The Stylistics introduced their timeless soulful allure to the New Theatre on 12 November as a part of their Best Hits Tour. The long-lasting Philly Soul group – who’ve been via various line-up modifications throughout their 56 years of performing – delivered an excellent night of best hits and loads of nostalgia.
It was evident from the common age of the gang that I used to be a few many years too younger to be an actual Stylistics fan (nearly everybody else there that I noticed who have been beneath the age of fifty gave the impression to be accompanying dad and mom or grandparents). And it’s true – I solely found Philly Soul in any respect throughout an prolonged digital YouTube crate dig throughout lockdown. The luxurious string preparations and comforting harmonies have been an actual balm for me throughout lockdown (which already looks like a lifetime in the past). Whereas I may not have been reminiscent of discos within the Seventies, seeing the Stylistics stay was nonetheless a little bit of a nostalgic expertise for me.
Earlier than we get to the band, I need to point out the assist act – an “El-Tom John venture” fronted by Tom Cridland. Tom apparently discovered to play the piano throughout lockdown, particularly to play Elton John songs and tour them all over the world. He’s additionally the presenter of The Best Music of All Time podcast (and dressmaker along with his personal sustainable trend label?). He’s unfathomably tall and sporting a go well with coated in sparkly stars, and warms the gang taking part in a sequence of early Elton classics on a keyboard.
My 70 12 months previous mom (who’s my date for this outing) feedback, slightly unkindly, I believe, “don’t hand over the day job”. However she’s fortunate sufficient to have loved Elton as a performer all through her entire life (I actually solely received him from the second outing of Candle within the Wind onwards). I nonetheless don’t like Candle within the Wind, however I do hearken to Tiny Dancer on repeat for the entire of the subsequent day.
Then it’s time for the principle occasion. Marketed as a Best Hits Tour, the group doesn’t disappoint, with a present packed filled with “old style disco bangers”, as the girl from Ebbw Vale sat behind me calls them.
Fashioned of two members of the unique line up (Airrion Love and Herb Murrell) and two “newer” members (Bo Henderson and Jason Sharp), the group shoops, boops, and sways gently via 85 minutes of classics. Their choreographed dance strikes are impeccably timed (though having been performing as a band for 56 years, you’d hope they’d have gotten the timings down for these). They bring about the home down with You Are All the things, together with different classics I’m Stone In Love With You and Can’t Give You Something (However My Love) (which was a success single within the UK again in 1975).
My private favorite is Betcha by Golly Wow, which follows a bit of preamble with the band speaking about how lengthy they’ve been performing and touring, and the way previous they’re now (and the way, with the assistance of “that little blue tablet”, all the pieces nonetheless works – simply not the best way it did once they have been 50. There are screams and whoops of laughter and delight that ring across the venue, as you may think).
Even with the 2 authentic members performing on the ripe age of 75, the band are nonetheless oozing charisma and allure (and might we speak in regards to the vocals? It’s like having double cream poured into your ears). I’m guessing the dance strikes are in all probability rather less enthusiastic than they have been 40 years in the past, however they’re nonetheless delivered with fashion. By the tip of the present, just about your entire crowd is on their ft, clicking their fingers, clapping, swaying, and singing alongside. It’s a feel-good present that proves The Stylistics are nonetheless one of many best soul teams of all time. For soul followers of all ages, in the event you get the prospect to catch them on tour, I like to recommend it.
