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Yes Don McLean Joni Mitchell HALL, NYC He has ACADEMY OF MUSIC, NYC The pletely captivated their audience by CARNEGIE - Jackson Browne - is blending their brilliant vocal harmony created himself a monster. It bothers problem with most rock bands today because you're paranoid, it CARNEGIE HALL, NYC-It's the that they insist on playing music of with an equally brilliant display of him. "Just best of both worlds. Flowing out reads thoroughly precise musicianship. doesn't mean they're not out to get piano, the late 60's when the calendar you," he mused during a concert that onto a naked stage (save a 1972. Many rely on their original in- While each performed solos on his guitar and dulcimer), she is greeted rock 'n particular instrument, the group received press coverage as though it and terpretations of unoriginal were a news event. In a way, it was, to the cheers, screams general roll songs to get them by. Others nev- worked basically as a total unit. euphoric euphoria of Mitchellmania. Individually, the group consists of for what Don has wrought is a lot er even bother to become original at more than a #1 song. But you can hear a pin drop as she all. But, in a time when more than lead vocalist, ; drummer begins to perform and she can intro- ; guitarist, ; Comments before the show ranged ever, must make substan- from: "But what else does he do be- duce many new tunes to the evening tial gains and progress to stay alive, bassist ; and Rick Wake- without fear. Joni Mitchell is adored of on all keyboard instruments in- sides `American Pie?' " (a minority there has emerged a handful man I hope he does some and her talent is respected. Would groups who have paved the way. cluding organ, piano, harpsichord, stance), to "Gee, we had a dollar for every "beautiful" mellotron and moog synthesizer. things from his first album." A few then Groups who have blazed a trail all people walked out-perhaps because that was laid upon her altar, for their own. Amongst them are Jethro Even more interesting is the fact that we could buy enough albums to dis- of the five Yes members sing, they couldn't wait for the evening's Tull, Deep Purple Mountain, Emer- three the 99 tribute to the unenlightened among us. Yes. and all contribute in the songwriting close to hear the biggee. For a total of six new son, Lake & Palmer and now, 9/10! who stayed riveted to their In all, she sang Not too many months ago, I sat department. tunes, ranging from the introspective Apart from "Roundabout" and seats, McLean gave 'em their money's listening to `The Yes Album' for the crowd seemed to en- "For The Roses" (not your ordinary very first time. When it was over, I "Yours Is No -Disgrace," Yes per- worth. And the "lonely singer in the limelight" tune) formed "I've Seen All Good People," joy Seeger -influenced banjo oldies as analogy -filled, socially -conscious smiled. It was obvious to me. They the more familiar tunes from to the played music of the 1970's. And they "Your Move," and "Perpetual much as "Banquet." While often referred to Change" from their Yes album, and his #1 LP. By appearing unaccompan- as one of the few "genuine feminin- played it like it's never been played ied, he became all the more focal before. Yes could do it all! Then came "" from their ists" on the male -dominated music rep- current bestselling "Fragile" offering. point of all attention. And on his scene, only one song ("Oh Honey, `Fragile,' and apart from it being shoulders alone rest the success of the resentative of the markings on their Somehow, Yes is what I've been You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio") set waiting for. And they have arrived night's entertainment. out in the concrete any point about equipment, it describes the sensitivity For those wondering what his next of thier music. For Yes music is frag- in a big way. If you've been wonder- liberation. Even here, it was layered ing whether or not rock music can single will be, our applause meter between multi -meaning passages and ile! indicate "Vincent" as first From their opening selection, survive in a time when more and would themes, one in particular tactfully acts are going acoustic-the an- choice, not too far ahead of "Winter - chiding AM radio for neglecting the "Roundabout," through their encore, more For those hoping for a new "Yours Is No Disgrace," Yes com- swer is YES! k.k. wood." kind of music that can sell out a tune in the near