Mixed Fare At Country Show

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31288, 7 February 1967, Page 11

Mixed Fare At Country Show

The Maria Dallas Country Show at the Civic Theatre on Saturday night went slowly enough for one to notice how hard the seats were.

From an arresting opening with Tony and the Initials, it slid downhill, helped by the compere, George Tumahai, whose only joke was his ethnic origin, and this was banged slowly home with a hefty “hama” for most of the evening. In his singing he was amusing and pleasant to listen to, however. Max McCauley the country yodeller from Southland, was relaxed, unaffected and a pleasure to hear. His voice is deep and satisfying and his yodel-

ling excellent Tony and the Initials appeared at intervals throughout the show with the vocalist and rhythm guitarist Leo Clarite. His “Hi Lili" was deservedly well received as were his amusing imitations of Elvis Presley, Millie and Mrs Miller.

The group bad the most difficult job of the evening and they showed competence and versatility throughout Ken Lemon appeared—luridly dressed—to sing, unashamedly, in the style of the late Jim Reeves. He has a pleasant voice, although one suspects him of positioning it in places into which it has no inclination to go. Jay Epae, in the words of George Tumahai, "learned his talent overseas.” It was obvious that it was not his own.

Only when he sang one of his own compositions, “You’ve got to hold on tight,” did he display any signs of life.

When he improves his dietion and becomes a person of the late Nat King Cole’s stature he may be able to sing songs like “Ramblin’ Rose" (which was somehow changed to “Ramblin’ Row”), but one hopes that if that time comes there will be no need to imitate.

After more than two and a half hours Marla Dallas appeared, and the show revived. She was only the second performer of the evening whose style was non-imitative.

The other was Max McCauley. But here, to enhance a very personal style, was a happy personality and an exciting voice.

In her songs, which included “Engine, Engine No. 9” “You can’t Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd” and “I’m Looking over a Four Leaf Clover,” she displayed an excellent musical sense and a strong, appealing delivery. She should, however, attend to her diction as her words were not always clear.

One wishes that New Zealand could produce more artists with Miss Dallas’s originality and talent—J.MT.