It’s a freezing and rainy Sunday winters night in Glasgow – for those inside Oran Mor though, you would not be able to tell.
With just over a week until Christmas, many of the capacity crowd gathered here tonight have loosened the shackles and come prepared for a night of endearing Motown entertainment to warm the souls just in time for the festive period.
Luckily for those in attendance, Martha Reeves is our glamorous and elegant hostess for the evening.
Defying both age and logic – Reeves sparkles and prowls through note after note producing nothing short of wonderful heart endearing nostalgia.
There are moments when it seems like it might all fall apart, perhaps most notable during war memoir ‘Jimmy Mack’ when Martha simply needs to drop an octave and sing within herself.
There is also a lack of backing melodies, which make a Martha Reeves record so enjoyable.
Live this seems lost upon the Vandellas, most of whom were both local and not even alive when Reeves was at her peak of fame.
These, however, are nothing more than brief criticisms, which are more than compensated by Reeves’ unrivalled stage presence and soulful voice of steel.
To be able to hold a crowd in the palm of her hand consistently for almost an hour and a half is nothing short of astounding for a woman reaching 70.
That Reeves achieves this with an equal measure of humble warmth and enthralling showmanship for the duration of her time on the stage is just as miraculous.
You cannot help but feel you are witnessing something incredibly unique and special tonight, in the 60s Reeves was part of a common breed of performers designed for the big time and largest world arenas.
It was a scene that was taken for granted, particularly in its Nashville roots, where the majority of soul was bred and born.
Today, however, these performers of Reeves quality have thinned and became incredibly rare, which increases the occasion when the real deal addresses our shores.
Make no mistake, even at her advancing age – Martha Reeves & the Vandellas are still very much the real deal.
By the time Martha & her Vandellas composed of local male musicians close with smash hit ‘Dancing in the Street’, the popular West End social hub is transformed into a sea of swaying arms, shrivelling hips and shaking legs which could quite easily be mistaken for a ballroom in downtown New York.
Might as well dig out those dancing shoes, because it would appear I have nowhere to run anyway.
Words: Chris Kelman
Photos: Kenny McColl
Wicked. Still kicking it! Our studio mate was playing slide trombone in the band. Glad to hear they can still tear it up!
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