Music is the art form, more than any other, that culturally defines us. Watching the legendary Supreme, Mary Wilson perform with the Four Tops in what is billed as a "holiday spectacular" only reminds us of the significance and impact Motown has had our own cultural evolution. It is a rare privilege to see these two hallmarks perform at levels artists half their age could only aspire to. I'm sure we have the success of Motown The Musical to thank for this reunion, as the Broadway show has reignited the power of these 60's icon's whose songs are woven brilliantly into our American tapestry.
The evening begins with The Four Tops, with only surviving member Duke Fakir firmly at the helm. The remaining three (Lawrence "Roquel" Payton, Jr. Ronnie McNeir and Harold "Spike" Bonhart) are either descendants or close friends of the original Tops, whose legacy are firmly embedded in each song they perform. "Baby, I Need Your Loving", "I Can't help Myself", "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I Got) and "Burnadette", had the capacity crowd at Harris Theatre on their feet from the moment the orchestra played their first downbeat. And to that end, the sound was mixed perfectly, which is not an easy task at this particular theater.