Gladys Knight boards the “Midnight Train” to Ravinia, Brian McKnight offers “All My Best”
Photos by Andy Argyrakis
For a whopping six-and-a-half decades, Gladys Knight has stayed a singular superstar able to flawlessly stitch together pop, soul, R&B and gospel, collecting seven Grammy Awards, countless chart-topping singles and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Since the 1990s, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Brian McKnight took a similar trajectory of influence and impact, selling 30 million albums, getting crowned Billboard’s “Songwriter of the Year,” plus taking home American Music, Soul Train and NAACP Image Awards to name a few.
Although both legends have performed at Ravinia previously, this was their first time inside the once-in-a-generation relaunch of the Hunter Pavilion, and suffice to say, it never sounded finer or felt more comfortable.
It certainly didn’t hurt that Knight’s voice is still impressively immaculate at 82, who upon being escorted out, joined a six-piece band and trio of backing vocalists to recall the early days of leading The Pips at Motown through going solo.
Either way, the “Empress of Soul” always felt familiar thanks to an hour’s worth of smashes, including “Taste Of Bitter Love,” “Make Yours A Happy Home,” “Every Beat Of My Heart” and “Love Overboard.”
In between, the group’s own “The Nitty Gritty” was cleverly blended with The Jacksons’ “Shake Your Body Down To The Ground” on the heels of Knight’s portrayal in the “MICHAEL” movie for helping discover The Jackson 5.
From right around then, the seasoned singer reminded everyone she was the earliest to ever release “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” but was even better when belting out the ballads “Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me,” “If I Were Your Woman,” “Neither One of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)” and “That’s What Friends Are For” before boarding the “Midnight Train To Georgia.”
After an intermission, co-headliner McKnight, 57, and four musicians started with the uptempo “Superhero,” soon settling into a series of guitar-centered grooves compiled on the new “All My Best” collection.
Throughout 75 minutes, his smooth and silky voice sounded remarkably close to the recordings, especially during the modern classics “Anytime,” “The Only One For Me” and “Find Myself In You.”
In addition to speaking fondly of Knight and being thankful for the opportunity to share the stage, “Everything” was written in honor of his current wife and the fact he’s “finally living my love songs,” followed by “My Legacy” as a dedication to their young son.
Fans had a chance to become a choir of counting come “Back At One,” prior to having “One Last Cry” and Ravinia ultimately going “Home” happy over encountering this timeless twosome.
For additional information on Gladys Knight and Brian McKnight, visit GladysKnight.com and TheBrianMcKnight.com.
Upcoming shows at Ravinia’s Hunter Pavilion include Joe Bonamassa (Aug. 12); The Music Of Quincy Jones (Aug. 13). Brahms X Radiohead (Aug. 14); Moe. and Umphrey’s McGee (Aug. 15); Gregory Alan Isakov & Chicago Philharmonic (Aug. 19); Ricky Martin (Aug. 20); Alabama Shakes (Aug. 21); Bonnie Raitt (Aug. 22); “Grease” Sing-Along (Aug. 23); Deep Purple (Aug. 25); Brandi Carlile (Aug. 26); Kool & The Gang (Aug. 27); Alabama (Aug. 28); Ray LaMontagne (Aug. 29); Miranda Lambert (Aug. 30); Snoop Dogg (Sept. 4); Rod Stewart (Sept. 5); Squeeze (Sept. 6); Erykah Badu (Sept. 10); Alison Krauss & Union Station (Sept. 12); Los Tigres del Norte (Sept. 13); Ziggy Marley and Thievery Corporation (Sept. 17); Tom Jones (Sept. 18) and Martina McBride (Sept. 19). For additional details, visit Ravinia.org.







