Review: Solid Gold Soul at Harrah's Tahoe a winner

Some of favorite music in college included hits by Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, the Isley Brothers, the Commodores, Donna Summer and others who were part of the "Motown Sound."

I recently enjoyed a delightful trip down memory lane in the showroom at Harrah's Tahoe during their hit summer-long show, Solid Gold Soul, which is a bit of glamour, glitter and a whole lot of talent.

This show went back further than my college years and celebrated the amazing talents of Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Sam Cooke, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Little Richard, Marvin Gaye and many others. Extremely talented tribute artists brought them all back to life on the stage. Toss in some funk and doo-wop, and you'll understand why the audience got out of their seats to dance along.

The host of the evening was Bobby Brooks Wilson, Plateau Music Artist and son of legendary soul and pop singer Jackie Wilson. This talented singer's energetic musical review is complete with backup singers/dancers, a band and the line of tribute artists who make you take a double-take, thinking that the original artists were on the stage.

"It's a visual and audio cornucopia hit that is flawlessly executed," said my friend Virginia Berry who joined me. "Very high energy!"

The four girls on stage for most of the show to dance and sing are the LA Angels. One would think they'd been dancing together and with the show for years longer than the two weeks they actually have been (they will also perform four sets once on Wednesdays on Center Stage from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. in the casino).

They are Gabrielle Zapata from Las Vegas, Chealsea Stevens from Atlanta, Jenniefer Frosch from Chicago and Caitlyn Parker of Los Angeles.

The amazing vocals of Marva Scott are highlighted as she takes on the roles of Diana Ross and Tina Turner. Denita Asberry became Aretha Franklin as she belted out "Respect," pulling those who weren't already standing out of their seats. Early Clover brings his vocal power to the stage via Otis Redding, demonstrating why he's been with Cornell Gunter's Coasters for over 20 years, a legendary performer at the Apollo Theater and has his own CDs.

Bobby Wilson, through several costume changes, continues the hits inbetween Scott, Asberry, Clover and LA Angels, as he "becomes" Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, his dad Jackie Wilson and Little Richard.

The leader of this hit isn't on the stage though. Nannette Barbera is the producer and choreographer of the show, and is no stranger to the South Shore. Barbera was a dancer and choreographer in Barely Legal, High Steppin' and, 32 years ago, Hotter & Hotter.

I'd be remiss to not mention the men who make up talented band who keep the music going through the decades of hits: Singer Gary Sprewell from Los Angeles, Eric Hackett on keyboards from Oklahoma and Reno, guitarist Alder Palmer from Los Angeles and Reno, drummer Derrick Autry, who ended up in Reno via Kansas and Las Vegas, and add Fitz Magee, a man who sure can play the saxophone. They could be a show on their own!

The musical director for the show is Gary Sprewell.

The show started with a run in Las Vegas at Bally's, then moved to Harrah's in Reno, and now in Lake Tahoe. The Las Vegas Solid Gold Soul is still running there with a different cast.

Don't miss this show that runs through Labor Day at Harrah's Tahoe. Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Thursday through Monday.

More information about the show can be found on their Facebook and Twitter pages.