"Amazing"does not sum up this performance!!
by The Big C on 2023-09-26OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino - Niagara FallsRating: 5 out of 5It took us a 3 and a half hour flight, a train ride and the a 2 hour drive to get to the venue. This was a surprise for my wife, and much as I hoped for a fantastic show a part of me didn't know what to expect, and I fervently hoped that I had made the right choice.
I need not have worried. From the timing of the opening bars and those crystal clear vocals of his hit "Being With You", I knew that I had made the right call. Smokey blew us away with his energy, his chemistry with his band and backing singers, and his engagement with the audience. This legend has not lost his voice, and he was clearly enjoying himself performing; even squatting unaided to chat with a couple in the audience. He was clearly born to perform.
Smokey went through an array of hits from his Miracles days, his solo days, and also from those he wrote for other Motown artistes. He regaled us with stories about being on the road back in the day, and how some of his writing came about. He raised a laugh when he shared a heartfelt episode from a Motown Christmas party with his "brother"Stevie Wonder, and also reminded us of the joys of 78 rpm vinyl records, and listening to music from an 8-track whilst on the road.
The true journey down memory lane was the string of hits delivered with that incredible voice, that band, and obviously supported by fantastic sound production and lighting. He sang hits such as The Tears of a Clown, The Tracks of My Tears, Quiet Storm, Just To See Her, Ooo Baby Baby among others, and in an unhurried fashion. He also performed some new material that was unsurprisingly very good, and for his finale he led the audience in singing Cruisin'.
He went for almost 2 hours without an intermission and I have nothing to criticize about the show. Great venue, fantastic acoustics, and as I previously mentioned, great lighting and sound production. Having said that, I do wonder how practical it would have been for him to ask for a request of two from the audience during the show; given the depth of his back catalogue. I also; greedily, wouldn't have minded an encore. Personal favorites that he might want to include in the rotation for the tour would be More Love, If You Can Want, Let Me Be The Clock, There Will Come a Day (I'm Going to Happen to You), but I hasten to add that this takes nothing away from the caliber of performance that he gave.
All told, I am amazed that Smokey keeps going at the ripe age of 83. I recommend that you go see him if you can because Smokey Robinson's performance is truly Amazing!!!