The beat goes Michael Becker News Editor @ «* Cher — Believe, 1998 Warner Music, 225319 Researchers believe that a few minor genetic pweaks and manipulations could soon allow human beings to live through 200 birthdays. This startling news abour lite span is a bright spot fer fins of this durable hit machine. Just look at how far Cher has managed the trick of cheating time with the rudimentary tools available to her today. Plastic surgery and studio vocal s allow the pop diva to side-step the pitfalls of mortal existence. Bouncy disco tracks — ala Donna Summer -- wrought by a mob of program- mers and songwriters, propel her to the top of the charts once again. Electronica babies: believe and submit. The tyranny of fluff dictates that this beat shall go on and on and on. B kxxexx By Divine Right -—~ Bless This Mess, Nettwerk Productions 1999, 067003013420 More bless than mess, this fresh blast of Canadian pop energy is an ear-opener, There is detinite vision at play here, right out of the box. And we're not talking about preachy souls-as-fishes exhorta- tions cither. By Divine Right frontman and songwriter Jose Miguel Contreras is a positive guy who loves being alive and who says he finds transcendence in the act of making music. The evidence is right there in the plastic. The songs flow like random aets of kindness with a really good beat — 1 Want Light, Goodbye Paralyser, Shine Sa Shine. Cool sounds, good messages. Dig it. @ *xx** The Chieftains — Tears of Stone, BMG Entertainment 1999, 09026-63968-2 oe ° e LJ Win 8y Divine Right CD Enter to.win a copy of By Divine Right's new CD Bless This Mess. We have one copy-of the CD album to give away plus three CD singles of the lead-off track “Come For A Ride”. Send us a list of your ten favourite records and if your list is pub- lished in the News you will win a CD. The first list in the paper will receive the album — the rest will receive the CD single. Send your entries to: By Divine Right Contest, North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, B.C.V7M 2H4. Attention: John Goodman. You can fax to 985-2104 or e-mail _ . Deadline for entries is Thursday, March {8, 5 p.m.Winners will be notified by phone. CDs courtesy of Nettwerk Productions. The Chiettains’ Paddy Maloney notes this project was over three years in the making. The Irish masters set about to bring in to the studio some of the best of contemporary female voices to conjure Celtic cadences. The result is a plush tapestry of ballads. Contributors include obvious alliances — Sinead O'Connor, The Corrs, The Rankins, Maire Breatnach, Loreena McKennitt -- and more imaginative marriages — Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell, Akiko Yano, Joan Osborne and Bonnie Raitt. @ exe ian & Sylvia — Movin’ On 1967-1968, Universal Music 1999, 314538563-2 Two lost recordings surface here: Lovin’ Sound, originally released in 1967 and Full Cire/e, first out in 1968. lan Tyson and Svlvia Fricker were ultra-hip Canadian folkies carlier in the 1960s. Folk music was hot until the British Invasion steamroller marginalized many a North American musical career. Lovin’ Sound shows the duo in transition, heading for the country sound more fully realized with Fail Circle. There are lots of great covers peppering the enduring original compo- sitions. Tyson saddles up for a lively ride on Big River by Johnny Cash. A version of Tim Hardin’s Reason to Believe (a mega-hit for Rod Stewart just a few years later), proves their knack for recognizing the worth of a good song. On Full Circle Tan & Sylvia worked with some of the top Nashville musicians available. Ultimateiy it is the fine interplay of sweet voices and har- mony that makes this revisit a worthwhile one. Photo Stephen Chung BY Divine Right opens for The Tragicaily Hip at GM Place tonight. , Upholstered Furniture Sale Save 20% to 60% on custom orders and floor models! See the North Shore’s largest furniture collection including upholstery, leather, rattan and patio: Ginger Jar Interiors 1420 Fell Avenue, North Vancouver . . . 988-7328 Monday to Saturday 9:30-6 ... Sunday 1 ‘north e ow SO {Shopping bythe Sea] bythe Sea Ty Bate ne Lhe nae ae ROE ETA ee 6 Ton, SNe 0 MARCH 16,18,20 Spin into the Yo-Yo workshops in Park Royal South Centre Court 1:00-2:30pm Tuesday, March 16 and Thursday, March 18—and hone your skills for the competition held Saturday, March 20. Three skill levels provide room for all talents, with prizes awarded in each ‘evel. Entry fee is $5.00. Register and obtain details at Exsciting Worlds on the second level of Park Royal South. Workshops and tournament conducted by the entertaining “Spintastic” champion and professional! Yo-Yo player Bob Bowden. Cail 925-3563 for more information. Yo-Yo"a registered trademark of Playtoy Industries. EROCITING WORLDS HOMBE NT