Description
Original Air Date April 21, 2019: Cedric the Entertainer and Smokey Robinson host this musical celebration honoring Motown Records’ 60th birthday.
The tribute to the iconic sound that changed America features appearances by Boyz II Men, Chloe X Halle, Ciara, Lamont Dozier, Fantasia, Brian and Eddie Holland, Thelma Houston, Tori Kelly, John Legend, Little Big Town, Ne-Yo, Smokey Robinson, Pentatonix, Jennifer Lopez (Jlo), Martha Reeves, Diana Ross, Valerie Simpson, Mickey Stevenson, Meghan Trainor and Stevie Wonder.
The live concert recording was held Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, just two days after Music’s Biggest Night, the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 10, 2019.
Smokey Robinson performances were focused and controlled as he weaved his sultry vocals through classics he wrote including “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Ooh Baby Baby,” chief among them. Producers aim for vocal-chemistry magic when they pair artists form different genres or generations, and the union of Robinson and a cappella stars Pentatonix on “Shop Around” provided one of the show’s highlights.
Little surprise that Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder provided show-stopping moments, though it was a bit of jaw-dropper when Thelma Houston, a Motown veteran from the disco era, vigorously delivered “Don’t Leave Me This Way” to close out a girl group medley highlighted by Meghan Trainor’s letter-perfect “You Can’t Hurry Love.”
As always happens in these tribute shows, viewers learn how hard it can be to top the bar set by an icon. As studied performances go, John Legend’s straightforward approach to Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me (‘s The Ecology)” and “What’s Going On” was spot-on, though it lacked the original’s ease of delivery. Ciara’s take on Rick James was devoid of James’ trademark libidinal nastiness.
ALL COMMERCIALS EDITED OUT
Total Duration 1 Hour 24 Minutes
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fsergi.212 (verified owner) –
Very good that this DVD of the recent broadcast was available immediately for purchase. The audio and video are first-rate quality. The DVD has the official program logo imprinted on the disc. Classy.
Immediate, safe shipping for a next-day delivery to my mailbox. Shipping cost was reasonable. Professional, personal service made me feel like a valued long-time customer.
I bought the DVD as a souvenir of Diana Ross’s tribute in song to Berry Gordy. I also enjoyed seeing so many Motown royalty (performers, executives, and other creative luminaries) speaking of their experiences at this groundbreaking recording empire.
I’m glad I found your site. Thank you for the DVD and your caring service.
Ron McKercher (verified owner) –
This DVD was BRILLIANT!! I have been a Motown fan since 1961 when I first heard The Marvelettes sing “Please Mr. Postman”, I was hooked. My Motown CD & DVD collection is extensive, and now, Motown 60 joins the collection.
I saw this presentation when it aired in April and couldn’t believe what a fantastic show it was. The young artists, on the show, put their stamp on all of the tunes they sang, and did such a fantastic job of it too! The former artists of Motown…Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Miss Thelma Houston rocked the house.
MVR edited out the commercials seamlessly the show had mad flow with ease!!
This DVD’s sound & picture quality is top notch. I must thank MVR for making this Historic Event available on DVD. I just finished watching Motown 60 again and can’t believe the excellent sound & picture quality. MVR even edited out the commercials seamlessly from the show which brought mad flow with ease!! I give this disc a 10 rating and give MVR a 10 rating, also for making the DVD available.
If you love Motown, you will want this in your collection!!!