future, we have only hall like Carnegie. Now to be recorded McLean's observation "Maybe there'll by Atlantic -distributed Asylum, she's Alex Taylor Dennis Coffey be no next!" in a position to continue on her own Dennis It was a weird picture-people road whether the boss jocks care for MAVERICK'S FLAT, L.A. - jumping up and down, singing about Malo Coffee's group, the Detroit Guitar her or not. Eventually, that "Big Yel- Alex "this will be the day that I die" with low Taxi" 's gonna take them all WHISKY A GO GO, L.A. - Band, consists of congas, a drummer, faces and admiration/love in Taylor resembles everybody's college keyboard player and bassist. What? smiles on away if they don't listen and fess up. manner, a with only hearts. Also unusual, the a capella Although Joni was indubitably the roommate-slightly drowsy The Detroit Guitar Band round singing that actually came off paunch that comes only with thor- one guitar? How does he get away headliner, there was a considerable work- inside the cake -like Carnegie Hall at- amount of interest among the audi- ough knowledge of the inner with it ? else he may be, a six pack, good-natured and by rhythm and lead mosphere. Whatever ence regarding the appearance of ings of 'Simply playing Don McLean is not your ordinary Jackson Browne, the young Califor- giving an impression of being someone simultaneously, thus sounding like 6a. who'd do anything to help a friend. several guitarists all at once! singing bard. nia -based /singer who also As such, Taylor also fulfills Every - most numbers, he'll take a records for Asylum. Strumming ef- For fortlessly on his man's wish to sing songs he likes rhythm riff, repeating it and adding acoustic guitar, by a truly top-flight America Browne was magnificent, creating accompanied various filligree until the result is whirls of lyrical images and letting band. Songs like "From a Buick Six," really big and really Robert Klein Charlie Rich's "Who Will the Next something his richly textured voice underline Days funky. His prowess with a ballad was McDonough them in memorable fashion. "Song Fool Be" and Steve Stills' "Four Megan For Adam," a an Gone." demonstrated on his version of "Nev- BITTER END, NYC-The grass is portrait of acquaint- virtues as a singer appear er Could Say Goodbye," from an up- The ance which grows more moving with Taylor's always greener on the other side. each rendering, was joined by the to come chiefly from an easy famil- coming Sussex album. Well, the guy's Beatles didn't make it in England rather than is gospel -tinged "Rock Me On The Wa- iarity with the material, got to be versatile session work until they left for Hamburg, Germany, ter," "These Days" and "Take It any great technical prowess. Like- his business. and then returned to England billed manner onstage Easy." On piano he did a splendid wise, his untutored Attempt at any sort of a stage as the top group in Germany. Jimi "Jamaica Say You Will." Browne is contributes to the character he por- the group Hendrix went unnoticed in this coun- presence was minimal; him a spellraster who should be a top - trays. on their music to carry the try until Chas Chandler brought billed attraction before long. Not that he puts on a sloppy show- counts to England so that when he returned r,a. & e.k. than most weight. And for the most part it to his nativeland everyone thought Taylor's set is a lot tighter would be consider- Dawn club, with a minimum of does, although it he was English. And now three young to play this ably better -utilized in a situation England INTERNATIONAL HOTEL, LAS fooling around between songs. It's Americans who moved to an air where dancing is possible: theirs are have returned as the new sensation. VEGAS - In this, their first Slot just that, it's all pulled off with discotheque Only this group is called America, City booking, Bell's Dawn proved and charm. among the all-time great of informality records, and the live sound is just as which gives us a clue where they're themselves to be of considerably more The band, of Taylor's "Friends and from. interest than the usual lounge act- of movement -provoking. A special men- Neighbors," is as good a group of Coffey's bas- But the incredible quickness of enough so to be able to headline and you're likely to find tion should be made America's American success is baffling totally justify the billing. back-up people as bear of a man with a big anywhere, with the keyboard player sist, a big everyone, especially