Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 17, 2012

15

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT & More

Mountain Views News Saturday, March 17, 2012 

JONQUIL

Review by: Sean Kayden

 

 After the release of two 
under-the-radar EPs, the 
UK quartet, Jonquil, look 
stronger than ever with their 
new oeuvre, “Point of Go”. 
Floating on beautiful melodies, 
demonstrating a truly unique modern sound, and 
displaying mellifluous vocals make for a completely 
enjoyable album to kick off the spring season. The 
group feels more comfortable this time around 
exploring their wall of sound to the fullest. While it 
may not be regarded as something groundbreaking, 
Jonquil has composed a terrific and original “pop” 
record in the midst of flat and dull mainstream acts 
overtaking the radio airwaves. The band seemingly 
knew exactly what they wanted to set out to do 
and have accomplished just that—a superb record 
that reflects upon their earlier influences of 70s/80s 
pop rock, but also remains faithful to originality, 
creativity, and a refreshing grasp on contemporary 
pop. 

 “Point of Go” starts off with “Swells”, a song that 
entirely exposes Jonquil for what they are—a group 
with the aptitude of crafting music that soars from 
beginning to end. It offers so much in three and a 
half minutes that you may raise concern if the rest 
of the record can keep up and, well, the answer 
is yes, without a doubt. “Getaway” follows with a 
quick tempo providing the background for a soft 
and delicate vocal arrangement. The single, “It’s My 
Part”, is indelible. With a tropical-induced rhythm 
and utterly appealing guitar work, it’s the ultimate 
spring song. “Run”, the best song off the album is 
wholeheartedly captivating right from the start and 
easily rivals any and all other releases in the pop 
realm. “This Innocent” slows the record down a bit, 
but no complaints here. The dreamy backdrop is a 
pleasant change of pace. The second to last track, 
“History of Headaches” is peaceful and tranquil. 
Jonquil is content on being the outsiders and 
everything they do is outside the box in terms of 
delivering something new and untarnished. 

 The eleven-track compilation is sharp and 
smooth. Never does it meander from the course it’s 
traveling down. It’s pure beach pop throughout, but 
the band is able to offer a special take differing from 
other groups in the same spectrum. Jonquil offers 
ten truly glistening tracks that impress beyond any 
expectations. This is simply fun music that is both 
cheery and memorable. The UK lads don’t exchange 
substance for style, but provide both without ever 
compromising their artistic choices. “Point of Go” 
effortlessly establishes itself as not only a stellar 
addition to the indie territory, but also the expansion 
to all realms of music. 

Grade: 8.3 out of 10

Key Tracks: “Swells”, “It’s My Part”, “Run”, “History 
of Headaches”


Artist: Jonquil

Album: Point of Go

Label: Dovecote Records

Released: February 22, 2012

“MORNING’S AT SEVEN.” 

MARCH 30- MAY 12.

Aaronetta and Ida Gibbs have lived next door to each other most 
of their lives and along with Esther, all of the Gibb sisters are an 
open book to each. Husbands not included. Into the fray comes 
Myrtle Brown, perpetually engaged to Ida's son Homer. But Homer 
can't seem to pop the question. Taking matters into her own 
hands, Myrtle finally gets a proposal by compelling Homer to fly 
the nest. Sort of. This perennially charming portrait of small town 
America was first produced on Broadway in 1939 and revived in 
1980 and in 2002 to critical acclaim. By Paul Osborn, Directed by 
Bob Hakman

 Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 W. Sierra Madre 
Blvd., Sierra Madre, CA 91024. Ample free parking behind theatre. 
Tickets: $25. Seniors (65+) and students (13-17), $22. Children 12 
and under, $15. Musicals: $25 all seats. Reservations: (626) 355-
4318. Online ticketing: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

WHAT’S NEXT AT THE SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE

PASADENA COMMUNITY 
ORCHESTRAFEATURES GUEST 
SOLOIST DONALD FISHER

Friday, March 30, 8 p.m., First Church of 
the Nazarene, Pasadena

 Donald Fisher, principal bassoonist with 
Pasadena Community Orchestra, will perform 
Carl Maria von Weber’s Bassoon 
Concerto in F major, Op. 75, with conductor 
Alan Reinecke and the Pasadena Community 
Orchestra on Friday, March 30, at 8 
p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Church of the 
Nazarene, Pasadena (PazNaz). 

