The fact that more than 600 people packed the Bermuda Society of Arts over three nights for the 'Motown Live Soul Revue', and that unsuccessful ticket seekers ran to three figures, speaks volumes about the growing popularity of what appear set to become annual events produced by professional drummer Howard Rego as fund-raisers for the City Hall gallery.

Last year's event, 'The Booze Brothers', was also sell-out, and already people are looking forward to the next one.

Because Motown is marking its 50th anniversary this year, it was entirely appropriate that the music of this legendary Detroit label was the theme of choice and clearly a very popular one at that.

From this label's huge repertoire, Mr. Rego selected 28 numbers representing a good cross-section of the hits which turned so many aspiring black artists into super stars, thanks to owner Berry Gordie Jr's genius in recognising their potential and assiduously grooming, developing and marketing them.

The Motown sound is very distinctive, and to its many fans who turned out for this event, it was obvious that great care had been taken by the participating musicians and singers to ensure that they got it right.

Brought in from the US were professional musicians Tim De Huff (lead guitarist), Nicholas Bariluk (piano), Dave Livoisi (bass guitar), who joined Mr. Rego in backing local vocalists Lamont Robinson and Nicole Burgess (dubbed for this occasion 'The Motown Kids').

Collectively, they did the repertoire proud, bringing audiences to their feet time and time again with cheers, applause, and standing ovations for the sheer excellence of their performances.

Like manna falling in the wilderness, the good stuff just kept coming and coming, and just as we thought it couldn't get any better, it did time and time again.

Indeed, it was an exciting insight into the evolution of the Motown style over the half century of its existence. With its combination of R&B and pop or gospel rhythms, the label's distinctive upbeat sound was a major element of the 1960s.

Classic hits like 'Reach Out', 'How Sweet It Is', 'Respect', 'Pappa Was A Rolling Stone', 'Heard it Through the Grape Vine', 'Sweet Darlin', 'You Keep me Hanging On', 'Superstition', and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' rolled off the Motown assembly line one after another to take their place in musical history, having been immortalised by such greats as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Jackson Five, Martha and the Vandellas, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, and so many more. Backing almost all of the Motown artists were an amazing group of session musicians known as The Funk Brothers.

All in all, Motown set the bar high for imitators something those involved in making last weekend's 'Motown Live Soul Revue' such an outstanding success clearly understood.

Indeed, it takes a great deal of dedication and hard work for professionals and amateurs alike to perfect such a large and wide-ranging repertoire within a specific time frame, and then perform it as written (you don't mess with Motown!), and so well that the gallery was rockin' and the crowd were left screaming for more.

In the excitement of the moment, we who soak up shows like this with such enthusiasm and enjoyment don't always appreciate the (in this case) months of advance preparation which go into providing such a magical night out. Add to that the stifling heat which exertion and stage lights exact, and the resultant rivers of perspiration in which the artists work, and the appreciation doubles, nay triples.

To an extent, one expects professional musicians to rise to the occasion and these were top of the line but special mention must be made of Ms Burgess and Mr. Robinson, who were so impressive, both as individual singers, and as a duo. In fact, I couldn't take my eyes off the super-talented Mr. Robinson, who was born for showbiz. Like Ms Burgess, he lives what he sings with passion and his whole being. The chameleon-like ability to change his eyes, facial expressions, body language and voice range to convey the mood of so many different songs was captivating. Add to that his non-stop energy and warm personality, and you have a young Bermudian who is quite special.

The fact that this was a successful fund-raiser for the Bermuda Society of Arts was a bonus. Kudos to producer Mr. Rego, BSoA curator Lesley Rego, and all those who left us with such great memories and a thirst for more.