the group! Their Tony, Telma and Joyce have put particularly noteworthy. All got into a bear of a sound. t.e. music is pleasant contemporary folk together with musical director Rich- groove on using acoustic guitars and occasional ard Delvy an act that gives each particularly swinging bass. Their original songs are simple singer time to showcase his talent, "Southbound," a tune from Taylor's Eric Andersen and easy to remember, but there is with room left for the group's hits. first Capricorn album. CASTAWAYS, NYC - Eric Ander- nothing about either their music or The 40 -minute set opened with the People who think of Malo as being sen, prototypical singer/songwriter personalities that craves attention. theme from "Shaft," which comes off Santana's brother group just because and his own sharpest critic. He was By just sitting there and quietly play- surprisingly well in hands other than Carlos Santana's brother is in it seem first to note that his early tunes were ing, they have become the object of Isaac Hayes'. After a couple of more to be listening with one ear or fewer. two things: high- more attention than they know what tunes featuring the trio, Tony Orlan- chiefly about only is Malo, as it turns out, is Latin -rock, ways and girls. Well, highway pro- to do with. Perhaps their success do solos more than capably on "Ain't ends. a lucky click of circumstance, or No Sunshine," the first less -than - but there the similarity grams are not as big as mass -transit maybe its a subtle blend of talent, frantic number in the set. The tempo For Malo's both a tougher band systems and "girls" is just plain sex- but either way, it's a magic dream shifts up again with "Don't Knock than Santana and one that's closer to ist these days. But Eric's still the pro- come true for three kids. My Love" and "Joy to the World" the traditional Latin dance band, totypical singer/songwriter. There are few nightspots in which (this is a Vegas lounge, after all). Santana being blues -oriented and There is no other voice so beauti- a comedian can address himself to a Orlando leaves the stage and the girls Malo being rhythm and blues. That's a fully sculpted in the upper ranges, so young audience and it would seem, take over for a nicely -performed generalization to be sure, but so's mellow in the low. fewer comics capable of succeeding bacharach-David medley, with Joyce up -from-the -earth Klein is one of those "Latin -rock." A lot of the r&b feeling While "Violets Of Dawn" has not at it. Robert Vincent giving a light, delicate treat- by the super horn sec- few, fewer, fewest and as always, ment to "Make It Easy on Yourself" is generated wilted for all the intervening years, his set was just the right blend of and Telma Hopkins delivering "A tion, playing what sounds like quite new tunes like "Is It Really Love?" tested material and improvisation. House Is Not a Home" in a stronger, "arranged" charts over a very tight and "Blue River" display a growing Megan McDonough reminds us a huskier manner. Then comes "Knock rhythm section. Perhaps the weakest sense of strength and self-confidence. bit of Mary Hopkin and Marianne Three Times" and a finale of Mac aspect of the group's performance re- And his version of "Daddy Frank Faithfull in their early stages. The Davis' "I Believe in Music" complete viewed was the vocal work which was, (The Guitar Man)" succeeded in turn- Wooden Nickel singer/songwriter with audience participation. fortunately, kept to a minimum in fa- eastside club into a (distributed by RCA) does have to Prior to his fairly recent touring ing this upper about between - vor of the hard -driving rhythms. country setting quicker than you can learn a thing or two with Dawn, Tony Orlando has been reality little more in tune patter, and while some of her off the boards for several years, mak- No, Malo has in say Merle Haggard. compositions could stand some tight- ing his complete professionalism common with Santana than-oh- We eagerly await his upcoming ening, she does present herself as a all the more noteworthy. And it's diffi- Alex Taylor has with James. The si- Columbia LP and all the renewed in- pixie of a prospect for future praise cult to tell if the girls sing better bling rivalry keeps them both strong. terest it should bring him and his from a wide audience. than they look, or vice-versa. In ei- t.e. music. r.a. m.p. & r.a. ther case, it's pretty damn good. t.e.

20 Cash Box - March 4, 1972 www.americanradiohistory.com