By Shawn1b (65.26.96.111) on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 06:28 pm:

It's killing me that I can't see this show !I hear Martha sang "No One There " one my ALL TIME FAVS!Shawn ps I hope somebody makes a record of this show and takes photos!

By motown_david (195.93.34.12) on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 07:08 pm:

Well, I saw the show last night in Nottingham and it was truly sensational. I did wonder how many would turn up as only Martha was an original Motowner on this tour, which previously featured Edwin Starr and either Mary Wilson or Freda Payne.
No need to have worried as the house was packed almost full.
For the first time, youngsters sang most of the songs and Martha acted as a kind of mc, introducing each of the segments of the show, which featured the songs and routines associated with the Miracles, Supremes, 4 Tops, Gladys Knight the Pips, Mary Wells etc. Every big Motown star was included somewhere in the show.
Martha also did all the songs that you would expect and was received rapturously by everyone. Most popular songs were 3rd Finger, Left Hand, Jimmy Mack, Heat Wave and Dancing In The Street, of course.
However, the showstopper was No One There, which topped her recording by a mile. It was so different. She sang the first half of the song almost accapella, with just a light drumbeat and then eventually 4 girls singing background. It was done as a slow torch song, which accentuated Martha's heartbreak in the lyric. Then it built to a full band backing. I've heard her do this song with Roz and Annette on previous tours but never in this style. The audience was totally silent throughout and then burst into great applause at the end. It was very emotional.
It was a great experience and I've seen Martha in concert dozens and dozens of times over the years.
Of course, she met with her fans after the show as she nearly always does. She was sweetness itself and spent a long time with me and my wife. I do love it when she takes care of you in this way.
No, Shawn, I didn't take any photos of the show as security is very strict in that particular theatre and photography is definitely banned. However, I'm seeing her again in a smaller, more intimate theatre in a couple of weeks, where they don't seem to mind too much and so I'll take some then, hopefully.
By the way, I did say hello to Martha from Tony Russi, as requested. Her face lit up when I mentioned your and Randy's names and she says that she hoped to see you again real soon.
I'm still in Motown heaven 24 hours later.
Best wishes,
David.

By Shawn1b (65.26.96.111) on Saturday, February 21, 2004 - 07:21 pm:

David what kinda gowns did Martha wear ?Somebody has got to record this show cause I think it would do well if Flying Music sold it as a video are dvd .Shawn

By motown_david (195.93.34.12) on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 05:29 am:

Her gowns? Well, mostly short black dresses with colourful wraps, a feather boa or short jackets. They were mostly glitzy and sequined. She also wore a suede cowboy type fringed dress with brown suede boots that kinda turned me on a bit!!!!
You need to speak with Flying Music about recording the show as there's no way anybody would be able to do that in the audience, as they're much stricter here than in the States about that sort of thing. I've had my camera confiscated a couple of times for the length of a show for doing just that.
David.

By Shawn1b (65.26.96.111) on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 12:21 pm:

Well why don't we all email Flying Music and ask that this show be recorded it's a shame that no record was made while Edwin,Mary are Freda where with Martha .What Ya Think?Shawn ps Thanks for the fashion review .............

By John Lester (81.132.195.247) on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 08:39 pm:

I agree with you David. No One There was the show stopper for me too.

The other songs that were well received were martah doing "What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted" and "A Love Like Yours (Dont Come Knocking Everyday)"

By Love, Guess Who (198.81.26.103) on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 10:13 pm:

Shawn, come on ... smell the coffee!! The show is not video taped because Miss Reeves should get paid for it and people don't want to pay anyone anything and Miss Reeves is not going for that!!

That's why theirs no video. No money, no honey!!

If mabe they made an offer and all that; a contract deal would've been in the makings!!

I know where your heart is ... but I don't know where your pocket book is, LOL

By Tony Russi (216.78.187.148) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 01:18 pm:

Thanks David for the "Message From Martha".I'm glad to hear the shows are going good.Wish I could be there, she's never done "No One There" or "A Love Like Yours" at any of the shows I've seen over the many years.I know you guys are helping Martha not get too lonely & homesick.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 01:32 pm:

Yes, David, thank you for saying hello for us!
As far as being strict for video taping, believe
me, that rule applies here in the U.S. too.
It's forbidden.
I'll look forward to your review of the next
show.

