by Rob Jones
A 2015 Shalamar comprise of band icons Jeffrey Daniel and Howard Hewett with Carolyn Griffey who is a contemporary replacement for original soul sister Jody Whatley. A singing trio backed by a full band took to the stage in style at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff. Those stellar 70’s and 80’s hits kicked the evening in to gear and the fans were on their feet. This is old school soulful show business that offers a template to all of those television talent programme wannabes! Make that Move, Friends and Take that to the Bank are precious pop pieces and these nostalgic nuggets are what the masses want. A healthy attendance indicate that the Shalamar CV still carries weight and when the successful sounds soar the paying punters pulsate!
The proceedings take a dip when newer and lesser known material is introduced and the latest single failed to register recognition. The solo spots for each central performer to shine were also drab and it was only the elastic torso of Daniel that raised the bar as he displayed his seminal dancing skills. The original ‘moonwalker’ pulled some impressive shapes that Michael Jackson had once plagiarised and turned in to his trademark.
A return to the act anthems got the concert back on rails as I owe you One, There it Is,
Second Time Around and I can make you feel Good proved their worth as dancefloor deities. The inclusion of Over and Over, Disappearing Act, Circumstantial Evidence and Dancing in the Sheets could have heightened the joy, but sadly these disco delights were absent. A contemporary encore mix of A Night to Remember has this anthem close an enjoyable trip down memory lane. The yesteryear Shalamar songs get Sweeter as the days go By and theses timeless tracks need to be investigated by the new breed of chart worshippers. What next? Chic for Cardiff? Yes, please!
