Motown magic at KCT

Photo: Contributed

Rann Berry returns to the Kelowna Community Theatre with a brand new show.

The group which produced the "One Hit Wonders" and the "Rhythm and Soul Review" is back with the "Motown Revue."

The show runs Aug. 22 at the Kelowna Community Theatre starting at 7:30.

Comedian Rob Balsdon will open the show.

In an interview, Berry talks about the new show.

What made you want to do a tribute to the music of Motown?

Well… first of all I’d like to thank all the people who came to our “One Hit Wonders Show” over the last three years. I guess I felt it was time for something different, and I truly love Motown music. We started out a year or so ago doing what I then called The Rhythm and Soul Revue, and it has now evolved into an all out Motown thing. More mainstream Motown hits I guess you’d say.

Talk a little about the band.

For this show we have a 10 piece band which includes two female backup singers and a four piece horn section. To do justice to these songs you pretty much have to have a very full live band, and there is no way I would ever consider using other options.

What do you mean, other options?

Lots, if not most touring shows these days use pre-recorded backing tracks. Even for the backing vocals. It’s just something I don’t want to do. Nothing beats the sound of the real thing. We're responsible for what you hear. Just musicians performing live.

What first turned you on to Motown music?

My first 8-track was Stevie Wonders “Innervisions”. Yes… an 8-track cassette. I was maybe 10 or so. I was so blown away. It was my first taste of funk or soul music and an introduction to Black America at the time. I remember thinking it was so different than 60s or 70s pop music. So heavy. Definitely not the Beatles or the Monkees, who I dearly love as well, but the Motown music had a very different sound, or groove. To this day “Innervisions” is my favorite album. I mean “Livin for the City” is the coolest song ever in my mind.

What can we expect to hear?

I’ve split the show into two parts. The first half features early Motown music. You know, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Wilson Pickett and so on.

By the second set we’re getting into the heavier Motown sound. Stevie Wonder, Billy Preston, Isaac Hayes, and one of our backup singers, “ Vicky Nish” nails down some Aretha Franklin numbers. By this point things are getting really funky.

What else do we need to know ?

I’m really happy to have comedian Rob Balsdon opening the show. Nothing like a good laugh to get people in a great mood. And, of course the Kelowna Community Theatre is a licensed venue. It’s like Vegas, and this show is modelled after shows I’ve seen in Las Vegas. Big, sexy and super funky - and that’s just the bass player.