TALENTED SINGERS

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33326, 10 September 1973, Page 14

TALENTED SINGERS

In the field of pop music, New Zealand is moving into the interational market, and with young singers and composers of the high standard of Shona Laing and Eddie! Low, pop is assured of a rosy! future. The calibre and indisputable talent of these two singers was demonstrated in the Country and Western Stage Show at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening. Eddie Low, already an ac-i complished entertainer, has been around for long enough to have a list of “old favour-1 ites,” and, performing as he was in the relaxed vein of I the country music show, he delighted the large audience time after time. Whether singing the modern “Heaven is My Woman’s Love," or crooning the Liverpool ballad. “Child of Mine,” accompanying himself ably on the piano, Low maintained the tenor of the show, and was several times able to res-

cue it after momentary: lapses. By the beginning of the second half, the audience was waiting for Shona Laing, and could not fail to be delighted. Miss Laing has quickly developed into an entertainer, rather than just a musician, and shows a stage presence many overseas artists would' covet. For several of her well-! known songs Miss Laing was alone on the stage, and had the audience completely won over. With her meaningful i words, her apparently uncomplicated thinking, she gives an impression of being a very ‘ I sincere young lady, and one 1 can only hope the gamut of : show business will not de-’ ■ stray this. i The thought - provoking: • “Show Your Love,” and “If; • Only.” sung so earnestly and - clearly, impressed the audi-| lienee. 1 With the New Senators i Showband, the Reflections ; ■ provided a vocal harmony’

for many items, their clear voices combining well. Imagine six feet of floppy’ good humour and you have: Alec Wishart. Complete with; garry cap and a matchbox full of fleas, he shared his I , in-bred sense of fun with the audience. : Ken Lemon sang several I’country and western standards, including the bassy; “Walk Tall.” His pleasant l > baritone voice is ideally; I suited to C and W music. i Some fine pedal steel guitar I work from Les Thomas was’ ■ one of the many highlights i of the show, and I only wish' ’ the spot-light could have; : rested on him for longer. r In format the show was re- ■ laxed and flexible, most of the performers being on the ;■ stage for most of the time, ‘ producing an “all-in, family I’feeling." Running Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 8 s p.m.-10.20 p.m.; Friday at > 8.30 p.m. -P.G.M.