The Temptations & The Four Tops, The Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA 03/15/2019

The Motown sound lives on and could be heard last night coming from The Chevalier Theatre. The Temptations and The Four Tops are both groups that were discovered by Berry Gordy's Motown Records. Each group produced a multitude of hits in the 1960s and 70s. Both groups only have one surviving member left. First on stage yesterday evening was The Four Tops in silver sequined suit jackets. Duke Fakir who is an original from The Four Tops let us know he recently recovered from a broken hip. He needed to sit during the set most of the time but it didn't stop the music. They sang all the hits like Bernadette, It's The Same Old Song, When She Was My Girl, Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got), and Reach Out I'll Be There. They did a great cover of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On. They finished their set with the infectious I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch). I'll confess I was there for The Temptations. I grew up listening to their music but became a true fan when I saw the made for tv movie back in 1998. Their story has been made into a musical that will soon be on Broadway. Needless to say it meant a lot to me see founding member of The Temps, Otis Williams. The Temptations still got moves and wearing purple suits they performed their hits Get Ready, Beauty Is Only Skin Deep, The Way You Do The Things You Do, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, I Wish It Would Rain, the beautiful Just My Imagination, Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, and the classic My Girl. They did justice too to Sam Smith's Stay With Me. Nothing beats this music. I dare you to listen and not tap your feet or be moved by the melodies. As they said in the movie "Temptations forever!"

The Monkees featuring Mike Nesmith and Micky Dolenz, Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA 03/01/2019

   Just the way The Monkees theme song ended with "We may be comin' to your town", well that's what happened last night at the Chevalier Theatre. The Monkees came to Medford or at least half the quartet did. Back in the mid 60s Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider saw all the pandemonium inspired by The Beatles and had the idea to create an American version of the music group as a tv show. They went on the hunt for 4 young affable guys. They found Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork. The show first aired September 12, 1966. It was a mix of Marx Brothers like comedy and what amounts to the first music videos. The show was a hit as well as the music itself. Even The Beatles took notice of them. But The Monkees were raked over the coals by critics saying they weren't a real band and didn't even play their own instruments. The boys fought back going out to play live shows and to get their own songs on the tv series and albums. Eventually with the turmoil over creative control with the show's producers the series ended. However, it lived on in reruns which introduced further generations to their music, so The Monkees never really went away. Davy Jones passed away in 2012. A few weeks ago we lost Peter Tork.
   Mike and Micky are keeping it going and reminded all of us who grew up on the tv series how much we still love the music. I was singing right along with Last Train To Clarksville. I still love the guitar riff in Mary, Mary. It was nice to hear For Pete's Sake written by the late Peter Tork and was the song to end the show in the second season. Micky can still rock I'm Not Your Steppin' Stone. I have been a fan of the songs Mike Nesmith wrote, so hearing him sing You Just May Be The One and later in the evening Papa Gene's Blues made it for me. And a side note, Mike wrote the hit Beat Of A Different Drum made famous by Linda Rondstadt when she was in the group Stone Poneys. We heard The Girl That I Knew Somewhere. There was an intermission and they did a tribute to Peter with a wonderful video of him singing Till Then. The show continued with the song Micky penned Randy Scouse Git. Take A Giant Step Outside Your Mind is a lovely song. You can't beat Pleasant Valley Sunday and the place really got into the sing along on Daydream Believer. There was Listen To The Band and the night was completed with the hit I'm A Believer. I've always loved The Monkees so this concert was a real treat.

Isn't It Romantic (Movie 2019)

Isn't It Romantic is a romantic/comedy that lovingly pokes fun at that particular genre of film. Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) stars as Natalie who is informed by her mother while watching Pretty Woman as a child that women who are not the perfect size and look, such as themselves don't have those happy endings like in the movies. Natalie has grown up with that in mind and feels invisible in the world. When she accidentally bangs her head she wakes up in an alternate reality.  She finds herself in the perfect rom/com version of her life. Having the spotlight on her is very uncomfortable for Natalie. But there are lessons to be learned in this reality that she has woken up in. All the cliches are here from romantic/comedies. Of course you have the 2 potential love interests for the heroine. There are video like music and dance sequences. And the fabulous wardrobe and shoes. There are some good laughs and a positive message at the end to boot. All in all a good time. Adam DeVine (Pitch Perfect), Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games), and Priyanka Chopra (Quantico) also star.

