What’s up, dudes? Motown! The sound defined the ‘60s, the acts brought joy to everyone. Ken Kessler from Sounds of Christmas and I dive into the wonderfully odd “Motown Merry Christmas!” From the Temptations to Smokey Robinson, this one celebrates Christmas the Motown way…with several non-Motown acts?!
Synopsis
Hosted by Miami Vice’s Philip Michael Thomas, the special begins with a version of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” The Temptations then sell it hard with a rendition of “White Christmas” à la The Drifters. After the Pointer Sisters nail “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” Santa Redd Foxx and elf Marsha Warfield provide some comedy. Following that, Ronnie Spector and Darlene Love sing a Christmas medley with awkward transitions between each song. They kill it so hard, though! Great stuff!
Desiree Coleman, Smokey Robinson, and Natalie Cole wow the audience with soulful carols. Of course, the Temptations sing “Silent Night.” There’s more comedy bits with Foxx and Warfield, then Run DMC and Stephanie Mills get turns to provide holiday music. Carrie McDowell, Ronnie, Darlene, and the whole crew sing us out!
Tubbs? Check. Roz? Of course. Fred Sanford? Only if he can be Santa! So spin your records, put on your tux, and jive to this episode on “Motown Merry Christmas!”
Sounds of Christmas
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