I went to see the pop and soultastic Four Tops on Friday night. I've always felt that The Four Tops were among the brightest shining cogs in the Motown factory of sound. They were playing in a local beer palace and it was after midnight when I got there. Some software engineers were getting rowdy so I proceeded forwards where The Four Tops were already storming through one of my favourites, It's The Same Old Song. The Four Tops sang, danced and finger poped with a full ensemble of brass, drums, piano, guitar and bass . It didn't matter that only one original Top remains in the line up as glorious hits like I Can't Help Myself, Reach Out, I'll Be There and Bernadette poured forth. The crowd loved it but the excitement dropped for me a little when they needlessly raided the back catalogues of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Ray Charles for cover versions while leaving out their own hits Walk Away Renee and If I Were a Carpenter, written by Joni's pal Tim Hardin. I was chatting with a lady from the brass section afterwards and it turns out that all the backing band are from England. The promoter told me the fee and I'd guess that the original Top is making more now than he ever earned from Berry Gordy. Philip NP Tortoise - TNT
