Today, I have been surrounded by greatness. I was invited by Thea Tjepkema, a board member of the Friends of Music Hall to see American Originals: The Cincinnati Sound, an homage to King Records at Cincinnati Music Hall.
Former bandleader of the David Letterman Show Paul Shaffer and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra Conductor John Morris Russell pulled out all the stops to deliver Cincinnati's jukebox like never before. For two hours, these gentlemen made the audience feel as if they were visiting with neighbors as they talked of the history of King Records and introduced tunes from the Cincinnati songbook.
The two vocalists of the matinee, Mikal Kilgore and Morgan James, really delivered.
"Jambalaya" by Hank Ballard really got me moving-and later hungry (Forgive me, but I ended up going to Chipotle for dinner afterwards).
As usual, Shaffer came out of left field and did push ups during "Shout" by the Isley Brothers, who btw grew up in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Lincoln Heights. Kilgore and James wore different T-Shirts saying "A little bit louder now" and "A little bit softer now", respectively.
The one that really struck a cord with me was Morgan James' rendition of It's a Man's Man's Man's World (It's a Man's Man's Man's World/But it wouldn't be nothing/Without a woman or girl), with today being International Women's Day.
For the finale, "Twist", Shaffer and Russell danced their own version of the Twist and several legends and their families came out on stage to sing along.
What sets JMR apart from other symphony conductors is that he thinks outside of the box and does something way out of left field to deliver world class performances with hometown flavor.
In addition, there was also a moving exhibit displayed on King Records. Currently, there are efforts for build and open a King Records museum here in Cincy.
Today was a day that both I and Cincinnati have been surrounded by greatness.
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Sorry, but I had to sneak this in. I was invited to the Taft Suite reserved for selected patrons and their guests.
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