Music / “Dancing in the Shadows of Motown”. At the Harmonie German Club, April 22. Reviewed by CASSIDY RICHENS.

A SLOW start with a huge ending, the 10-piece powerhouse band pumped out timeless Motown hits one after another.

Driving bass lines, gospel-influenced vocal harmonies, layered instrumentals on keys and horns,  all synonymous with the Detroit sound. Cleverly arranged song medleys were slick, the musicianship high. They were tight.

Female leads, Veena Rao and Franchesca Appolis worked well together. When they shone, they were dazzling. In figure-hugging sequence dresses, they were pitch perfect. Vocal embellishments not too over the top. Male leads Kimi Tupaea and Eric Rasmussen also strong vocalists. Tupeea’s version of “My Girl” was great, but when they all sang it was brilliant.

“Do you Love Me”, a song earmarked for the Temptations but recorded by the Contours singer Joe Billingslea, was a highlight. “Higher and Higher”, originally recorded by the infamous house band The Funk Brothers – who performed backing on most Motown recordings from 1959 until the 1972, also stood out with an a cappella start and lots of crowd choruses.

True to the marketing blurb, “Dancing in the Shadows of Motown” was a high-quality performance of iconic songs from the Motown collection complete with clapping, foot-stomping and all the classic choreography of the 1960s pop, R&B, and soul era.

The Canberra line up, not quite as marketed although excellent, comprised Matt Roberts (guitar), Craig Bodinnar (bass), Jason Bruer (sax), Kimi Tupaea (małe vocal right), Veena Rao (female vocal right), Franchesca Appolis (female vocal left). Alterations to the line-up I was expecting, Wes Harder (keyboards), Greg Carger (trumpet), Eric Rasmussen (male vocal left) and Nick Saya (drums) – who interestingly has a gig doing sound design for film, with credits including the “WestWorld” chase scene!

The night came alive in the second set. The band were enjoying themselves and most of the audience dancing to a list of “bests” from Motown Records’ long run. Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Martha and Vandellas, Four Tops, Jackson Five, and many more represented. The night ended with the Grammy Hall of Fame Tina Turner song “River Deep – Mountain High.”

Noting the production’s longevity, I felt the performance lacked something, feeling perhaps? However, I must hand it to the artists who, of course, did a superb job. The show undoubtedly met the brief. The audience had a fantastic time and it was indeed sold out. Some of the technical difficulties would have been overcome by touring a sound person.

Fun fact, my plus one went to high school in Adelaide with the sax player 40 years ago. Small world.