The July 17th show at the Carter Barron with Jerry Butler, The Impressions and The Jewels was one of the best shows I've seen at the Carter Barron in years. The line up was one that the Oldies but Goodies audience has been waiting for.
The show began with DC's hometown favorite female group, The Jewels. After 50 years, they are still a powerhouse group with tremendous vocal talent! The Jewels began singing off stage a medley of two of their hits "Loaded with Goodies" and "Erasers on Pencils". As the Jewels are fabulous dressers, they came out with in fringed pant suits and they shaked their hips until fringes said "ouch"! This from a female group that began in 1958! The Jewels are DC's DooWop Divas.
The group that this audience was waiting for were The Impressions. It's been years since this group performed their many hits of the 60s and 70s, here in the DC area. They did not disappoint. With original members, Sam Gooden and Fred Cash, along with thier new lead singer, they sang many of their charted hits, penned by the late Curtis Mayfield, founder of the Impressions. From "It's Alright" to "Super Fly", the audience danced and sang along with The Impressions.
The "Ice Man" Jerry Butler, lives up to his name. He is cool, handsome and a talented singer and performer. He began with DC's favorite dance hit "Cooling Out", and sang his hits, including "Western Union Man" and "Never Gonna Give You Up". But his most exciting moments were the love ballads, including a rousing rendition of "Ain't Understanding Mellow". The most disappointing moment was that Jerry Butler did not sing "For Your Precious Love" with the Impressions, for which the song was originally recorded by Jerry Butler and The Impressions, when they were a group. I was living for that moment that didn't happen.