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Amid the screams and screeches of admiring micro-boppers, four of the six famous Cowsills lived up to the family name last night at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Mother Cowsills and Baby Susan Cowsill were ill with viral pneumonia, but the show went on and the four boys - Bill, Bob, Barry, and John - did a more than adequate job holding the show together despite the loss of depth in harmony and the loss of spirit
Having fun and making money at the same time in a nice family business has been the trademark of this immensely successful rock group, which, despite the name, is more an organization than a family.
Ordinarily Mother, Susan and the four boys - the singing act - are supplemented by road managers Dick and Paul Cowsill, while Papa "Bud" Cowsill coordinates and oversees. Oh how the money rolls in.
Home pastures for the clean-cut moolies is Newport, R.I., where Mom and Susan are recovering now.
If the Cowsills are nothing else, they are well rehearsed and attuned to singing. Amp levels are kept low and the harmonies, while not complicated, are very pleasant for ears of all ages. Perhaps this is why dads and moms joined the micro set to fill out about a 5,000 audience.
The Cowsills sang their hits like "Indian Lake," and the theme from "Hair" along with many well spaced and unusually accurate imitations of such groups as the Beatles (Yesterday; Hey Jude); Mamas and Papas (Monday, Monday); Creedence Clearwater Revival (Proud Mary); and, in an especially effective solo by 13-year-old John, drummer of the group, Wayne Newton's hit, "Red Roses."
In all, the Cowsills were enjoyable to listen to.
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