The Four Tops & Simone Vitale Band w/ Symphony Strings
Goin' Home 'Round Midnight

   

Starting with the first track,They Can't Take That Away From Me, the unmistakable harmonies of The Four Tops come rushing through the speakers, on the new CD Goin' Home 'Round Midnight. Theo People's strong lead vocals, in a duet with Bridgett Grace, make this song the perfect beginning to a wonderful experience in listening, an experience that lifts you up and places you right smack dab in the middle of a time gone by, a time of smoke-filled clubs and sweet love songs. This CD, which combines the talents of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Legends with the extraordinary Simone Vitale Band, is a marvelous triumph for both groups.
 
Featuring some of the greatest standards from the Great American Songbook, the CD takes the Tops back to their roots, when they were singing with the likes of Billy Eckstin and Sarah Vaughan, even before they signed with Motown Records. As much success as they've enjoyed in the Pop and R & B fields, their voices were made to sing these songs, and it shows in their effortless background vocals on songs such as My Funny Valentine, Night and Day, The Best Is Yet To Come and My One And Only Love, among others. Though the lead vocals are shared between Peoples and Vitale's Christiansen, Bridgett Grace and Royce, this is without a doubt a Four Tops CD, with two original songs written by Vitale and Lawrence “Roquel” Payton Jr., son of deceased original Four Top, Lawrence Payton. Speaking of the Jr. Mr. Payton, his contributions as a vocal arranger on this CD provide the Tops with their tightest sounding harmonies since Lawrence's passing in 1997. Payton Jr. joined the group when original member Renaldo “Obie” Benson passed away in July of 2005. In fact, this CD features the final studio recordings of Benson, who aside from his 51 years with the group also wrote the R & B classic What's Goin' On for Marvin Gaye.
 
Make no mistake, though, this CD is also a wonderful showcase for the Simone Vitale Band, which has enjoyed great success in the Midwest for many years. Simone Vitale has put together a terrific group of musicians and singers, and their talent is exemplified by the fact that they've performed for ambassadors, governors and U.S. Presidents, all to rave reviews. Listen to Royce on My One And Only Love, or Jennifer on Night And Day, to get an idea of the talent with which these singers are blessed. With this CD with the legendary Four Tops, the Simone Vitale Band has brought their game to a new level, and big things are to be expected for them from here on in.
 
In conclusion, it must be pointed out that legendary Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs was not well enough to provide his “one and only” vocals to this project. Knowing Levi, one can't help but to think that this CD was one he would have loved to have been a part of. With a dedication, not only to their two departed brothers, Payton and Benson, but also to their ailing captain, Stubbs, remaining founding member Abdul “Duke” Fakir, along with Peoples, Payton Jr. and Ronnie McNeir, has made it clear that this project could not have been done without the other three. The Four Tops have always been a family affair, and with Goin' Home 'Round Midnight, they continue their legacy of Family, Harmony and Class. I'd say welcome back, boys, but the truth is The Four Tops have always been there. And fifty-two years after they started, The Four Tops are still doing their thing, and doing it better than anyone else.
 
Jim Donahue
North Fork Theatre at Westbury, New York