Post by Motownpfunk on Aug 4, 2003 9:07:16 GMT -5
I attended Friday night's show at the Mann Center in Philadelphia. All the groups were wonderful, and in fine voice. It was especially great to hear the Tempts doing songs like "I'll Be In Trouble", "The Girl's Alright With Me" and "Please Return Your Love to Me". Medleys were kept to a minimum, as full legnth versions of songs were the order of the night. Most importantly, I'm happy to report that GC is awesome!!!
The only flaw in the entire show was the order in which the groups appeared. I was present on a night when the order was The Whispers, The Temptations, The Ojay's and The Four Tops. This was a major mistake. I understand that the Tempts and Tops are flip fopping their position in the show each night. I don't know if this has been succesful through the tour thus far, but in Philly it was a disaster.
First let me say that the crowd had been great. They were into the show, singing and dancing throughout each group's sets. By the time the Tops were to hit the stage, the crowd was at it's peak. When the Tops began singing "The Four Of Us" from offstage, people screamed in anticipation. However, once they walked out on stage, and people saw Theo singing lead and no Levi Stubbs, disaster struck. You could physically feel the excitement being sucked out of the building, as people started leaving en mass. By the end of their set, a full house had dwindled to maybe just 1/3 full.
Having seen Theo perform live as both a Tempt and a Top previously, I know he's FANTASTIC, and he was on top of his game Friday night. In fact, those who did stay for the entire set thoroughly enjoyed his performance. He had many of the remaining women screaming, especially when he sang without his mic.
I think many of those who stayed were already Theo fans, because a roar of recognition went up when he sang a bit of "This Is My Promise" at the end of a song.
Had the Tops come on earlier, the audience would have had to sit through their set, and I think they ultimately would have been very impressed and entertained. I wonder if similar scenes have taken place in other cities in which the Tops closed, or was this another unique"Philadelphia" response.
The only flaw in the entire show was the order in which the groups appeared. I was present on a night when the order was The Whispers, The Temptations, The Ojay's and The Four Tops. This was a major mistake. I understand that the Tempts and Tops are flip fopping their position in the show each night. I don't know if this has been succesful through the tour thus far, but in Philly it was a disaster.
First let me say that the crowd had been great. They were into the show, singing and dancing throughout each group's sets. By the time the Tops were to hit the stage, the crowd was at it's peak. When the Tops began singing "The Four Of Us" from offstage, people screamed in anticipation. However, once they walked out on stage, and people saw Theo singing lead and no Levi Stubbs, disaster struck. You could physically feel the excitement being sucked out of the building, as people started leaving en mass. By the end of their set, a full house had dwindled to maybe just 1/3 full.
Having seen Theo perform live as both a Tempt and a Top previously, I know he's FANTASTIC, and he was on top of his game Friday night. In fact, those who did stay for the entire set thoroughly enjoyed his performance. He had many of the remaining women screaming, especially when he sang without his mic.
I think many of those who stayed were already Theo fans, because a roar of recognition went up when he sang a bit of "This Is My Promise" at the end of a song.
Had the Tops come on earlier, the audience would have had to sit through their set, and I think they ultimately would have been very impressed and entertained. I wonder if similar scenes have taken place in other cities in which the Tops closed, or was this another unique"Philadelphia" response.
!
