The Seekers Sound Like The Rest, But Better

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 18

The Seekers Sound Like The Rest, But Better

The Seekers’ performance at the Majestic Theatre last evening was almost a nonperformance —wholly unpretentious, and devoid of gimmicks: but it suggested strongly that they are the best pop-folk group of all. Pop-folk, certainly—there were no Dylan-type denunciations, and, furthermore, the Seekers do not affect an Appalachian pose. They are very engagingly themselves. Yet, paradoxically, these four young Australians have achieved their remarkable success by sounding like others. Judith Durham sings in the Joan Baez manner, but with an edge in her voice instead of a wail; Keith Podger, Bruce Woodley and Athol Guy at times resemble the Kingston Trio, minus, however, its antiseptic heartiness. Together, they sound rather like Peter, Paul and Mary

with a few gallons of surplus sincerity drained off. The Seekers, in fact, are like any and every other group, but better.

Surprisingly, the supporting artists were far from being overshadowed. Gangling Ray Woolf is an able entertainer; and his group, the Newsounds, is rivalled in this country only by the Mike Perjanik band. Mark Wynter’s second Christchurch appearance was as appealing as the first, except for an unfortunately histrionic touch on occasions.

Stewart MacPherson compered with exemplary finesse a show which also revealed a new, ebullient Bill and Boyd. Their songs were presented with zest, and were as enthusiastically received. But nothing could match the aching melody of the Seekers' classic, “The Carnival Is Over.”