Up, Up and Away with Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. http://www.sandiego.com/index.php?option=com_sdca&target=5fdcfbcd-047e-4c8e-b34d-d90452bb5b18
Romance and Nostalgia at the Pops By Peggy Johnston Jul 28th, 2009 It was a celebration of 40 years of making music on and off the stage for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis , Jr. at the Embarcadero Park South. The couple announced that their 40th wedding anniversary was this weekend. The San Diego Symphony started the evening with George Gershwin's overture to "Girl Crazy," a medley of tunes, including "I've Got Rhythm," from the 1928 musical. Resident Pops conductor Matthew Garbutt kept the tempos spritely with his customary energy and delight in all things musical. Then McCoo and Davis took the stage with their band, which did most of the accompanying. The San Diego Symphony sat out for quite a few numbers on the second half, and were not often heard when they did play. The sound system is overly generous with the treble, making the violins sound a bit tinny. The first half was a musical biography of these still-great performers. It began with "Up, Up and Away." McCoo belted wonderfully with her rich, dark voice. Billy Davis is a good, if subtle, match. They did a few songs from their Fifth Dimension days, including "Do What You Want to Do." They moved on to their career as a duo and then to the theatre. McCoo has played the role of Julie in "Show Boat" and sang a soulful rendition of "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" from that musical. Davis sang some gospel music from his religious album, "Let Me Have a Dream." After intermission things got hot with the ballad, "Never, My Love," and hits from Laura Nyro, including "Wedding Bell Blues." The show included a nod to Duke Ellington with "I'm Just A Lucky So and So." Other hits included "One Less Bell to Answer,""Get on Board," and "Chain of Fools." Throughout the evening, the love and affection between McCoo and Davis was palpable. Their banter was filled with the humor shared by old friends and lovers. Their combo was excellent, with acoustic bass solos by Kevin O'Neill and electric guitar solos by Major Black. Thespectacular fireworks show accompanied "Age of Aquarius" and "Let the Sunshine In." The audience was rocking and on their feet. . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Sixties-L" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
