ShareThe Magic Of Motown performed at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Friday 25th September 2015
Review by Kevin Cooper
The Royal Concert Hall was for one night only, transformed into Hitsville USA as The Magic Of Motown returned to Nottingham. Promising us a party, this revolving cast of four men and three women, backed by a very talented seven piece band, did not disappoint.
Opening the show with Papa Was A Rolling Stone, the audience were immediately up on their feet to dance and sing along to what turned out to be a gigantic karaoke party. With each of the singers having a role to play, there was no let up for this enthusiastic audience as the singing and dancing continued throughout the 36 back to back songs.
With some of the great Motown artists being represented, there were songs from Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight to name just a few. It was impossible to single out one particular highlight, because so varied and numerous were the selection of genuine classics.
There was a mass sing-a-long to such numbers as The O’Jays’ Love Train, and Marvin Gaye’s How Sweet It is (To Be Loved By You). Lionel Richie’s All Night Long was excellent before they went into the interval with Dancing On The Ceiling, which had even the Motown uninitiated on their feet.
The show ran at a breath-taking pace and whilst the audience had been warmed up in the first half, they were positively at boiling point for the second. The singers took up where they left off as they looked dazzling in scores of costume changes which brought fabulous colours and sequins to the glamour of the evening.
The vocals were terrific; the numbers diverse in style, tone and technique. The tempo was slowed right down for What’s Going On before turning up the heat with their phenomenal energy for The Four Tops Loco In Acapulco.
Defying anyone not to sing along to hits such as My Girl, this show had a visible, palpable, utterly joyous and infectious effect upon the audience. It was a wild and well thought out set, and to see these artists showing that there is no better way to earn a living than singing the songs that they so obviously love, was endearing.
With the show coming to an end far too soon, there was no forgetting that this fabulous music still has the ability to reunite people; bringing all ages together. Now that is the Magic Of Motown.
6 Replies
I have seen the magic of motown show three times now in Scotland and Plymouth. I have always enjoyed the shows However, I feel the sound quality could have been better. There was some distortion and should have been corrected by sound and balancing technicians.
One listens to these songs and tend to compare to the original recordings by legendary artists.
There own live shows would not have been as good as their studio recordings.
So in all, Lajeune does an excellent job putting this show together. Just work on the sound quality!
Anyway, i am going to see them again tomorrow in Plymouth. Adicted now.
Eamon Gaffney
I went to see the Majic of Motown at the Rothes halls in Glenrothes.4guys 3girls and a.4 piece band from start to finish the performance was fantastic they gave it their all, I would go again.
I thought it was really good I saw it in reading 4 guys 3 girls only thing was people standing up to dance in front of me but the show was awesome would go again
I’ve just seen Magic of Motown at the Cadogan Hall London. Dreadful, only one good male singer amongst the 7. Did a huge disservice to Motown music I so loved in my youth and still do if its the original!!. Out of tune, Pitchy, and an awful set singing Jackson five songs.
you obviously saw a completely different show to that at the Kings Theatre Southsea. We had four men two women and a four piece band. There was no stage set, basic three colour flashing lights and none of them could sing (well not in tune anyway). The backing band were dreadful and looked as if they didn’t want to be there, and I couldn’t blame them.
Think yourself very lucky
I paid for my son and his wife to see the show in Bournemouth as a pre Xmas present , they tried the second half but couldn’t stand it any longer and walked out.