Detroit soul and Motown classics

Next day we took the Q Line streetcar Downtown and wandered over to the Hello record shop, an intimate place where I bought some Detroit soul 45s. Noah Shaffer and his friend Mark are in town as are Seamus and John McGarvey and we made our way to Bert's Warehouse Theater where the shows are being held. The first evening featured non-Motown acts, all of whom gave their all, although the sound was rather muddy. Spyder Turner hosted amusingly and good quality backing was provided by Ronnie Nelson's TFO Orchestra with background vocals by the Ladeez, who also did a good version of 'Get Ready'.
First of the original Detroit soul acts on stage were the Professionals, looking the part and sounding good on a couple of numbers, including 'That's Why I Love You'. Jimmy Scott, wearing a white jacket, sang just one number, 'It Rained 40 Days and Nights' and came across strongly and I would have liked more. The Dynamics, whose 1963 song 'Misery' was plagiarized by The Who when they were calling themselves the High Numbers, sang three numbers from.their early 70s 'First Landing' period including 'I Need Your Love' and did well. Willie Jones, wearing a yellow suit that matched the colour of the dresses worn by the Ladeez, did three songs. Willie, once of the Royal Jokers, helped launch Betty Lavette's career and she returned the favour more recently by helping Willie get a record deal for his 'Fire In My Soul' album. Spyder Turner showed that he is still in great voice with 'I Can't Make It Any More' and his 1966 version of 'Stand By Me', during which he mimicked Sam Cooke, Joe Tex, Al Green and others.
After this excellent but fairly short (75 minutes) live show we went with Noah to the Raven Lounge blues bar, a genuine juke joint where there was a live band and three great singers. Harmonica Shah is an excellent harp player and sounded just like Howlin' Wolf on 'Move Over Old Man ' and 'Baby Please'. He's an expressive singer with a great voice and highly enjoyable. So too was Michelle Varell (?) on 'Hey Sexy Man' and 'Dr Feelgood'. I also enjoyed Ray Robinson, a big man who said he had been shot four times for no reason a few years back but lived to tell the tale, who came across strongly on 'Last Two Dollars', 'I'll Play The Blues For You' and 'Stormy Monday Blues'. Many thanks to Noah for letting us know about this wonderful blues bar.
Given that we are in Detroit a visit to Hitsville USA, now the Motown Museum, was essential, so we took the short trip on Friday afternoon. The tour is interesting but the place is tiny, including the famed Studio A, and it's amazing that it produced hundreds of brilliant recordings. Greeting the tour group in the studio were trombonist and producer Paul Riser and two members of the Andantes, Jackie Hicks and Louvain Demps. Back at the hotel, we met up with Seamus and got a photo of the current line up of the Fantastic Four at their record signing, plus their autographs for John Marriott.
The evening's live music at Bert's Warehouse was billed as Motown A Go Go and was just that. It was brilliant, with a line up of great Motown artists, mostly female. First on were the Posse, a lesser known name from the late 60s who now comprise one original and one other (another original was Ronnie Nelson, now leading the backing band). Their one number 'Fire' was delivered with energy and excitement and good to watch. Next came the Marvelettes, with one original member, Katherine Anderson Schaffner seated on a throne and three younger members dressed in long green gowns. I enjoyed them a lot and their versions of 'Please Mr Postman', 'I'll Keep On Holding On', an acapella version of 'Locking Up My Heart' (a personal favourite) and  'Your Love Can Save Me' were a delight.
Kim Weston came next. Nearly 80, the years are sadly showing but she remains slim and active. Dressed in a long velvet dress, her songs included 'Take Me In Your Arms' and 'Helpless', both stone Northern Soul favourites. After an interval the show continued with the tall, blonde Chris Clark, whose set included 'From Head To Toe' and the Motown classic 'Do I Love You'. The acts continued thick and fast and the next one, Carolyn Crawford, wearing a little black dress, was excellent on 'Until You Came Along', her first recording 'Forget About Me' and 'Keep Stepping  Never Look Back'  with tremendous support from backing group the Ladeez, who were terrific all evening.
Finally a solo male singer appeared in the form of G C Cameron, once of the Temptations and the Spinners. His voice was quite remarkable, that is to say, very good, as was his stage act as he sang the Spinners' 'It's A Shame', on which he sang lead, and the ballad 'So Hard To Say Goodbye' in his set.
Final act of the night was Brenda Holloway  a singer I have seen several times in recent years. She was on top form, seemingly inspired by her UK fans, as she excelled on 'What Are You Gonna Do When I'm Gone', 'Every Little Bit Hurts' and 'Reconsider'. The show ended with all the stars joining in on 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. Show organiser Phil Dick looked on with pride, as well he might as this was a night to remember. And there are still two more Go Go shows to come!