Orchestra Kentucky put its’ best foot forward with the “Best of Retro” concert. What a concept – a best of show that actually was one of the best retro shows I’ve seen. It almost couldn’t miss, considering the rich pool of music maestro Jeffery Reed had to draw from. Skimming the cream off the top of “Motownmadness”, “One Hit Wonders”, “Rock N Roll Heaven”, “70’s Show”, and “Countrymadness” (as voted by Retro-series patrons over the last year), Mr. Reed just may have presented the greatest “Retro” performance ever.

The first set started a bit off with “You’re So Vain” (the sound was not quite right), but that was quickly corrected mid-song so singer/pianist Kimmy Stofer could shine through. Next up was the George Jones favorite “He Stopped Loving Her Tonight” which featured some really fine harmonica by Ernie Raymer. Billy Duvall Jr. then picked up the pace with the uplifting “Higher and Higher”. If anyone was settling in before this song they were certainly energized now. Things were then slowed down for three songs, most notably “Stand By Your Man”, featuring some superb pedal steel guitar by Jim Killen (and what’s a country song without some of that?). Then it was time to get moving again with the Motown classic “Dancin’ In the Streets”, enthusiastically done by Sandra Dye Hunton. Next were another three slower-tempo songs (Carpenters fans were treated to “Close To You”), then the rousing “Turn the Beat Around” (which was by far the best showcase of the evening for the orchestra’s rhythm section; a wall of sound), featuring Beth Blakeman on vocals.

The set ended with alternating slow and fast songs. And this pattern was the only thing I found that detracted a bit from the first set. The tempos were switched too frequently to allow for a good flow. I think the audience didn’t know whether to sit or stand, so they opted to sit. Still, the songs were sufficiently strong enough to somewhat make up for this.

The second set flowed much better, and was the best set of “Retro” I have ever seen (and heard). Yes, there was still some questionable fast/slow song placement, but the chosen songs were even stronger than those in the first set, so it really didn’t matter. “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”, “California Dreaming”, “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (I love the way Sandra Fanning does this), and “If” (the Bread hit) got things going. The middle four songs were mostly upbeat, highlighted by two Tyrone Dunn performances; his signature “Me and Mrs. Jones” (featuring Orchestra Kentucky’s brass and string sections, this song epitomized what Mr. Reed is known for – merging the full orchestra with the pop sounds of a rock and roll band), and “Love Train”. By now the audience was all warmed up, clapping to the beat and rising to their feet to move to the music. After a tender “Precious and Few” by Kevin Snyder, the most amazing four-song stretch of the evening made this, for me, the best “Retro” ever.

Bhrett Puckett channeled the late Chicago guitarist Terry Kath perfectly on “25 or 6 to 4”, and the crowd really took notice. Next up was my favorite of the night, Beth Smith Lovelace’s spirited “Me and Bobbie McGee”. This amazes me because I really don’t like the song all that much, but on this night I loved it. Next was Darla Day and the girls doing a majestic and powerful “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (how many shows have you gone to with two songs that had the word “ain’t” in the title?), followed by Duvall Jr.’s bouncy “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” (complete with his Stevie Wonder impersonation). Wow! The set then ended on a calmer note, but who cared, because Jon Crosby simply belted out Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (the best vocal performance I’ve ever seen him do). The evening ended with everyone joining in gloriously for the encore, “Listen To the Music”.

I hope all this sounds interesting enough to you to consider looking into next season’s “Retro” series. You can get info on all of the orchestra’s concert series’ at www.orchestrakentucky.com. Although next year’s events have not been posted there as of this writing I’m sure it will be updated soon. However, according to the program, a new “Retro”, “Endless Love”, is scheduled for Valentine’s weekend, and next season’s shows will include return performances of “70’s Show”, “Rock N Roll Heaven”, and “Christmasmadness”. Make your plans soon. You’ll love it.

 Best of Retro was at the Capitol Arts Theatre, Bowling Green, KY, 2/5/2010.

About the author: Pennman bought his first 45 at age nine and has been hooked on rock ever since. He has spent much of his disposable income on music, especially live performances. He writes reviews of the shows he sees and keeps a keen lookout for upcoming shows in or near Bowling Green. He has a BA in Communications, specializing in journalism, and has dabbled in music himself, both as a player and instructor. Find more of Pennman’s work at www.associatedcontent.com/user/165511/pennman.html or visit him at www.myspace.com/pennman_bg or www.facebook.com/pennman