Motown’s main man Smokey Robinson charms with the tracks of his many years

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

“The Legends Series” at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino just leapt up another level with the specially-themed show “The Icon Smokey Robinson On Mother’s Day,” which marked yet another sell out at the Hammond hang out south of downtown Chicago. The singer/songwriter who once fronted The Miracles and was also a main man behind so much of Motown may now be 77, but he sure didn’t look or sound like it upon entering with a radiant glow to the buttery beats of “Being With You.”

Even with those warm receptions, the king of the quiet storm earned additional adoration for the breezy “Just To See Her” and the stripped down “The Tracks Of My Tears” (perhaps the greatest testament to his poetic beauty).

For the next 100 or so minutes, the velvet-voiced Robinson, his six-piece band and three background singers continued to exude charm at every angle, unloading R&B and pop masterpieces such as “I Second That Emotion” and “You Really Got A Hold On Me” while faithful frequently joined in the flashbacks. Once the headliner got to a much-deserved breather, he not only saluted all the moms in the room, but remarked how he’s getting more joy out of performing now than ever before.

That attitude was constantly evident, whether it was during a medley of Temptations tunes he personally penned or The Miracles’ equally golden oldies “Ooo Baby Baby” and “The Tears Of A Clown.” Yet Robinson wasn’t exclusively focused on his own nostalgia, instead dipping back to a flawless reading of the standard “Fly Me To The Moon” (off “Timeless Love”) right up to the steamy “Love Bath” and the slow jam “That Place” (found on both his “Time Flies When You’re Having Fun” album and the Cracker Barrel exclusive “Now And Then”).

Even with those warm receptions, the king of the quiet storm earned additional adoration for the breezy “Just To See Her” and the stripped down “The Tracks Of My Tears” (perhaps the greatest testament to his poetic beauty). The zesty “Crusin’” earned the coveted closing slot, accompanied by some band members’ solos plus a chance for two lucky ladies to lead their sections in the battle of the loudest, though in the end, the only score anyone appeared to keep was the one that deemed Robinson the undisputed victor when it came to musical immortality.

Click here for more Smokey Robinson photos from The Venue At Horseshoe Casino.

For additional information on Smokey Robinson visit SmokeyRobinson.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at The Venue At Horseshoe Casino include the Ingalls Development Foundation 45th Annual Benefit Show featuring Jay Leno (May 20);
KEM with Avery Sunshine (May 26); Anthony Hamilton (June 2); Wayne Brady (June 9); Maze featuring Frankie Beverly (June 16 and 17); Gabriel Iglesias (July 7); Diana Ross (July 15); The Righteous Brothers Bill Medley and Bucky Heard (July 29); The Isley Brothers (Aug. 4); Jeff Dunham (Aug. 6) and Patti LaBelle (Aug. 18). For additional details, visit ConcertMgmt.com, TheVenueChicago.com and Ticketmaster.com.

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Motown’s main man Smokey Robinson charms with the tracks of his many years

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