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John Kelman wrote on August 07, 2008 reportAshford & Simpson
Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant
Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 5, 2008
The scintillating, sexy, superlative, sexagenarian Rock & Roll Hall of Fame entertainers delivered the goods in a
highly anticipated show Thursday evening, June 5, during the first set of their two-night engagement at The
Dakota. If there is a Mt. Rushmore for composers of the Great American Songbook, Ashford & Simpson are
right there with Rodgers & Hart, George & Ira Gershwin, Kern & Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, Cole
Porter, Irving Berlin. This is a must see show.
A&S received several rousing ovations during the show, most notably after memorable performances of
"I'm Every Woman" featuring Simpson and "Found A Cure" and "Is It Still Good To Ya" by the dynamic duo.
Receiving a fourth standing ovation at the end of the show for their walk-off number, "Solid As A Rock," A&S
came back on stage and delivered an exceptional rendition of another classic, "You're All I Need To Get By."
Sensory overload was unavoidable as a listener was seeing and hearing Nick & Val live but also vicariously
seeing and hearing Chaka, Teddy, Marvin & Tammi.
A trip down Motown Memory Lane that included "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," "Heaven Must Have
Sent You," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and a host of others reminded us all that A&S were at the heart of
The Sound Of Young America as the label was known. Virtually all of their songs were met with instant
recognition after the first few notes or words. It was total audience engagement in a "Name That Tune"
challenge on which we were all winners.
Their songs have stood the test of time due to their substantive lyrics; there is no filler to be found.
Legendary consummate entertainers exhibiting beautiful choreography and excellent symmetry in the famously
intimate setting of The Dakota was a truly intoxicating experience.
Published on behalf of Mario Carrington
