The Motown sound will fill The Capital in October.
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Las Vegas-based show Songs in the Key of Motown will enjoy its sixth tour of Australia when it arrives in October and November.
Show founder Cushney Roberts said the whole organisation was excited for its trip to Australia.
“When we were here last time, the audiences were great. We are going to try and bring the level of energy and excitement that makes them want to come back,” he said.
Motown developed through the 1960s and Roberts said a lot of great songs eminated from it.
“They had just perfected the transistor radio and that combined with music changing from more of a soul pop in 50s that grew to rock,” he said.
“Motown was a bit more sophisticated that rock, they were great performers and very impactful.
“While the British invasion was happening in the US, Europe had a US invasion by Motown artists. It is great to be carrying on that legacy.”
Roberts said male vocal quartet Spectrum teamed up with female quartet Radiance to created the show to celebrate the sound that formed a cornerstone in American music.
Spectrum is made up of Roberts, EC Adams, Pierre Jovan and Darryl Grant. They are known for their excellent harmonies and deft choreography.
Radiance copnsists of former Radio City Music Hall Rockette Marque Munday, Vivian Ross from ‘90s group Lace, Yolanda Tharrington and Alicia Hill.
“It’s really hard to do any justice to catalog when trying to (do a show like this) but it is definitely more than a sprinkling,” he said.
“In no way can we do a proper tribute to Motown but we definitely perform a significant percentage of hits that came out of that era.
“The men could have a show on their own and easily do 90 minutes and the women could have a show. So when we get together we have the same 90 minutes to sing as much Motown as possible.”
Roberts said the way to decide the set list was to focus more on the top 10 hits.
“That gives you most the significant songs. We can do plenty of material but not as much as we might like,” Roberts said.
“Every number we do has choreography to it. We can’t just learn vocals, we pay a lot of attention to how to make it flow and have order that keeps the show energetic for audience.”
The tour will also visit Shepparton on October 26 and Albury on October 28.
Song in the Key of Motown is at The Capital Theatre on October 23. For tickets phone 5434 6100.
For more information visit www.thecapital.com.au/Whats_On