Musical Journeys: Martha Reeves at Jimmy Maks!!!!!

There is a special symmetry about Martha Reeves (of Martha and the Vandellas - but if you don't know that, you probably can stop reading this now!) playing Jimmy Maks. After all, it is the title to a major, major Motown hit, right?

In the heyday of Motown, Martha and the Vandellas were backed by the legendary Funk Brothers, that incredible ensemble of Motown musicians that very well may have played on more #1 hits than the Beatles, Stones, and Elvis combined. It is only right and just that Martha was backed last night by a group of Portlands finest musicians (how about the "Stump Brothers?"). Check it out; Louis Pain on the B3, Renato Caranto and Robert Crowell on tenor and baritone sax, Stan Bock on trombone, Derek Sims on trumpet, Dennis Caiazza on bass, Dan Balmer on guitar, Curtis Kraft on percussion and, of course, Mel Brown on drums.

Martha opened with the Van Morrison tune, Wild Nights, followed with a Motown Medley, an emotional Jimmy Mack (damn right), an original Watch Your Back (with very significant blues riffs by Mr. Balmer) and closed with Dancing in the Streets. Now, you know how this writer feels about old white people dancing. Well, I gave special dispensation with Martha's closing number. How're you gonna tell these old folks not to get up and dance when they had permission from Miss Martha Reeves?

I've recently been to a couple of geezer rock shows featuring Johnny Winter and Leon Russell and at times found myself more sympathetic than excited by the music. Some folks need to retire when they can no longer get it done. Hey, I hung up my baseball spikes, right? HOWEVER, Miss Martha is not ready for the musical equivalent of assisted living; no, no, no!!! While no 70 year old has the pipes they once had, she still emotes the joy and energy of an artist in her prime and gave us one helluva show. No sympathy here, baby. You go, girl!!

Hey, a brief plug for JD, Lisa, and the staff at Jimmy Maks - they had a full house yet the service was fast, friendly and efficient. Thanks for a great evening!