 Fisher started playing bassoon in junior 
high school, when, he says, there were very 
few bassoonists in Los Angeles; by high 
school, he was playing in the UCLA Orchestra 
under Lucas Foss and the UCLA 
Symphonic Band under Clarence Sawhill. 
He has been principal bassoonist with 
many symphonies over the years, including 
American Conservatory Orchestra in Chicago, 
Evanston Symphony Orchestra, and 
Cantori Domino Orchestra, to name a few. 
He currently plays with North Valley Symphony 
and Glendale College Community 
Orchestra as well as Pasadena Community 
Orchestra, where he has served as principal 
bassoonist for over 20 years. Fisher has been 
on the faculty of UCLA School of Dentistry 
since the school opened in 1965, including 
20 years as department chair and 10 years as 
director of the faculty group dental practice. 

 The 2011-2012 concert series marks Pasadena 
Community Orchestra’s 28th year of 
bringing fine classical music to the community. 
Concerts are free, with donations taken 
at the door. 

 First Church of the Nazarene (PazNaz) offers 
an abundance of free parking with wheelchair 
access. There will be refreshments after the concert 
reception enabling musicians, soloists, and 
concertgoers to meet and mingle. The church is 
located at 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena. 
For further information, please contact 
the orchestra at 626.445.6708, via email at pcoemails@
gmail.com, or at http://www.pcomusic.
org.


WISTARIA 
FESTIVAL TO 
OFFER TOURS OF 
HISTORIC 1887 
PINNEY HOUSE; 

Sunday, March 25, 2012 

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM

The historic landmark Pinney 
House, built in 1887, will be 
open for self-guided tours for 
the first time ever, during the 
March 25 Wistaria Festival in 
Sierra Madre, California.

The Pinney House, designed 
by Victorian architects Samuel 
& Joseph Cather Newsom, is 
celebrating 125 years, and has 
recently undergone a major 
renovation to a lovely estate 
house. 

Tours will be offered to visitors 
on the Wistaria Festival shuttle, 
as the bus stops in front of the 
Pinney House at 225 No. Lima 
St. Visitors must have a shuttle 
ticket to enter.

Noted California artists, William 
Wray and Lynne Fearman, 
local to Sierra Madre, will be 
exhibiting their work in the 
House. Wray’s evocative work 
exhibits internationally. Wray 
has designed a commemorative 
poster for the 2012 Wistaria 
Festival, which will be offered 
for sale during the Festival. 

 Plein Air artist Lynne Fearman’s 
paintings portray beautiful 
serene landscapes of San Gabriel 
Valley and Southern California.

The Sierra Madre Wistaria 
Festival celebrates the Guinness 
Book certified “World’s 
Largest Blossoming Plant.” It 
is estimated that at the height 
of bloom it has 1.5 million 
blossoms with 40 blossoms per 
square foot, a weight of 250 tons 
and has branches that extend 
500 feet. The vine is 118 years 
old. The first public Wistaria 
Festival occurred in 1918. 
Several blocks south of the 
vine, the village of Sierra Madre 
celebrates with arts and craft 
fair, live musical entertainment, 
a kids’ zone, dining al fresco at 
local restaurants as well as food 
vendors in the Memorial Park. 

More information on The 
Pinney House can be found at 
www.pinneyhouse.com. 

More information on 
Wistaria Festival and to order 
Shuttle Tickets, visit www.
wistariafestival.com and www.
wistariatickets.com.