Heather Henry, Gleaner Writer

Eyes closed, this female patron rocks to the tune of Dobby Dobson's 'Loving Pauper' during The Manhattans in concert at Club Inferno, Montego Bay, last Friday. - Photo by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Scores of patrons, some of them from as far as St. Elizabeth, braved the inclement weather to watch soul legends, The Manhattans, perform at the Club Inferno, in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, last Friday night.

Decked out in suits, sequins, stiletto heels and armed with sweaters and umbrellas, the patrons got a rude awakening when the show that was slated to commence at 9: 00 p.m. began two hours and five minutes late, prompting a barrage of insults at the show's MC, Delroy Sterling.

One woman, after throwing a string of expletives at Sterling, was told, "Miss you are too pretty to be cursing."

While a male patron gave out: "A wah kinda dolly house ting dis!"

The largely-mature crowd, however, managed to muster some patience and soon the buzz of chatter could be heard interspersed with periodic bouts of laughter. One couple even went as far as to catch a 'cat nap' while waiting for the show to begin.

The show opened at about 11: 05 p.m. with Jimmy Reid. He was followed by Lieutenant Brooksie whose vibrant presentation of I See Love In Your Eyes mustered some crowd support.

However, it was not until veteran singer Dobby Dobson took the stage, that the show really began as Dobson with his cool style delighted the ladies with songs Loving Pauper and Muriel.

The tempo was kicked up a notch when One Third hit the stage with songs Homely Girl, Africa and Beres Hammond's Step Aside Now. Rising star runner-up Nickeisha Barnes received a fair response with her performance of Tanya Stephens' These Streets.

She was followed by 'the grand lady', Dorothy Moore, whose I Believe You and Misty Blue had the audience rocking. Then came George with Left with a Broken Heart.

At about 2: 30 a.m., it was time for the main act and the crowd was ready and rearing to go when the impeccably-dressed quartet took the stage, all grouses with organisers, Princess Promotions, went through the window.

Dressed in blue suits with lavender vests, The Manhattans, who performed for an hour, had the audience eating out of their hands from the first bar of the first song. Songs such as Shining Star, We never danced to A Love Song and the 1976 hit Kiss and Say Goodbye had the crowd singing along, with the odd female scream here and there. All in all, The Manhattans in concert in Montego Bay was full of laughs, high drama and great entertainment.

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