The classic lineup of The Manhattans is among the 1970s-80s vocal acts scheduled to take to the Basie boards, for a Mother’s Day Soul Jam going on Sunday night.
“Kiss and Say Goodbye.” “Betcha By Golly, Wow.” “If You Don’t Know Me By Now.” Even if you can’t always match the chart-topping hit with the group that recorded it, you’ll know these smooth crossover classics as a crucial component of the soundtrack, for an era that straddled the Stax/Motown heyday, the first days of Disco, and the roll-in of the Quiet Storm radio format. On Sunday night, May 11, three of the most popular R&B vocal combos from the 1970s and 80s visit the Count Basie Theatre for a package-tour pitstop that can ONLY be called A Mother’s Day Soul Jam.
Scheduled to appear — with the promoter’s caveat of “lineup subject to change” — are the current touring rosters of The Manhattans, The Stylistics, and Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes; a program that evokes acres of polyester, afternoons with Mr. Don Cornelius, and cassette mixtapes recorded from AM transistor radios. You might just even flash Mom back to that moment when you became more than just a glint in your daddy’s eye.
Tickets for Sunday’s 8 pm show ($45 – $85) can be purchased right here — and oldies fans can also look to the Count’s website to reserve tix for The Happy Together Tour, Steely Dan, the Golden Boys of Bandstand and more.
