This ole heart of mine
Been broke a thousand times
Each time you break
I fear you gone to stay
Lonely nights that come
Memories that flow
Bringing you back again
Hurting me more and more....
The Motown Sounds and with it the wonderful nostalgia that was evoked by Roy G Hemmings was incredible. The lyrics of the songs and the rhythms enjoyed a special niche and was the rage globally, disrupting many a chart to capture the No.1 slot. Seated in the audience and listening to the scintillating music once again, was fascinating which left you to say “Wow! What an evening. In short The Hits of Motown Show was a wow! “When was the last time we enjoyed a show like this”.
The Love Supremes set the mood for the evening when they made their entrance walking in from the back of the hall dressed in shimmering blue long gowns, singing their opener with sophistication and moving in tempo to the rhythm of the song. Motown rhythms are fascinating and the subtle dance movements are equally fascinating. The harmony of the Love Supremes took you back to the years of Diana Ross and the Supremes, and their opening slot, of four songs ended with the toe tapping ‘Dancing in the Street’ the cue for Mr. Roy G Hemmings to move in and this he did with his rendition of ‘Get Ready’.
Looking debonair and immaculate and from the first note he proved that he still has it. And what a voice.
Showing no travel strains, he moved easily from one hit to another with interesting patter in between. There was no break for an interval and Roy G Hemmings that evening sang something like 25 songs and the show never ever sagged. His selection included You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”, the blues “Me And Ms. Jones’ which brought the house down, the Hues Corporation’s hit - “Rock The Boat”, the Supremes – “This Ole Heart of Mine”, Under the Board Walk” “Save The Last Dance”, “Stand By Me”, “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You”, The Temptations – “My Girl”,
You To Me Are Everything – the Real Thing’s show stopper, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, Saturday Night At the Movies, I’ll Be There, the list is long, long, long. Did I hear you say what about the titles of the other songs. All I can reply is Hey why weren’t you at the Show...
The sound of Motown really happened that evening what with Roy G Hemmings polished and warm stage presence, his incredible dance movements – Motown rhythms never went on stage without dance steps. It was a delight to be back in that time and hear the songs we knew and enjoyed immensely. His rendition was nothing short of perfection. He blew everybody away.
I cannot end this review without handing out bouquets to the three Love Supremes. Their voices blended superbly, and they gave fantastic support to Roy G Hemmings. With a great deal of sophistication, their choreography was fresh, like from the legendary Motown stages. With arms swaying and finger clicking dance moves the threesome relived for us the nostalgia of the sixties.
So I’d like to sign off with a thought expressed by the Three Degrees in their No.1 hit which goes out specially to Roy G Hemmings and the Love Supremes. With due apologies to Gamble, Gamble and Huff I’m adjusting the lyrics to suit our thoughts...
When will we see you again
When will we share happy moments
Is this the beginning or is this the end?
When will we see you again...
When will we see you again...