By motown_david (195.93.34.12) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 04:10 pm:

John...
How could I have forgotten to mention Martha singing "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" which the audience enjoyed so much? It was a bit hard to hear Martha sing that one, as everyone around me joined in and sang it so joyously that she was a bit drowned out!
Can hardly contain my excitement over seeing her again in 2 weeks.
Now we need a wonderful 2 cd set for Martha over here, along the lines of the Barbara, Jimmy, Billy wonderful releases. Wouldn't that be just wonderful? Maybe Martha could be persuaded to let us hear more of her unreleased songs to help the project, before going to the Motown vaults to find the original master tapes?
David.

By irvmilne (217.42.159.174) on Wednesday, February 25, 2004 - 04:09 pm:

just saw martha last night in aberdeen going back to see her on friday,anyway the show was great wiyh her tribute to dusty springfield being A LOVE LIKE YOURS DONT COME KNOCKING and as previously said NO ONE THERE is the show stopper,the talented performers who do the tributes to the motown greats are exellent also on the show with martha is marvin ruffin who handles the stevie wonder songs superbly ,all 'n'all its a great show ,and worth the money ...irvmilne

By Shawn1b (65.26.96.111) on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 01:21 pm:

Anymore Martha reviews ?Does anybody have an tv updates has she been on Good Morning London Yet ?Shawn

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 01:29 pm:

Thanks for the Review on Martha. I know she is enjoying herself there. Make sure she remembers she lives here in Detroit, and don't let Marvin Ruffin convince her to stay over there. :o)

By irvmilne (217.42.52.231) on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 02:37 pm:

martha's on never mind the buzzocks this monday bbc2 9 pm,toni & randy russi passed your on your regards to martha and she thanked you for your kind words,going again to see her tonight (sat)guess who doesn't get out much?...irvmilne

By john lester (81.133.43.90) on Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 05:16 pm:

irvmilne

Go on spoil yourself - you deserve it!!

Enjoy it too

By Helene (62.172.206.50) on Thursday, March 04, 2004 - 07:25 pm:

I saw the show with Edwin Starr in 2002, and recently again at the London Palladium in February 2004. Words fail me really, it was truly awesome. When I wasn't dancing away, I was fighting the lump in my throat that all the memories linked to those fantastic songs stirred up. I'm going again to see the show in Dartford, and will try to go yet again if I can.I can't remember when I last saw anything this good.

By Tony Russi (68.18.58.177) on Friday, March 05, 2004 - 01:02 pm:

Thank you Helene... its great to hear the shows are going great.

By motown_david (195.93.34.12) on Friday, March 05, 2004 - 06:33 pm:

I spoke with Martha on the phone again tonight and the tour seems to be very going very well still.
The band is much tighter now and is getting into a better groove, she said.
She told me that there is a full page review of the tour in today's Daily Mail, although I was too late to get a copy.
There's also talk of the show transferring into the West End of London. Hope that one comes off all right.

David.

By Shawn1b (65.26.96.65) on Tuesday, March 09, 2004 - 11:44 pm:

Can anybody give me a copy of this review PLEASE !I'll pay for mailing and the cost of the paper !Shawn

By Helene (217.32.166.37) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 06:33 pm:

Shawn1b,

I don't know if you've had any responses regarding your request. The Daily Mail operate a service for back issues, involving a small postage charge. I've not used the service myself, so I can't vouch for it - but it might be worth calling them on 0208 763 0140. I don't know where you are, so if you're not in the UK you'll have to add on the international dialling code. They just might accept the fee by credit card.

Give them a try. Let me know if you draw a blank and I'll see if I have any success at my end.

By Shawn1b (65.26.96.65) on Monday, March 15, 2004 - 06:38 pm:

Thanks so much but one of the Fans are shoulder unmet friends in My Martha Reeves Fan Club has secured one for me and is supposed to tape a show Martha will appear on today Called Good Morning .Shawn

By Helene (217.32.166.37) on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 - 04:41 pm:

Can anyone update me on Jimmy Ruffin? He was supposed to appear with Martha on the tour, but didn't due to other commitments.

I can't find any news on him via the net, and I'm hoping that there's no other reason for his absence.

I hope someone can tell me that he's okay.

By Shawn1b (65.26.96.65) on Wednesday, March 17, 2004 - 10:16 pm:

I can't believe can come up with Pic's of Martha on her present tour!But Ross fan are having no problem with Pics .Can't somebody help a Fan Club Manager out !Shawn

By FrankM (81.152.61.7) on Monday, March 22, 2004 - 06:53 pm:

Here's an interview with Martha

http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/spectrum.cfm?id=320622004