. " eashbox talenton stage Johnny Rivers Marvin Gaye Hall & Oates Dramatics ROXY, L A - Over the past couple of THE ROXY, LA — Having been around Sister Sledge years or so, a growing number of music Hall awhile can have its disadvantages. You lovers have been turned on to Daryl either get labeled as a has-been hanging RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL. NYC — The change from casual dress to a flashier and John Oates. The RCA soul flavored onto past glories or a victim of stunted front stage rose with Marvin Gaye atop a tuxedo He then proceeded with "What's duo from Philly performed at the Roxy creative growth. Professionally speaking pedestal The curtains opened, revealing Going On" playing acoustic piano A last Mon night to a very enthusiastic and Johnny Rivers' recent Roxy gig was a huge orchestra and an attractive group transparent screen was lowered and pic- appreciative crowd none of the above. of male and female singer/dancers. The tures of underprivileged children were Hall and Oates had excellent rhythmic Rivers' music (an Epic artist) has audience, which consisted largely of shown to "Save The Babies.” The show support from Tod Sharp on lead guitar. reached a level of middle ground in rela- Gaye's older more dedicated fans, react- ended with Marvin Gaye no longer up on Stevie Dees on bass, Eddie Zyne on drums, tion to the past and present; ergo a state ed in due fashion to their superstar. his pedestal, but on his knees, singing and Dave Kent on keyboards of timelessness that reflects on both Throughout the performance, Gaye’s "Mercy Mercy." throughout an impressive set that times without overlapping oppressively fans moved and screamed in a fashion Warming up for Marvin Gaye was The featured material from the current LP into one or the other. somewhat reminiscent of Beatlemania Dramatics with Ron Banks They were "Daryl Hall & John Oates,” (#80 on the This effective use of middle music Marvin Gaye has an incredible storage five extremely polished dancers and Cash Box album chart) as well as tasteful ground was spearheaded by River's of material which he managed to in- singers. Their harmonies were impecca- selections from previous efforts. patented blues twang His particular corporate into his show, including one ble The Dramatics were received well as Daryl Hall sings the majority of lead knack of bending and shaping vocal side of his latest (but year old) album they went through their barrage of hit vocals with John Oates supplying phrasing proved a natural element in his "What's Going On " With subtle bodily songs. Included in the set was their new soulfully smooth harmonies and together interpretation of newer material as well movements, Gaye walked and danced single "Stars In Your Eyes" which is they create a style all their own. as pages from a not too distant past. across the huge stage delighting every- presently on the Cash Box r&b charts, "Camellia," their first single on RCA and of musical movement easily "Alone Too Soon," their latest, were The ease one with his hit "Let's Get It On." as well "Me And Mrs. Jones.” and "Love Is Mis- augered on "Help Me Rhonda" as as tunes made famous by others, such as sin' both well received "Sara Smile," River's backing unit (featuring the per- another tune of strong commercial “Heard It Through The Grapevine.” Join- Opening the evening's entertainment of Helmer potential cussive and lead actions Jim ing Gaye for two numbers was Inez An-* was Sister Sledge, four young sisters aroused vocal support from and guest harmonies of everyone in attendance Indeed, the en- and Taylor Uhler thony, a talented young vocalist, who who had it together vocally in addition to Al Jardine and Mike Love) combined for brought back memories of Tammy Ter- their rhythmic choreography Their act tire show was consistent in style, taste an overall effort that smacked of feel and would be at home in Las Vegas, yet they and professionalism Perhaps the time rel I bel ievabil ity Toward the middle of the show the received a warm reception here in New has come for Hall and Oates to receive also re- the success that has long overdue. Rivers' successful past laundry dancers took over, allowing Gaye to York. b.s. been ceived a strong airing as the goodtimey m.a. Pneumonia" and vibes of "Rockin' the Sunshine "Maybeline" played the perfect balance KC and Band Jackie DeShannon to “Wrong Side Of Town" and "Tracks Of Franklin Ajaye Flying Burrito Bros. My Tears." ROXY, L A — Get down, get down guitar was flashy but the dude played THE