Pop Singers With Little In Common

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 14

Pop Singers With Little In Common

Tom Jones and Herman and His Hermits, the stars with top billing in Harry Miller’s “Caravan of Stars 66,” at the Theatre Royal last evening, have both topped New Zealand hit parades in the last few months, but there their similarity ends. Herman held his audience by an appealing stage presence, and his own obvious enjoyment; Tom Jones depends almost entirely on the hypnotic fascination derived from his wild and uninhibited stage movements. From his very first number, Herman identified himself entirely .with the audience, whose enthusiasm was only matched by his own, yet no matter how excited the audience became, Herman never lost control. He even silenced the youthful shaking and screaming assembly by putting his finger to his lips and singing, “Listen People.” Tom Jones got a noisy reception for most of his songs but it stemmed more from amazement at his primitive

physical actions than from any real enjoyment of his singing. Only “What’s New Pussycat” achieved any spontaneous response.

Ray Columbus, appearing for the first time without his old group “The Invaders,” easily dispelled any doubts as to his ability as a solo performer. His personality was strong and appealing and he was obviously quite at home with the stage and the numbers he sang.