his work. From the mating game of cruising to the coming out to one's folks to the emotional agony of polygamy and the transiency of love, Grossman makes it clear he's bitter, disenchanted, and woefully hopeless. In this author's estimation that is not what being gay is all about; as is neither Robison's occasional hostile thumping or spiteful rebellion.

In retrospect, Grossman's and Robison's creations are personal declarations. Although both artists are gay, they by no means reflect the mainstream of the gay sub-culture. As we uncover the plentiful positive attributes of our lifestyles, we learn that virtue can exist in polygamous love; that constructive ends may be attained through engagement of established channels, and most importantly, that the conflicts about homosexuality many of us have internalized truly belong on the backs of those significant others. I, for one, would like to see a "pick up the pieces," happy (and believe me, I don't mean syrupy) gay musical piece; one which treats homosexuality not as an obsession; but as part of a greater whole. Let's hope it emerges in 1976.....

December 1975

Missing Back Issues?

If you've missed any back issues of High Gear, here's an opportunity to catch up on the features that never age. Have a taste.

May 1975

A Conversation with Three Middle-Aged Gays

Bowie and Glitter Is It Exploitation? Whither G.A.A.

June 1975

A 'Case for Polygamy Transsexualism

The Atheistic Homosexual Cruise Blues

July 1975

Are Homosexuals Superior to Non-Gays?

Loners Anonymous

An Interview with Cleveland's Bar Managers Butch is Beautiful (Too)

August 1975

Know Who Our Friends Are A Whirl with the Texas Tornado Casual Sex

On Being Deaf and Gay

September 1975

Go Straight?

Discotrekkin' with Eric

The Well of Loneliness/The Front Runner

VD Synopsis

October 1975

Twiggy, A Lakefront Legend Kiss and Kill

About Pinkos Gays on Campus

November 1975 Lesbian/Feminist Dr. Noll My Fantasies

The Bicentennial Conference The Myth of the Fag Hag

All back issues are 50c each and

may be purchased by writing Back Issues, High Gear, P.O. Box 6177, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. Please indicate which issues (s) you wish to order and enclose payment. We cannot be responsible for any cash sent through the mails. Build your own chronicle of the gay experience and in the same gesture give your community a helping hand. (All money over, and above postage costs is banked in the GEAR Community Services Fund). Thank you.