cash box: album reviews pop picks COME ON OVER - Olivia Newton -John - MCA SONG OF JOY - Captain & Tennille - A&M SP 2186 - Producer: John Farrar - List: 6.98 4570 - Producers: Captain & Tennille - List: The constantly maturing vocals of Olivia ((//WJJ^^''// 6.98 Newton -John continue their musical growth on "Song Of Joy" by the Captain & Tennille is "Come On Over." Ms. Newton -John puts effec- characterized by a clear and entertaining bal- tive emotion into every song and, when played ance of music. Soulful ballads as well as uptem- off against clear instrumentals, strikes an effec- po movers benefit equally from Toni Tennille's tive tone on ballad and uptempo numbers alike. vocals and an overall clear production. Of AM adds are a cinch while easy listening and particular note this outing is the depth of each middle of the road lists should do the same. Top piece of music. Hats off to arrangement. AM cuts include "Who Are You Now?" "Blue Eyes chances are assured while easy listening outlets Crying In The Rain" and a moving cover of will also be there. Top cuts include "Smile For "Jolene." Me One More Time," "Thank You Baby" and a rousing cover of "Shop Around." ROCH N' ROLL ROCK 'N' ROLL LOVE LETTER - Bay City VE LETTER A TRICK OF THE TAIL - Genesis - Atco SD Rollers - Arista AL 4071 - Producers: Phil 36129 - Producers: David Hentschel and Gen- Wainman and Colin Frechter - List: 6.98 esis - List: 6.98 On "Rock 'N' Roll Love Letter" the Bay City Musical references and influences prove en- Rollers prove skilled practitioners of the pop and tertaining and recognizable on "A Trick Of The rock arts. Clear intentioned vocals and tight in- Tail" by Genesis. Lilting ballad forms and spacey strumentation make for a series of rockers and instrumental and vocal passages, all touched ballads that hit at the pop heart. AM lists are slightly by progressive elements, make for a virtually locked in while easy listening might striking balance and the over-all listenability of want to try a ballad cut. Top listens include "Rock the album. FM shots all over the board while 'N' Roll Love Letter," "I Only Wanna Dance With easy listening outlets might want to try a cut or You," "Maybe I'm A Fool To Love It" and "Too two. Top cuts include "Dance On A Volcano," "A Young To Rock And Roll." Trick Of The Tail" and "Mad Man Moon." LOCKED IN Wishbone Ash Atlantic - - SD STONE ALONE - Bill Wyman - Rolling Stone 18164 - Producer: Tom Dowd List: 6.98 - COC 79103 - Producer: Bill Wyman List: 6.98 It's rock and blues in a constant subtle vein on - Musical identity is the key factor in the working "Locked In" by Wishbone Ash. The band, noted of "Stone Alone" by Bill Wyman. The elements for its early use of the twin guitar assault, stands of pop and reggae are valid ones in Wyman's slightly muted but more melodic on uptempo hands as taut instrumentals and subtle vocal cuts while mellower moments work on the shadings make for a series of cuts that are suc- strength of natural vocals and overall tight in- cessful by virtue of their individuality. Good AM strumentation. A ton FM possibilities of here possibilities while more progressive outings while AM outlets stand equally likely. Top listens stand a chance at FM homes. Top listens include include "She Was My Best Friend," "Half Past "If You Wanna Be Happy," "Every Sixty Sec- Lovin"' and a hill tainted workout on "Rest In onds," "Peanut Butter Time" and "Gimmie Just Peace." One Chance." _FEARLESS - Hoyt Axton - A&M SP 4571 - ,tae..a.,,,. EARGASM - Johnnie Taylor - Columbia PC n Lamm« Producer: David Kershenbaum - List: 6.98 33951 - Producer: Don Davis List: 6.98 ,nwa- - rcrcppnn "Fearless." the latest by Hoyt Axton, is an ode ä3,ihniuk fAimnkTry4x Soul and funk with just the right amount of dis- to the subtleties that lie in the meeting'of coun- u.,ó' co action highlights the efforts of "Eargasm" by try, pop and folk influences. Axton's potent story- ,.,.;.ekarrWnt m, <,.; Johnnie Taylor. Taylor's subtle sensuality carries telling approach to lyrics and sparse taut in- arl un<Mleiiwk a strong vocal punch while constantly moving in- .v.9eawNaner strumentals form the perfect counter to a classic Rum ßteniongn pander r strumentation balances the clear, movable pro- ralram vocal delivery. Country, AM and easy listening ,.. duction. Soul stations are a inform,n n,im..,. mil ,.,the sure thing while the Ym.*YilfNUWarMrringk stations should have a field day with all songs. Merant disco action on various cuts should prove con- Top cuts include "Beyond These Walls," "Idol Of irit* stant. Top listens include "It Don't Hurt Me Like The Band," "Paid In Advance" and a powerful It Used To," "I'm Gonna Keep On Loving You" singing assignment on "Lay Lady Lay." API and "You're The Best In The World." ANY ROAD UP - The Steve Gibbons Band - AURORA - Jean-Luc Ponty - Atlantic SD 18163 MCA 2187 - Producers: Ken Laguna, Anton Mat- - Producer: Jean Luc Ponty - List: 6.98 thews, The Steve Gibbons Band - List: 6.98 The violin as instrument of progressiveness is "Any Road Up" is the cross pollenation of rock shown off at its finest on "Aurora" by Jean-Luc and ballad elements with both sides more than Ponty. Passages of jazz, blues and decidedly holding up their end. Slight pop shadings rein- south of the border weave a musical backbone force the mixture on an instrumental level while through which Ponty's stringed movements play smooth flowing, tight vocals counter the musical at creative. Backing musicians go beyond mere weight. All songs benefit from deep, partially hid- staid sidemen to form an enthusiastic counter to den roots that add dimension and body. AM and Ponty's music. FM and jazz outlets should go for FM possibilities abound here. Top listens in- this in a big way. Top listens include "Between clude "Standing On The Bridge," "Spark Of You And Me," "Is Once Enough" and "Passenger Love," "Speed Kills" and a rough -house workout Of The Dark." on "Take Me Home." PABLO LIFELINE - Pablo Cruise - A&M SP 4575 - GODBLUFF - Van Der Graf Generator - Mer- VIA '+i iax Producers: Val Garay and Pablo Cruise - List: cury SRM 11069 - Producer: Van Der Graf OERN CrP,efi lg, 6.98 Generator - List: 6.98 rAlePArr7P "Lifeline" by Pablo Cruise is an effective Progressive music with more than a touch of musical exercise in what can be done with sub- melody and substance are the telling points of titles. Clearly emotional ballads and soul based "Godbluff" by Van Der Graf Generator. Distort- pop/rockers prove full-bodied and dimensional ed, exotic jazz progressions and a bluesy sense outings in tight vocal and instrumental forays of majesty carry both the instrumental and vocal which are professional as well as entertaining. movements while an overall even flow aids in the Some cuts have AM written all over them while comprehension and listenability of the disk. FM easy listening lists should follow suit. Top listens stations and late at night progressives are where include "Never See That Girl Enough," "Look To this album is at. Top cuts include "The Sleep- The Sky" and a natural in ballads in the guise of walkers" and a moving "The Undercover Man." "Crystal." 18 March 13. 1976 www.americanradiohistory.com.