CONCERT REVIEW 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111. Joni Mitchell Moves Crowd at New Opry UNTRY HOT LINE NASHVILLE - Joni Mitchell was hard to distinguish whether By MARIE RATLIFF (Asylum) set a high standard of this was a literary or a musical excellence for future pop per- affair. Station Check List formers to follow at the elegant Joni opened the show with new Grand Ole Opry House April "This Flight Tonight," then con- Reporting this week: (Alphabetically) Indianapolis 4. Mitchell is the first pop artist tinued into "You Turn Me On, KBUC, San Antonio WBAM, Montgomery WIRE, KBUY, Ft. Worth WBAP, Ft. Worth WITL, Lansing to use what is perhaps the finest I'm A Radio." Scott and the L. A. KCKC, San Bernadine WCMS, Norfolk WMNI, Columbus live concert facility in the world. Express complemented her per- KFDI, Wichita WEEP, Pittsburgh WPIK, Washington Taking advantage of the 32 house fectly as she matched her voice KFOX, Long Beach WENO, Nashville WQIK, Jacksonville Speakers plus 20 speakers of her to each instrumental run. Mitchell KKYX, San Antonio WGBG, Greensboro WUBE, Cincinnati WVOJ, Jacksonville own, Mitchell's crystal-clear voice offered the audience an anthology KLAC, Los Angeles WHN, New York KWMT, Ft. Dodge WHO, Des Moines WWL, New Orleans filled the entire room. as she sang selections from each WAME, Charlotte WINN, Louisville WWVA, Wheeling Mitchell's appearance seemed of her albums. She mixed in to have a quieting effect after classics like "Woodstock," "All several days of tornados and Want" and "Both Sides Now" "This Time" Waylon Jennings has a hit! With picks storms in this area. An idealist with new material like "Banquet," all over and numbers already in several major who possibly doesn't want to be, "See You Sometime" and "Cold markets, the timing on "This Time" is perfect for she almost summed up her Blue Steel and Sweet Fire." She top ten! also did "Help Me," "Raised on philosophy when she said, "I Last week we mentioned a possible split on the things can be so Robbery" and "Car On The Hill" can't believe new Charley Pride release, but this week's reports beautiful and yet so mean," while from her latest LP "Court and indicate nearly 85 percent of the play is on "We painting word pictures of a storm Spark." The concert ended with a all over again. she witnessed the previous day. double encore, "The Last Time Could." The standard will be a smash Mitchell, and Tom Scott & the Saw Richard" and "Twisted." Another standard revived via the new Jim Reeves L. A. Express (Ode), who opened The mood of the affair was ex- release of "I'd Fight The World," showing strength the show with some superb jazz tremely difficult to put your along the east coast and in Texas. found a receptive finger on. It was flawless without arrangements, Left Field Possible: George Kent's "Take My Life audience of 3,800 for her two-part a doubt. Perhaps it is her elusive- (and Shape It With Your Love)" is one of Billy Cole's concert. The audience was almost ness and complexity that attracts at added to playlist at too polite, paying close attention her faithful following. most requested WHO; to each line. In this respect, it Bob Anderson WPIK, WINN and KFOX. Loretta Lynn is off to a fast start with "They ,LQ Don't Make 'Em Like My Daddy," particularly in the COUNTRY East and Midwest. LU Some split action beginning to show on the Anne CC ALBUM REVIEWS Murray single; though KCKC, WHN, WWVA, WIRE and WORLD WBAP are heavy on "He Thinks I Still Care," Nashville and Norfolk are showing response to "You PURE LOVE are RONNIE MILSAP-RCA APL1-0500 Won't See Me" as well as the 'A' side, and Ronnie is gaining a larger audience with airing both! every release and this will continue the LaCosta's debut disc is mushrooming into a pattern. His perfect feel for a song is his widespread heavy spinner! "I Wanta Get To You" as he proves on "Please greatest asset getting to audiences at WINN, KFOX, WIRE and WENO; Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends," "Pure picked at WGBG and WMNI! Love," "All My Roads (Lead Back To is getting You)" and "Four Walls." Milsap's star is on Willie Nelson's "Bloody Mary Morning" the rise and this mellow album has plenty great response nationwide. of hit appeal. A very positive outing for Ho Hum Department: It's not really news, but this talented artist! we're throwing in the fact that Charlie Rich has CROSS COUNTRY COWBOY another hit. RCA's "I Don't See Me In Your Eyes BUZZ RABIN-Elektra EKS-75076 Anymore" will meet no resistance on its streak Rabin is a new kid on the block who's to the top! going to turn a lot of ears his way. He Don Walton at KFDI says one of his most requested wrote Ringo Starr's "Beaucoups of Blues" Sessions & Patti Tierney's "You hit awhile back and his first album shows items is Ronnie at KBUC calls additional solid material. Rabin wrote all Say The Sweetest Things;" Tom Wayne the songs and gave each one just the right it one of his hottest chart items! emotional touch. His strength lies in the Regional Ratings: Harrison Jones' "Tonight I'm moving lyrics of potential hits like "Angels Gonna Love You" is #8 in Louisville, moving in In Red," "Cross Country Cowboy," "This Montgomery; Gordon Lightfoot's "Sundown" added at I Know" and "Roads and Other Reasons." KBUC; Lobo's "Standing At The End of the Line" Rabin's debut shows him to be a singer/ good at WCMS; Bob Loftis' "Next Time Goes" a hot songwriter to be reckoned with. charter in Columbus; James O'Gwynn's "Gotebo" is STARS OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY doing well in Des Moines; Billy Walker's "How Far 1926-1974 Our Love Goes" picked at WENO. RCA CPL2-0466 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama The title of this one speaks for itself. Every A Country Convert: WJRD to collector and fan will want one of these has made the switch from a contemporary format albums. A two -record set of previously country. Music director is Courtney Hayden. released material by the greats: Uncle KZIP in Amarillo announces some changes. Jack Dave Macon, Pee Wee King, Grandpa Grant becomes operations manager and Ed Stabler Eddy Jim Reeves, Jones, Kitty Wells, Arnold, is the new program director. Dolly Parton and many more too numerous Ace of Hearts has flipped the Bobby Lewis single; Also included is a biography to mention. "Lady Lover" has been added to the lists at WHN, of each artist. Country music history in WIRE and KFDI. one package. 55 RECORD WORLD APRIL 20, 1974 www.americanradiohistory.com.