cash box talent on stage The Miracles Tracy Nelson Helen Reddy Paul Williams DISNEYLAND - The Miracles were BOTTOM LINE, NYC - Tracy Nelson only able to give lambent performances has the uncanny ability of total audience UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATER, HOL- her upcoming single entitled "Angie amidst circus festoonery and a narrow captivation and immediate rapport. From LYWOOD - Capitol recording artist, Baby" which is quite a change from her stage contingent to Disneyland's the moment she sings her first note, Helen Reddy performed here to SRO present standards. harlequin rock circus format. Unfor- there is an unmistakable power evident crowds at this outdoor arena. Helen Paul Williams, an A&M recording artist tunately, clowns and other related "un- in her vocal expression. Her remarkable delighted the people in attendance with opened the show and quickly captured der the small top," paraphernalia ab- vocal power, which barely seems to songs from her entire catalog, which by the hearts and the ears of everyone in at- sorbed precious moments which other- require any effort at all, possesses a rich the way is far too numerous to mention tendance. Paul, who is one of the finest wise might have been given to the timbre and positive polish. She can be here. Helen seems to have loosened up songwriters ever, proved that he can Miracles. In spite of their brevity, the delicate in one breath and belt out the on stage thus presenting a much more sing as well as he can write.. Paul said Miracles with Bill Griffin singing lead next musical phrase with apparent non - relaxed atmosphere which enhances her that everyone hears a song after it is sounded particularly good on "Tears Of exertion. That in fact was the most out- delightful vocals. If one were to compare completed and out on the market but he A Clown," and their new Tamla smash standing feature of her live performance. Helen's interpretive style with another would like to show them a song that he "Do It Baby." One slight impediment to Her amazing vocal power with seemingly they would find that there is not likely and his musical conductor and producer, their current act is in their repertoire not an exerted breath behind it. another female singer around that pos- Ken Ascher, had just finished writing. It relying too heavily on arcane tunes from Her set reflects the diversification of sesses such warmth and style as she. was called "Sad Song" and it will their "Renaissance" LP rather than per- her background and musical preferen- Helen did a little dance routine while definitely be a hit if recorded by the right forming more of the familiar hits as- ces. The lovely Miss, is comfortable in a singing a song about the wonderful artist. sociated with the group's past. Obviously variety of musical genres and carried off world of show business. She also told us Paul Williams, received two encores they are determined to establish a fresh an Dylan pop classic "It Takes A Lot To about her role in the upcoming motion and a multitude of standing ovations. identity but this will have to come as a Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry," with picture "Airport '75." She stated that the The next time he appears here or result of first establishing major hits polished finesse. Her rendition of the role that she played allowed her to be anywhere for that matter it should be at which are in the same calibre of earlier Conway Twitty-Loretta Lynn tune "both the flying and the singing nun at the top of the bill. kudos. Their updated rendition of "Ooh "There's Nothing Colder Than The the same time." Helen also introduced be Baby Baby" sounded like it should be a Ashes After The Fire Is Gone" proved future single called "Ooh Baby Baby her facility as a country singer. She '75." Commander Cody and This resuscitated version is every closed her set with "Mother Earth" a bit as thrilling as the first one which bluesy number that had Tracy belting it Smokey recorded His Lost Planet Airmen with the group over a out like a real pro and featured some ex- decade ago. cellent guitar work by Steve Hostak with The New Riders Of r.b. a spot playing guitar with his teeth. m.d. The Purple Sage Don McLean The Persuasions The 5th Dimension Deodato THE GREAT LAWN, CENTRAL PARK, and their own hit "Hot Rod Lincoln" were WOLLMAN RINK - CENTRAL PARK, N.Y. tremendous crowd estimated at backed by strong steel pedal lead. Cody, NY Don McLean, UA artist, brought UNIVERSAL AMPHITHEATRE, HOL- -A - LYWOOD 50,000 basked in glorious sunshine and on piano, traded improvisational breaks his delicate balance of lyrical and - Deodato, MCA recording artist listened to the music of Commander with Andy Scott on violin and provided musical interpretation back to NY last opened the