Shalamar, Robin 2, Bilston - review and pictures
It may have been a chilly mid-week evening, but soul sensations Shalamar certainly heated things up as they played to a packed-out Robin 2.
The band may have been going since the mid-70s, but Howard Hewitt and Jeffrey Daniel both looked and sounded tremendous throughout the entire show. They’re both in their 60s, yet neither looked nor acted a day over 40.
Jeffrey, aged 60, was effortlessly suave throughout; impressing with sharp dance moves and wonderful vocals.
The most impressive vocally, however, was 62-year-old Ohio singer Howard. His tremendous range and strength saw him cover a massive scale of styles and notes, providing the bass notes one second, and eye-wateringly high notes the next.
The two men were joined by daughter of famous record producer Dick Griffey, Carolyn, who joined the line-up in 2001.
Dressed in (very short) cut-off denim shorts, a Shalamar tank top and fishnets, Carolyn looked incredible and in great shape as she busted out dance moves centrestage beside her fellow performers.
Backed by a full band a two singers, the R’n’B icons kept the crowd - made up of a huge variety of ages and backgrounds - dancing all evening, belting out hits such as Sweeter As The Days Go By and Take That To The Bank, Over and Over, On Top Of The World and There It Is.
Fans were also treated to a rendition of the band’s new single The Real Thing, as the main trio busted out perfectly-timed moves in unison.
Jeffrey even performed the Moonwalk at points; something Howard later revealed Jeffrey taught Michael Jackson.
Despite the party atmosphere, Jeffrey took a moment near the end of the show to pay tribute to the victims of the Sutherland Springs church shooting in Texas.
“We’ve got people shooting others in a church, which is meant to be a place of worship,” said the long-haired singer-songwriter and choreographer.
“We’ve got rumours of wars now too.
“I want you all to look at each other - take a look at what you see: different cultures and nationalities coming together for a love of music.
“Take that love outside and spread it wherever you go.”
The moonwalk returned for a splendid rendition of huge hit from 1981 A Night To Remember; the song on which Jeffrey famously introduced the move on Top Of The Pops.
A wonderful mid-week party show, with more soul, suave and strength than even the biggest of fans could have hoped for.
