Photos provided by Smokey Robinson

Given more than 4,000 songs to his credit, being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and winning every other conceivable award imaginable would easily warrant Smokey Robinson the opportunity to retire without ever needing to work another day.

But even at 83-years-old, Motown’s main man from the very beginning keeps crafting the super smooth likes of the entirely original “Gasms” album purely out of creative joy, while following closely behind with the “Music & Memories” Tour, adding yet another icon to the Genesee Theatre’s consistently star-studded schedule.

As an overture by his standard live band and a local string section indicated, classics were going to be in ample supply, which alongside a few newer tunes, made the next 100 minutes seem like a masterclass on textbook songwriting and showmanship.

It sure didn’t hurt that Robinson’s voice was pristine and he moved around like a man at least half his age, flashing a million watt smile from the start of the solo chart-topper “Being With You” and inviting a background singer up front for a steamy slow dance.

The soulful stomp of The Miracles’ “I Second That Emotion” and “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” naturally prompted the crowded house to accompany each chorus, plus Smokey singlehandedly commanded ballads such as “Quiet Storm” and “Ooo Baby Baby.”

In addition to the mounds he personally popularized, Robinson also wrote for several others and illustrated those unparalleled skills with a monumental medley of The Temptations’ “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Get Ready” and “My Girl.”

Fellow golden oldie “The Tears Of A Clown,” a collaboration with Stevie Wonder, and the standard “Fly Me To The Moon” were wrapped around the somewhat obscure yet lovely “I Love Your Face,” alongside the current silkiness of “La Mirada,” “If We Didn’t Have Each Other” and “Beside You.”

“Just To See Her” resumed the trademark groove, “The Tracks Of My Tears” was pure poetic perfection and “Crusin’” was the Genesee’s chief crowd pleaser, each pointing to Robinson’s everlasting ability to entertain and be amongst the finest composers to ever put pen to paper.

For additional information on Smokey Robinson, visit SmokeyRobinson.com

Upcoming concert highlights at the Genesee Theatre include Gavin DeGraw (Jan. 12); Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (Jan. 13); Puddles Pity Party (Jan. 19); Bee Gees Gold (Jan. 26); Dueling Pianos (Jan. 27); Chris Janson (Feb. 4); The Rocket Man Show (Feb. 9); “Jesus Christ Superstar” (Feb. 16); Johnny Cash: The Official Concert Experience (Feb. 17); Michael Bolton (Feb. 23); The Cornerstones Of Rock (Feb. 24); Elle King (Feb. 25); Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (Mar. 1); Lewberger (Mar. 8); 1964: The Tribute (Mar. 15); The Classic Rock Show (Mar. 24); Peter Frampton (Mar. 30); Brit Floyd (Apr. 7); The Mavericks (Apr. 12) and Kansas (Apr. 13). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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