what cabaret?

Rip It Up, Issue 18, 1 December 1978, Page 2

what cabaret?

Peter Thomson

The slinky redhead from Manhattan Transfer who vamps around stage in a tight gown slit to mid-thigh certainly didn’t seem to be the same girlish figure in faded levis, running shoes and yellow t-shirt who sat, knees tucked up on an airport couch. Laurel Masse, waiting for the flight back to L.A., was tired but bright and keen to talk.

"I think the group’s going to stretch out a bit now, musically even more eclectic and also perhaps a bit more bizarre in our physical presentation less slick and show-biz. We were far more bizarre in the early days in New York but in the interests of trying to eat gigs in Vegas and whatnot we’ve toned down considerably. We’ve been a bit trapped into playing nightclubs which, although satisfying for the pocketbook, becomes very dissatisfying for the soul. Unfortunately we’ve gained a certain reputation for being a nostalgia act which we are not, never have been and God forbid ever will be. “we have four different sets of tastes and experiences and we’ve only explored a fraction of what we can do. We’ve all wanted to stretch out; it’s just that we’ve been working so hard to recover from setbacks imposed by a former management. We’re only just getting to the point where we can afford to turn down a gig now and then. I suppose we could now just take it easy and play Vegas for the rest of our lives but because of the kind of people we are we’d perish of boredom.”

When asked how she’d like to change her own role in the group, Laurel’s eyes sparkle. “I’d like to do some avant garde jazz, perhaps, say, vocal interpretations of Keith Jarrett.” She laughs. "But I’d also like to play loud electric guitar. For my throat I like jazz but for my body I’m a rocker. It’s my greatest love. I’d love to play it while, say, Allen sings." She prefers the rock atmosphere of concerts to cabaret on the road doing one-nighters” and when it is pointed out that Manhattan Transfer’s tour here was precisely cabaret (as against concert halls in 77) she is quick to respond. "Next time it won’t be like that. I gaurantee it. We never intended to be just a cabaret group. I hope that in the future more people, especially the kind who read Rip It Up, will consider what we do I mean it’s not exactly rock ’n’ roll but it’s not old folks' music either.” Laurel Mosse smiles implorings. “Please don’t condemn us to do cabaret for the rest of our live."