evening with some of Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen and the bridge between the bouncy rhythm week (18). Reflecting his music appren- his special classical masterpieces. The new sounds "Rhapsody In was The New Riders of the Purple Sage at a line and the vocals. The dancing crowd ticeship on Pete Seeger's sloop "Clear- of Blue" outstanding, given the Deodato free concert in Central Park, sponsored raised a cloud of dust as they stomped to water," McLean played a set of treat- ment. The hit by WNEW-FM, the N.Y. Dept. of Parks, Cody's funky sound, which left the traditional folk and country classics as "2001" projected an ex- citing sound to the outdoor atmosphere and Columbia and Paramount Records. audience in a highly excited state as they well as his own compositions. McLean's Cody opened the set and immediately awaited the appearance of the New recording of the American dream and its of the Amphitheatre. Even with initial launched into hard -driving country Riders. failure was superbly balanced by his em- sound system problems, Deodato's bril- boogie sound. The Paramount artist's The Columbia Riders' somewhat mel- pathetic vision of a better world. The liance in creating moods was ap- rendition of Presley's "Jailhouse Rock" lower sound echoed their Grateful Dead audience picked up the tone of his mes- preciated by all. His special rock treat- roots. The group's harmonious sage and one could fairly state that ment to the classics is a joy to the ears. vocalizations reached their peak in their "Dreidel" and "By The Waters Of Following the Deodato rendition of "2001," the 5th Dimension hit "Louisiana Lady" with a strong per- Babylon" were produced by an audience opened their formance by Buddy Cage on steel -pedal and artist united in one voice. performance with the same song done guitar. Other numbers, like "Panama Though McLean received his loudest with their special vocal excitement. This Red" and "Lately on My Mind" demon- ovation for "American Pie" and "Vin- was followed by the ever popular "Aquarius." These Bell recording strated a finely integrated balance of in- cent," his banjo picking had the artists strumental improvisation and vocal inter- audience dancing in the aisles. A con- were outstanding with a special medley of hits requested by pretation and capped the concert with a cert situation, with its loose production the audience, con- PER HOUR bouquet of good vibes. and its emphasis on technical sisting of "One Less Bell," "Ashes To Scott Muni of WNEW emphasized the proficiency, clearly provides the best Ashes," "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Pup- OFF -TIME SPECIAL cooperation of the N.Y. Parks Dept. in medium of expression for McLean's in- pet Man." 8 TRACK the production of the concert. No other tricate finger picking, dancing blues riffs The "5th Dimension" did their usual city would have allowed a concert of this and vocal improvisations. Folk music is crowd -pleasing performance featuring RECORDING size, he said. "The parks people are currently experiencing a rebirth in this individual treatments by Marilyn McCoo, Florence PHONE: 212-765-8499 tremendous," Muni added. country, and Don McLean remains one LaRue Gorden, Billy Davis Jr., sm of the major producers of new com- Ron Townson and Lamonte McLemore. positions and reinterpreters of past clas- Under the direction of John Myles, the sics. 5th Dimension orchestra was a pleasant Opening for McLean were The Per- background to the various vocal ar- suasions. The A&M artists brought their rangements of this fine group. "Spec- unique style of vocal harmonization to tacular" was Ron Townson singing an ex- both a medley of chain gang spirituals cerpt from the opera "Pagliacci." This and their past hits "Imagination" and was a pleasant change of pace. "Beauty's Only Skin Deep." The Per- Along with the 5th Dimension or- suasions' distinct vocal presentation of- chestra were personal "5th Dimension" fered a fusion of gospel, soul, and rock musicians Robert Gallarza, Jr., lead and was well received by the crowd. guitar; Mel Lee, drums; Montego Joe, congas and Latin percussions; Andrew White, bass; "Fast Fingers" Bobby Lee Nazareth Howard on rhythm guitar; and Eric Lin- SENECA COLLEGE, TORONTO demann on organ, piano and electric piano. pj CANADA - Nazareth, a four man Scot- tish group, are becoming more popular with each American tour. I had the has a very good talent for performing pleasure of seeing them at various someone else's songs and giving their stages along this tour and the crowd own damn good rendition of it. A good reaction that they received was astound- example would be the old Yardbirds clas- ing. It seems that Nazareth gets better sic "Shapes" which is from their present with each new album.