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Yorkshire Evening Post |
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“Pop at the Opera House” at Harrogate Theatre, keeps up its usual high standard with the Keef Hartley Big Band next Sunday. Apart from a show at Leeds University this will be the first appearance in this area of the band. David Bowie will also be there. Part of Bowie’s publicity blurb reads like this: “Identify him as a folk singer, an authoritative imaginative voice of contemporary protest, BUT be prepared to redefine him when you see his cabaret act, his polished and professional command of a mature provincial night club audience.” Acclaim. I can’t remember identifying him as a folk singer. Can you? Hartley, ex-drummer with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, the Artwoods and John Mayall’s Blues-Breakers, has been receiving considerable acclaim recently. After two albums and lots of experience, Hartley’s band has now grown full size. I must say I wasn’t impressed with the latest album, “Battle of North West Six” but then, I’ve yet to see the big outfit. Trader Horn were on good
form at the Kitson College, Leeds, on Saturday night. Judy Dibel, ex-singer
with Fairport Convention, really does have a beautiful voice. This group,
given a little more time to play to audiences will go very far. Boring.
Somehow, the singer’s semi-Turkish get-up, the standard crushed velvet trousers of the flautist - a cross between Ian Anderson and Frank Zappa, without the effect - spelt out corny. I must be seeing too many bands! Anyway, Quintessence won their fair share of dancers that night, which points to something I suppose. |