John McNeill —

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 4

John McNeill —

May I jog your memories of music in the last year? This column will cover some of the high, and a few of my low spots. I he musical year began well for me, for on the evening I returned from a holiday in Australia, the LA4 gave one of the most friendly concerts I have

attended. This group — Laurindo Almeida, guitar, Bud Shank, saxophones, flute. Ray Brown, bass, and Shelly Manne, drums, — were as friendly as their music. They spend about half the year giving concerts around the world, the other half pleasing themselves. And they liked Christchurch. and the James Hay Theatre, so much that they promised j to return soon

The price I paid for my holiday- was the return visit by the Dankworths, but once heard, Cleo Laine is not easily forgotten. Rory Gallagher took the crown John Mayall lost by default with a rocky-blues performance in February, Roy Orbison disappointed (me) two nights later, and Ned of Wales hit town before the end of the month. March gave us the La la loveable Don McLean, and the far more lovalbe Joe Cocker —- an artsit who greatly moved and impressed me. The second-rate English band Wishbone Ash gave a first-rate concert in atrocious conditions in the King Edward Barracks, and Peter Nero gave a secondrate concert in first-rate conditions at the Town Hall. Last in March was one of the most pleasant suprises, the English rock group Paper Lace, playing a mixed bag of numbers so well that had Disney been in the audience, he would have signed them on the spot. Dionne Warwicke came, and went without an encore, and Roger Whittaker showed that an artist can be both professional and nice. He was a warm entertainer, deserving the success he meets in this town Bernard Jewry' — behind all the leather gear simply Alvin Stardust — left these shores greatly impressed by New Zealand youngsters, and his counterpart, Gary Glitter (I got them confused when talking to his manager) showed his choreographed 158 body movements to us late in June. We missed Herb Ellis when the Great Guitars played here in July. Were I Ellis or Barney Kessel, I would not play on the same programme (or the same town) with Charlie Byrd, but in the year since Kessel had played to us, there must have been some improvement, for this time I thought him far more entertaining than his classical counterpart. Stephane Grappelli was superb. The Sweet were as loud. Steeleye Span as boring, and the Electric Light as electrifying as could be expected in August, which, was redeemed somewhat I bv a gripping concert by Manilas De Plata, the flamenco guiarist, who spent much of his time kissing ladies in the audience. Professor Jimmy Ed-; wards gave the Skellerup 1 Band a boost with a star! turn, and one of the most! enjoyable rehersals I have yet attended: the Hues Corporation were slick but lively, and I found Michael Nesmieth a bit of a bore. Rod McKuen was label-: led a sexist by more libby! friends, and I, too, I sup- j pose, after going public’ with a proposal to the| lovely Gloria Gaynor after meeting her and the Simon Sisters. Deep Purple disappointed many’ with their QEII concert. though I thought it about par, and I missed out on Buffy, and the hypnotist. Nor did I stay ’for] Glen Campbell's show, but I ,'T

met him, and thought him! a thoroughly nice fellow. ; Jesus Christ Superstar; was stunning. I saw it sev- j eral times, and continued! to be impressed. Jon Eng-j lish, Trevor White and] other musicians and vocal- ] ists enlivened the local! music scene with their! presence, and this was an additional advantage to music enthusiasts. A spate of cancellations] came with the downturn in; the economy, although they; may not have been related.! Last month promised but] denied me the Mahavishnui Orchestra of John McLaughlin. I was ag-1 grieved. New Zealand artists gave' a few treats. Split Enz was! marvellous, richly deserv-! ing their recording success | and acclaim overseas; Mark Williams IS thei entertainer of the year, ini spite of selections to the! contrary: Ragnarock looked promising before the split:; and Blerta and the Acme Sausage Company are better value than most, live or on vinyl. Bob Bradford’s Big Band lasted well at the Carlton Hotel, has recored its first album, and gathered such a; loyal following that there]' was talk of a revival again i this year. Les Toots, the smaller,; bouncier band led by Pat! Devlin brought its com-! mercial (but good fun)] sound to happy patrons at! the Wine Cellar Resaurant, and though troubled by] inflation, “buck-a-head” j concerts from bands like; Faircluff, Alexis, Ticket,] and Rocking Horse show; that the south is not losing out to the lucrative North; Island pub circuit all the time.

The local scene has also! been enlivened by the pres-] ence of an older musician] who returned to Christchurch to share some of] his considerable experience] with the younger locals:; the violinist, Alfredo Campoli. And just before Christmas one of the finest jazz singers to come out of this town returned after nearly six years in the United Kingdom and Europe. False] modesty prevents me from mentioning hjs surname, I but his first name is Mai-1 olm.