The soul train pulled into Bradford Saturday night, and more
than 500 people climbed aboard to hear 90 minutes of Motown
memories.
The occasion was “Forever Motown,” the final show of the
Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center’s season, at the
Bromeley Family Theatre in Blaisdell Hall on the University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford campus.
Playing to a near-capacity crowd, Dave Revels, who staged,
arranged and choreographed the show, was joined by three members
each of Cornell Gunter’s Coasters and the current lineup of the
Marvelettes to pay homage to the hook-solid melodies that once vied
for the top chart positions with The Beatles and The Beach
Boys.
And judging by the audience’s reaction, a little bit of soul was
good for the soul.
Revels, who also sang and danced in the show, served as the
evening’s genial host, introducing the songs and imploring the
people in the audience to snap their fingers, clap their hands and
“take their shoes off” to get into the music.
After a long Bradford winter and a spring that’s yet to be
sprung, the audience did just that with the help of a spirited
medley of The Four Tops’ hits and an energized version of Martha
Reeves and The Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street.”
And the energy never once dropped. People swayed, sang along and
got lost in their memories of where they were when they first heard
Smokey Robinson’s “Shop Around” or Mary Wells’ “My Guy.”
A five-piece band that stayed faithful to the original key
signatures and arrangements backed the group, which was an
important part of the tribute since so many of the Motown songs
were recognizable even by their first few notes — the bass-driven
“Get Ready” by the Temptations and the frenzied staccato of The
Supremes’ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” to name just two.
All of the performers — professionals and at the top of their
game — dressed the part, with the women appearing in one sequined
gown after another, just like Diana Ross and the Supremes in their
glory days.
The men, too, dazzled in their black-and-silver striped shoes
and sequined jackets that ranged from black to purple — to a neon
mustard color.
“It’s the jacket, isn’t it?” Revels said after a rousing version
of Marvin Gaye’s “Pride and Joy.”
The choreography — including the dramatic sweeping arm and hand
gestures and scolding finger wagging from the ladies — recalled
those of the original groups.
Because of their obvious respect for these songs and the iconic
singers who made them famous, the show never once ventured into
Karaoke, but instead showcased the now-classic melodies that
inimitably capture the feelings of infatuation, love, heartbreak
and joy.
Thus, the troupe sang and performed the songs without a shred of
irony — exactly as they were written back in the day when these
lyrics were sung straight, and ballads like “Ain’t No Mountain High
Enough” were meant to be taken as impassioned love letters.
Venturing out of the 60s into the 70s, Sam White was a crowd
pleaser when he sang two Commodores’ hits, “Easy” and “Three Times
a Lady” to the women in the fan circle near the stage.
Also memorable was The Marvelettes’ tribute to the Supremes and
the Temptations’ set, during which the men sang and danced to such
classics as “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Just My
Imagination.”
But the showpiece was a group performance of Tina Turner’s song
“River Deep, Mountain High” that had the audience on its feet.
“We’re having a ball singing these songs,” Revels said, perhaps
disclosing what may just be the secret behind the longevity of
these almost half-century-old tunes.
Allegheny Productions was a contributing sponsor for the
event.
