The opening act on David Gest’s bill, Candi Staton, hit the stage with the classic Young Hearts Run Free and received a standing ovation. She was followed next by Russell Thompkins Jnr and his Stylistics, and his voice is to die for. He ran through the likes of Rock’n’Roll Baby, You Make Me Feel Brand New and I Can’t Give You Anything But My Love, winning a deserved ovation. Next, the immaculate Freda Payne gave us Vietnam protest song, Bring The Boys Home, before oozing out the soul classic, Band Of Gold. She made way for Stax man, William Bell, who hit us with modern soul on Trying To Love Two before a 60s classic, Private Number. Cue further audience raptures. Dorothy Moore’s silky tones on Misty Blue were warmly received, as was Philly’s Billy Paul, dapperly dressed for Let Em In and the beautiful, showstopping, Me & Mrs Jones. Carl Carlton’s She’s A Bad Mama Jama upped the stakes with some fantastic dancing, before Martha Reeves & The Vandellas got the crowd moving on Nowhere To Run, Jimmy Mack and Dancing In The Street – a truly great set.
A short interval preceded Bonnie Tyler’s entry for It’s A Heartache, her brilliantly gritty voice leading into Total Eclipse Of The Heart. Deniece Williams then wrapped her superlative vocals around Free and Let’s Hear It For The Boys, which was, frankly joyful. Finally, Peabo Bryson and exceptional backing vocalist Suzie Furlonger really were something. Beauty & The Beast, A Whole New World and Ain’t Nobody, among others, brought an end to an exceptional show.
