Motown Magic at The O2 – The Four Tops and The Temptations

London Event Reviews by May B

I’ve always had a very soft spot for Motown music so I booked my tickets for The Four Tops and The Temptations at their final gig of their UK tour several months ago. I was especially excited as as they had guest stars Freda Payne and The Platters appearing with them.

The O2 looked a little empty as the lights went down at 730pm – I don’t think people realised that the show really would start at that time as the aisles suddenly filled with streams of people as Freda Payne took to the stage. She looked magnificent – silver spangles on top and a long split black skirt revealing shapely legs in an Angelina-Jolie fashion. I sure hope that I look like that when I’m in my 70s!

She started her set with “Deeper and deeper” and then sang a few other numbers before offering one of her new jazz-style tracks. So surprisingly good I may have to buy the album. She finished – of course – with “Band of Gold”. The now packed auditorium went wild – there was dancing in the seats. Personally, I think she sang it a little too joyously but hey – as she said “it was the turning point in my career”.

The four guys and a girl who comprise The Platters came on stage. I was taken with their style and polish – I have a teen daughter who so loved the recent film “Pitch Perfect” that I think even she would have been impressed. They did a fab medley that took in some surprising modern song choices from a variety of genres. I almost welled-up when they performed two of my favourites “Smoke gets in your eyes” and “Only you”. And “The Great Pretender” went down pretty well with the audience too. They ended with a new track “My time” which is no doubt likely to become a firm favourite with the TV talent shows.

During the break I enjoyed a glass of champagne from the Lanson bar and had a bit of an argument with the security guys who had been told not to allow re-admittance to those who had the temerity to want to grab a breath of fresh air. And there wasn’t a huge amount of merchandise to choose from – a seriously missed opportunity I thought.

The Four Tops came on in dazzling black sequin jackets and full of bounce to “Loco in Acapulco”. There were times were the orchestral and band arrangements struggled a bit with timing but those guys did us proud. And it was amazing that there was still one of the original line-up playing. Personally, I didn’t enjoy the solo rendition of “My way” but with such a long singing career I guess you have to cut a little slack. I was so happy when they ended the set with three of my all-time favourite tracks – “Reach out” (every in the audience reached out!), “Standing in the shadows” and “I can’t help myself”. At this stage everyone was on their feet.

My companion – a real Motown expert - was delighted that his favourite “The way you do the things you do” was performed. The Temptations were dressed in dark purple pyjama suits and showed the young stars of today just how dancing should be done. These guys were good – utterly slick but with a genuine joy that you don’t often see these days. “Treat her like a lady”, “Papa was a rolling stone” and “Get ready” were belted out with freshness and vigour – and I could hardly hear them over the crowd when they sang “My girl”. There were some slower tracks too including “I wish it would rain”. I nearly burst with happiness when they sang one of my favourites “Just my imagination”.

Musical arrangement niggles aside, men and women of Motown – London salutes you!

Posted Date
Apr 4, 2014 in London Event Reviews by May B by May B