Post by HitsvilleSoul on Jul 12, 2005 19:56:13 GMT -5
MARTHA REEVES HAS NEW ORLEANS DANCING IN THE STREET
Wed, Jul 6, 2005,
After a seven year absence from New Orleans and the neighboring Gulf Coast, Martha Reeves and her ever-present Vandellas ended a three-day July 4 weekend engagement amongst cat-calls, whistles and numerous ovations to a standing room only crowd at the Boomtown Casino. With a repertoire that included her numerous Motown hits, some solo selections from the 70s and live versions of tracks from her new CD, Martha Reeves soaked in total unconditional love and appreciation from a rocking crowd that demanded encores. Backed by sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves and an excellent house band to augment her own rhythm section, it was a night of Motown soul that has long been absent from the New Orleans music scene.
After a spirited introduction from a local radio announcer, Martha and family rolled onstage in crimson/pink sequined minidresses that told her SRO crowd right away that they were in for an evening of glamour as well as soul. The set was tight and the performances spirited as Martha quickly segued into full-length versions of her hits Nowhere To Run, Jimmy Mack, Honey Chile and Heat Wave. Where other entertainers deliver a similar body of hits in quick medley form, Lady Martha stays dedicated to her classics and does not
deprive her listeners from what they long for.
There are no fresh superlatives to describe Martha Reeves as an overall entertainer. Famed choreographer Cholly Atkins once gave kudos to Martha and Gladys Knight as being the finest female entertainers to ever work an audience in terms of holding a crowd's attention and getting them involved in the act itself. Atkins's confidence in Martha was well on display on this occasion. Few people can discuss topics such as AARP, menopause and single parenthood in one evening with the masses cheering her on.
Her southern roots are apparent and her down home humor in tastefully endearing. In short, she had the crowd eating out of her hand. There were several highlights at this performance. One was a live version of the title to her self-produced new CD, "Home To You." Heavily based in blues and jazz and dedicated to single mom's, the delivery was warm and touching. It was well received from the ladies in the house.
Wed, Jul 6, 2005,
After a seven year absence from New Orleans and the neighboring Gulf Coast, Martha Reeves and her ever-present Vandellas ended a three-day July 4 weekend engagement amongst cat-calls, whistles and numerous ovations to a standing room only crowd at the Boomtown Casino. With a repertoire that included her numerous Motown hits, some solo selections from the 70s and live versions of tracks from her new CD, Martha Reeves soaked in total unconditional love and appreciation from a rocking crowd that demanded encores. Backed by sisters Lois and Delphine Reeves and an excellent house band to augment her own rhythm section, it was a night of Motown soul that has long been absent from the New Orleans music scene.
After a spirited introduction from a local radio announcer, Martha and family rolled onstage in crimson/pink sequined minidresses that told her SRO crowd right away that they were in for an evening of glamour as well as soul. The set was tight and the performances spirited as Martha quickly segued into full-length versions of her hits Nowhere To Run, Jimmy Mack, Honey Chile and Heat Wave. Where other entertainers deliver a similar body of hits in quick medley form, Lady Martha stays dedicated to her classics and does not
deprive her listeners from what they long for.
There are no fresh superlatives to describe Martha Reeves as an overall entertainer. Famed choreographer Cholly Atkins once gave kudos to Martha and Gladys Knight as being the finest female entertainers to ever work an audience in terms of holding a crowd's attention and getting them involved in the act itself. Atkins's confidence in Martha was well on display on this occasion. Few people can discuss topics such as AARP, menopause and single parenthood in one evening with the masses cheering her on.
Her southern roots are apparent and her down home humor in tastefully endearing. In short, she had the crowd eating out of her hand. There were several highlights at this performance. One was a live version of the title to her self-produced new CD, "Home To You." Heavily based in blues and jazz and dedicated to single mom's, the delivery was warm and touching. It was well received from the ladies in the house.