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Motown fans are in for a real treat, with news a 50th anniversary concert will head to Australia next year.
The star-studded bill includes original Motown heroes The Tempations, Four Tops, Martha and the Vandelas, The Miracles, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. The show also includes a special appearance by Joan Osbourne, who really impressed me in the Standing in the Shadows of Motown documentary. She could definitely pull off the soul of the Funk Brothers, so I’m sure she can do any songs from the Motown catalogue justice.
Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss may seem like odd additions, but the appearance of the Aussie rockers isn’t so bizarre. Jimmy Barnes sold truckloads of copies of Soul Deep and the sequel Soul Deeper. Meanwhile Mossy is preparing to release his soul tribute album, Soul on West 53rd.
The Motown Event will make stops along the east coast capitals next year. Tickets go on sale at 9 am on August 18.
16 February 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
23 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Image source: Newscom
Anyone know who the members of the 12 piece backup band are?
I believe they are being conducted by Chong Lim (Keyboardist, composer, producer). What about the band though?
Funny, with the reference to Standing in the Shadows of Motown, you’d think the musicians in this event would be credited along with the main acts.
Everything I’ve read simple says there’s a world class 12-piece band, no specific names mentioned. Perhaps they’re still finalising that line-up Jonno?
Thanks Ikatulka, maybe they are still finalising that.
Wouldn’t it be great if it was the remaining Funk Brothers?!!
I’d love to hear Bob Babbitt on bass!
Fingers crossed Jonno. I’m pretty sure with the line-up they’ve assembled, plenty of the old legends will stick their hands up. Not to mention the appeal of a trip to Australia and New Zealand!
Why is it Adelaide is missing out AGAIN ?????
Yeah, that bites Karen/
Canberra too … as usual .. I’m having to travel to Sydney and arrange overnight accommodation. Ah well … it’s a rare chance to see awesomeness
I just hope they get the sound right … especially the bass .. so much of the music is driven by the bassline. Last time I saw a Motown revue, the vocals drowned out the music and there was no bottom end.
Strange bed fellows is not the word for it. Barnes and Moss. We have some good soul bands here,The Bamboos for one. Still it will give me time to get a beer without missing anything.
Hi everybody , it’s great to see support for Motown all over the world. I am in London, and I paid my own homage to the musicians last year when I cut 4 retro soul songs in Detroit featuring the likes Uriel Jones, Bob Babbit, Spider Webb, Dennis Coffey, David Jl. Van De Pitte, Ray Monette etc. Spyder Turner and Pree on Lead vocals too. Check out: http://www.youtube.com/bandtraxs and watch the video/listen to the songs! And yes they are for sale if you are interested, on iTunes and Amazon. Enjoy the show……
Undoubtedly, the Best 10 piece (plus 4 lead vocals/who also do BVs) Black Soul Band in Australia, with fantastic Motown(& other) arrangements already done by John Montesante – and which has previously backed many artists acrous the Soul-R&B genres including Sam & Dave, Delilah, Venetta Fields, locally – Max Merritt & the Meteors (40 Year Album) & numerous others, as well as countless TV appearances -is Grand WaZoo-Kings of Soul , with 29 years continuous Soul Music experience and 300 x 10 part Soul arrangements ( 4 Rhythm & 6 Horns). Chong Lim once performed in the band, with its outstanding charts which require the best players in the country to perform them. The band has a regular longterm line up of quality seasoned professionals, and should any of them be unable to tour, their standby player with experience, is of equal merit. This is the Real Deal!
Sounds like a great band. Hope they play the songs note-for-note the same as the originals … especially the bass parts.
Nothing worse than “re-interpretations” .. or new arrangements that sound “like” the originals.
After all, the original songs are great and that’s what I’m paying to hear
Hey Jonno,
Yes Grand WaZoo do play them note for note, as the Arranger/Band Leader is meticulous. Great reading Bass players love the charts, because whether the music is from Motown, Stax, Atlantic or Savoy labels, or others…this band recreates the authentic Soul sounds, with great players too.
Former Motown MD & Arranger, Gil Askey, saw Grand WaZoo recently in Melbourne and was blown away by the quality and the energy of the band as well as the arrangements. No better reference than that.
Check the web dates and visit this band’s public gigs if you’re in Melbourne. Its a Soul tonic!