Cleo Laine back in Christchurch

Press, 2 March 1982, Page 6

Cleo Laine back in Christchurch

By

ROBERT CROSS

Cleo Laine and John Dankworth argued when they arrived in Christchurch yesterday for their concert in the Town Hall last evening. They argued about when Cleo ■would stop touring, “John gave me a bit of criticism and I did not take it,” Cleo said. •“No I didn’t,” said John. “I ..said that, you'-' would stop when I told you that you sounded bloody awful.” . “I did not take it, anyway,” said Cleo. She did not say when she would stop, either. They are touring New Zealand for the fifth time.. This time with their son Alec, aged 21, playing bass in the quintet. They ’ like touring New Zealand, because ...New Zea-

landers like them. Is that the only reason? “Well,” said Miss Laine, “there is the new record — you know.” So far the audiences had been “magnificent,” particularly- in Wellington, where they received standing‘ovations at both shows. Both felt;,, the concerts .were now more*' popular among young people.. ■' Miss Laine said she"'still sings in several styles during each concert — classical, jazz, pop, blues — and’ she denied .having settled into a groove. At least 60 per cent of the programme was new material. / It may surprise some of her fans, but Cleo does not think of herself as a “jazz” singer. , x . . “I am a : singer of songs

rather than a jazz singer,” she said. ■■ . *> “A jazz singer should be able to ad-lib, chorus after chorus. I can ad-lib, one at the most.” Cleo is 53, John is 54. They are rich, owning a house in England. , which has its-own concert? hall arid ’ another in;, Sonoma, .California. Theirreputations are made) so why go con touring? •; Miss Laine said it was because they were entertainers, and entertainers were traditionally “wanderers, thieves, rogues, and bamboozlers of all sorts.” John Dankworth was more succinct: “We tour the world, we never,, stop, it/ is our vocation.” They suspect their vocation will call; them to Christchurch g-sixth 1 time. ■ /