TROUBADOUR, L A. — Feel is an But the secret to Rivers' staying power tonight, that's what happened when KC with precision and poise. to important thing in music. Without an ap- as an entertainer was brought the fore and the Sunshine Band made their west The show up uptempo all the way with " peal to emotion or coursing of com- in “Secret Agent Man There was a coast debut at the Roxy. KC and his 8- the crowd gettin' off their feet and bump- munication between performer and au- gleam in his eye, a smile on his face. piece band from Florida really layed ing against the tables to "Shotgun Shuf- dience a song can be a presentation and How could you not get off on somebody down some mighty fine dancing sounds fle," “Rock Your Baby," That's The Way of what not much else Jackie DeShannon's gig who was enjoying every moment which drove everybody up to party hear- (I Like It). The number that took every- at the Troubadour was a prime example he was doing? ty. With the sounds of Florida echoing body and shook up the Roxy like a hur- car's of feel in presentation as soul on musical Upon leaving a familiar tag on a throughout the club it's no wonder why ricane was when the group did their gold " ice proved the order of the day. license plate brought the evening's en- KC and his Sunshine Band are burning single "Get Down Tonight Everybody Ms. DeShannon’s set (courtesy of tertainment into proper focus. It was in- up the charts with their latest releases. got up and did a little dance. KC and Columbia) hit at the very core of emo- deed The Roxy and 1 975 These guys cook. The horn section Sunshine look to have a promising and tional phrasings as the levels of human But it could have just as easily been which consists of Denvil Liptrot on sax. bright future if they continue to keep the exhibited her vocal stance down the street at The Whiskey in 1967 Charles Williams on Trombone. James music hot and lively. response by light pop-country m.k./m.s. Weaver on trumpet and Ronnie Smith on Franklin Ajaye opened to KC and the waxed proficient with a backing particular note this night was trumpet really played their hearts out young man from L A did a hilarious set. Of fit the right inflec- These guys are tight and together, plus Franklin's dialogue covered everything Jackie's ability to just Ronnie Laws tons and octaves to effectively broach when it comes time to get down the guys from drugs, commercials, TV movies, each musical message know how to shuffle their feet. KC is a Barry White. Al Green and life. This man A highlight of DeShannon's set was LIGHTHOUSE, L A — Every once in surefire entertainer that plays a fine set besides being funny is one comedian lines drawn on the more awhile a new jazz personality hits the of ivories and his voice nicely compli- right on target the meticulous uptempo numbers as a positive aura to market and nothing happens. Ronnie ments the sound Jerome Smith on j.i. Laws should be the exception This man complete believability served a consis- tent hallmark. This presence stretched to is a refreshing face to the music world. Marshall Tucker Band Nils Lofgren His set at the Lighthouse was totally en- Outlaws Beau Brummels the introspective ballads as laidback tertaining both musically but more im- odes received this same shot of uplifting portantly to the jazz vein, visual Ronnie SANTA MONICA CIVIC AUDITORIUM, THE TROUBADOUR, L A -Guitarists while maintaining restrained quality of — I took difficult situation when it is energetic and enthusiastic about his LA When was a boy my mother face a rather spirit. music and presentation. me to see "Town Hall Party" in Compton, comes to treading modern day musical Jackie DeShannon's Troubadour gig Opening up his set with "Mary's Place" where I stood in awe of the slick hair and ground You can either sit content in rak- was more than a mere performance. It the Blue Note recording artist was checkered shirts of Doy O'Dell who ing over old riffs or chance experimenta- continued on p. 28 played guitar and Spade Cooley who not tion and risk unreceptiveness on the part showcasing material off his most recent Leo Kottke "Pressure Sensitive" LP. On this number only played fiddle, but wore a scarf of the masses. Last week’s Troubadour around his neck. called it hillbilly gig Nils Lofgren succeed by doing a Ronnie opted his tenor sax for the We saw ALICE TULLY HALL, NYC — If the guitar then bit soprano clarinet and he played it music of both. had 18 strings, Leo Kottke would not be I little older I shot pool in turned in beautifully.