Review: Once In A Lifetime - Motown Legends Live Tour ECHO Arena

By Jade Wright on Jun 29, 09 11:03 PM

MOTOWN lost one of its brightest stars last week.

Michael Jackson made his name with the iconic Detroit record label, and his loss was clearly felt by the acts on the Motown 50th anniversary tour. Walter Orange from The Commodores summed it up best: "We are all brothers in the same brotherhood, and tonight we feel the loss of one of our number. God bless you Michael."

Although, of course, Motown was as famous for its sisters as its brothers.

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and Mary Wilson Of The Supremes more than held their own.

Strutting around the stage in a tiny black dress and an enormous white stole, Mary was every bit the diva.

From Stop (In the Name of Love) to Set Me Free (You Keep Me Hangin' On), she powered through the sixties hits, reminding everyone just why there was more to the Supremes than Diana Ross.

But then, that's what the whole night was about. Motown was so much more than its stars. The producers, the backing singers and the musicians made the greatest record label there ever was come to glorious, inspirational life.

More than anything, Motown was about the songs, the beautiful, heaven-sent odes to love and despair that seemed to rain down upon Detroit in those magical days of change and passion.

It was a music born out of repression, and the struggle to be free in a segregated society, a fight for the rights that we now take for granted.

Following on from The Miracles and JR. Walker's All Stars, the headline act was The Commodores - minus Lionel Richie.

Bouncing around the stage like men half their age, Walter Orange, William King and JD Nicholas were clearly loving every minute.

Packing Sail On with tender emotion, flirting with the large female contingent through Lady, theirs was a set packed with joy.

The only slightly downbeat moment was Sweet Love, in honour of Michael Jackson. As they asked the crowd to raise their arms and sing and dance together in salutation to their fallen brother, it was hard not to be carried away by their spirit.

Motown and its plethora of sublime songs changed the face of music forever. And last night, a part of that magic shone in Liverpool.