Soul Classics – featuring The Spinners, The Blue Notes & The Delfonics
Bergen Performing Arts Center – Englewood, NJ – November 10, 2024
Review & Photos – Rebecca Wolf
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccawolfconcertphotos/
The Soul Classics featuring The Spinners, The Blue Notes and The Delfonics, brought eager fans of classic R&B, soul and specifically “Philadelphia Soul,” to Bergen Performing Arts Center on November 10th. When I’ve been questioned by others about whether there are any original members in these bands and if not, how can they call themselves by the original band names, I typically don’t have the answer to both of those questions. I don’t believe there are original members, as most, if not all have passed away, and I don’t know about the legalities behind bands retaining their names. However, what I can say about these three musical groups is that each one sounded incredible, both vocally and instrumentally, their stage performances were dynamic and engaging, and after more than half a century, the current iterations of these bands help to keep the legendary music of The Spinners, The Blue Notes and The Delfonics vibrantly alive. So, if you love that original “Philadelphia Sound” and you love the energy of a live performance, you’ll be swept away by a Soul Classics show.
Bergen PAC’s audience was filled with enthusiastic fans, many of whom had likely attended performances of the original band members. While they may no longer be able to see the same musicians, they remained eager to immerse themselves in the Philly Soul that’s been woven into the fabric of their lives over the past five decades, and continuing through multiple generations.
The venue became electrified the moment The Delfonics emerged onstage to open the evening of Soul Classics. The current vocalists in The Delfonics include Michael Muse on lead vocals and backing vocals provided by Jay Jay Johnson and Garfield Fleming (the latter of whom sang with William “Poogie” Hart, the band’s late lead vocalist.) Muse’s distinct falsetto and vocal style beautifully recreates Hart’s sound. With Muse’s voice as the centerpiece and the incredible harmonies of Fleming and Johnson, the trio is keeping the legacy of The Delfonics alive. During their set they performed beloved classics, including “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” “La-La Means I Love You,” and “I’m Sorry,” all of which had impassioned audience members swaying in their seats, eyes closed and singing along.
After The Delfonics’ short set, the crowd remained basking in a musical glow before less than five minutes later The Legendary Blue Notes ft Sugar Bear were announced onstage. Dressed in sparkling, royal blue jackets the four vocalists were eye-catching. As soon as they began to sing, they were ear-catching as well, as Sugar Bear and his warm, sultry baritone voice, along with the incredibly smooth, melodious vocal harmonies of Sonny King, Frankie Lee and Roger Banks filled the theater with a a powerful, soulful, memory-inducing sound. The brightly colored lights that bathed the stage in purple, aqua, hot pink, orange and green matched the vibrance of the music, as the vocalists passionately sang, their emotive facial expressions and choreographed hand and feet movements, as well as their turns and twists, locking in the audience’s attention. Of course, no performance by The Legendary Blue Notes would be complete without their 1972 hit, “If You Don’t Know Me By Know,” “Bad Luck,” and my personal favorite, “The Love I Lost,” all of which had the seeming audience joyfully singing along.
Having dove head first into the sounds of “Philadelphia Soul,” the crowd was primed and ready for the headline performance, The Spinners. It’s been 70 years since the formation of the original band, more than 60 years since the release of their debut album and more than 50 years since their first top ten hit, 1972’s “I’ll Be Around.” During the 70s and 80s The Spinners amassed a catalog of hits, including 17 songs in the US Billboard Top 40, seven of which reached the top ten. During the more than an hour performance that evening, these beloved number were beautifully performed by baritone C.J. Jefferson, on lead vocals, Jessie Peck, bass vocalist, Ronnie Moss, falsetto and co-lead tenor and Marvin Taylor, lead tenor, who’s voices meshed together in dynamic, soulful, and robust rhythm and blues harmonies. Audience members passionately sang along throughout, lost in the musical moment as the band performed songs including “One of a Kind (Love Affair),” “It’s a Shame,” “Working My Way Back to You,” and “Games People Play.”
Taking helm of the mic to address the crowd, Peck queried, “Who thinks they know the original name of the band?” As several incorrect responses were shouted, Peck replied, “No, it was the Domingos. However, that name didn’t quite work. MCs were calling us lots of different names. So, one day Bobbie Smith saw a wheel spinning on a car and said, ‘Hey, we’ll call ourselves The Spinners.’ The rest is history.” Peck honored The Spinners last original member, Henry Fambrough, who passed away in February 2024 at 85, and continued to perform with the band until his retirement in April 2023. He briefly pranked a number of photo and video-taking enthusiasts as he began, “Those of you taking pictures and videos in the audience…” pausing for effect, and momentarily making it appear he was going to chastise these “sinners.” “You keep taking as many pictures and videos as you like,” he chuckled with a broad smile. “And, post them wherever you want. I never understand artists who don’t want there music to be seen.” The crowd applauded in agreement, always having wondered this themselves.
Beyond the magic of these four vocalists’ incredible rhythm and blues harmonies, their choreographed dance routines, synchronized movements, and invigorating energy created a spectacular, nostalgic trip down “Philadelphia Soul” Memory Lane. Additional songs in the set included, Dionne Warwick’s “Then Came You,” “I’ll Be Around” and “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love.” Each time you thought you’d heard all The Spinners numbers you could recall, they played another. The set and the show ended with “Rubberband Man,” as Peck wrested with a life-sized rubber band, stretching it around him in all directions. As Jefferson, Taylor and Moss joined in on the rubber band action, another layer of dynamic energy was added to the performance.
From The Delfonics, to The Blue Notes to The Spinners, the Soul Classics was a fabulous night of old school “Philadelphia Soul.” While we may be sadden by the passing of artists from the bands we hold near and dear our hearts, that does not mean their legendary music has to die with them. Of course we can hear their music downloaded on our devices or even on vinyl. However, it’s wonderful to attend a live performance and to hear and feel the legacy of this rhythmic, soulful, vibrant music so passionately carried on.