Green Book (Movie 2018)

Green Book is a motion picture that is inspired by a true story. It is set in 1962 when Dr. Don Shirley who is an African-American virtuoso concert pianist is about to begin a tour of the American deep south. He and his record company realize he will need a driver that could handle the possible situations a black man traveling in the south in the early 60s would run into and get him to his tour dates safely and on time. Hired for the job is Tony “Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) who is an Italian-American from the Bronx and a bouncer. The title of the movie comes from the book given to Tony by Dr. Shirley’s record company. The Negro Motorist Green Book was an actual publication that helped African-Americans navigate the segregated south by listing safe places for them to find food and lodging. Tony is prejudiced himself but a job is a job. During the journey both men learn to see things differently through each other’s eyes.   A striking realization was to see how Dr. Shirley felt like he did not belong anywhere. He had accomplished so much for an African-American at that time which made him feel out of place with his own race and white people did not accept him because he was black. There has been some controversy with this film with some who feel that once again Hollywood has taken away from the black community and literally whitewashed a story about one of their own including some of Dr. Shirley’s family members. I won’t argue with his family on their feelings or opinions because after all it is their family. But I can tell you this movie educated and entertained me. I had never heard about the Negro Motorist Green Book. This chapter of history I had never known. And the characters in the movie are so well drawn out. The acting by Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley has already won him a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Vice (Movie 2018)

Vice is not a formulaic bio-pic on the 46^th Vice President of the United States, Dick Cheney. It moves back and forth throughout his life to show the connections and importance of events. But something surprising is the tongue in cheek humor and surreal moments to highlight situations. You will hear this film stars Christian Bale. There is no Christian Bale here. It was Dick Cheney. Bale has to be the best actor in the modern era. I have seen some amazing performances this year but this was truly remarkable. We see in Cheney’s younger years no real drive or ambition. But once the taste for power grabbed hold there was no stopping him. This film shows the man to be smart, cunning, and ruthless. Amy Adams held her own in this as  Dick’s wife, Lynne Cheney. And Lynne is a force to be reckoned with herself. The cast all around was great. Sam Rockwell is believable giving us a good ole boy President George W. Bush. Steve Carrell gives a not very likeable Donald Rumsfeld. Tyler Perry plays the conflicted Colin Powell. Of course this also highlights the polarization of our nation with people these days either being far right or left of the aisle. Some will feel either it’s bashing one side or maybe that it didn’t go far enough. But whatever your political view might be I ask put it all aside if just to witness the tremendous talent of Christian Bale.

Patti LaBelle, Chevalier Theatre, Medford, MA 12/15/2018

Patti LaBelle laid down some diva soulful grooves this December night in Medford. She came out in a black dress that was short in the front and had a train in the back. She had one costume change during the evening into a silver fringe dress. She started the set with New Attitude. And as she pointed out before she performed it, before Celine Dione had If You Asked Me To, it was a Patti song. She did If Only You Knew and a jazzy cover of Michael McDonald's I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near). Now this may surprise you to hear but my favorite part tonight was when she did her cover of Chris Stapleton's Tennessee Whiskey. She gave that song such feeling and depth. She gave us her hit with Michael McDonald On My Own and a cover from Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes If You Don't Know Me By Now. She had some fun with Lady Marmalade when she brought some  gentlemen from the audience up on stage to sing with her. The night was capped with a powerful rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. At 74 years old Patti can still belt out and hold those high notes.

Donny & Marie Holiday 2018 Tour, Chevalier Theatre Medford, MA 12/04/2018

My childhood met my adulthood at the Chevalier Theatre tonight. When I was a little girl every week I watched The Donny and Marie Show that aired from 1976 to 1979. I had the Marie Osmond doll with her pink and purple tiered dress. And Donny Osmond was one of my first crushes along with Shaun Cassidy from The Hardy Boys Mysteries. The brother and sister duo came out and started the show with We Need A Little Christmas. The stage was beautifully decorated with a large Christmas tree. During the show Marie did numerous costume changes that were sparkly in reds, greens, and whites. We got the usual Christmas songs. Donny and Marie did their sibling comedic jabs like days of old that had us all laughing. They interacted quite a bit with the audience which made it fun and personable. When Marie admitted at one point to having a hot flash on stage and downed a whole bottle of water in front us she joked "And they say Osmonds can't drink." She did a little of her hit Paper Roses. Be still my heart when Donny came out into the crowd and I looked into his eyes. He did his hit Puppy Love. To remember those who serve in our armed services Marie did Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. There were some touching moments in the show. When Marie acknowledged her son Michael who took his own life back in 2010 and then sang the song How Great Thou Art, I teared up. She raised the roof with that performance. Donny did Moon River in honor of the man who gave him and his family their big break, Andy Williams. Donny also did a wonderful rendition of Mary Did You Know. And lest I forget there was A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N Roll. I really had the feeling of being part of tv Christmas special.