Ben E. King/Average White Band: Hammersmith Odeon, London
Cliff White, New Musical Express, 30 July 1977
THIS ISN'T an original thought but it bears repeating: Ben E. King is an excellent singer, and highly individual with it unmistakeable in a blindfold test who's just that bit short of greatness that he needs expert guidance and accompaniment to bring out his best; AWB is a talented sextet who are just that bit lacking in originality, versatility, personality and most important vocal agility, and they really need help from outside writers and a charismatic frontman if they're going to stamp their name in the ledgers of music history.
Total word count of piece: 753