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 Mary Wilson |
 The Four Tops |
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Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis The music of Motown has miraculously never gone out of style, and with a new Broadway show spanning the illustrious sound's entire saga, it's experiencing yet another surge in popularity. Right towards the very top of that record label roster remains The Supremes and The Four Tops, who currently find their legacies converging at Chicago's HarrisTheater for an extended holiday residency, backed by a massive projection wall broadcasting old memorabilia, an equally enormous band and a rotating cast of local choirs. Spearheading The Supremes' camp is headliner Mary Wilson (the only other living co-founder besides Diana Ross) who continues to possess plenty of star power at 69, even if her voice isn't what it used to be. And despite the premature passing of several Four Tops founders, sole survivor Abdul "Duke" Fakir, 78, still sounds richly soulful, accompanied by a troupe of younger classmen who are undeniably talented, but nonetheless fall somewhat short of replicating the many subtle nuances from the original recordings.In terms of Supremes material, Wilson filled opening night with a mostly complete highlight reel spanning "Come See About Me," "Baby Love," "Stop! In The Name Of Love," "You Can't Hurry Love" and "Someday We'll Be Together." Granted, she didn't benefit from the harmonies of the other girls who collectively put the MotorCity on the map, but with a lot of help from her four backing vocalists, they withstood the test of time. When it came to Christmas, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also made a convincing case for sentimental songs like the Fakir duet "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (as the other Tops sang snippets of their own "Baby I Need Your Loving") and the fellow collaboration "My Favorite Things." Even with the line-up changes, The Four Tops remain in the business of performing harmony-layered hits, which populated the front half of the show in spades. "It's The Same Old Song," "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)," "Reach Out I'll Be There" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" possessed ageless appeal, alongside soulful spins of "Silent Night," "White Christmas" and "The Christmas Song." Add it all up across 100 minutes, and there was tons of fun and festivity, which despite not quite reaching the heights of either act's glory days, should still entertain multiple generations with its Motown meets holiday history lesson. Original Supreme Mary Wilson's Holiday Spectacular featuring special guests The Four Tops continues at the HarrisTheaterthrough Sunday, January 5. For additional details, visit www.marywilsonandthefourtops.com and www.harristheaterchicago.org. |
 Mary Wilson |
 The Four Tops |
 The Four Tops |
 Mary Wilson |
 Mary Wilson |
 Mary Wilson |
 The Four Tops |